Hustle Hag

To the Beach!

2008-07-19T00:30:00.002-05:00

This morning, July 19, I will be leaving for the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama with 5 friends from work! We will be staying in a house rignt on the white sand beach and coming back home next Saturday! The above picture was taken on our trip to the beach last year.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-07-17T21:30:00.010-05:00

Sky Watch Friday has grown so much it now his its own blog! The concept for Sky Watch came from Dot and if you want to join up or to see other Sky Watch photos, please visit Sky Watch, hosted by Tom at Wigger's World, Sandy Carlson from Writing in Faith and imac from imac's photos from the mind's eye.

Rain across the lake

I took this from the car. We were on Highway 155 on the middle bridge going over Lake Palestine. Wish we could have stopped, but as soon as you get of the bridges the view is blocked. I wasn't driving! :)

Sky Watch Friday

2008-07-10T21:02:00.004-05:00

I took these last week - sunrise across the street!

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World!

Visit if to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-06-29T00:01:00.006-05:00

Rusty and Bob, sharing!
Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters. Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Mozzarella Meat Pie

1 lb. ground meat

1.4 C chopped onion

1.4 C chopped green pepper

1/4 C sliced mushrooms

1.2 tsp. oregano

salt and pepper to taste

1 small can tomato paste

4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

1 can crescent rolls

Brown ground beef and drain off the fat. Add onion, green pepper and mushrooms. Cook until tender. Add spices, tomato paste and 1/2 of the cheese. Stir well.

Spray a pie plate with Pam and spread crescent roll pieces on the bottom and sides to form a crust. Add meat mixture and sprinkle on left over cheese. Bake at 375* for approx. 20 min.

I usually use the whole 1/4 C in the meat then sprinkle extra over the top. Probably too much cheese, what do you think?

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Sad News

2008-06-24T16:13:00.004-05:00

I was at a workshop at school today and a call came in to one of the teachers with some bad news. One of our district's 7th graders was swimming in a pond near his home and drowned. He was a special child that everyone knew. He was in my room when he was in first grade. We discussed memories of C. and mourned him.
Please pray for his family.

Congratulations Laura!

2008-06-20T19:51:00.004-05:00

This is my niece, Laura, in Kansas. She recently got her learners permit and is SOOOOOO excited! Her mom is SOOOOOOO scared! Yesterday her mom and dad got her this car and now she is even more excited! Laura sent this picture so I could see the car and share it with my friends. I think she is such a cute girl, but she is my niece! The car is great!

Congratulations on your first car Laura!

Skywatch Friday

2008-06-19T21:13:00.003-05:00

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World!
Visit if to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

2008-06-19T10:20:00.005-05:00

GINA! DON'T LOOK! :)

My sister and her family live in Kansas, which, of course, means they are KU fans. So when they came to visit on the 6th this month they brought a special surprise for Ethan. They outfitted him in KU garb. He loves it! See the big cheesy grin. He has to have his chocolate milk in the Jayhawk cup and we play ball incessantly. We had a lot of fun with my sister and fam, wish they lived closer!

Three Things About Me

2008-06-17T00:22:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by Kathryn over at The Empty Nest to do this meme. The rules are to tell everyone three things about yourself that they don't already know. Hmmmmmm, ok that's out..... uuuuuhh, no........... Let me think, nope everyone knows about Rusty, OK here:

I always come in on the trailing edge of technology. I never even heard of blogging until a couple of years ago. I know, pretty pitiful. I just shake my head in wonder when I read about people who have been blogging for years. I was one of the last of my friends to get a cell phone and now I can't live without it. When I got my iPod my niece had to show me how to use it. I didn't quit buying cassette tapes until they quit selling them. I tried to turn my first CD over to hear the other side. I could go on but I think this is bad enough. (Point in fact here. I can't get rid of the extra bullets.)
I was raised an Air Force brat. Dad was a pilot in the USAF so we lived in several states including Michigan (where I was born,) Alaska, California, Alaska (again,) and Kansas. After dad retired we lived in Missouri then Texas, where mom and dad were from originally.
I pay good money to Curves every month and haven't been there for weeks!

If you would like to play, please do. Leave it in a comment or leave a link to your post! thanks.

Odd Shots Monday

2008-06-16T00:18:00.003-05:00

Odd shots is hosted by Katney at Katney's Kaboodle.

I took this "picture" of the moon while

playing with my camera one night.

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-06-15T07:51:00.006-05:00

This is one if the critters that gives Rusty such a hard time in the back yard. This one sat there for awhile barking and fussing at Rusty while Rusty had fits on the ground.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.
Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

COLESLAW

2 1/2 c. shredded cabbage

1 c. shredded carrot

1 sm. red onion, cut in half, thinly sliced and separated (or to taste)

1/2 c. dairy sour cream

2 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. water

Layer cabbage, carrot and onion in a salad bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap. Chill.

To make dressing, stir together sour cream, vinegar and sugar. Pour into a container with

a tight lid and chill. At picnic time, pour dressing over vegetables in the bowl.

Toss to mix well. Makes 6 servings.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!
Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

What's in a Name?

2008-06-13T11:41:00.004-05:00

Kathryn at The Empty Nest and Mere at Mercedes’ World did this meme and it looked fun, so I borrowed it!

1. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (First 3 letters of real name plus “izzle”) Shaizzle
2. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (Favorite color and favorite animal) Blue Panda
3. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (Middle name, and current street you are on) Dea Trimble
4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (The first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letter of mom’s maiden) Broshtay
5. YOUR SUPER HERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink) Purple Sweet Tea
6. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (Mother’s middle name and father’s middle name) Anita David
7. YOUR GOTH NAME: (Black, and the name of one of your pets) Black Rusty, or should I have gone with Black Bear? :)
8. YOUR SPY NAME: (Your name spelled backwards) Norahs

Feel fee to join in by leaving your answers in a comment or create a post and leave me the link to your post!

Odd Shots Monday

2008-06-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a pretty odd looking coffee shop!

Odd shots is hosted by Katney at Katney's Kaboodle.

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-06-07T20:10:00.001-05:00

I thought this little critter was a bit strange looking even for a moth.

The tips of his wings curl up a little bit and his tail curls up a lot!

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.

Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

8 ounces macaroni (1/2 of a 16 oz pk)
1/4 cup butter
3 T flour
2 C milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
salt and pepper to taste

2 t Dijon mustard
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 C dry bread crumbs
2 T butter
2 T chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Boil macaroni in lightly salted water until al dente, drain.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook for about 1 minute, until smooth and bubbly; stirring occasionally.Mix in milk, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard. Continue cooking until sauce is thickened.

Add cooked macaroni and Cheddar cheese.

Pour into 2 quart casserole dish. In small bowl mix together bread crumbs, butter and parsley; spread over macaroni and cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Overheard at School

2008-06-07T11:22:00.000-05:00

As you know, school children go on at least one fieldtrip per year. One year our first grade went to the Zoo. The next day I asked my kiddos what they liked most about the trip. This is the one answer I will never forget. One little girl said, "I liked them big, pink chickens." She then displayed the picture she had drawn of the flamingos.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-06-05T13:55:00.006-05:00

Two pictures of the sunrise last Monday.

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World!

Visit if to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

ABC Wednesday - T

2008-06-04T06:39:00.009-05:00

T is for TEXAS

I live in East Texas, the Piney Woods.

This area is famous for its beautiful dogwood trees.

The Texas state tree is the pecan. I have seven in my yard.

The state large mammal is the Longhorn.

The Texas small mammal is the armadillo.

The Texas state bird is the Mockingbird.

Here, in the Anderson County Courthouse, is a hand painted picture of the Texas State Seal as well as three of the six flags to fly over Texas. The olive leaves up the right side of the seal stand for peace, the oak leaves up the left side stand for strength. The state flag, the top one pictured, often referred to as The Lone Star Flag, was adopted on January 24, 1839 to represent the Republic of Texas. It was the fourth of the six flags to fly over Texas.

ABC Wednesday is hosted byMrs. Nesbitt at her place.

Busy, Busy, Busy (& A New Camera!)

2008-06-03T10:45:00.011-05:00

Wow! That last week of school sure is busy! The kids last day was Friday and our last day was Saturday. That included three meetings I had to attend: 1) the GT Committee met to go over the stories submitted and score them. 2) The second grade teachers met to sort the kids into seven new classes for their third grade year. 3) The big district meeting was held at the Jr. High as usual. The retirees were honored, people with 5, 20, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years with the district were honored with pins. Two of the 30 year people were from our campus. In 3 years I'll have my 25 year pin.

Last week we kept my niece's standard poodle while she and her fiance went to Las Vegas to be married. His name is Dragon and he is the sweetest dog. He and Rusty got along fine, but Rusty had to remind him sometimes that this is actually Rusty's home so he was top dog. She came and picked him up on Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday that was the day of David's family reunion. We all met at Salmon Lake Park. It isn't too far away, just about a 30 minute drive. Click on the link, click on Rental Photos then scroll down to Family Reunion Buildings and you will see a picture of the Crazy Horse Saloon building where our family meets almost every year. We took Ethan with us and he had a great time. The lake there is spring fed and he spent a lot of time swimming, and I spent a lot of time on the shore watching him. We all brought simple food. David and his cousins went through a lot of old photos and a good time was had by all.

Here is a portion of the lake.

May 26th was my birthday and, as promised, David got a new camera for me. A Rebel XTI! The store was having a "special" where you could get 75-300mm lens with the camera kit, so of course I had to get that. I got a case and two rechargeable batteries and a 4gb card because it was "on sale." Now I've never filled up the 1gb cards I have in my Kodak so why I thought I had to have the 4gb is beyond me, but there you have it.

Now I have a little free time to read up on this and try taking pictures!

ABC Wednesday - S

2008-05-28T05:32:00.001-05:00

I've Selected Several pictures to use for the S theme this week. To begin on a Serious note, I present this picture of a Stunning Sunset taken last Summer while Strolling along the Shore.

Now for a Self portrait in Sun and Shadow taken on the Shore of a local lake.

Here we have a great-niece indulging in Some Serious fun Sliding.

I'll end this Series of S themed pictures with some Silliness. Here you can See my nephew, Shannon, and his Son acting, well, Silly!

ABC Wednesday is hosted byMrs. Nesbitt at her place.

Three Awards!

2008-05-27T05:46:00.002-05:00

Kathryn over at 4urpets gave me this award! Isn't it pretty? Her friend translated it: “Love Me. When I deserve it the least is when I need it the most.” Thank you Kathryn for being my friend and Rusty's!

Meredith over at Mercedes World gave me this award. It is one she created herself. Mere is a friend both here and at Rusty's blog. Mere recently lost her own sweet dog, Patch. Thank you Mere for being a sweet friend.

Tammy at 3 Sides of Crazy gave me this award. She always has good recipies and lots of fun going on over at her place! Thank you Tammy!

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T09:13:00.005-05:00

A National Moment of Remembrance On Memorial Day

That poem about where “poppies blow”

And, “the crosses, row on row”

Still rings true, these ninety years

After written, still brings tears.

We still have Dead, “amid the guns”

And lose our young and our loved ones

Those who lived, “short days ago”

Who, “felt dawn, saw sunset glow”.

In Flanders Fields, “the poppy red”

Still grow near where the blood was bled

They, “Take up our quarrel with the foe”

And still die for Freedoms that we know.

They pass, “The torch” to, “hold it high”

And not, “break the faith with us who die”

For they, “shall not sleep, though poppies grow”

Beneath all those, “crosses, row on row”

In Flanders Fields.

Del “Abe” Jones 4-25-2005

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-05-24T13:16:00.009-05:00

I took this picture late in the fall, a few weeks ago. These little birds were in the pecan tree in the front yard. Wish I knew what kind they were!

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.
Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Berry Lemonade

4 cups of very cold water

1 (11.5-ounce) can Berry Flavor Juicy Juice Non-Frozen Concentrate

1 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)

1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar (to taste)

Combine water, Juicy Juice, lemon juice and sugar in large pitcher; stir well.

Serve over ice. Makes 4 servings.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!
Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Overheard at School

2008-05-23T19:40:00.003-05:00

I must admit that my desk at school is never very neat, but here at the end I have several extra stacks: the end of the year benchmark tests, last minute graded papers to be put in the computer, certificates to be prepared for awards day, a water bottle and a coffee cup, the meal worms in their plastic box, a birds nest in a ziplock bag, various notes from parents, the office and other teachers, two inventory sheets for the central office, various pens, pencils and markers, and...... Well, I could go on but I think you get the idea.

One of my students was standing by me as I checked her paper at my desk and said, "You know Mrs. Brock, if I was a teacher I think my desk would be neat." This is the one I nominated for GT this year.

Overheard at School

2008-05-22T20:52:00.004-05:00

All the children know I don't allow name calling in any form. So with a very sad face one of my kiddos came to say he had been called a name. Well, I asked, what did she call you? With a tremor in his voice, lip trembling, tears threatening, and a thick, slow east Texas accent, he said (I'm going to try to spell this with an accent,)

"Wahdamelon hey-ed."

Yes, he had been called Watermelon Head. I never heard this before and will never hear it again, I suspect.

Old and New

2008-05-19T05:37:00.003-05:00

New growth over an old gas can.

Odd shots is hosted byKatney at Katney's Kaboodle.

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-05-18T06:07:00.009-05:00

This little (two inches from nose to tail) critter was right out side our window croaking with such a loud voice it sounded as if he was IN the room. We heard him one night and when I went out the next morning to look, of course he was gone. The next night when he serenaded us again. I went out right then to look. This picture was taken in the middle of the night with the aid of a flashlight.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.

Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Taco Soup

1 1/2 lbs. Hamburger meat

1 medium onion -- chopped

2 cans corn (with liquid)

2 cans Pinto beans (with liquid)

1 can black beans (with liquid)

1can (14-1/2 ounces) tomatoes with liquid (Mexican style)

1 can Ro-tel (mild or hot)

(I never use Ro-tel or my husband wouldn't eat it.)

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 pkg. ranch dressing mix (not the dip mix, not the low fat version either)

Brown hamburger and season with the onion and garlic, salt and pepper to taste in a large pot. Drain. Add the ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning to the meat and stir well. Do not drain any of the canned ingredients. Add all canned ingredients (including the juice) to the meat. Bring to a boil. Once the soup has been brought to a boil cover and simmer on low for 30-45 min. To serve, ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese or sour cream. Serves 8. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Sky Watch Friday

2008-05-15T18:45:00.004-05:00

Last Sunday as we were taking Ethan to his Great-Granny, I saw this sky. It was amazing. I wish I could have captured the whole thing in a picture. I've never seen anything like it. All the clouds seemed to flow to the sun. David stopped at a couple of places for me to take pictures.

Bless his heart.
Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World!
Visit if to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

Odd Shots Monday

2008-05-11T21:39:00.007-05:00

This concrete structure controls the over flow of one of our local lakes. There is a park on this lake but not much else. The odd coloring of the concrete wall is an attempt to curb gang graffiti. (??) As a rule of thumb it is thought that gangs won't paint over their own colors. This and several back road overpasses were painted like this by the juveniles being housed at the Juvenile Detention Center. Some of the overpasses ended up with graffiti any way, placed there by "gangless hoodlums."

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle.

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-05-10T21:57:00.008-05:00

As I was driving to my nieces home last week, I took the wrong country road, again. So I thought as long as I was there I'd stop and take a picture of these guys! They were laying out in the pasture so calmly and close to the fence.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.
Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Happy Mother's Day

Stuffed Pork Chops

4 thick cut pork chops

filling:

2 apples, cored and chopped

1/2 C raisins

3/4 C bread crumbs

1 T brown sugar

1/2 t salt

12 t pepper

1/2 t cloves

2 T melted butter

2 T chopped chives

2 T butter

1 C beef Broth

Trim fat from chops. Make a slit in thick end of chop. In a bowl, combine apples, raisins, bread crumbs, brown sugar, pepper, salt, and cloves. Add 2 T melted butter and chives. Mix well. Stuff each chop with filling. Pin closed with a toothpick.

Heat 2 T butte in skillet. Brown chops slowly over medium heat on both sides. Add beef broth and bring to a simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes or until tender. Cover with lid if broth does not cover chops. Remove toothpicks, put on serving platter, pour pan juice over chops, and serve.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!
Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Overheard at School - Mother's Day Edition

2008-05-10T09:45:00.006-05:00

Well, I guess this wasn't exactly overheard. I will be sharing some writing, second grade writing. As part of their Mother's Day gift I had the class write a note to their mom. Teachers never miss a good opportunity to have the kiddos write. Below you will find 5 excerpts from those loving Mother's Day missifs. Please note that I will use the spelling and punctuation fron each note.

**********************************************************************************
(From a boy)
1. Mom, You are pretty mom. like blue bonnets

(I still have pictures of bluebonnets up from the Texas unit)

**********************************************************************************
(from a girl)
2. "Dear. Mom"
You're so prety with your new hair cut. I love U mom your so nice and your fun. but on the phone you talk to much.

(We've been studying quotation marks, can you tell?)

**********************************************************************************
(from a girl)
3. I love you mom I love you a lot just like a puppy

**********************************************************************************
(from a boy)
4. Mom
I love you from the sun to the last planet in space and back

**********************************************************************************
(from a boy)
5. Mom you are nice and cute as a rose. I like the way you dress. You dress better than me. You look like the sun that gets me up every day.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-05-08T22:02:00.004-05:00

Caught this when I came out of the school one afternoon.

Caught this later the same week.

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World!

Visit ifyou would like to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

Grandson

2008-05-08T05:12:00.003-05:00

I've had my granson every night for the last week and I've decided that the saying "There is a reason why young people have children" makes a lot of sense. He is so cute and such a little bundle of energy.

My niece, one who lives here in town, not the one who just had the baby, is starting her own photography business. She took Ethan out on a shoot and took lots of great pictures of him. Below are four of my favorites. I thought she did a really good job.

Baby Daniel, 12 Hours Old

2008-05-05T20:32:00.005-05:00

As I said, I took a half day to go to my niece's home, a little over an hour drive, to see my new great-nephew! He was 12 hours old when I got there. Isn't he a cutie! Mom and baby are both doing fine.

I noticed his little ear and had to take a picture of it. Look at all that hair! He was 7 pounds, no ounces. He was 19 and 3/4 inches long.

Is there anything sweeter than baby feet?

Great Nephew (Odd Shot Below)

2008-05-05T04:48:00.004-05:00

I got a call at 2:22 (according to my cell phone) to tell me that my niece was on her way to the birthing center. She was obviously in great need of being there from the sound of things. I told them to call me when they got there.

About ten minutes later I got another call: the baby was born.....there at home. The baby had just been born and was on the bed. I asked if they had cleared his mouth and nose, they had and baby Daniel had cried for them. The midwife they were using was on her way, after the event.

I called my sister, her mom in Kansas with the news, and we discussed the whole thing thoroughly. As we were talking the new mom called her mom. I hung up.

The new Granni and I talked again. Then I called the new mom back, the mid wife was there, all was well, the baby was eating. The midwife is staying there for a couple of hours to monitor.

All the excitement was over by 3:30. I couldn't get back to sleep, so got up to do my odd shot and this.

If this all seems choppy and disjointed, that is how I feel right now!

I'll be taking a half day from school, picking Ethan up early, and heading off to see them. I have strict instructions to take lots of pictures for Granni! She will be able to view all the pictures I take tonight on the Kodak site we use.

Odd Shots Monday

2008-05-05T04:36:00.004-05:00

I thought this old tree trunk with all the new growth coming from it looked a little odd. Viewing at it now, I see that I should have taken a shot more to the side. As you can see in the background, everything is greening up nicely!

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle

Camera Critters and Scrumptious Sunday

2008-05-04T06:35:00.007-05:00

This is my little dog, Rusty, posing for me in a local park. He is a good dog and will "stay" so I've been having some fun posing him. On his blog he is hoping to be America's Next Top Dog Idol.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters.

Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Buttermilk Pie

1 1/2 cups of white sugar

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 t lemon juice

3T flour

1/2 cup butter (or margarine)

2 t vanilla extract

1 9-inch, unbaked and chilled pie shell

Beat the eggs thoroughly and add to the sugar and flour. Add 1/2 cup butter, belted, and one cut buttermilk. Mix well then fold in 2 t vanilla extract and 1 t of lemon juice. Pour into the pie shell. Bake at 350* for 35 minutes. Resist opening the door.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Overheard at School

2008-05-03T06:49:00.006-05:00

I had to laugh out loud with this child last Thursday. We were walking back to the building from recess and he came up to me with a big smile. He continued to grin while he told me, "It was a great day today!" I was smiling by now and asked, " Why is that?" Still grinning from ear to ear he says, "Three girls were chasing me on the playground." He was such a happy little camper.

It wasn't so much the words as the combination of the grin and the enthusiasm with which he spoke mixed with those words that made this funny. Priceless.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-05-01T22:03:00.004-05:00

This was the view from across the street a few weeks ago.

These pecan trees are now all covered with budding leaves.

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World! Visit if
you would like to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

ABC Wednesday - O

2008-04-29T21:53:00.005-05:00

O is for One Old Photo.

This is a photo of my grandfather (center behind bar) and his two

brothers at the saloon they owned in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

It was The Chrietzberg Brothers Saloon in Quitman, Texas.

I just wish the family still had that mirror or something.

This picture clicks nicely.

ABC Wednesday is hosted by
Mrs. Nesbitt at her place.

Odd shots Monday

2008-04-28T00:22:00.000-05:00

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle

I took this picture one day this winter when we went for a walk in the park. Can you see the heart shape in the stump?

Camers Critter & Scrumptious Sunday

2008-04-27T08:02:00.007-05:00

Got a picture of this little feller on my patio chair. Poor thing has a broken tail.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters. Please visit for a lot more great critter photos.

Creamy Potato Salad with Zip
8 small red potatoes
6 T mayonnaise (can use low fat)
6 T sour cream (can use low fat)
4 T minced fresh parsley
1/2 t prepared horseradish
1/4 t salt
1/8 t celery seed
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cut potatoes in half and cook until tender, drain and cool. when cool cut the potatoes into cubes. Place in a bowl. In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, horseradish, salt and celery seed. Spoon over potatoes, add onion and bacon then toss gently to coat potato cubes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipes are scrumptious!

Sky Watch Friday

2008-04-24T19:17:00.006-05:00

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World! Visit if

you would like to see more great Sky Watch pictures.

Low clouds over Eagle nest Lake, New Mexico. 2005

Be sure to click on them for more details.

The sky over Capulin volcano in New Mexico. Taken in 2005.

Good Stress Test Today (Wed.)

2008-04-23T20:12:00.007-05:00

My husband went in for his check up the other day for his prescription renewals. The local doctor said his EKG "looked different." He wanted David to go to Tyler to his cardiologist, the one who cared for him when he had his triple by-pass. I took off work today and went with him.

Well, the Dr. there said his tests looked GREAT! YES! I was somewhat concerned with the "looked different" comment and the fact that the local Dr. got him an appt. so quickly for the stress test. I think the things that have been happening around here (for one thing, Ethan) have been weighing on him. But it's all good.

God is good, y'all.

Odd Shots Monday

2008-04-20T21:19:00.006-05:00

Protecting plants from a spring frost.

This may look odd, but protecting the tomato and other garden plants from a spring frost, as my neighbor did, is only pratical. She plants a small garden each spring and summer in her backyard.

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle

Camera Critters & Scrumptious Sunday

2008-04-20T07:40:00.010-05:00

Mockingbird

When taking this picture I was focused on the mockingbird and didn't pay any attention to the background. That black thing by his head is on the phone wire above.

Live and learn.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters. Please visit for lots more great critter photos.

Chili

1 1/4 pounds ground beef

2 cups diced onion

1 (6 oz) can whole tomatoes, with juice

2 1/2 T chili powder

2 1/2 t cumin

1 1/2 t salt

1 1/4 cups beef stock

1/2 t garlic powder or 3 garlic cloves, minced

1 small bay leaf

1 t oregano

1/4 cayenne pepper (I usually leave this out, my husband can't eat it)

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans

Toppings:

grated cheddar cheese

3/4 cup coarsely chopped onion
6 T sour cream

To prepare the chili: Saute' the meat and the onions over medium heat until the meat loses its pink color. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the beans and toppings. simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Add the beans and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf. The chili will hold, refrigerated, for 3 days at this point; the flavors will mellow and improve with time.

For service: Serve in heated bowls. Top each serving with grated Cheddar cheese, chopped onion, and sour cream. Serves 6

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks!
Join in or visit, the recipees are scrumptious!

Overheard at School

2008-04-19T07:00:00.003-05:00

During Work Station time I over heard two of my students discussing the large world map. Specifically they were talking about North and South America and the fact that they were different colors on the map. One then said, "Wouldn't it be funny if there was a East and West America?"

An Award!

2008-04-19T06:05:00.001-05:00

Look what Kathryn at 4urpets gave me! She has such a fun blog there with her 3 cute little chihuahuas. I consider her a great friend. She was the first person to comment on Rusty's blog and we have been friends since. Recently she started a blog, The Empty Nest, over here at Blogger and has gone to town with it. Thank you Kathryn!

Mere at Mercedes World also gave this to me! Mere is a great friend. She has given Rusty many awards over at his place and always has something nice to say. There is always something fun going on over at Mercedes World. She even hosts two of her own memes, Hump Day Humor and Scrumptious Sunday. Thanks Mere!

I'd like to pass this along to my friends! Enjoy!

Sky Watch Friday

2008-04-17T17:10:00.005-05:00

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago. Can you see the contrail in the middle of this first one?

Sky Watch friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World.

ABC Wednesday - M

2008-04-15T21:30:00.007-05:00

M is for Mountains

These are some more pictures from our vacation to New Mexico in '05. I wish, wish, wish I hadn't had the date stamp on. it detracts so much from the pictures.

Above is the sight we had several mornings from the RV park where we stayed.

This was such a beautiful area!

We went up the ski lift for some sight seeing. This picture was taken on the way back down.

ABC Wednesday is hosted by

Mrs. Nesbitt at her place.

Odd Shots Monday

2008-04-14T05:46:00.005-05:00

This old gas line regulator is an odd enough sight standing as high as it does in a neighborhood, but also note how handy it is for storing firewood. Hmmmmmm........

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle

Scrumptious Sunday

2008-04-13T07:41:00.004-05:00

Scrumptious Sunday is hosted by Merdith at Mercedes Rocks!

Join in or visit, the recipees are scrumptious!

Easy and Delicious Beef Tips and Rice

1 lb beef stew meat cut into bite size pieces

1 can of 7 Up

1 env Onion Soup

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Place all ingrediants in the crock pot and cook for 6 - 8 hours on low. Serve with rice.

Grandson (pictures below)

2008-04-10T05:05:00.007-05:00

The time has come. As I stated in a post a couple of weeks ago, our own busy little grandson has come to Texas to live with us for at least 6 months. He is 3 years old, cute as a button, and VERY active. He will spend part of his time with his Granny (that is his great-grandmother, my step-daughter's grandmother) and part of his time with us. His mom and he flew in from Seattle, Washington last Wednesday and his mom flew back home yesterday. Granny took her back to Dallas for her flight. They split their nights between Granny and us, then on Tuesday night Ethan spent his first night with us alone. I was so afraid that he would be upset but it all went VERY well. He went to bed and slept the whole night away! Wednesday morning, yesterday morning, he got up in a good mood and had a great day with his Granpa while I went to work. They came to the school to visit and he met a lot of my friends there.

Friends have been helping me with necessities. Teresa gave me a booster seat, an umbrella stroller, a potty seat (the kind that adapts the toilet for tiny hineys), and a little net barrier that slips under the mattress and keeps the child from rolling off the bed. I think he is fine without it, but....

He loves Rusty, they get along so well! They run around like a couple of, well, 3 year olds.

One of my friends at school gave us a wooden car and track set that should provide hours of fun.
I am going to hit garage sales in search of 3T jeans and shorts. I've got to go to the store for tiny socks and 3T undies and size 8 shoes.

Life as I know it has changed, at least for 6 months.

Here is the Busy Boy ready to tour first Monday last Saturday with his great grandma (Granny,) his mom, and me (Nana.)
Here's Busy Boy with the Devil Dog Marine stuffed toy his granpa and I picked up in anticipation of his visit. Granpa was a Marine in his younger days so.....

Odd Shots Monday

2008-04-06T21:15:00.003-05:00

For more Odd Shots visit Katney.

These peppers on the side of a Mexican Food place

are pretty odd, I thought.

Waiting at the Window

2008-04-06T10:57:00.006-05:00

Early Saturday morning I was eating a biscuit standing at the kitchen sink looking into the backyard. I noted that the window needs to be cleaned. The morning was clear and bright, the sky a brilliant blue. I was waiting for my step-daughter and her Granny to come pick me up for a day at First Monday.

I noticed a mockingbird working over a pecan in the yard near the patio. I glanced at our lab, Bear. She too had noticed the mockingbird but seemed uninterested. Then she made a half hearted lunge in the direction of the mockingbird which flew to the fence and sat fussing at her.
Bear nosed the pecan then trotted to the back of the yard to visit with the dogs in the yard behind us. When she was a few paces away the mockingbird returned to the pecan.

I finished the biscuit and was watching a couple of squirrels playing in the pecan trees and thought I should call Rusty and let him out so he could bark at the squirrels, his favorite pass time. Before I could turn a crow flew down from one pecan tree and up to the next with a mockingbird in hot pursuit. I caught another glimpse of them as the crow was chased out of the yard and into the next.

Then I saw the truck, containing my companions for the day, and headed for the carport.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-04-03T21:49:00.006-05:00

These pictures were taken last week outside a little grocery store on the west side of town. We had stopped to pick up a few things for dinner at a friends house. It had been threatening to rain and all around us it was dark and cloudy. We got out of the truck and there this was while behind us it was all gray and dark. I thought it was beautiful. There was lightening in this cloud and I tried several times to catch it but never did.

Sky Watch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World.

ABC Wednesday K

2008-04-02T00:19:00.005-05:00

K is for Kitty

While this is not strictly a photo, it is amusing. My Kitty Bob is being attacked by a mockingbird. she has a nest in my lady banks out front and Bob had the gall to lay on the front lawn. Mockingbirds are notorious for agressively protecting the area near their nests. Hope you enjoy this. We keep a pretty tight rein on him in the spring so Bob did not hurt the mockingbird then or later. The babies hatched, grew and flew off in their own good time.

Go to Mrs. Nesbitts place for more ABC Wednesday!

Redbud Trees

2008-04-01T06:09:00.003-05:00

These are pictures of Redbud trees that I took on an outing last weekend.They are so beautiful growing through the woods along with the dogwoods. To learn more about Redbud trees go here.

Award - Awarded and Accepted With Thanks

2008-03-31T18:00:00.004-05:00

Look what Lili gave me! I happily accept this award. Now to pass it on.

The rules are:
By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you agree to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want but please award at least 10. You deserve this! Feel free to recognize blogs that have already received this award.

I would like to award this to:

Odd Shots Monday

2008-03-31T00:34:00.002-05:00

Odd shots is hosted by Katney's Kaboodle.

Last weekend we went for a walk in a beautiful park maintained by the city called Davey Dogwood Park. There are over 200 wooded acres in this and 5 miles of one lane road. At this time of year the dogwoods and redbuds are blooming in abundance. The woods are beautiful with the blooming of these understory trees. Last weekend was also the first weekend of The Dogwood Trails, a local festival that draws many tourists. Thus the photo below.

Normally the scenery wouldn't be marred with these handy dandy items.

Scrumptious Sunday Cookies

2008-03-30T11:05:00.008-05:00

For more Scrumptious Sunday visit Mercedes' World!

We just finished reading 3 versions of

"the Gingerbread man" at school

so I thought I'd use this gingerbread man cookie

recipe this week!

Gingerbread Man Cookies

2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground ginger
pinch salt
3/4 cup molasses
1 egg
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

Cream together first 6 ingredients. Add egg and mix. Add molasses and mix again.
Mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl. Sift. Add to the creamed mixture and stir until well blended. Chill 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Roll out dough 1/4 at a time to 1/8" thickness or slightly thicker on a lightly floured board. Cut with a cookie cutter and transfer to a greased (or non stick) cookie sheet.
Repeat with remaining dough. Before baking, decorate with raisins as you like.
Place in oven for 8 - 10 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack
Decorate with any items you wish.

Flower Pictures 2004

2008-03-29T16:09:00.002-05:00

These are some pictures I took when I got my Kodak easy share in 2004. I had the best flowers that year. I'm hoping to have more beautiful flowers this year.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-03-28T00:44:00.000-05:00

Visit Tom at Wiggers World for more Sky Watch Friday.

Here are a couple of pictures I took at the beach last summer. I decided to post them because a group of us is going back to the beach again this summer. We just made the deposit on the beach house that is ON the beach. Sugar white sand! Calm and peaceful! We can't wait.

Click on the first one to see the sky ad.

ABC Wednesday J

2008-03-27T00:19:00.000-05:00

ABC Wednesday is hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt. Go there to

find more participants in ABC Wednesday or to join!

I had a really hard time coming up with a j for this week. I considered several things but they didn't work out. Finally I thought I'd go downtown and take a picture of the locally owned jewelry store, them thought why not just stay home and take a picture of jewelry. so I did. Here are some of my favorite pieces of Jewelry.

Things I Love About School

2008-03-26T00:47:00.001-05:00

Thirteen Things I Love About School

The kids
Things the kids say

The progress they make through the year
notes from the kids
22 little smiles all smiled at the same time
22 little smiles aimed at me
kid drawings
the way these kiddos are ready to share and try
the willingness they show to help others
they way they love to hear stories read to them
my new bigger room -when I moved to 2nd grade I left the room I had been in for 19 years in first grade and moved to the second grade hall, wow!
the teachers I work with, they are so great, good teachers and good friends
our principal, she is awesome, and I don't usually use that word
the small school setting

Spring Break

2008-03-24T19:40:00.003-05:00

Last week was Spring Break and boy was I busy. I had a great time. First of all I finished off the little half bath I was redoing, and got some spring cleaning done. Pictures here. I cleared out a little and took stuff to Goodwill. It doesn't look like anything is gone *sigh*. Then on Thursday my sister from Kansas and her family came down for a visit. I hadn't seen her since last summer when she got married and moved to Kansas. We enjoyed catching up, playing games, and spending Easter with family and friends.

We also exchanged our Christmas presents, which we hadn't mailed to each other. We always have a great laugh when we do this. This is because we try to out do each with useless and stupid gifts. We tend to pass some of them back and forth over the years.

Easter at Teresa's house was wonderful as always. We ate, and ate, visited and visited, played with kids, took pictures, and visited more.

Then today David, who had taken the week off, and I went back to work and Sandi and fam went back home. I'm back on a schedule now!

Odd Shots

2008-03-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

This is my first picture for Odd shots on Monday. We were walking in the park the afternoon of Easter Sunday viewing the beautiful Dogwood trees when I saw this "stump." It looked pretty odd to me. If you would like to see more Odd shots or join in visit Katney's Kaboodle.

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T07:20:00.000-05:00

Teachers Salarys

2008-03-22T08:12:00.004-05:00

I got this in an email from our school district's Finance Director. We all thought it was funny.

If I had my way I'd pay teachers baby-sitting wages.

I'd only pay them for five hours, not lunch or coffee breaks.

That would be $15.00 a day. Each parent should pay $15

a day for these teachers to babysit their child.

Even if they have more than one child, it’s still a lot cheaper than private daycare.

Now, how many children do they teach every day-maybe 20?

That’s $15×20=$300 a day. But remember they only work 180 days a year!

I’m not going to pay them for vacations! $300×180=$54,000.

(Just an inside observation for anyone who doesn't

know it, teachers DON'T get paid vacations. Salarys are

for the days we are in school but

we have it divided into 12 monthly payments.)

(Just a minute, I think my calculator needs new batteries.)

I know you teachers will say-What about those who have
10 years experience and a Master’s Degree? Well, maybe (to be fair)
we could give them the minimum wage.

We could round that off to about $5 an hour, times five hours,
times 20 children. That’s $500 a day times 180 days.
That’s $90,000….HUH?

Wait a minute, let’s get a little perspective here.
Babysitting wages are too good for these teachers.
Has anyone seen a salary schedule around here?”
~Anonymous~

Sky Watch Friday

2008-03-21T00:56:00.000-05:00

Skywatch Friday is hosted by Tom at Wiggers World.

Life Happpens!

2008-03-20T07:37:00.005-05:00

Life happens, and it doesn't happen conveniently. You can slide along for months, going about your everyday routine with nothing much happening. Wake up, drink your coffee, tend the animals, go to work, come home, do house work, cook dinner, tend to the animals, watch a little TV or read, go to bed.
Then all of a sudden life just starts happening. Here is what is going on around here:

1. I decided to redo the bathroom and it is finished now, but it took about a week, mainly two weekends, fitting it in around the regular life stuff.

2. My niece, who has started her own photography business, is going to teach me about cameras, so I'm in the process of reading up on good cameras and trying to decide what kind to get. She says the Canon Rebel would be good for me since I just want a good "enthusiasts" camera not a professional. Cameras have come a long way and I am still the point and shoot kind of photographer.

3. My sister, her husband and daughter are coming to visit for 4 days from Kansas. I haven't seen them since last summer when she got married and moved back to Kansas.

4. David's daughter is coming in from Seattle, Washington on April 2 to visit us and her grandmother (her mother's mother) for about a week. She is bringing with her her youngest son, 3 year old Ethan. When she leaves she won't be taking Ethan with her, he is to stay with us and his great-grandmother for 3 or 4 months. We're not really sure why she decided to do this or even if she is going to come back to get him. The two older boys are with their father in Seattle (or there abouts,) who isn't Ethan's father, or I suspect he'd be there too.

So. Life. It goes along smoothly for months on end, then WHAM, a whole big bunch of it lands on your door step. Ya gotta love it. It keeps you from becoming stuck in a rut. I think a three year old will do us a lot of good, really get us out of the old rut.

ABC Wednesday - I

2008-03-19T00:23:00.006-05:00

I is for Interior

Our little tiny half bath in the back was dark and hadn't been updated in many years! This is not used much by guests so I keep the litter pan back here. I wanted it to look a little retro, and lighter. The pictures on the walls are pictures I've taken over the years. By the medicine cabinet is a picture of my old Soot cat. He died about 3 years ago and was 13 years old. I've loved this picture of him so thought I'd use it.

We put in a new toilet and tore out the old dark 60's vanity . I chose to put in this white bead board vanity.

I painted it a soft yellow, put the trim up around the window and painted all the trim white. We put in Levelor blinds and I made the valance to match curtains on the other side of the bathroom,

I haven't replaced the old medicine cabinet yet, still thinking about that. I might go with a mirror instead of another cabinet. The light fixture was replaced with a shiny silver one.

This cabinet and the one below had huge doors that were a pain in such a little room. Especially the bottom one, where I keep the cat litter tray. I made these curtains, hoping to make it look a little retro as well as to get rid of those huge doors.

We also put in new baseboards. The bathroon is so little that I only bought two lengths and we had some left over!

I also bought a new kitty litter pan that has a lid with a hole in it. Crossing my fingers that they will take to it! I know you didn't want to see this but it was part of the whole thing. :)
It's not too graphic!

For more ABC Wednesday photos head over to Mrs. Nesbitt.

A Book Meme from The Aged Cat

2008-03-18T00:04:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by the Aged Cat to do this book meme, which is right up my alley since I love to read. I'm reading a weird book right now, Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett so it is closest at hand. I've read quite a number of Pratchett's Disc World books and they never fail to make me laugh out loud. I put in a couple of extra sentences, I couldn't help it. The first two sentences were really short anyway.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment here once you post it to your blog so I can come see!

Here are sentences 6 - 10 on page 123 of Moving Pictures:

One Spink, two Spinks. Now get on with it. I want those posters all around the city first thing tomorrow. The artist gave Victor an agonized look he was coming to recognize. Everyone around Dibbler wore them after a while.

This was fun and I enjoyed reading others entries. If you would like to do this with us, please do and let me know so I can go read it!

Weekend Snapshot

2008-03-17T00:02:00.000-05:00

Weekend Snapshot to visit other participants or join, go HERE.

Spring is here! The snow a couple of weeks ago didn't hurt my azalias!

Scrumptious Sunday

2008-03-16T07:48:00.009-05:00

Scrumptious Sunday Third Edition

Mercedes’s recipe theme for today is casseroles . I do love a good casserole! If you would like to join in or see the recipies click on the picture above.

Mexican Chicken Casserole

1 chicken (about 4 lbs)

2 t salt

1 t pepper

1 bay leaf

1 can cream of chicken soup (10 3/4 oz)

1 can cream of mushroom soup (10 3/4 oz)

1 can Rotel tomatoes (10 1/2 oz)

1/2 cup chicken broth

additional salt and pepper

12 corn tortillas, torn in small pieces

2 onions, finely chopped

3 cups grated sharp cheese

Boil chicken in water with 2 t salt, 1 t pepper and bay leaf. Remove cooked chicken and cool. Reserve 1/2 cup broth. Cut chicken into large, bite-sized pieces and set aside. Combine soups, Rotel, 1/2 C stock and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. In a 3 quart casserole, make three layers int he following order: corn tortillas, chicken, tomato mixture, chopped onions and grated cheese. Use all ingredients in the three layers, being sure that cheese is on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Can be prepared a day ahead of serving and it freezes well. This recipe serves 6-8.

Childrens Books I Love

2008-03-15T00:03:00.002-05:00

Children's Books I Love

Dogzilla by Dave Pilkey The kids in my class love this book and they always beg for re-readings. It has a rating of "Too goofy for adults" so what's not to love? It is full of puns that are just, well, goofy! The author used pictures of his own pets for the illustrations.

Kat Kong by Dave Pilkey Ditto above

"There Are Rocks in My Socks," said the Ox to the Fox by Patricia Thomas I use this book to teach rhythm and rhyme. The children love the pictures and the funny story.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff The kids love this book. I like it a lot and use it for enjoyment as well as predictions. Felicia Bond illustrated it.

The Mitten by Jan Brett Jan Brett is my favorite illustrator of children's books. I have a collection of her books. This one is great for sequencing and I use it for extensions. The kids write what might happen if more animals cam up.

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett Love the illustrations.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle This is a great story for science and for sequencing. The illustrations are great to discuss the different methods illustrators use to create their pictures. I like anything by Eric Carle - lots of great stories and teaching opportunities.

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister I use this book to start a discussion on friendship and sharing.

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni This is a great story and I use it when we are practicing measuring
Leo the Late Bloomer by Leo Lionni This is a wonderful book. We read it and discuss how every one is special in their own right among other things. The kids love Leo and relate to him. Lionni has several other books I really like as well.

The Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin This is such a funny book, many re readings are demanded. My kiddos keep a dated diary of school happenings after we read it.

Click, Clack, Moo By Doreen Cronin This is another very funny story by Cronin. Most of the children don't know what a typewriter is! We write letters after reading this a couple of times.

Aunt Flossies's Hats (and Crabcakes Later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard This is a wonderful, warm family story with great illustrations. We discuss families, extended families and how families are alike and different. Then they write about a fun memory of a time with their family.

The Lorax by Dr. Suess This is a great book for rhyming, as are all of Dr Suess' books. It goes beyond that to environmental issues.

The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Suess Great for discussing how arguments can get out of hand.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomi de Paola I use this when we teach Texas history (The Texas state flower it the Bluebonnet) along with a couple more books from this wonderful author.

Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats We discuss setting, the illustrations, how practicing helps you gain skills, etc. this is a lovely warm story.

I could go on and on. There are so many great children's books. I use lots of them in my class to foster love of reading, model fluency, discuss setting and author's purpose, instruct everything from writing to math to science, to use as art instruction, for retelling, etc.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-03-14T06:33:00.000-05:00

Sky Watch Friday is being hosted by Tom at Wiggers World.

Overheard at School

2008-03-13T05:43:00.002-05:00

Finally!! It is time for us to adopt a new math program!! We've had the same one for 10 years. Over the last few weeks we have been listening to presentations by several publishing houses about their wonderful programs. I really liked the Harcourt Program we saw today, but the presenter tickled me with with his earnestness and enthusiasm. At one point he said, in an attempt to empress us with the web based components of the series,

"The online test, where you can take the test online, is online." Bless his heart.

ABC Wednesday H

2008-03-12T06:19:00.002-05:00

H is for Hero

We did a HEROS unit at school. The heros we studied included such people as Sojourner Truth, Paur Revere, Dr. Mae Jemis, Sally Ride, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Fredrick Douglas.........

As we studied each person we talked about the qualities they possesed that made them a hero.
The qualities we used were linked to ingredients in a hero sandwich, hoping to help them remember and try to emulate these qualities. The Rolls stood for Ristaker and Responsible. Lettuce for Loyal, Tomato for Thinker, Cheese for Courageous, Salamni for Solver (of problems), Ham for Honest.

Using these qualities we then discussed everyday heros, heros in our lives, and how anyone can be a hero.

See more participants of ABC Wednesday here.

You Cheer Me Up Award

2008-03-11T05:42:00.002-05:00

This is such a cool award! I love Lucy. Lots of thanks to Elaine over at Napaboaniya for it. She has a very cool blog, so go visit!

I'd like to pass this award on to Mercedes, Gina, Paulie, Edmund Bear, The Aged Cat, and Susan

Weekend Snapshot

2008-03-10T05:34:00.001-05:00

Visit more Weekend Snapshot participants here.

It snowed here on Friday. Enlarged you can see the sky is full of snowflakes.
Pretty amazing here, in March!

Snow on the azalia bushes.

Scrumptious Sunday - Easy Key Lime Pie

2008-03-09T21:13:00.002-05:00

Visit Mercedes Rocks for more about Scrumptious Sunday.

Join us for for some yummy fun.

Easy Key Lime Pie

4 egg yolks

1C lime juice (fresh if you have it)

3 (14 oz) cans of sweetened condensed milk

2 large deep graham cracked pie shells

Combine the egg yolks, lime juice and condensed milk and mix well. Pour into the pie shells and bake at 350* for 15 minutes. Chill.

These are fast, yummy, and simple for dessert. I bake two at a time and send leftovers home with company so I don't eat it all. Serve with a cold glass of sweet milk. Nothing could be better.

Snow!

2008-03-08T05:54:00.010-06:00

It snowed here yesterday! Here in east Texas. It was snowing when I looked out the window a little before 7:00 am and kept on snowing till after 9:30. I was a "little under the weather" so was at home. I napped a lot so don't know exactly when it stopped. It was completely gone by 1.

My father, who is 83, said that when he was a kid here it used to snow 3 or 4 times in the winter with enough snow to play in, make snowmen, have snowball fights, do all the things kids love to do with snow. I found that interesting as we rarely get snow now and when we do it doesn't stick. This snow was very wet so wasn't good snowball snow.

It piled up on the grass and on the vehicles. As you can see it didn't stick on the pavement.
It piled up on this little garden toad. He sure looks cold.

Rusty saw snow for the first time. He sniffed and sniffed. Then he bounced around and played some. Finally, his feet got cold and he ran to the house to get in.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-03-07T17:34:00.002-06:00

This week Sky Watch Friday is being hosted by Tom at Welcome to Wigglers World.

Sunset

Sunrise

A List of Funny Movies I've Enjoyed

2008-03-06T05:27:00.000-06:00

A List of Funny Movies I've Enjoyed

Big Trouble staring Tim Allen from the Dave Barry novel. Loved the book. Loved the movie.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding - the differences between these two families, the two cultures, makes this a wonderful, funny movie. Go rent it today.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail - my sister and I try to watch this every year. It has even been made into a Broadway play called "Spamalot."

A Christmas Story - "You'll shoot your eye out!" I watch it every Christmas, but have yet to read the book. I have to do that.

Dracula, Dead and Loving It staring Leslie Nielson. Imaginative remake of the old Nosferatu movie which was the first screen adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Young Frankenstein - not only is this a hysterical movie it,also, is a Broadway musical. "Walk this way!" "No! THIS way."

Caddyshack staring Chevy Chase and Bill Murry.

The Gods Must Be Crazy There are some very funny parts in this movie.

Strange Brew The Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie

Miss Congeniality

Evolution - David Duchovney, the critics only give it a C+ but I thought it was funny.

Arsenic and Old Lace -Cary Grant

Airplane - "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." I use this line. My friends have picked it up and use it too. I have it as a ring tone. The movie may be too silly for normal people, my husband hates it. No one has ever accused me of being normal.

ABC Wednesday - G

2008-03-05T00:05:00.000-06:00

ABC Wednesday

G is for......

Great-Uncle David and Great-Aunt Sharon with their Great-niece

G is for.....

more beautiful Great-nieces

G is for.......

Grabbing a nap and Getting scratched

G is for.........

Germs (had to have a soft /g/ word)

I Voted

2008-03-04T22:03:00.003-06:00

Things I Love About My Pets - A List

2008-03-04T05:40:00.001-06:00

Things I Love About My Pets - A List

1. Rusty is sooo happy to see me come home after work. It makes me warm inside to see his little wagging tail (such as it) and know he is truly happy to see me.

2. I love it when Jenny, my old white cat, sits in my lap and purrs. Or when she crawls up on my side when I'm sleeping and purrs. Of course she wakes me up a little, but, well, she's purring.....

3. Bob is sweet when he sits on the arm of the couch by me. He is not a lap cat but likes to be near.

4. When Dallas comes in he always wants pats before he goes to check the cat food bowl.

5. Rusty loves to play tug of war and it is fun to watch his simple joy in this game.

6. I like the way Dallas talks. He is a very vocal cat and lets you know what he wants. He says, very loudly "CHOOOOOOOOWWWWW" when he is hungry. He says "OOOOOOUUUUT" when he wants out. If I'm not quick enough he says, even louder, "OOOOOOUT NOOOOOOOOOW." If he wants pats he walks down the hall calling "MEEEEEEow."

7. Rusty makes me laugh when he jumps in my lap with his Nylabone and shoves it in my hand for me to hold while he chews it.

8. It is funny to watch Rusty snuffle Dallas' face. Dallas puts up with it and has never swatted Rusty.

9. They are so much comfort and company.

10. Bear and Rusty love their treats so. Rusty is fairly easy to teach tricks to due in part to his love of treats. It is fun to have Rusty practice his tricks.

11. Rusty sleeps on my lap when we are watching TV. If Jenny isn't already there. Then, if he really wants on my lap he sits on the ottoman and whines till she is so irritated she leaves.

12. I love the way Rusty twists his head back and forth when I am talking to him.

13. All of these things make for a fairly entertaining day.

The Bird Nest Cafe, Better Known as Wanda's

2008-03-03T02:26:00.000-06:00

Weekend Snapshot

This is Wanda. She is sweet and warm and everything you would expect out of the owner of a small southern cafe. Wanda was a waitress for years at another local cafe. When it closed down she opened her own cafe and named it "The Bird Nest Cafe." Most of the people we know who go there call it "Wanda's."

David and I enjoy going there on Saturday mornings for breakfast and on Sunday afternoons for the plate lunch special. Talk about your down home southern cooking. We had the pork chops yesterday. Wanda told us they were"as tender as a mother's love." That's pretty dog gone tender. We thoroughly enjoyed them (fried of course) along with the green beans, real mashed potatoes with cream gravy and peanut butter cake. YUMMY! I had coffee and David had sweet tea.

I am a member of NaBloPoMo '08.

Scrumptious Sunday - Chicken

2008-03-02T06:33:00.025-06:00

This is the first week for Scrumptious Sunday over at Mercedes Rocks. Please go there to read about it and to participate!

The theme for Scrumptious Sunday this week is chicken! Right up my alley, we eat lots of chicken here.

Frozen Chicken in a Crock Pot

This recipe is easy and perfect when you don't want to mess with thawing anything!It's very tasty too.

Place 8 to 10 (depending on size) boneless, skinless, frozen chicken thighs in the crock pot. If you prefer, use chicken breast halves.

In a bowl mix one family size can of cream of chicken soup, one package of fresh sliced mushrooms (or canned sliced mushrooms,) and salt & pepper to taste.

Pour the soup mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.

When it is done it should look like this.

Cook up a nice batch of brown rice.

Serve with steamed vegetables and a side salad if desired.

I am a member of NaBloPoMo '08

Overheard at School

2008-03-01T00:05:00.001-06:00

All the second grade teachers are going to follow the Iditorod this year. I have been showing my class pictures and discussing it in general. One afternoon I stayed late and made a map of the trail so they could keep track of the the musher and his dogs that they draw. I ordered several things from the official Iditarod site. I told the kids what I got. I ordered an official program and an official map. They ooohed and aaaahed. I ordered a story book by a musher that relates the story of her first run. My class can't wait to hear it! From another site I told the I also ordered a dog bootie so they could see a real one. Well. I looked out over a sea of shocked faces and a wave of noise crossed the room. Variously I heard "EWWWWWW" and "a DOG bootie??" and "A dog BOOTIE??" Little boys snickered. I know I showed them a picture of this form of foot protection a couple of days ago.

I am a menber of NaBloPoMo '08.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-02-28T21:36:00.006-06:00

Sky Watch Friday

Does that cloud look like a giant chicken about to attack the barn?

My God is watching over me.

100th Post!

2008-02-28T21:30:00.002-06:00

I just noticed that Wednesday's post, ABC Wednesdy, was my 100th post! It wasn't quite as fun and exciting as the 100th day of school, no 100 hats or Fruit Loop necklaces, but on the whole nice little milepost to have reached.

ABC Wednesday - F

2008-02-26T19:16:00.011-06:00

ABC Wednesday

F is for.........

Flag

Flower

Flappers

Fairy Princess

Frog

Weekend Snapshot

2008-02-24T19:23:00.005-06:00

Weekend Snapshot

I didn't get out any this weekend so have pulled out this photo from our trip to New Mexico in '05. This is a tree growing out of a rement of lava. I can't remember the name for this particular
formation.

We walked to the top of an of a volcano. This view was taken from the rim of the volcano.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-02-21T21:11:00.002-06:00

Sky Watch Friday

Taking a Test - OH NO

2008-02-21T18:16:00.004-06:00

I swore to myself, swore, that when I got my masters degree I would never take another test. Ever.

Fast forward 10 years. This week I am going to our regional service center with 3 other teachers from my campus to take prep classes for the TExES test for ESL. The English as a Second Language Supplemental (ESL) (154) . On Saturday morning at 7:30 I will present myself to the testing center. At 8:00 the test will start. The test, I'm told will take about 2 1/2 hours to complete.

When (if???) I pass it I will get my ESL certification. Next year we are looking at quite a few ESL students coming to 2ND grade, more than our one ESL teacher can accommodate. There are 7 second grade teachers. After this test 3 of us will be ESL certified in second, two in first and 2 in K.

So far in this training it seems to be not much more than good teaching practices, modifications and accommodations similar to those in inclusion plus a few more rules. I am already an inclusion teacher and use good, research based teaching practices in my class. I'm hoping that the test won't throw me any curves.

I'd appreciate any prayers you can say for me on Sat. morning around 8:00 central time.
Thanks!

ABC Wednesday - E

2008-02-19T19:09:00.025-06:00

ABC Wednesday - E
For more ABC Wednesday players' posts , visit Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

E is for Eagle Nest, New Mexico

Eagle Nest Lake - We spent a day fishing here, and watched the Game Wardens get a bear out of a tree.

We vacationed at Eagle Nest in 2005. It was wonderful. The tempature was plesant, cool. It was in the 90s and 100s in Texas at that time. Eagle Nest is on the Enchanted Circle, a scenic byway (see map below.) It wasn't crowded since it wasn't ski season. There were many other pretty things to see, but they don't start with E. :)

Elk herd outside of Eagle Nest

(click to enlarge, wish I had a better camera!)

This herd was coming out of the woods and grazing in this area right off the road. This was a daily occurance and we went out several days to watch them.

Enchanted Circle

Four Things

2008-02-18T16:19:00.004-06:00

I saw this meme at Gina's and thought I’d do it. Feel free to copy and do it too.

Four TV shows I watch:
Lost
Scrubs
Monk
Psych

Four places I’ve lived:
Michigan (born here)
Alaska (Elmendorf AFB)
California
Texas

Four places I’ve vacationed:
England (week long bus tour, wonderful)
New York City
Alaska (David & I did an Inside Passage cruise)
Florida

Four places I would like to vacation:
Washington, DC
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA
Yosemite National Park
Isle Royale National Park (David and I are trying to visit as many national parks as we can.)

Four of my favorite foods:
Mexican, I even put it on the blog here once.
Italian
Southern home cooking (That's the best isn't it Gina!)
Hamburger Bar hamburgers (local)

Four things I like to do:
Read and listen to books. I check out books on CD and tape and keep one in the car so I can listen to it on the way to work and back.
Play with my dog, Rusty.
Go to the movies with David.
Make cards.

Weekend Snapshot

2008-02-17T19:57:00.007-06:00

Weekend Snapshot

Bird nests in trees at Wal-Mart.

I wish all the trash that the birds used to build the nests showed up.

Overheard at School

2008-02-17T08:25:00.006-06:00

We have a great music teacher at our school. She is everything a music teacher should be and more. All of my second grade kids love music, it's a fun class. They learn about musical elements, they play musical instruments and play musical games. Lots of musical stuff goes on in that class.

Well, the other day a parent came by the music teacher's class to complain. She really was most upset with our music teacher. She says her child doesn't want to come to music class. The music teacher has them.......................listen to music. Can you imagine?

I know, I know. You're thinking that there has to be more than that to it. No. She has them listen to a portion of a piece of music for about 5 minutes when they first come in. Classical and other important pieces of music. She discusses it briefly. They're only in 2nd grade so this is a very short segment in her lesson plans.