Beaux

I have been asking begging Wes to let us get a dog for the whole five years we've been married a while now. A few months ago, he mentioned a dog that might become homeless and asked if I wanted it. To be honest, I wasn't sure. But after much very little thought, I decided YES!! Well, that dog didn't become homeless.

But the seed was planted much to Wes' dismay. Then, the Humane Society started this campaign to save over 2500 lives to win a large sum of money. So, my e-mail and FB feed were bombarded with HSSM messages. I couldn't help it if they were just asking me to look at the poor, pitiful babies that needed new homes. Sooooo... I just happened to see  a few more than a few that I thought were really cute. What is a girl to do but share these cuties with her best friend, Wes? :)

I am not sure what really happened. Wes probably just got tired of it and gave in, but either way, he said if I really wanted a dog, I could get one after Thanksgiving. I decided it would be better to wait until after Christmas. Then last Friday night while casually browsing HSSM's website, I saw this cutie named Rex. I showed him to Wes, and he thought he was worthy of checking out. So after the Christmas parade on Saturday, we headed to the shelter.

Of course it wasn't after Christmas yet, but come on, we all knew the odds of me leaving there without a dog were slim. I learned quickly that Rex had already been chosen by someone else. Beaux, known then as Bumble Bee (I know right), was really the first dog I saw when I arrived. But, he was not the first dog I took out for a walk. The reason was because he was 5 years old. And for some reason, I had this thought that it would be better to get a young dog that I could train. Well, the young dog was insane a little hyper. So, we sadly put him back and out came Beaux.

I feel in love with him almost immediately. He snuggled against my leg because he was a little scared and looked right up at me. He was very calm but curious. He had a cough but tested negative for heart worms. After a few minutes of deliberation, we I decided this was the one. Wes said it was fine. I was soooooooooo excited!

Beaux came home with us Tuesday afternoon. He has been a dream. He is a 6 pound Yorkie/mix. It is apparent that someone at sometime worked with him and took care of him. He uses the bathroom outside. He sleeps in a crate. He walks extremely well on a leash. He gets tired easily after just a few minutes of play and so do I. He loves to cuddle! I can't wait until he gets his bath and haircut, Dec. 17. He is going to be so handsome. I'll post pictures, then. Right now, he still looks like a homeless dog.

If you are considering getting a pet, please consider adopting. There are so many animals out there who need loving homes. Check out all their pictures here.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Welcome Home

BEAUX!!!!

He really needs a haircut and a bath, but he sure is a sweetheart. I will blog a lot about him later, but for now, I have to go play!!! 

Until next time...

XOXOXOX

Trick or Treat?

Happy Halloween!!!

A WORD of advice

Every once in a while, we meet a stranger that touches our lives in unexpected yet delightful ways. This past Thursday, I attended the Coast Big Band concert at the Mary C. Wes plays trombone for the group. Surprisingly, I had the pleasure of sitting next to, none other than, Mrs. Word Taylor. During the two-hour concert, we shared a very entertaining conversation. Although, unintentional (I think), she shared many words of advice.

That trumpet player always get the solos. His tonguing is terrible. That is what happens when you get old. Your tongue gets sloppy just like the rest of you!

Do you have children? You better get off of that stuff that's keeping you from having babies. Before, you miss out on a great joy!

The guitar player should be in the front of the piano. He is good!! When you've got it, you need to show it off. 

In life there are seasons, it a takes a mature person to know when and how to change with each season. 

I told my 26 year old granddaughter that it is dangerous to talk on the cell phone in the car. She did it, anyway, while I was riding with her. I called the police on her. It was the biggest fight we've ever been in, but IT IS DANGEROUS!

I may never cross paths with Word, again, but I will not soon forget her.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOX

Shop CVS this week, get a $10 giftcard

There is a really good deal going on at CVS this week. You buy $30 worth of selected items and get a $10 gift card. You can use the card to purchase more CVS stuff or choose from any of the cards available at CVS and purchase an early Christmas present for someone. Here is how I did it....

Transaction #1

2 Planters mixed nuts/cashews 2/$6
1 Charmin ultra soft $5.44
1 Carmax healing cream $4.99
1 Iams cat food $6.99
2 Covergirl (powder and concealer) B1G1 50% off $5.99/$2.99

Used:
$4 off $20 email coupon at CVS
$.25 Charmin coupon
$8.00 off 2 Covergirl coupon

Total paid w/ tax: $22.14
Received a coupon for a FREE $10 gift card

Transaction #2

1 $10 CVS gift card

Used:
FREE $10 coupon

Total paid: ZERO

Transaction #3

1 Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit (the handle broke off of my 8yr old one) $8.99
1 Swiffer Sweeper refill kit $3.99

Used:

$.50 off a Swiffer product
Buy a Starter Kit get a refill FREE coupon

Total ticket: $9.40 paid with gift card.

In summary...

Total CVS ticket: $80.21
Total saved: $58.07
Total paid: $22.14 (I still have $.60 left on the gift card.)

Until next time..

XOXOXOX

A shopping cart, a toe, and a boy

While I have been debating on whether to blog about this story or not, I have decided it is just too funny to go untold.

Can we stop by the grocery? I need to pick up a few things, Brooke asks, as they near the red light. Sure, but I will stay in the car, Wes replies.

She reaches for the 2-liter Coke Zero, turns in a haste as to not keep him waiting too long, and feels the pressure of some type of conflict with the shopping cart wheel and her big toe, curses, and looks down only to see the big toenail on her right foot turning dark purple. Before her brain can even process the color, it happens.... BLOOD!! Blood that is pouring seeping out from under her toenail getting on her silver sandal, getting on the grocery store floor. She feels their heat, the burning in her eyes. She searches frantically for a napkin, a tissue, anything. She spots napkins on the deli counter at the same time she feels the wet warmth of a tear roll down her check.

I am not crying in the grocery store. I AM NOT CRYING IN THE GROCERY STORE! Okay, it hurts BAD, I am crying in the grocery store. Just get the groceries and get OUT! 

Of course, she could not leave without her needed groceries, now that would be a tragedy. She limps her way up and down the necessary isles trying to control the tears. Everyone looks at her like she is crazy, but much to her delight, no one asks if she is okay.  She flings open the truck door, slings the groceries into the back, opens up the flood gates, and sobs, Babe, I got hurt REAL BAD!!! He comes around to her side, assesses the damage, and patiently and lovingly agrees she is hurt but maybe not REAL BAD. He agrees to get the groceries out of the truck while she tends to the toe.

 Oh my gosh!! The milk spilled in the back seat of my truck!! Seriously!!

8 day later....

She is sick with a cold. She explains to her class that because she cannot breath they will watch a movie on snakes. One loving child wants her to feel better so he walks up, arms spread, gets a little too close, and steps on the BIG toe! She gasps, my toe!! Leans forward still in his embrace, feels the heat, the burning in her eyes; it hurts BAD! The class gasps. She tries to recover, but her voice is shaky. Oh, it's okay! My toe was already hurt. It is not your fault. She quickly puts the students to a task, runs behind the desk, rips off her shoe, and sees it. BLOOD! She limps through the day and is pretty sure she is going to loose the toenail on her big toe on her right foot.

And just when she thought she was going to be able to get a 10 toe pedicure. You see, the toenail on her big toe on her left foot just grew back in from an unknown injury a year ago. Oh, the toe trauma.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOXO

Prayer for a Dear Friend

A friend who I spent many days drinking cherry Dr. Pepper with and laughing my head off with is in need of your prayers. She was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia and is undergoing intensive treatment.

Her sweet sister is keeping a blog to update us all with specific prayer requests. Follow her at www.jennifer-sample.blogspot.com and take a moment to lift her, her husband, and her family up to God.

Until next time...

XOXOXO

September 11, 2001... We remember!

Kosciusko, MS, Brooke. September 11, 2001, I woke up before the blazing sun which was quit unusual for my 20 year old self with a part-time job that didn't start until 1pm. Never the less, there were muscadines to be picked and sold to the local grocery store in an effort to pad my savings account for the apartment/house I was determined to rent and furnish by the end of the year. As the sun came up and began to beat down on my body, I had 2 five gallon buckets of berries and headed inside to cool off and possibly take a nap.

As I pulled my boots off at the back door, I heard my phone ringing but didn't get in a hurry to answer it. A quick glance at my phone showed 6 or 7 missed calls from my boyfriend, Frankie. Knowing that was extremely strange because he should have been at work, I called him back, immediately. There was no hello, only, "Turn the TV on, something bad has happened!" I did as I was instructed in a blur of confusion. He said, "They are reporting we have been attacked by terrorist."

The first thing I saw when the TV came on was a lady running as fast as she could down a New York street and ducking behind a car. She was covered in ashes. Frankie nor I spoke, but I continued to hold the phone to my ear as my brain began to comprehend what had happened. Planes had hit the North and South towers in New York, one plane crashed into the Pentagon, and one went down on a field in Pennsylvania because a group of courageous people fought back. By this time, the first tower had already fallen, and you could hear urgency and hysteria in all the reporters voices. At some point Frankie and I must have hung up with one another because I called my mom at work to make sure she knew what was going on. I had not moved from standing in front the TV in my parents living room. I remember her saying, "Oh, it is so sad, Brooke." I responded with, "Oh my God, the second tower just fell; I am watching a live news feed!" Tears filled my eyes, as I explained, "Momma, all those people just died." She tried to reassure me and herself by saying,  "Oh no, I am sure it was just a replay of the first tower falling." I assured her; it was not.

The rest of the morning was spent staring at that TV and sorting out what had happened. I finally rushed through a shower not wanting to miss a second of the news before I had to leave to go work at the public library. Between the hours of 1pm-6pm, not a single soul entered the library. We (the employees) took turns going  upstairs to watch the news. We, like the rest of the world, found ourselves in state of shock that has yet to wear off.

AAE bulletin board 2011

 New York, NY, Wes. 1, 159 miles away in New York City, I received a phone call from my girlfriend, Rebecca. She cried in hysterics as she explained that while riding the ferry to work she watched two planes fly into both of the towers that made up the World Trade Center. I lived in West New York/New Jersey and could see Manhattan Island from my apartment balcony. Not yet comprehending what was happening, I  looked out my window and saw smoke billowing from the towers. I woke up my roommates, immediately, and turned on the TV. The TV screen and the view from my window were mostly identical.

Reporters were just beginning to speculate that America had been the victim of a terrorist attack. I saw the first tower begin falling on the TV and watched it crumble to the ground out of my apartment window. I, then,  called my sister who lives in NY to make sure she was okay. While leaving a message for my mom to let her know I was safe, I watched the second tower collapse outside the window.

The thing I remember most about that day was how beautiful it was... no clouds in the sky, cool temperatures, and the bluest skies. I remember how quiet it was, no planes in the sky, no traffic, no one talking as they returned from the city either by ferry or by foot as all traffic was closed in and out of the city. You could finally hear the birds singing. Around mid-day, the scent of an electrical fire made its way to my apartment. My skyline view of the twin towers was replaced with pillars of smoke. When asked what it was like that day, I can only respond with the word, shock.

Until next time...

OXOXOXXOX

A special thanks to Wes for sharing his story with me.

Top Eight events, I didn't write about in August

Well, I haven't blogged in a while. I am not really sure why. I suppose I didn't consider anything publish worthy at the times they were taking place. But reminiscing on it a few note worthy events did occur.

1.  School started.... need I say more.
2.  Mississippi State killed Memphis in the opening game. Expected, but so fun!
3.  Jess and Paul bought and moved into a house.
4.  Tropical storm Lee rained out our Labor Day plans and
5.  caused us to close our pool a little earlier than planned, but hey, I don't have to deal with a single acorn, now!
6.  began getting up at 5:15 three days a week to run.. OMG!
7. had a fun night of Boo-ray and ice cream sundaes with my friends.
8. Wes is seriously considering getting a dog, which is pretty much a miracle! 


Yeah, it was a pretty boring relaxing month.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

I swim in that water?!?!

In July, Wes' mom and step dad came for a visit. For our entertainment one day, we fished for shark in the same water that I had just been swimming in four days before. Makes you think!

Until next time....

XOXOXOXOX

My Mississippi

Increasingly over time, I have begun to notice that people who weren't born and raised in Mississippi, even if they have visited, have a distorted view of our glorious state. The extent to which they are willing to believe certain things astonishes me. Things such as the idea that people don't wear shoes when grocery shopping, that all  hospitals only have one doctor, and he/she lives hours away from the facility, and that Mississippi is only good for producing racism and rednecks.

My Mississippi is nothing like that! My Mississippi is a place whose namesake was anointed to a mighty river, the largest river in North America as a matter of fact. A place were riverboats churn and trains whistle. This is a place where a story teller with a slow southern drawl lures you in and holds you for awhile with a tale so outrageous it must be true. It's the place that birthed Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Willie Morris, Shelby Foote, Alice Walker, Richard Wright, Stephen Ambrose, Walter Anderson, and John Grisham. People whose works are not only considered masterpieces, but whose words stood for and affected social change. My Mississippi cuddled Jim Henson as he dreamed of Miss Piggy and Kermit. In my Mississippi, the blues of B.B King rolls into our ears, warms our souls, and spreads smiles onto our faces. It's a place where our hips still shake to the beat of an Elvis song.Our eyes gaze upon fields of snow white cotton fields, not forgetting the past, but grateful for the present. It's a place were pine trees reaching for the heavens replace skyscrapers, magnolia's burst into bloom, and mockingbird's sweetly sing. My Mississippi is a place were fried chicken and mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits, tomatoes sandwiches, and sweet tea are on the menu at restaurants and at your best friend's house. It is a place were we brew our own booze and call it Lazy Magnolia. It boast outstanding plantation homes that hold an aura of mystery as to the skeletons in their closets. After all, what fun would it be for a southerner to live in a place with no secrets. In this place, hospitality and gossip abound with hugs and kisses and "ya'll come on in." My Mississippi is an innovative leader in Polymer Science, and tests rockets for NASA at Stennis Space Center. Fun can be found in catching lighting bugs, jumping into a creek, or stomping through a mud puddle. In my Mississippi, Eagles, Bulldawgs, and Rebels fight for a touchdown on Saturdays. Sandy white beaches glitter beneath my feet and draw me into the Mississippi Sound where bottle-nose dolphins play, fishing abounds, and the sun turns us a toasty brown. My Mississippi wraps me in a blanket of warmth and sings me to sleep with the song of a cicada. So come on in, ya'll, to my Mississippi.  

I loved to hear about your Mississippi.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOX

Scenario Ideas and CVS

The CVS ad is very light this week. However, it is a good week to stock up on things if you are just beginning to coupon.

Remember at CVS, you must have a card. Be sure to check the item sizes to ensure you are getting the product that is on sale. It is important to remember that stocking up doesn't mean leaving the store with a buggy full of stuff. It means leaving with the stuff you need when items are at their lowest prices and using coupons if/when you have them.

If I were just beginning, my scenario would look like this:

Transaction #1 (Because there are not BIG ECB deals, I will get them all in one transaction.)

1 Oral B Indicator toothbrush$1.99
1 12.6 oz Pantene Pro-V Shampoo $3.48
1 12.6 oz Pantene Pro-V Condition $3.48
1 11.6-12.8oz Colgate Advance whitening toothpaste, twin pack $2.99

Use:
$2.00 Oral-B Indicator PG 7/03
$3.00/2 Pantene SS 6/19
$.50/1 Colgate SS7/10

Total due (w/tax): $7.29
Get back ECB's: $5.00 ($1, $2, $2)

Transaction #2

1 Cottonelle Ultra tissue 18pk $8.99

Use:
$.75/1 Cottonelle 12+  SS 7/17
$1.00 ECB
$2.00 ECB
$2.00 ECB

Total due (w/tax): $3.87

Total for all transactions: $11.16

Leave a comment or message me, if you have questions.

Until next time..

XOXOXO

* Update* Scenario Ideas and Walgreens

So, after shopping at Walgreens, today, here are how my totals came out. Actually, much better than I estimated. I completed the 3 transactions below just as planned.

Here are the totals:
Total ticket (total savings + total paid)= $50.38
Total saved (with sale prices and coupons/RRs): $32.15 (64%)
Total paid: $18.23

Until next time...

XOXOXO

I taught a coupon class Wednesday night, and it was sooo much fun! I know everyone who came is putting their shopping lists together and getting ready to hit the stores, Sunday! This week I will be shopping at Walgreens. I thought it might be helpful to post my scenario in advance this week.

*Remember* When shopping at Walgreens, you get register rewards (RR's), and you must have the same number of items as you do coupons. RR's count as coupons.

Walgreens 7/17-7/23

Transaction #1

1 32oz Drano $3.50
1 Pledge Spray 9.7-12.5 oz $3.50
1 Schick Disposable Xtreme 3, 4pk $5.99

Use:
$3.00 Schick Xtreme 3 printable coupon

Total due (w/tax): $10.90
Get back RR's: $3.00 ($1, $2)

Transaction #2

2 Dove Men+Care Soap 6pk $6 each
1 Penway 2 pocket folder $.09

Use:
$4.00 Dove Men+Care coupon RP 6/26
$1.00 RR
$2.00 RR

Total due (w/tax): $5.94
Get back RR's: $4.00

Transaction #3

2 Chex Mix 5.5-8.75 oz $1.50 each
1 Pure honey 12oz $2.50 w/ in ad coupon (coupon will come in sale paper on Sunday, if you don't get the paper, yet.. grab the ad when you walk in the door, and tear the coupon out while in the store.)

Use:
.50/2 Chex Mix Reg SS 6/12
$4.00 RR's

Total due (w/tax): $1.39

Total for all transactions: $18.27

In the end, this will be probably be a 40-45% savings trip. Ideally, we want our trips to save us 50-60%. However, in reality, I am getting things I need like Drano, Pledge, and honey and stocking up on things like soap and razors. The important thing is that you get the items your family needs when they are on sale.

Until next time...


XOXOXOXOXO

Great CVS trip!

I had the best CVS trip I have had in a while, yesterday. They have some pretty good deals going this week, and luckily, I was able to take advantage.

Here is how it worked out.

Transaction #1

2 375ct Q-tips 2/$4
2 Head & Shoulders 2n1 shampoos $4.99 each
1 Gillette Pro Fusion razor system $9.99

Used:
$4.00 Gillette pro fusion coupon
B1G1 H&S coupon -$2.99
$5.00 ECBs from previous week
$1.50 ECBs gained from this quarter of shopping

Total paid $11.70; Total saved: $21.07

Cash back:
$7.00 ECBs

Transaction #2

2 large packages Starburst 2/$5
5 2Liter Cokes $.69 each
3 15ct Mentos gum
1 Charmin 16pk

Used:

$1.00 off 3 Mentos gums
$.25 off Charmin
$7.00 ECBs from previous transaction

Total paid: $14.66; Total saved: $24.85

Saving percentage from both transaction 64%.

Until next time..

XOXOXOXO

Zing, Zang, 4th of July

Wes, Clint, Angela, and I had a fantastic 4th of July weekend! Fishing, swimming, going to the beach, eating, watching the circus, ice cream caking, sleeping at the movie theater, gawking over dolphins, and 40lbs of shrimp later, the weekend could not have been more perfect.  Oh and did I mention, Wes had a birthday! Not surprising, I didn't take many pictures. But here are few from the circus.

I don't dine with flies

I don't dine with flies. The sooner the flies learn this, the happier we will all be.  

Story number one

I don't dine with flies.  For eight weeks, I had fresh fruit and vegetables on my kitchen counter, in my frig, dried up on plates left in the sink, everywhere for eight weeks. I only saw maybe one or two fruit flies.

Now that all the fruits and veggies are gone, there appears to be an army of fruit flies determined to take over my kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, every room. I don't dine with flies! My homemade vinegar traps and a friend's aimless swings of a fly swatter at the ceiling, along with shouting and crying are fighting a hard battle and slowly winning the war. One million fruit flies have dwindled to about 20 give or take a few. I don't dine with flies! So go ahead, taste the vinegar; take a nice long swim!

Story number two

I don't dine with flies! While I enjoyed a ham sandwich, goldfish crackers, and kosher dill pickle on a camping trip, several overgrown, striped, blood sucking flies dined on me! Their bites stung and caused me to shout curse words, stomp, scowl, and retreat to the safety of the hot truck cab where I barely missed bumping into a momma raccoon that was climbing onto our picnic table to steal our bread. I don't dine with flies or raccoons! 

Until next time..

XOXOXOXO  

Zuppa Toscana Morehead Style*

Zuppa Toscana Morehead Style

2 Turkey sausage link styles
8 slices Turkey bacon
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tbls olive oil
4 medium potatoes, cut into cubes
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
4 cups of water
1 bunch of kale, removed from stems and torn into pieces
1 cup of heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

In a dutch oven, place potatoes, garlic, and onions. Cover with water. Let boil until potatoes are tender but not falling apart. While boiling, saute sausage and jalapeno pepper slices in 1 tbls of olive oil until brown. Move to a bowl. In same skillet, fry bacon until crisp in 1 tbls of olive oil. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add sausage, peppers, and bacon to dutch oven. Let simmer 10 minutes. Add cream and kale, heat through. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy!

Until next time...

XOXOXOX

Staycation Oasis

Wes and I have had a very busy and fun summer so far. Let's see if I can give a quick run down.

1. Gulf Shores, AL-Lots of love to the Gillenwater's for the invite.
2. Ship Island
3. Kosciusko
4. New Pirates movie-a little disappointing
5. Reba McIntyre concert-AWESOME!
6. Canoeing
7. Wedding in Slidell, LA-Yay! for the Little's
8. A lot of laying by the pool-see pictures below
9. Started C25K-I am going to DIE make it for sure
10. Bridesmaids- some very funny parts
11. More Ship Island
12. Flounder gigging and lots of fishing
13. Swimming with the Pitts kids-I heart these little guys
14. And everything in-between

It only gets crazier more insane amazing from here. June is going to be a busy month, but I am loving every minute of it. We even have a primitive tent camping trip planned for Wes' birthday. I will not survive. :/

Here are some pictures of our backyard... our staycation oasis.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Passion.Oprah.Service

I sit in my living room watching the season finale of The Oprah Show. Teary eyed. Truly feeling that I am saying goodbye to great friend. I can't remember a day in my life when I didn't know Oprah. There is no doubt that I grew up with her on my TV. In 25 years, mostly the last 10 or so, I have shared her stories, her laughs, her tears, and been inspired by her acts of service no matter how outrageous. She taught me that giving back is really the only thing that matters in life.

She shared her favorite things, many of those became my favorite things. She shared her books, one of which became my favorite book of all time, The Pillars of the Earth by Follet. She shared her home, her partner, her friends, her pets, her adventures, and her passions. She introduced me to medical breakthroughs, to eating healthier, to living my best life. She encouraged me to think about my life, my body, my health and to take charge of these things. It is because of her that I have an "I want" list. A list that at a very important time proved beneficial to my marriage.

Because she is an easy target, I have spent many minutes and hours defending her motives, her beliefs, and her actions. Anyone who knows me, knows I stand up for the people I care about and the things I believe in. Like all of us, Oprah is not perfect, but I believe she has done more to help than she has to hurt. One of my dreams was to be an audience member on the Oprah Show (fingers crossed for the my favorite things episode), that will never happen, now....unless.. there is a reunion show. One can only hope right!

In her finale show, she talked about how she has lived her passion and she wishes the same for all of us. It was during this discussion, that in Oprah fashion, I had an AHA moment. Recently, I have been toying with the idea of maybe becoming a classroom teacher. Asking myself questions like can I make a bigger difference with just 25 kids versus 500 plus. Today, I realize that I am in a situation where I can make the biggest difference. I get to know every child in my school. I get to see them once a week. I know each one on a different level, some much better than others, of course. For most of them, I get to grow and learn with them for 6 years. For some of them, I may be the only constant in their life for that long of a period. I get to teach them in a different way than their classroom teachers. I get to introduce them to new worlds and new ways of thinking through books and research. I am tired at the end of the day. I am beat down and defeated at times. At the same time, I am giving back and hoping that from this platform, I am making a difference.

Thank you, Oprah, for sharing 25 years of your life so that mine may be better.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Not ya mama's collard greens

One thing I forgot to mention in yesterday's post was that we also received collard greens from CSA. I don't like collard greens and neither does Wes, but we couldn't let good food go to waste. After reading several recipes, I put this together.

1 tbls olive oil
5-6 pieces turkey bacon
1/2 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1lb collard greens
1 can chicken broth
2 tbls honey
1tbls red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in skillet. Fry bacon in oil. Remove bacon from skillet and break into pieces. Add bacon and onion to skillet. Cook until onions are clear, about 5 mins. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Add greens. Fry until they start to wilt. Add chicken broth, honey, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Turn heat to low, cover, and cook until tender and dark green about 30 minutes.
*Thanks to Allrecipes for the ideas.
Serve with roast and potatoes.

Until next time....


XOXOXOXOXO

CSA?

Thanks to Jenny at Southern Savers, I learned about a program called CSA (community supported agriculture).  

CSA supports local farmers by allowing customers (ME!) to purchase a share of their farm and in return they deliver fresh fruits and vegetables from their gardens. The agreements and prices vary by farm. I was so ecstatic to learn that there was a farm participating in CSA near me. They deliver to Ocean Spring on Wednesday.

With the money and stockpile that we saved couponing, Wes and I were able to use part of our grocery budget this month to buy into a farm for 8 weeks. The deliveries started, today!! We received about 8lbs of cabbage, kale, broccoli, and onions. You just get whatever is ready in the garden each week.

I am so excited about this because 1: we don't have grow every vegetable in our own garden so we can keep it small, and 2: it is going to force us to be creative, try new things, and eat healthier.

Each week, I know I will be trying out new recipes. I think it will be a good idea to place those here for whomever would like to try them and to keep a record of what we liked and didn't like.

Tonight's recipe....

The sausage and cabbage skillet.

1pound Kielbasa sausage
2Tbls butter
1/2 onion
1/2 head cabbage
1 can tomato sauce
1 Tbls sugar
1 tsp paprika
4 potatoes cubed
salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage in butter in a large skillet or dutch oven. Remove sausage from pan. Saute cabbage and onion in same skillet until onions are tender. Stir together tomato sauce, sugar, and paprika. Pour over cabbage and onion. Stir and simmer 5 minutes. Add potatoes, increase to medium heat. Return sausage to pan and add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.Serve with bread.

*Compliments of Taste of Home 2006 cookbook. 

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Read Roger: Southern Misschief

Read this great blog post by Roger Sutton concerning his trip to Southern Miss for the Children's Book Festival.

Read Roger: Southern Misschief

What is a reluctant reader?

I attended a lecture by Roger Sutton, editor of Horn Book Magazine. Horn Book reviews all children's books published in hardback each year. In his lecture, he made some pivotal and thought provoking suggestions that have me asking these questions.

Do we (teachers, librarians, parents, people) categorize children as reluctant readers because they don't read the books we "want" them to read?

Why does a child have to a read chapter book in order to be assessed on reading skills? As long as they are reading a book on their level be it non-fiction, pictures book, or chapter books what's the BIG deal?

Does every child in the teacher determined reading group, have to read the same book? Is this better for the child or for the teacher?

What am I subconsciously doing to encourage or discourage reading by projecting my own ideas and beliefs about reading upon the reader?

Is there only one way to assess reading? Is that "reading fair" style or something else?

What about other types of reading materials...e-books, magazines, online articles, newspapers, comics, etc.? What about these?

The answers to these questions will vary across individuals, schools, disticts, and even states. Some will cause quite the controversy when presented. Still, I believe that it is through a good debate that change is brought forth. I would love to hear from you and about what you are doing to prevent reluctant readers.

Until next time...

XOOXOXOXOX

What's for dinner?

Sometimes, I am asked what I cook for dinner. People tire of cooking the same old same old week in and week out. I try mixing  up the things that we eat with recipes from www.allrecipes.com or cooks.com, but this week, I have been on top of my game creating extremely flavorful meals that are quick and easy. If you are in the need for something new, try these from the Morehead kitchen.

Pork Chops

1 package bone in pork chops
1/2 cup teriyaki  sauce
fresh mushrooms
sliced jalapeno pepper
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Line 9x13 glass pan with tin foil. Place chops in pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover in teriyaki sauce. Layer with mushrooms and jalapeno slices. Bake for 20 minutes or more depending on thickness of chops. Do not over cook. Serve with English peas.

Pork tenderloin

Pork tenderloin
EVOO
Your favorite meat rub ( I used Jamaican Jerk from Pampered Chef)

Preheat outdoor grill. Brush meat with EVOO. Coat with rub and press in with fingers. Cook 15 minutes on medium low grill. Turn meat and cook for 25 minutes on medium low grill. Let meat sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with French style green beans and angel hair pasta topped with warmed Rotel tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

Tip: I place a sheet of aluminum foil sprayed with Pam on top of my grates to keep things clean and prevent sticking.

Until next time..

XOXOXOXOX

Love

A year ago to date I wrote this lovely post to celebrate my wedding anniversary.   http://flowersandkittens.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-11-2006.html .

Today, after thinking about my anniversary all week long and even wondering what I would write on this very blog, I forgot that TODAY was the actual day of my anniversary!!!! Yep, said good morning, ate breakfast, kissed him goodbye, but never said, "happy anniversary."

He had to come to my school to be in a parade. He hugged me and whispered, "happy anniversary!" I am certain that all the color left my face, I went weak in the knees, and I vomited a little in my mouth. It made me that sick!! So, I just started laughing and said, "Ha, I was waiting on you to say it!" He laughed back, knowing I was lying through my teeth.

Nonetheless, he is still taking me out to dinner. Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life, but it is the days that have followed that day that have made my marriage. The "in-between" then and now days that have made me fall more and more in love with him. The inside jokes, the comfort, the looks, the laughs that happen everyday make me so proud to be Mrs. Morehead.

I love you, babe!!

And I am thrilled that you love me back!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

I'm gonna be a mister!

Throw me something, mister!!! Yes, indeed, all my family and friends gathered together bright and early, and I do mean early, in the wind and rain and cold to be misters for my surprise of actually being in a Mardi Gras parade on Sunday.

Wes, Julie, and Rachel had been secretly planning this for months. Wes rented a float, bought the throws, gathered the people, and we had a fantastic time!!

I am still in awe over the love and thoughtfulness that was put into throwing this party for me. I can't say enough about Wes. He put so much time and energy into making this a wonderful weekend. I am more than lucky to have such an attentive spouse. My friends are just as amazing. They schemed and kept Wes on task and made me feel so special and loved. My family is always so entertaining. I am overjoyed that they were all able to be part this spectacular day.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXO

On turning 30

 For quite a while now, I have been dreading turning the "Dirty Thirty" as a friend of mine calls it. I don't know what made me feel sad for leaving the oh so young twenties behind. Maybe, it was because people will no longer say, "AWWWWW" when I tell them my age. Maybe, it was the Redbook article I read that outlined all the not so appealing things that would start happening to my body when I turned 30. Maybe, it was a number of small things, who knows?

What I know for SURE is this...

• I wanted to cry about it on Thursday.
• Friday, I was perfectly happy being 30 and looking forward to celebrating.
• I don't feel old at all, but I do get tired easier than I used to.
• I can stay out all night long, but the next day is a wash.
• 29 was probably the best year of my life, and if that is any indication of what the 30's will be like, bring it on!!
• I have the most AWESOME husband who threw me the biggest surprise birthday weekend, ever!!
• My life is in a good place.
• I am happy!

Speaking of the "biggest surprise birthday weekend ever." Wes really out did himself. It started with strawberries and waffles for breakfast on Friday morning. He planned a surprise dinner for me at my fave Mexican restaurant with my fave friends on Friday night. Then, we hit the dance floor.

Saturday, my entire family came into to town to celebrate and hit some Mardi Gras parades in the rain!!

Sunday.... well that is another post entirely.

So here's to the thirties!! Let's have some FUN!!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO