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