Briquettes or Propane that was the question....

RAVE

So I am turning 50 in a couple of days. My mother has been on me, wanting to know what I want for my birthday. I had no clue. At the beginning of this week I started the Couch to 5k running program. In doing so I decided a shiny new pair of running shoes and appropriate clothing for such a task was in order. I called my mom and told her that I wanted shoes and a sports bra for running. She had some weird idea about taking me to Jared Jewelers and having me pick out some trinket or another. I poop pooped that idea, just not my deal at all. So it was settled at the beginning of the week that we would meet up today for a birthday shopping trip.

Somewhere in the middle of the week my best friend about blew a gasket when she found out what I had proposed as a birthday gift from my mother. I was informed that 50 is a big deal and you don't get something you need, you get something you want. So I was directed to start a list, things I really wanted that could have a theme of somekind. Hmmm...well I have wanted these hanging wire lanterns for my patio, new dishes for my kitchen as well as new pans, a new camera and possibly a fancy BBQ Grill for some fun outdoor cooking. So there it was a birthday theme list....Now I just had to decide what I really wanted the most and what would make the most appropriate 50th birthday gift. I guess I was convinced to consede that allowing someone to get me and appropriate gift opposed to getting what I wanted in the first place was really the way to go. Alrighty then.

Mom arrived at 10:30 am this morning and the adventure began. Everything really hinged on the wire lanterns that were supposed to be at our local Crate and Barrel store. If they had the lanterns(which was something I was already planning on buying for myself) then I would go with the patio/BBQ theme. If no lanterns could be found then I would peruse CB looking for the pans and dishes I might want. And then if both of those were a wash then I would fall back on the camera idea (althought I had absolutely no idea what I was really after in a camera, I guess I would just know it when I saw it, at least that is what I default to).

A short drive across town landed us in front of Crate and Barrel. Things were looking up as we found the lanterns just a few steps into the store. Just for argument sake I looked around a few minutes at dishes and pans...nothing really grabbed me...so the lanterns were purchased...5 of them, as well as the chains to hang them from and the tea lights to fill them. I was happy.

Off we then ventured to Wal-Mart to check out the BBQ's. I have never owned anything other then a 18" by 18" table top BBQ, so an actually grill was a foreign object to me. What I had heard of and thought I might want was a grill that did both propane and charcoal. There was a very nice grill that did just that...however it was bigger than my apartment....so that would be a no go. I finally decided to go with what I knew to some degree...charcoal...and picked out a simple little grill that would do just that. Mom liked the other one. We went back and forth...sorting out the pro's and con's of each of the charcoal grills in question. Then I thought well maybe propane would be better. Again, it came down to two different grills...I liked one and mom liked the other one. We seemed to be at a stand off again so I decided to call it quites and figure out something else for my birthday. Mind you we had been going over these grills for almost 40 minutes by then. Mom started begging me to just let her buy me a BBQ. We were in hysterics by then. We were also entertaining the surround Wal-Mart staff that had been watching all our bantering back and forth.

Okay I would just pick one. Then it occurred to me that...wouldn't it just be the way that I finally pick and that would be the one they didn't have. So I started checking the BBQ'a acutally in boxes to see if any of them matched the ones we had been looking at. I spotted one that didn't look like any on display so we read the dimensions...that one seemed to be a bit bigger than I could facilitate. Then tucked under a tarp at the very back of a stack...I found the one I wanted. So I ended up with a two burner propane 60" hooded BBQ with a side burner. SWEET!

Grillmasters beware there is a new kid on the block.

Anyone for Shish Kabobs...the parties at my house.

Idol and Bones Broke my Heart....

Rant and Rave

Okay now I know that TV is just that, TV... And one of it's main purposes is to entertain.  So tell me how is sending James home on Idol and killing off Mr. Nigel Murray on Bones suppose to entertain me?

When the two girls were safe and it was down to James and Scotty...I knew...damn it! Last week it was stated that in the whole competition Scotty has never been in the bottom two...so there was no way it was going to change that much in one week....James knew it too...you could see it on his face when the second girl was safe. His tears started then and so did mine. Yes I actually cried watching James get eliminated from the show. He was the best and he should have won. He wanted it the most and showed it week in and week out. And yes I realize that he will go on to do great things...he has shown that is who he is. My heart just broke for him last night anyway...in fact...right now even thinking about it...I have a lump in my throat.

James you are great! I can't wait to see where this ride ends up taking you...I bet farther than Idol could even send you.

So that was reality tv...you can get connected pretty easily to real people and their lives...so how do I explain the reaction I had to a fictional character being killed off on the tv show Bones that I watch.

I have been watching "Bones" from the beginning. They are currently in their 6th season...next week is the season finale. One of the reasons I love the show is for it's amazing mix of characters. The cast is amazing. Well last night they killed off one of their own. Mr. Nigel Murray, one of  the "squint" interns was killed. He was a quirky character that went around rattling off unnecessary facts all the time...would just randomly blurt one of these little known facts to anyone who would listen. His character would make you laugh every scene he was in...and they killed him off. I cried....and when I say I cried, I don't mean a quite tear spilled down my face...I was sobbing...for the loss of a fictional character. Geesh!

I guess if you think about it the actors involved in that show must be really good at their jobs...they, through their craft, sucked me in, got me attached, and brought me to tears. I believe a "Bravo" is in order.  Real or not... I am still going to miss Mr. Nigel Murray...may he rest in peace.

Just a Dog Day in May...

Rave

These are my girls..Lump to the right and Chessie to the left.

So this morning in an attempt to get back into my yoga routine I, for the second day in a row, dragged out my yoga mat and positioned it on my living room floor. I have a semi aerobic yoga routine that I learned several years ago. So I started my stretching...got my breathing in rhythm and ventured into my routine...in my first of several "down dog", "plank", to "up dog" poses....I noticed Lump staring at me from under the kitchen table directly in front of where I was positioned. I did my best to not make eye contacts as I knew if I did she would take that as a cue to come over. So I averted my eyes, got into the routine and was working away...I was just a few short moves away from completing my 20 minute workout, standing in "tree pose", (which entails balancing on one leg with, arms clasped over my head and the other leg bent at the knee so the foot of that one touches the side of the knee attached to the leg standing on it's own) when I feel the big sloppy wet tongue, of my dog Lump, run up my planted leg. I calmly shoed her away, which in turn got the attention of the other dog, Chessie. Now they where both looking up at me. I bend down in an attempt to continue on with my deal when I was smothered in dog kisses which got me giggling, which then got the dogs even more excited. As I tried to tarry on I was being circled by the wiggling waggy tailed excited dogs, like a band of indians circling a wagon train. Needless to say I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing, yoga came to an end. The look in their faces told me to they really wanted to go for a walk. So I relented and got the leashes. It was beautiful outside so I didn't really mind and actually was thankful for the distraction that got me out walking in the beautiful sunshine. 

I have wireless internet, but as of yet hadn't check how far it would go if I ventured outside. After my walk I didn't want to be inside just yet so I grabbed the laptop, opened a web page and set out to see if I could make it to this little BBQ area just a short distance from my front door. Wow! it worked. This wireless stuff is amazing. So armed with my laptop I settled in at the little cement picnic table situated in the aforementioned area. It was lovely to sit out there and check in on email and read up on a blog I have recently stumbled across. Very nice and very relaxing.

Later in the house while I was sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop trying to decide what I would put in my next blog...Lump out of no where started saying "Mama" (a very rough rendition and you have to listen very closely) it is usually reserved for times when she wants something that I am eating. I wasn't eating anything, just sitting quietly thinking. I asked what she wanted and she "mama'd" me again.  This got Chessie's attention and she started prancing around like she was getting something as well. One of the girls favorite things to do is play with their "balls". These are indestructible orange rubberize dog balls made to look like tennis balls, (both these girls can destroy a regular tennis ball in a matter of second.... so far they haven't put a dent in these balls) We cannot say the word "ball" in our house without the dogs going to pieces hoping that you really mean to give them their toys. So I asked the question..."Do you girls want your.....ball?" They even know where they are stored so off they pranced to wait for me to get the balls down. Once they have the balls each has a very different approach to playing with said ball. Lump will go off to the dog bed that is filled with dog blankets and bury and unbury the ball over and over in the pile of blankets, occasionally she will bring it to me to throw up in the air for her to catch. Chessie is kind of a maniac with her ball, she tosses it up and out of her mouth and then chases after it. Both love to just chew these things as if they were chewing a wad of bubble gum, mind you I cannot squeeze one of these balls in my bare hand and make a dent. They will not give these balls up if their life depends on it. When they get tired of playing they simple carry them around in their mouths. 

My husband collects stuff...below is his latest acquisitions.

Please don't even ask...I seriously have no clue. But today he decide to wash these particular items and hang them out on our patio to dry...apparently they cannot go in the dryer. So as I was sitting in my peaceful existence, still mulling over what to do on my next blog post....the dogs that I thought couldn't be swayed from all thoughts..."Ball"...started going BOLISTIC!!...barking and growling...the fur on Lumps back was standing straight up...apparently the ball she was playing with rolled too close to the screen door looking out onto the patio. It was the first time she noticed my husbands treasure display and from the reaction she must have believed a person was hanging from the overhang of our patio. Once I realized that they were reacting to the hanging clothes I couldn't stop laughing. What must it have looked like from their perspective? I could not get them to calm down for the longest time. I am still giggling...silly dogs.

So after tallying up the day...My dogs, these wonderful creatures, showed me what a wonderful day it was outside. Kept me company on a lovely walk. Gave me love and attention. Got me to get them what they wanted by talking to me in.. my... language. (My dog really is the smart one). Warned and were ready to protect me from eminent danger (even if it was just drying laundry...it's the thought that counts...they had my back), and most important they made me smile and brought me huge amounts of joy. Sometimes Dog Days are the best.

The Kids are All Right!!!!

Rave

Well I just want to say that this has been the best Mother's Day ever. My kids are great and have made me feel very special and especially loved. What else can a mother hope for from her kids on such a day as this.

I have always said that for me everyday is mother's day...but this year for some reason it was nice to have a special day set aside just to celebrate me being a mother.

The older ones took care of me on their own...and the younger ones had an assist from my husband. It was truely wonderful...I am very blessed and today I am relishing in the warm feelings surrounding my heart and soul.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's of the world. Bask in your day...you truely deserve it.

Goddess of the Kitchen

Rave

I just finished up creating a wonderful new food dish.

The day has turned a bit weird outside and it has been affecting my mood. Couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to do today. So I have been doing an assortment of odds and ends around the house. Lunchtime rolled around and I headed to the kitchen to see what I could find. I had taken some chicken breasts out yesterday to thaw. So I decided that I would marinate them in some lemon juice and then grill them up to maybe put in salad or on a sandwich of somekind. After the chicken was done (looking very appetizing all by itself) I started perusing the fidge to see what I would use as an accompaniment to the chicken. What I found was 2 tomatoes, too ripe to slice up in salad or on a sandwich, some celery that all but 3 pieces had gone pretty much bad, and a zuccini. Hmmm...my brain started brewing and stewing up something new. I took the tomatoes and halfed and sliced them. I heated a saute pan on high with a splash of olive oil and heaved the tomatoes in, they seared and then set to making a nice little sauce after I deglazed the pan with a touch of white wine. I also put a pinch of this and that to season. While the sauce was stewing a bit I turned to the veggies. I found a white onion in the non-refridgerated veggie and fruit drawer and chopped it up with the celery and zuccini. In a separate saute pan I seared the veggies so they still had a nice bite to them. I added them to the stewing tomato mixture as well as the lemony chicken I had already cooked. I found a can of kidney bean in the pantry and tossed them in for good measure. While in the pantry I also found a can of artichoke hearts and thought they would be a lovely topper for the fabulous concoction I was creating. In the middle of all that I put a pot of white rice on to cook.

When it was all done I put the tomato, chicken veggie stewy dish over white rice and sprinkled diced artichoke hearts on top.....oh!!!yum!!!

Now I am not a chef or anything of the kind. But I love to take the things I have learned over the years and go into the kitchen and come up with basically something from nothing. And if something new and wonderful comes of it....so be it. And if everyone else loves it as well...then I get to be the Goddess of the Kitchen.

Now that was Fun!

So here's the Scoop!

Just General

I'm Jenny. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter and a sister, as well a friend. This blog is just as it says...a place for me to come and share my life and thoughts of the world around me. Some of this will be flashes from the past, or pondering the future. Some will be just here in the moment.

The scoop is this...I am married to Benny( a wonderfully simple man.) He stole my heart 16+ years ago and not to say there hasn't been bumps along the way, but my heart beats just as strong for him today as it did then. Benny is my 2nd marriage and third significant relationship. He came into my life when I already had 2 children. Kayelynn from my first marriage, and Scotty from the relationship after my first marriage and before my 2nd marriage. Benny and I have two children together, Eloisa and Declan. We have 2 dogs; American Bulldogs...Lump and Chessie...also know as Pig and Chicken, and a cat named Tessa. We live in a relatively small 2 bedroom apartment. So the grand total of my current life is...Me, a Husband, 4 kids (2 out living on their own, 2 still here at home) 2 dogs and a cat.....Oh and in my son's home there are Emma his lovely girlfriend. He also has Tank his dog, also an American Bulldog and brother to our Lump and Chessie.

Benny and I

 Kayelynn my oldest daughter (Child #1)

Scotty my oldest son (Child#2)

Eloisa my youngest daughter (Child #3)

Declan my youngest son (Child #4)

Lump

Chessie

Tessa

And in Scotty's house

Emma

Tank

So that's the gang!

And that's the scoop as far as who's who in the family.

What's it all about Alfie?

Okay so here it begins...I have decided to start this page as a place to come to when I have various things to share and express about my life and the world around me.

There will be categories....Rant-The Bad (I will try to keep these to a minimum)
                                           Rave-The Good (I hope to fill pages of these.)
                                           Peace-Things that bring me comfort.
                                           Praise-Things that I am grateful for.

I will also include Just General, for everyday things that do not necessarily fall into the above categories.
And a Craft category, for posting some of my craft projects.