Here we are with supplies for 20 toiletry bags plus we
sent juices boxes, food and a donation...

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

I couldn't believe I had waited a week to check on my hometown youth minister from Oklahoma City who now works at several missions in New York City and has for 15 years.  Via an email from Ronnie:

Thanks for checking Keeli, our church started a drop in center to folks without power to come have a meal, sit and relax, charge phones, take some canned goods home.

As far as needs:

toiletry kits (travel size of soap, shampoos, shaving creme, plastic razor, wash cloth, comb, toothpaste and toothbrush) placed in a gallon size plastic bag

snack bags ( any healthy foods that are non perishable and non refrigerated, just ask that it have a least one juice box, etc.)

Winter Clothes

Donations would be great

So if you have a group at your church that might want to do something these would be good projects.

Metro Baptist Church

Hurricane Sandy relief

410 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018-1204

Thanks for asking Keeli, hope you are well, the part of the city that I live in had flooding and many trees knocked down but thankfully both our buildings are on inclines and the power stayed on so that was good. Getting around has been tough with power outages, etc.

Take care Keeli,

Ronnie

Since our Presbyterian youth group is getting local donations for the Good Shepherd Center in Wynne, Chloe and I just took this little project on ourselves.  After we boxed it all up Sunday, Chloe asked if she could send them more things next week...I said, we'll check on them around Thanksgiving.  Ronnie also works in Hell's Kitchen with an AIDS group as well as mentoring high school kids.  We wish them well for sure.  And with a Nor'easter predicted this week, we hope our package arrives in time for the second storm...

It's beautiful...

Along the bay road....

Winnie Bob planted some beautiful trees...

I love fall...

I attached some beautiful photos from this weekend of the trees turning.  I love fall for it will bring cooler temperatures, beautiful color, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Chloe's favorite holiday besides Biscuit's birthday.  For us, it's a season of sharing with others and I hope this year we can continue to help locally and wherever we're needed...

Sopa Tlalpena, Birdeye

Ohh the stock...delicous....

The finished product...I'm telling you..Yummm it's awesome!
(and easy I will say!)

I was also doing some heavy scrap booking...
it's always a labor of love when doing the books....

Coco loves to nestle next to me
whenever there's a good book to read together or a storm.
Yes, she is precious....(moms...be sure to take photos with
your babies...it's so important no matter how large your thighs
are).  It's important to have these photos...

How fun are these photos...!!!  Here's Whit, August,
CoCo and Stella....Chloe loves her precious cousins.....

Those dogs love her....they can't get enough....

A great photo....

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

Last week I had the house to myself and couldn't finish scrap booking (I was done) and have admired this recipe FOREVER.  I took the time to make the chicken stock for the base of the soup and I'm telling you I'm sold on it.  It totally makes a difference.  I'm adding some photos for fun too.

I had to add what Sopa Tlalpena means and here is what I found from another blogger:   (Sopa means soup)  Incidentally, the name Tlalpeño denotes the soup's geographical origin of Tlapan, the largest borough of the Federal District of Mexico City. The word Tlapan comes from the Aztec tongue of Náhuatl and means "on the land". From http://delatierrablog.blogspot.com/2010/10/sopa-tlalpeno.html

So here's the recipe from Fresh, Lake Austin Spa, Terry Conlan

"This soup, a version of the classic Mexican Tortilla Soup, is a perennial favorite of our guests.  The whole chicken, coupled with the stock, gives an important dimension and depth to the broth.  You may omit the chipotle chiles, which are smoked jalapenos, for a milder version.  We like to pass the garnishes with the soup and let each person select their version, however, a squeeze of lime juice is considered mandatory."

The Stock (And the key!!)

1 small chicken, cut up (I didn't have one so used 2 thighs and 2 breasts)
12 cups stock (I made from Chicken Boulionne cubes)
1 t. adobo paste from canned chipotle chilies (save chilies for below)
1/2 C each carrot, celery, onion
1 bay leaf (used two)
6 black peppercorns (very important, not something to skip)
8 cilantro stems (also important and don't skip)
4 garlic cloves, minced

Combine chicken, stock and paste in large soup pot over medium heat.  Add everything else and bring to a simmer cooking for 1 hour, skimming as necessary.  Remove the chicken and shred, reserve the meat and discard the chicken bones.  Strain and RESERVE THE LIQUID.  (the best stock YOU'VE ever had...seriously I thought what a dumb person I am for not making this before, I've seen it done 100 times on Food Network and thought a what time waste but it's easier than making tamales I'm sayin...)

The Soup:

Stock from scratch, 10 cups
1/2 c. celery and carrot chopped
1 c. diced onion
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. oregano (I used 1 t)
1/2 c corn (I used frozen)
1/2 c. hominy, drained and rinsed (I used another 1/2 c. corn because I didn't have this)
10 canned chipotle chiles, rinsed and seeded (the key really is seeding these bad boys, they are very SPICY)

The Garnish:
Avacado (this is key and delicious)
Toasted tortilla strips (I didn't do this)
radish (I didn't have this)
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Shredded queso fresco (I used feta baby)
Lime

Combine the carrot, celery and onion in a nonstick cooking spray in a LARGE soup pot over medium heat and saute until soft.  Add the reserved stock, chicken and remaining ingredients except for chipotle chilies. Cook until heated through. Pass the garnish assortment of garnishments.

I love, love this recipe, it's so delicious and easy, easy to make!!!!

Nutrients per serving: Cal 44, Prot 4 gr, Carbs 8 gr, Fat 0 gr, Sod 1252 gr

Midsouth Kids Marathon, Wynne

Coach McDonald had each grade line up to get warmed up

Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012

I'm so excited about this year's kids marathon.  It was our 3rd one and the biggest for sign ups.  I was busy this week for the first year, with last minute sign ups.  Parents that had been logging miles and realized this last week that they hadn't signed up.  I had ordered 125 medals for the 125 that had signed up...thankfully Amy Hood, president of the PTA, suggested that I take a head count because we always have no shows and we did.  I give her the credit for thinking of this approach.  So we were able to have 133 sign up.

It was a fun day...parents and teachers all came out and ran the final mile of the marathon.  Kids logged at home the previous 25 miles before today.  I think it's a great way to get kids active and realizing too that they can set a goal, achieve it and enjoy it most importantly.  Chloe said recently that she wanted to be a long distance runner and wants to run track next year.  I'm excited to hear this.  It's so easy, just a pair of shoes is all you really need.  A GIANT SHOUT OUT and THANKS to the countless volunteers, teachers, coaches, parents and friends that helped support the kids marathon and made it a safe event for the kids.  We couldn't do an event like this without everyone's participation, a million thanks!

We're excited to also give both our school districts back their entry fee as I raised money from businesses to buy the medals, tshirts and bibs.  Thank you businesses:
Wynne Apothecary
Wynne Medical Clinic
Shaver and Smith
Cross County Veterinary Clinic
Crowley's Ridge Therapies
Puryear/Jackson Family Denistry
Circle N Exxon
Wynne Medical Pharmacy
Caldwell Discount Drug
Childers/Jackson Family Eye Care
Stricklin Plumbing
Farm Bureau

This was Chloe's last year to do the Kids Marathon, I'm sad about that!!  Happy Running! :)

They were all so cute and FIRED up for the 1.2 mile

Here's a photo of the Wynne Intermediate teachers and staff
That's Coach McDonald down front, he did a great job
getting it all organized and getting the kids pumped up!

2nd Grade went first and they were PUMPED!

3rd grade was fast too...

Here are Bailey Bigger, Chloe Smith, Canon Fisher,
Maggie Millerand Chloe Thornhill. They are GROWING UP!!!

I had my camera out on the course but didn't take any shots....

These two pick up where the leave off...so cute!

P90X2, Birdeye

This is one of the 9 discs that come with p90X2.  It's a great
workout on every disc.  One thing is that you have to have a
ton of equipment like that there stability ball, foam roller,
pull up assist/bar and push up bars

Yep...that's Tony Holder doing the swimmers press in a half
chair...it's hard but it's always worth it :)

They love to try and taunt people that do p90X2 with these
shots of ripped abs...it cracks me up every time!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Well I thought I'd let ya'll know a little about p90x2...it's a great workout but you do need to be in some sort of shape when you start it.  I got p90x 2 years ago and have loved it, my fabulous sister-in-law Kara got me Insanity for Christmas last year and then I got this, this year.  I love all these workouts and attribute p90X to my legs getting stronger and finishing the Little Rock Half this past March with no knee pain.  Insanity is an excellent aerobic challenge that is not to be taken lightly.  It's TOUGH and I love it.  p90x2 takes it to the next level I tell ya...we've got reservations for the Little Rock Half Marathon already (that's the earliest I believe ever that we've done that)...Let the training begin!

For p90X2 people, you've gotta have weights (like the first p90X), a stability ball, foam roller, medicine balls (I use push up bars and the other low impact technique they'll show you), towels, a pull up bar (and I just got in the chin up assist and the little fella works like a dream), water and a HUGE pause button in case you need to take a breather.  Which is similar to Insanity, which will make the best athlete take a breather.

But I have to plug the FOAM ROLLER...what the heck is that foamy thang anyway?  Well it's a wonderful way to loosen up muscles that are stiff and it totally helps with mobility and recovery when out and about and doing daily chores.  And the recovery/mobility dvd in both p90X sets are excellent for re-cooping after any foot race or long agility trial or whatever you do to extend yourself.  I love both the Stretch and Recovery/Mobility DVD's.  They are worth it on that sore Monday morning after that first ever long race or whatever you do that puts you over the edge.

Well whatever the case, I love some p90X or p90X2 and Insanity.  All of them are good for me, even insulin dependent as I am, and have only done some half marathons and never a full marathon or a 100 mile bike ride.  I certainly hope at some point that I'll challenge this 5 foot, pudgy body to do it.  We'll see.  Sherry Rodgers in Wynne is considering a full 26 miles.  We'll see. I think I'll need to change my eating habits, I'm a horrible left over person and know I can cut calories by eating less.  But you all know I LOVE to cook!  And it is what is is! :)

Early Vote!

Whit, Stella and CoCo...she's holding
a peace sign behind that sign.  It was
Chloe's 2nd time to vote in a
Presidential Election

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

I started this tradition with Chloe in Kindergarten.  I love taking her with me to the polls and talking about voting.  I think it's one of the most important things you can do as an American (besides good manners and a multitude of other things :)).  It wasn't until I had the girls at the vet clinic get registered to vote that they even went to the polls.  And yep, I got blamed for jury duty when they were called but that's not a bad thing either.  Ya'll know who you are..:)

So Chloe and I had Whit and Stella last Tuesday and they were pumped, I mean PUMPED for getting to vote with us again.  They were with us the last time and enjoyed helping me cast my vote.

You've got a week to vote and not stand in ANY line!  Get to the polls, your vote does matter! :)

Southern Steak and Shrimp Comany, Nashville

The last time we were at the Ryman was in 2006 for a
Sheryl Crow concert, he got me backstage tickets before the
show and it was a real treat!

Ahh the Southern Steak and Shrimp Company...delish!

Friday, October 26, 2012

I found out that Alanis Morisette was on tour this fall and the closest she came to Birdeye was Nashville so we got tickets and headed over for a quick visit.  We took our bikes to ride the Nashville bike routes when we got there even though it was 40 degrees and pretty stinking windy.  We rode over the river to a bike shop looking for padded shorts for Sunday's Cyclocross at Village Creek, we didn't find any dang it, and soon realized that bike "friendly" roads weren't friendly.  We hit it at 5 o'clock rush hour but still, the traffic was heavy and unforgiving of sharing a lane with a cyclists.  We ended up riding a lot on the sidewalks which is a no-no in most towns but we had no choice. The next day we rode around downtown to Vanderbilt on bike lanes and it was so much nicer in traffic than the night before.

We rode past this restaurant one block from our hotel and got a seat at the bar for an appetizer before the concert.  The place was packed I tell you.  Jackie quickly ordered up fresh oysters from the east coast and I got the fish tacos.  I loved the cabbage and the sauce with it.  I also enjoyed Jackie's gumbo that he said was one of the best he'd had, it was good, rich and the roux was perfect.  And we had excellent service from the busy, busy bartenders.  They were very attentive as I'd say they were tending to 30 people plus the whole restaurant.

We thought we needed to be in a hurry to get to the concert so no dessert, you know me!  Needless to say, Alanis was late by 1-1/2 hours and we had to sit through her husband's rapping show to start.  I haven't been to a concert that was that late and then ended up being no longer than an hour!!! WHAT?  I agree, the music was great but it was a real bust when I compare other concert experiences like Sheryl Crow and John Mayer.  They gave longer performances and never left out critical songs like Uninvited, Everything and Hands Clean.  More to come on the Ryman...:)

You won't be disappointed at the Southern Steak and Oyster Company.  I'd like to have a sit down meal there next time we're in the Music City.  Check it out at: http://thesouthernnashville.com/

Southern Steak and Oyster Company, 150 3rd, Nashville, 615-724-1762

We took a bike ride before the concert and then the next
morning before heading back...this is a pedestrian bridge from
downtown over to the Stadium...More on the bike lanes soon...

My first Alanis concert...it was great...more to come..on the Ryman...

Chili, Birdeye

The only shot I got yesterday of the Chili....Notice I did
open them there homemade, pickled japs that Jackie helped
me with...they are SPICY and I love it! :)

Whit's 8th birfday partee yesterday...CoCo's down front in
the middle with those long legs as Dorothy!
Back row (that I can recognize) Whit, Tom B Smith (as
Michael Myers from Halloween), Eli Boone, don't know, don't
know, Austin Boone, don't know, Trevor Boone, Sol Jackson,
Linton Bradshaw.  Front row: August, Stella, Clairah Creighton,
Coco, Katie Bradshaw, Peyton Sisk, Rose Jackson and the
fabulous Julia Shepherd as Pocahontas.  What a great partee!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

I cannot believe I haven't shared with you all my chili recipe that I've been working on perfecting now for 19 years.  Jackie loves some hearty, simple chili when the weather cools and this is a perfect day for chili.  I finally MADE myself turn the heat on last night as we had a low of 40 degrees, yes, we've been roughing it lately at night with sweatshirts but there's really no reason yet, except for last night, to have the heat on.

Okay, here's my recipe for chili that I think I have perfected for Jackie:

Chili

1 lb. ground beef (Lately I cut this in half and use 80 % lean to cut calories and fat)
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, diced
2-16 oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1-16 oz. tomato sauce
1-16 oz. can kidney beans, drained (you can use any bean really)
1/4 C. Vinegar
3 oz. can diced green chiles
1/4 C. diced jalapenos (skip if you're worried about the heat)
1/4 t. Tabasco (skip if you're worried about the heat)
1.4 t. cayenne (skip for the heat)
few red pepper flakes
1/2 t. ground oregano
2 T. chili powder

Brown meat, onion and garlic in a dutch over until browned over med-high heat stirring constantly.  Drain and wipe out bottom of pan with paper towels.  Return to pan and add remaining ingredients and bring to boil, turn down to med low and cover for 2-3 hours (you can do it in about 1 hour but the longer the better).

Serve with saltines or Fritos.  Or like my mom and step-dad do, add sour cream and cheese over top, I don't because of calories. You might wanna serve with some milk if it's too spicy, lol! :)