Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday 02/18/2010 SPI, TX Vacation
Last week DB&I went to SPI, TX to have a little R&R and visit my Mom & Earl and his folks. Thursday we dropped Lexie off at the Woof & Purr Boarding & spent the night at my girlfriend's in WBL. They have a beautiful home and busy household with 2 young, gorgeous children, 9 mo old retriever, and a crazy cat. We had a good night reminiscing & catching up. We had to leave early @ 5 AM. Cari was sweet enough to set out to-go cups for coffee and donuts with sprinkles for our drive to the airport. We got to the airport early, parked the car, and headed in. I was surprised (though I shouldn't have been) at the size and amount of carry-ons people had. Like I had said before, it was $20 (went up from $15) per checked bag. There are pros & cons to this, of course. Pro: significantly less people at baggage claim. Con: Everyone has a bag in the overhead compartment, so it takes longer to board and deplane b/c everyone is fighting w/ their bags. All in all, the flight was good and DB&I sat next to each other without having the pa the extra $15 to guarantee a seat next to the one you love.
Quote on Pessimists
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
- George F. Will
- George F. Will
Monday, February 15, 2010
I Play My .. Gui-tarrrr
I'm teaching myself the guitar. Slowly. I know A, D & G. Luckily those are just the cords for "I Keep Falling in Love With Him" (Christian music). I kept playing and falling in love with him over and over again and now my fingers are pooped out. Just taking a 5-er to stretch them out before hitting it again.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
2010 Winter Olympics
"When NBC kicked off its coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics on Friday night, it was with a much different introduction than originally planned. The broadcast started at 7:30 p.m. ET with a somber intro from Bob Costas and Matt Lauer that detailed the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvil earlier in the day. It was a respectful and necessary decision, but far from the triumphant opening sequence that was doubtlessly in the can. Still, it's safe to say that a vast majority of the 38 million Americans who were watching the Opening Ceremony hadn't yet seen the gruesome clip of Kumaritashvili flying off the course and crashing into a metal pole. Was a brief warning that suggested only "some people" would find it tough to see enough? NBC was right to cover the story, and showing the video was a necessary news decision. The network, which usually holds a tight grip on Olympic footage, even released the tape to other news organizations because "this was a significant news event." However, showing it three times at the beginning of coverage without an adequate warning and then airing a picture of a lifeless body getting medical attention was irresponsible. "~excerpt taken from Yahoo news
Oh my! We don't even have NBC and we saw this on another news channel. What is wrong with our society? I was appalled when I saw this video clip, replayed over and over, then in slow motion. I have a strong stomach, but that's not the point. This was disrespectful. A simple snapshot would have gotten the news across. His poor family.
Siesta
Rescuing pup from pound: $200+ dollars
Going to animal store for the first time and staring from scratch: $100
Buying a doggy kennel she hates: $40
Teeth cleaning and 2nd round of shots: $195
Capturing the two loves of my life taking an afternoon siesta: PRICELESS
Happy Valentines Day, everyone!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Introducing the Newest & Littlest Brooks
I ran out of things to blog about, so I got a dog. JK, that's not why we got her. We adopted her last Saturday. She's 6 years old. Vet thinks she's Pomeranian-chihuahua mix. She had to have her teeth cleaned on Friday and get her 2nd round of shots. Her teeth were SO brown and the vet said this is most likely from years of soft dog food. So, owners beware: hard dog food has its benefits regarding cleaning tartar from your dogs teeth. Her teeth are whiter than mine now! :) In this video, she's crazy, but for the most part she's pretty lazy. She got a bath this morning and is fluffier than ever. I absolutely love her!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sun Country Airlines
Can you believe what the air lines are doing now? They are charging for baggage fees for your first bag and then they charge $15 to be guarenteed you sit next to the person with whom you're traveling! Are you kidding? I refuse to give them the satisfaction. This is like high school and being assigned seats next to people you don't like. I'm an adult. Let me sit where I want. To my knowledge, the purpose for the assigned seating initially was so that everyone has a seat that bought one. My guess as to this change? To lower costs when they cut the position of the employee who sat on their duff all day - assigning seats according to first come-first serve. COuld you imagine traveling with a 2 year old and telling him, "Sorry little Johny, we didn't have the extra $15, so you have to sit next to this stinky, sweaty 400# man whose hips are going to be crawling into your seat. Play nice". Arg. When are we going to put our foot down and say "ENOUGH!"
Sunday, January 31, 2010
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 1, 2010
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 1, 2010
http://www.calthomas.com/
IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS, YOU HAVE HEARD OF TIM TEBOW. HE’S THE STAR FLORIDA QUARTERBACK WHO WILL APPEAR IN A SUPERBOWL COMMERCIAL. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT? THE PRO-ABORTION LEFT IS UPSET OVER HIS PERSONAL STORY.
IN 1987, TEBOW’S MOTHER EXPERIENCED SEVERE COMPLICATIONS DURING HER PREGNANCY AND WAS ADVISED TO ABORT THE BABY. SHE REFUSED AND TIM WAS THE RESULT.
A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN WHO WEARS BIBLE VERSES ON TOP OF THE CHARCOAL SMUDGE UNDER HIS EYES, TEBOW IS DELIVERING THE CLOSING PRAYER AT THURSDAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST.
FEMINIST AND PRO-ABORTION GROUPS ARE DEMANDING THAT CBS WITHDRAW THE 30 SECOND SUPER BOWL SPOT. SO FAR, THE NETWORK HAS REFUSED. IT IS BEING SPONSORED BY FOCUS ON THE FAMILY WHICH IS PAYING MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR IT.
TEBOW’S MOTHER MADE A CHOICE -- TO GIVE BIRTH TO TIM. THE PRO-CHOICE CROWD DOESN’T LIKE IT. TIM’S MOTHER LET GOD BE GOD AND THE LEFT WANTS YOU TO PLAY GOD. I SAY GOOD FOR HER, GOOD FOR TIM AND FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND GOOD FOR CBS. I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON
http://www.calthomas.com/
IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS, YOU HAVE HEARD OF TIM TEBOW. HE’S THE STAR FLORIDA QUARTERBACK WHO WILL APPEAR IN A SUPERBOWL COMMERCIAL. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT? THE PRO-ABORTION LEFT IS UPSET OVER HIS PERSONAL STORY.
IN 1987, TEBOW’S MOTHER EXPERIENCED SEVERE COMPLICATIONS DURING HER PREGNANCY AND WAS ADVISED TO ABORT THE BABY. SHE REFUSED AND TIM WAS THE RESULT.
A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN WHO WEARS BIBLE VERSES ON TOP OF THE CHARCOAL SMUDGE UNDER HIS EYES, TEBOW IS DELIVERING THE CLOSING PRAYER AT THURSDAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST.
FEMINIST AND PRO-ABORTION GROUPS ARE DEMANDING THAT CBS WITHDRAW THE 30 SECOND SUPER BOWL SPOT. SO FAR, THE NETWORK HAS REFUSED. IT IS BEING SPONSORED BY FOCUS ON THE FAMILY WHICH IS PAYING MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR IT.
TEBOW’S MOTHER MADE A CHOICE -- TO GIVE BIRTH TO TIM. THE PRO-CHOICE CROWD DOESN’T LIKE IT. TIM’S MOTHER LET GOD BE GOD AND THE LEFT WANTS YOU TO PLAY GOD. I SAY GOOD FOR HER, GOOD FOR TIM AND FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND GOOD FOR CBS. I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JANUARY 29, 2010
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JANUARY 29, 2010
ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESENTS HIS BUDGET TO CONGRESS. IT REPORTEDLY INCLUDES NO MONEY FOR ROCKETS THAT WOULD TAKE AMERICA BACK TO THE MOON FOR FUTURE EXPLORATION, ONE OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S A MAJOR PROJECTS.
INSTEAD, NEWS REPORTS SAY NASA’S BUDGET IS BEING CUT IN FAVOR OF STUDYING CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE WILL BE NO MOON BASES.
THAT’S TOO BAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT OTHER COUNTRIES – ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE – HAVE ACTIVE SPACE PLANS AND WOULD LOVE TO ESTABLISH BASES ON THE MOON AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES.
ONCE AGAIN THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TRIUMPH OF LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY OVER COMMON SENSE AND THE COMMON GOOD.
THERE WILL BE MONEY FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES TO DEVELOP CAPSULES AND ROCKETS THAT CAN BE USED AS SPACE TAXIS TO TAKE ASTRONAUTS ON FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THAT’S A MAJOR CHANGE FROM THE WAY NASA HAS DONE BUSINESS FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. DO WE WANT TO TRUST FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION TO THIS BUNCH? I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.
ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESENTS HIS BUDGET TO CONGRESS. IT REPORTEDLY INCLUDES NO MONEY FOR ROCKETS THAT WOULD TAKE AMERICA BACK TO THE MOON FOR FUTURE EXPLORATION, ONE OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S A MAJOR PROJECTS.
INSTEAD, NEWS REPORTS SAY NASA’S BUDGET IS BEING CUT IN FAVOR OF STUDYING CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE WILL BE NO MOON BASES.
THAT’S TOO BAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT OTHER COUNTRIES – ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE – HAVE ACTIVE SPACE PLANS AND WOULD LOVE TO ESTABLISH BASES ON THE MOON AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES.
ONCE AGAIN THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TRIUMPH OF LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY OVER COMMON SENSE AND THE COMMON GOOD.
THERE WILL BE MONEY FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES TO DEVELOP CAPSULES AND ROCKETS THAT CAN BE USED AS SPACE TAXIS TO TAKE ASTRONAUTS ON FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THAT’S A MAJOR CHANGE FROM THE WAY NASA HAS DONE BUSINESS FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. DO WE WANT TO TRUST FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION TO THIS BUNCH? I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Coq au Vin Recipe
A favorite of Julie Child. And my leftovers at work received "ooos" & "ahhs" as the aroma wafted through the air. Highly recommend this delectable recipe. My next adventure: Beef Bourguignonne.
Coq au Vin Recipe
Ingredients
* 1/2 lb bacon slices
* 20 pearl onions, peeled, or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
* 3 lbs chicken thighs and legs, excess fat trimmed, skin ON
* 6 garlic cloves, peeled
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cups chicken stock
* 2 cups red wine (pinot noir, burgundy, or zinfandel)
* 2 bay leaves
* Several fresh thyme sprigs
* Several fresh parsley sprigs
* 1/2 lb button mushrooms, trimmed and roughly chopped
* 2 Tbsp butter
* Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Method
1 Blanch the bacon to remove some of its saltiness. Drop the bacon into a saucepan of cold water, covered by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, drain. Rinse in cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into 1 inch by 1/4 inch pieces.
2 Brown bacon on medium high heat in a dutch oven big enough to hold the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked bacon, set aside. Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Working in batches if necessary, add onions and chicken, skin side down. Brown the chicken well, on all sides, about 10 minutes. Halfway through the browning, add the garlic and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. (Note: it is best to add salt while cooking, not just at the very end. It brings out the flavor of the chicken.)
3 Spoon off any excess fat. Add the chicken stock, wine, and herbs. Add back the bacon. Lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken and onions to a separate platter. Remove the bay leaves, herb sprigs, garlic, and discard.
4 Add mushrooms to the remaining liquid and turn the heat to high. Boil quickly and reduce the liquid by three fourths until it becomes thick and saucy. Lower the heat, stir in the butter. Return the chicken and onions to the pan to reheat and coat with sauce. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Serves 6. Serve with potatoes or over egg noodles. Peas make a good side for this dish.
Coq au Vin Recipe
Ingredients
* 1/2 lb bacon slices
* 20 pearl onions, peeled, or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
* 3 lbs chicken thighs and legs, excess fat trimmed, skin ON
* 6 garlic cloves, peeled
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cups chicken stock
* 2 cups red wine (pinot noir, burgundy, or zinfandel)
* 2 bay leaves
* Several fresh thyme sprigs
* Several fresh parsley sprigs
* 1/2 lb button mushrooms, trimmed and roughly chopped
* 2 Tbsp butter
* Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Method
1 Blanch the bacon to remove some of its saltiness. Drop the bacon into a saucepan of cold water, covered by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, drain. Rinse in cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into 1 inch by 1/4 inch pieces.
2 Brown bacon on medium high heat in a dutch oven big enough to hold the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked bacon, set aside. Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Working in batches if necessary, add onions and chicken, skin side down. Brown the chicken well, on all sides, about 10 minutes. Halfway through the browning, add the garlic and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. (Note: it is best to add salt while cooking, not just at the very end. It brings out the flavor of the chicken.)
3 Spoon off any excess fat. Add the chicken stock, wine, and herbs. Add back the bacon. Lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken and onions to a separate platter. Remove the bay leaves, herb sprigs, garlic, and discard.
4 Add mushrooms to the remaining liquid and turn the heat to high. Boil quickly and reduce the liquid by three fourths until it becomes thick and saucy. Lower the heat, stir in the butter. Return the chicken and onions to the pan to reheat and coat with sauce. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Serves 6. Serve with potatoes or over egg noodles. Peas make a good side for this dish.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
January Thaw
Wow, we've had mid-to-high 30's this past week. Yesterday: 38 degrees. I love it! Keep it up and I'll be planting my garden by May! :)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Allergies
Dear Diary,
My DB & I to SMDC to finally get me tested for allergies. I knew from a previous blood test that I had allergic reactions to grass, birch, milk, & fish (all of course to varying degrees). This blood test was limited and so I got a referral & went to have a skin test for a clearer picture. I was having little "reactions" or "scares" more recently and I needed to know.
Results: Allergic reactions to: lobster, scallops, fish (salmon & tuna), walnuts & almonds. That explains why my almond cereal was giving me a reaction, and I thought it was the milk. Birch is related to apples, carrots, potatoes, and hazelnuts/filberts. (Less antigens if they're cooked.) I've also had reactions to some apples as well lately -- although different apples have different amounts of antigens. So, after not knowing for years and having a fear of eating anything at a potluck or at another's house, I finally know my limitations.
My DB & I to SMDC to finally get me tested for allergies. I knew from a previous blood test that I had allergic reactions to grass, birch, milk, & fish (all of course to varying degrees). This blood test was limited and so I got a referral & went to have a skin test for a clearer picture. I was having little "reactions" or "scares" more recently and I needed to know.
Results: Allergic reactions to: lobster, scallops, fish (salmon & tuna), walnuts & almonds. That explains why my almond cereal was giving me a reaction, and I thought it was the milk. Birch is related to apples, carrots, potatoes, and hazelnuts/filberts. (Less antigens if they're cooked.) I've also had reactions to some apples as well lately -- although different apples have different amounts of antigens. So, after not knowing for years and having a fear of eating anything at a potluck or at another's house, I finally know my limitations.
Sherlock Holmes
Dear Diary, I went out with the most handsome man the other night. We dined on Chinese cuisine & then he treated me to a movie, Sherlock Holmes (PG-13). It was more action/adventure than I would have expected from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey, Jr & Jude Law had an "odd couple" relationship that really clicked and was quite comical. I highly recommend this flick, either in the theater or watch it in the comfort of your own home.
We were talking about going to Avatar, but it is 2/5 hours long and I can't sit in a theater that long. I'm also looking forward to Robert Downey, Jr's Iron Man 2 coming out this summer.
All in all, date night with my DB was a sweet night.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Beef Bake
Short on time? Hungry husband? Try this half-hour recipe for a yummy, simple, comfort-food meal!
1# Ground beef or ground turkey
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 (16) oz bag veggie combination (broc, caulif,carrots)
2 C. Water
2 T. Butter
2 C. Instant Potato Flakes or Buds
Brown ground beef of turkey (I also added 1 medium onion, chopped). Stir in 1/2 can of soup and add veggies. Put on low while you make potatoes. Mix in microwave safe bowl: potato flakes, butter, water (I also added 1/4 c of dried chives). Nuke in microwave for 3 min. Mix in rest of soup mix. Place meat mixture in 11 X 8" (2 Qt) shallow baking dish. Spread potato mixture on top like icing on a cake. Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes or until hot.
1# Ground beef or ground turkey
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 (16) oz bag veggie combination (broc, caulif,carrots)
2 C. Water
2 T. Butter
2 C. Instant Potato Flakes or Buds
Brown ground beef of turkey (I also added 1 medium onion, chopped). Stir in 1/2 can of soup and add veggies. Put on low while you make potatoes. Mix in microwave safe bowl: potato flakes, butter, water (I also added 1/4 c of dried chives). Nuke in microwave for 3 min. Mix in rest of soup mix. Place meat mixture in 11 X 8" (2 Qt) shallow baking dish. Spread potato mixture on top like icing on a cake. Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes or until hot.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Game Night with the Kids
After Mass last night, we had our Brooks' Kids Night where the aunts and uncles have dinner & play games with the kids. We had fun with the kids playing video games and afterwards played a rousing card game: "Apples to Apples". This is their Christmas present from us. This gives us adults time to be kids and spend quality time together. Thank you all for making it another special year! (Pictured above are my "snowflake" spritz cookies.)
Krazy Kamls
01/01/2010: Friday night as we caught up with our friends at the annual get-together (Temp: -15.6). The guys even dug a huge snow fort for the kids, but spent more time in it themselves. We stayed plenty warm with lots of layers & the bon fire. It was well worth the fun!
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