Arrr! Matey!

A pirate washed ashore at our house today just in time for pirate day in a certain 4th grade class. His sweater has some battle wounds. Fortunately, there was no blood shed. I was pleased with the costume. I went to the Junior League Repeat Boutique to find most of the wardrobe. Talk about nomial! I am crossing my fingers that it can double for Halloween.

I volunteered in the classroom where they learned about using stars to navigate the ocean. The kids made their own sextants using a straw, protractor, fishing line, and a washer. Here is my trusty pirate scanning the horizon with his sextant.

The pirates were challenged with finding out what latitude we reside at. I think the sky will be clear tonight. We'll get to brave the cold, find Polaris, use his sextant, and determine what latitude we are. I won't even think about googling it!

Good Day, Matey!

Honda History

The history of owning a Honda continues in our family

1989 Black Honda Accord

1990 Red Acura Integra

2003 Green Honda Pilot

and now presenting

the 2008 Honda CRV!

Image from here.

We are thrilled to have the car shopping experience behind us:)

CSA #6

I finally used the yellow squash and zucchini from last week's veggies. A friend recommended shredding the veggies. I got my food processor out and went to work. I shredded 1-2 zucchini and 3-4 yellow squash. I mixed in about 8 oz of shredded cheddar and a small amount of MJ shredded cheese that I had hanging around. I chopped an onion and sauted it. I crushed up about 3/4 of a sleeve of Ritz crackers - in the food processor. I whipped two eggs and mixed all the stuff together. I baked this for about an hour. The dish was really good. I wasn't able to get the boys to try it. But, the Big Guy and I enjoyed it. I am going to reheat it for lunch.

Here's what I got this week. I have never cooked swiss chard. But, I am going to do just that today. We'll see how it goes.

I've got my menu planned for the week including a side of roasted veggies. I can taste those tomatoes already!

I haven't spent all my time cooking. I am working on some more book pillows and I started knitting a new pair of socks. I have a few costume items to work on for Halloween. And, we are closer than we've been to buying a new car. It is exciting! I am starting to think about the holidays too! It will be here before we know it.

Frankenstein Comes to Dinner

I am so glad I remembered to invite Frankenstein to dinner this year! I moved the chairs around the table putting two on each side. I get to sit closer to the Big Guy and Frankenstein gets to watch us eat! Gotta love it!
I bought this little pumpkin thinking I'd put gourds in it. The Tootsie Rolls won out. I think I am a TR snob, though. I prefer the midget size and not the midgee size.

We are struggling with costume ideas. The boys are pretty much on their own. We'll see what they come up with. The Big Guy and I are invited to a costume party. The pressure is on to come up with something at a nominal price. I hope to head to Goodwill and see what they have.

Last Friday, Pumpkin participated in a Dash n Splash where he ran then swam. He came in first in his age group. Here is a picture of him after he finished. I thought his face resembled Frankenstein - just a bit!

Okra Recipe

Yesterday I made this Okra and Shrimp recipe using the fresh okra I got from the farmer this week. I got to use the fresh tomatoes and peppers too. I bought the wrong shrimp. They still had the tails on. Oops! I used them anyway. We pulled the tails off as we ate it. Peanut ate some shrimp but did not want anything to do with the red and green stuff. Pumpkin would not even try it. He grabbed the rice and added some left over chili to it. The dinner was good. If I get more okra this week, I am going to try the recipe Elizabeth mentioned in the comments of my last post.

Early Voting & CSA #5

Here in Tennessee we get to vote early. The voting started yesterday. I had a few minutes today and swung by to cast my vote. The line was short and the process was smooth. I am so thankful we live in a democratic country. It is empowering to vote. Having said that, I am glad I am done. In my opinion the next 19 days can't go by fast enough. This has been a loooooooong process leading up to this election. I am ready to move on. I don't even live in a swing state. I am sure my family members are being bombarded. There are lots of great minds that need to focus on our country's issues and not on the campaign! I don't believe blogging and politics mix. All I am going to say is PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE. Vote early or vote on election day. Your vote counts and we need them all!

On a much lighter subject, I picked up my next stash of veggies yesterday. Okra was in the mix. I need to find a good okra recipe. The other veggies may get roasted or added to soup if I can come up with a yummy recipe. The weather turned a bit cooler. So, soup may just hit the spot!

The boys had Fall Break on Monday and Tuesday. The Big Guy decided to take the days off too. He finally got the scooter serviced. Look at my eye candy. I got to stare at this - check out those legs - for the drive home. Gotta love the calorie-free candy!!

We went to see the movie, The Express. It was fabulous. It spoke volumes about where we've been in the civil rights arena. I pray we are past all that. It is inspirational. If you are having rainy weather like we are, you just might want to head to the movies. Take some tissues.

I've got list of projects to work on - not to mention the grocery shopping et al. This is a short week for us. The weekend will be here in the blink of an eye. Have a good one!

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Today is the Big Guy's Birthday!

We let him open his presents last night just in case he wanted to use his day to play with his presents.

I finished these and gave them to him. These are my first pair of socks. I can't believe how well the socks match - beginner's luck - I am sure!

He is an avid bike rider. I ordered this fabric and made up a book pillow for him. The Warren Buffet book should take him some time to read! I want to read it too.


For those of you out there that ride bikes or run, check out this site. The Road ID is a necessity for your safety. If you should fall or get hurt, your contact information is on your body. I got the Big Guy a new blue ankle ID with our new phone numbers on it. I added his favorite mantra, get your butt, get your butt out of bed, to the last line. This guy jumps out of bed. Pumpkin and I need lots of encouragement. Over the years, Big Guy came up with this line and uses it on us. It is quite apropo for him as he gets up 5 days a week at 5 am to ride his 20+ mile bike ride.

The last present was a set of Sky Chairs. Pumpkin and I saw them at the craft fair last weekend.

It was one of those out there kind of gifts. I wasn't sure what type of reaction we'd receive. Big Guy loved them. We tried them at the fair and they were really comfortable. We plan to use them outside. We'll see what we come up with. He is set with a book, pillow and a wonderful place to read.

The boys have fall break today and tomorrow. The Big Guy decided to take the days too. After all, it is his birthday! We are grabbing some pizza, his favorite food, for lunch. Then, we are heading to the movies. We are going to see The Express.

I hope the day is all it can be for my Big Guy! I pray his year is even better!

CSA #4 and More!

Here is what I picked up yesterday from the farmer.

Lots of the stash got chopped up to make Minestrone Soup from the River Cottage Family Cookbook. It made lots. The soup is rather plain, but can easily be jazzed up by adding a splash of Tabasco sauce to the bowl. It will be perfect for lunch. And, I put some in the freezer for a later date.

This weekend I drug Pumpkin with me to the Pink Palace Arts & Crafts Fair. This is an application only fair. I don't go every year, but have been enough to recognize some of the same vendors. I am one who normally just looks and doesn't buy. This year I splurged a bit. I bought one of these bread bowls. I loved the colors. The boys loved the beer bread I made last night. In my next life, I will set aside some time to learn how to throw clay as my affection for pottery keeps growing.

Lastly, the craftiness in me is really coming out. I bought some fat quarters from Anna Maria Horner. I saw this pattern on Schlosser Designs. Before I knew it, a pumpkin patch sprouted on my mantle. My blanket stitch needs improvemnt. But, I am happy with the simple fall additions.

Here's to the beauty of fall!

CSA #3

Last Wednesday, 10/1, I picked up my third half share from the farmers. It has really made us eat more veggies. Here is last week's stash.
I jumped right in and made a mix of roasted veggies to go with pork chops. We are going to have the green beans tonight. We still have a few tomatoes left and a few of the various veggies. I think I am going to make minestrone to use it all up.

I used the green peppers in a yummy green pepper recipe. I think I found it years ago on a RoTel can. You have to scroll down the link to the Classic Green Pepper Recipe. The boys don't love green peppers, but they liked the stuffing.


I stumbled upon a recipe on Amy's blog, Bura Ellen, for a Vegetable Casserole. You make it in the crockpot using beans and polenta. It was out of this world. I am excited to eat the left overs for lunch today.

I can't believe it is time to pick up more tomorrow. What is still growing in the farmer's garden? I will let you know!!

BTW, Pumpkin is not enjoying this CSA experience at all. He only likes raw carrots. Peanut has been a real trooper trying everything. He even liked the veggie casserole.

GO 'DORES!!!

The Big Guy was on his way out for a bike ride this morning. I hope he gets a few cheers with this jersey on.

In just a few minutes, Vanderbilt will be spotlighted on ESPN's Gameday. This is the first time they have ever been in Nashville.

We'll be watching the game this afternoon.

GO COMMODORES!