Category Archives: family

Nov7

Holiday Cooking and Show & Tell

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2008 by Dianne

Overwhelmed with Joy asked me to submit a recipe or two this year to her annual exchange. I was a bit stumped as I think I included my favorite dessert recipes over the last few years. I didn’t want to repeat myself. I asked Brian what he liked that I make and he said ‘chili’. I don’t measure anything and I use either ground beef or turkey. I decided everyone makes their own version of chili. What I did find were a few recipes that we tried that are tasty and healthy from Martha Stewart’s Everyday magazine, which I have recommended here a number of times. The little magazine would actually make a wonderful gift for the holiday-(IMHO).

I never ate that much salmon, but I like it now:

Herb-crusted salmon with spinach salad

Ingredients
Serves 4

3 slices white sandwich bread

1 cup fresh parsley

2 tablespoons olive oil

Coarse salt and ground pepper

4 skinless salmon fillets (6 ounces each)

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

5 ounces baby spinach

1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside. In a food processor, combine bread, parsley, and 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Pulse until coarse crumbs form.
Place salmon on prepared sheet; season with salt and pepper. Spread top of fillets with Dijon; top with crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Roast until salmon is opaque throughout, 11 to 13 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine lemon juice and remaining oil; season with salt and pepper. Add spinach and onion; toss to combine. Serve salmon with spinach salad.

Photo from the Everyday Food website

White Bean and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

Serves 4

* 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
* 4 scallions, thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, toss together beans, tomatoes, scallions, oil, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
2. To store, refrigerate up to 1 day.
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My paternal great grandmother was the author of this book:

I have read it a few times and my son read it for a book report. The book itself is in better shape that it’s cover! (It was published in 1970).

Great grandmother was a very good writer, very detailed and interesting. I love the outdoors, but I couldn’t even think of living in a tent or to go camping! I like indoor plumbing and a warm, soft bed. I guess you did what you had to do.

This is written from the diaries I kept during the years 1908-1912. Each forest man was required to keep a daily record of everything he did, but his report was strictly statistics, so I kept one to remind me of the homely everyday happenings, and to get down what went on behind the scenes. Some days were hectic, and some were peaceful and quiet. There never were two alike.

The wedding went off as planned. The only things that got a little out of line was the bride. When the minister asked if I would “take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband,” I was so tired and nervous I just gasped, “Yes” and the tears began to roll down my face. I kept it up to the end of the ceremony and Archie had to kiss me through a veil of tears.

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Update on me: I went to the GI doc (not the one I thought I was going to see-rats) and he wants some more bloodwork and I have to get a colonscopy in the new year. He mainly suggested that I eat more fiber. I tend to have wacky liver enzymes (as do two of my brothers), so he wants to check a few a bit more in depth. I may wait until the beginning of the new year for the bloodwork too as I just had some in April. I want to make sure the insurance pays for it. He didn’t act like I better do it soon anyway. The doc is like that Ned Ryerson character from ‘Groundhog Day’ (with Bill Murray) but without the big mouth. ; ) Anyway, I’ve been going to doctors about these issues since 1999-about a year after I had Lyme Disease! I’ve heard really bad to they didn’t know. Very perplexing for me!

Nov5

You expected something different?

Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 by Dianne

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I plan to save some of the campaign literature (but not the one I showed earlier) to commemorate this historic event. Being a collage artist who recycles, here’s what I came up with from one that was left on our door :

I had all that patriotic ribbon that I got from good ol’ Big Lots, so there you go!

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Hoping to get a flu shot tomorrow. A local high school is hosting the county’s drive-so it’s free. You know what happens when people read ‘free’. I have a feeling it will be really crowded. Plus Bri needs to take his dad to the doctor again-maybe the last time. Bri’s aunt has been going over there for the last month, a few times a week and actually got him to let her get rid of some of Bri’s mom’s old clothes. His mom passed away 8/96! He did take newer clothes to a resale shop back then, but there were so many left to go through. I always figured he wanted to make sure the pockets were empty, if you get my drift. My mom had a hard time parting with my grandmom’s things, so I do understand it’s a letting go process. I would have done the clothes if he wasn’t there. He tends to stand and watch while you work, etc. I can’t stand people doing that. Next Bri will have to get a dumpster and do the moldy/musty garage-ugh!

Nov3

One final day of campaigning

Posted on Monday, November 3, 2008 by Dianne

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Thank goodness. We are so sick of ‘robocalls’, people knocking on our door, and the endless stream of campaign commercials. So very sick of it all. The person I was behind isn’t in the running, so I have to go with who I think is second best. I won’t be going to the polls after dinner tomorrow, as I’m not in the mood to stand in a long line. I’m going to try around 2 pm when people are at work. Bri said he isn’t going to wait forever, so that may be a wise thing for me to do.

I learned not to start up memes without some advertising. I have one friend who said she’ll do it next week (thanks Carole) and she has a huge following of bloggers. I think it will be fun to recommend books, movies, food, restaurants, etc. I have an archive tab above if you want to play today or whenever. Just link your blog in Mister Linky.

I went with Bri to see his dad yesterday. He seems so much better, yet a little more feeble. He’s still feisty and wants things his way in his house. That’s how my Uncle Don is too (they are the same age). I do think he should get someone in to clean a few times a month. Uncle Don at least has that and through an agency it isn’t that pricey. We got Bri’s dad a Boston Market dinner and then left to stop in our favorite big book store and go to Carrabba’s for dinner. They must have given me enough pasta for 3 people! I have some grilled chicken and pasta for lunch today!

Waiting on the mamm report. This time last year I heard about this many days later that I had to come back. I hope I just get something in the mail.

Update~ My mamm report came in the mail today and it was normal! Thank goodness. I hope this encourages you all to get checked out.

I’m also going to a new GI doctor on Friday just to discuss things with him. He’s suppose to be one of the best on the main line (of Philly). I feel I have hormonal imbalance (age related?)and food allergies. I don’t know what they do-I’m thinking more blood tests or that allergy patch test. Crossing fingers it won’t be anything more complex. I want to feel more like my old self as I’m sure I’ll have to get a job one of these days to help out. Our heating oil monthly payment went from $144 to $236! Isn’t that terrible?

Have a good week ahead. I’m anxious to hear about how you all make out at the polls.

I have to add a video link to this hysterical Saturday Night skit about a self help ‘video’ about putting more fire in your marriage. It’s a bit risque, but we never laughed so hard in a while! I figure people my age will get a kick out of it.

Oct27

Halloweens from the past

Posted on Monday, October 27, 2008 by Dianne

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I’ve been wanting to scan and group these for ages! I could find most of Sean’s Halloween costume photos except for when he was a Sorcerer (made from my graduation gown) and Inspector Gadget(I know I just saw that somewhere). Almost forgot him in his Pizza costume!

Sean was in Kindergarten in the first shot. I used a gold t-shirt of mine for his tunic and made the collar from green felt. I think the hat, etc were in a package to buy, but I added a nicer pheasant feather to the cap. The next shot is also Kindergarten (he was in a two year program). The third photo is preschool. I added the fancy feathers to the helmet. He roasted in the sweat jacket while running around and playing in the classroom. The last shot he was two and a Magician. He also had a hat with a bunny in it and a cape with a red lining.

Since Titanic was big around this time, he was a sailor. That was my grandmom’s beret that I added a band to. He is holding a little life preserver- for a cat, don’t you think? I think that’s 6th grade. The skeleton bones were the white vinyl Contact paper stuff. He’s wearing a bowler with a skeleton ribbon. It poured rain that year and the bones started to unpeel. I believe this is 2nd grade. In the next photo he is the Phantom of the Opera-5th grade. And then he was Mickey Mouse when he was 3. The shoes were mail order, but I did the pants up and added his mouse ears from Disney World to a black knit hat. He was even in a parade in my hometown that year.

One year old Sean and pal:

Sean at 9 as a Pizza! I made this from scratch. I was hoping my niece would wear it, but she has her heart on being a hippie. The box is from Piz*za Hut and I added lights to it. It looked neat in the dark.

Oct21

Sammies aka Sandwiches

Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 by Dianne

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My pal Zoey was talking about making a sandwich spread that her husband loves-ground bologna spread (pick a recipe that appeals to you!). I’ve never had it, nor has Brian or the lady at the grocery store who checked me out. So I did a Google search, and lo and behold it’s a Midwestern thing. I definitely want to try it as I purchased buy one get one free Oscar Meyer bologna yesterday. The recipe called for grounding up the solid piece of bologna in a meat grinder. Think I’ll use the food processor. Also it has sweet pickles-will use pickle relish like Zoey does, Spanish onion, mayo and yellow mustard. Zoey skips the mustard. Sounds good! I’ve had my share of Deviled Ham, so this sounds similar.

I asked Zoey if she had heard of Lebanon bologna. She had not. It’s a Lebanon County, PA lunchmeat. I had a LB food jag as a teen. Everyday I had it with a slice of American cheese, a dab of mustard on white or rye bread, but mostly on white bread and potato chips (when I was skinny). It’s smokey and tangy at the same time. I do still buy it on occasion.
Update:
I did mix up a fast batch of the ground bologna and it’s quite good. Like ham spread, not as salty and very similar to a hot dog taste because of the relish and onion. So we give it a ‘thumb’s up’! We thought black olives or red peppers would be good in it too. Thanks for the idea Zoey!

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I’m wearing the waist trimmer as I type this. Bri’s been wearing it while using the ab-lounger (doing sit ups) and then leaves it on for a few hours afterwards. I put it on him. I have to put it on me, so it probably could be tighter. I like it! Mom said she’d go get me another one. I guess it gives you support like a girdle. One reason we are fixated on our tummies is because of what Bri’s dad has been going through. He’s had a huge tummy as long as I’ve known him. When he finally ‘deflated’, he got the terrible sores from the skin hanging down-I know gross. Sure would do everything I can to avoid getting that problem.

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Thanks for all your sweet comments on my ‘Think Pink’ ATC card. I must join in some more challenges. : )

Oct18

Photo Hunt-Family

Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008 by Dianne

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The first photo is of a mom (my mom) without a husband. She is trying to make the best of it because it is Christmastime, 1960. She has a 6.5 yr old, a 1 yr old and a newborn.
Below that is my wedding photo of our entire family at the time. Can you pick out my mom and two brothers from above? I am so happy we had this photo taken (April 14, 1984) as three of the matriarchs are now deceased and the patriarchs haven’t been well lately

Oct9

Show & Tell #13

Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2008 by Dianne

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Today I want to share a pastel drawing of my son Sean that was done in Paris, France in 1989. My in-laws went to France several times back then as my father-in-law was there for business and my mother-in-law went along. I would too! They happened upon this artist who did a few drawings for them. Having a little artist training, I know a drawing or painting looks more like a person when they aren’t looking straight at the artist, so I picked the one with Sean looking away.

It looks a lot like him. I’m not crazy about the striped shirt. We obviously still have it hanging up-in the living/dining area.
Here’s the photo it was taken from.

My mom likes to draw and she said the artist didn’t quite get his chin and nose correct. I think she was very talented!

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I decided to rearrange my postage stamp collector’s album. I have been collecting mint US stamps since Sean was about the age he is above-3. Not all of them for each year, but quite a few. I had stuck a bunch of canceled postage from the US and around the world in the same book, but took them out. I did leave the uncanceled stamps from France in the book, as my in-laws had bought them for us while they were there.

Of course I wanted to use some of the stamps in my collage art and made these cards:

Here’s what’s cool about the above. I was making an Asia themed card the night before, (check Flickr side bar) and cut out this bamboo ‘deer chaser’ to use, but it didn’t quite fit. I cut it out and used it on a card and starting to go through the stamps and found the perfect Chinese stamp of the little boys with the bucket in a shallow pool of water. The verse says-“Not all those who wonder are lost’ by JRR Tolkien

I have done a few cards using Chinese fortune cookie fortunes. Used another Chinese stamp and the registered piece from an envelope that the first stamp was on. Apparently it came from Brian’s former place of employment.

Oct5

Say cya later

Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by Dianne

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Sean’s about to leave. I think it’s too much driving for not even two days, but he seemed to need a change of scenery. I also sat down at the table with him last night to go over an article for a difficult class. He’s been having trouble writing summaries. So we went through it and he wrote down the important points. He has to answer a few questions about it in 200 words. I think that’s what’s throwing him-condensing what he’s written to that few words. Also, he’s to write 4 drafts of the paper before the final version and hand them all in. I think he’s changing too much around and it’s getting confusing to read. I suggested he write more than 200 and keep taking some away with each draft. I think the prof wants it to see if they understand what they are reading as the articles are filled with research. He hasn’t gotten very good grades so far, I hope I helped a bit. The photo above is at a luau party he attended with the Newman group he is in. His friend in the photo is from Seattle and chose to go to school at PSU.

The angel food cake I made which was gone in a day! Glad it’s lowfat!

Was so bummed I missed seeing my niece cheer at Sean’s high school yesterday. She cheers for the youth football league and we weren’t sure where she was until it dawned on Sean that they were called the Titans. He looked up the website and we found out too late it was at the high school. Plus Colleen had sent me email at 6:30 yesterday morning with the address. I am not on the computer before 9 am usually. I called her cellphone, and my niece answered and said ‘Hello Aunt Dianne’. I asked where she was and she was home already at 11:15. I thought she was cheering again at noon, but she said the older girls were. I promised to try and see her cheer again and even sent her a ‘I’m sorry’ e-card.

Ok, here’s something funny…Greg Kinnear, the actor, was on Conan O’Brien’s show Friday night. He said there was a new word coined for him because of a knitting blogger lady-The Yarn Harlot! She was at the airport last year and recognized him when they were in line waiting to board. So not to be too much ‘in his face’, she took a photo with her cellphone of him from a lower angle where he wouldn’t notice. The photo is only of his wife’s suitcase and part of his shorts, so you really can’t tell if it’s him or not! LOL On her blog, she coined the low photo angle as ‘kinnearing’. Now it’s like a new slang word and was posted in the NY Times. It makes sense because ‘near’ is in there.

Sean just left, so I’m collecting myself. I was fine until Bri gave him a hug before he left for his dad’s house. It should be getting easier for me. I’m blaming it on hormones!

Oct4

Photo Hunt- Sad

Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2008 by Dianne

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Ruthie, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

This is my late grandmom (‘mom mom’ to her grandkids). One day I got the bright idea to take some photos from old video of my brother’s 1982 wedding because there were some good close ups of Mom mom. Though it’s not a very clear image, it’s her classic smile and it makes me both happy and sad to see her face again. She lived to be almost 97 and I think about her almost everyday.

Sep18

Twiddling thumbs

Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 by Dianne

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We have a new HDtv, but still with no HD hook-up. I cancelled a class at a local cross stitch shop to wait on the technician. At 3 o’clock, the company called to say the guy’s van was still not running. I called dishnet to complain. They said my name was still not tied in with the account. Like Tammy, I’m the one who pays the bills, and my name is on the check too! Geez. Bri called after dinner and said if they don’t show up on Friday, we are switching companies. It’s ridiculous!

I missed meeting a cross stitcher from England. I had signed up for the class, but heard it was a mobile, so I wasn’t really interested in sitting there working on that between 5:30 and 7:30. If you want more info, Jennifer blogged about it at Sweet Pea Stitches.

Bri went food shopping with me after dinner because of my sore back (which is better) as I didn’t want to lift too much. It’s a wake up call for him as he can’t believe we spend so much for two people (and a cat). We got a few extras like vitamins and a magazine. I also saw the ‘Tim Daly’ (cutie) of our church (and the store was rather empty), so that made it more interesting for me as Dan said ‘hi’ to me and then Bri. Bri was not amused. HAHAHA

Enjoyed good tv tonight, for a change. I had 3 shows to watch in a row while I worked on my kitty and read my new magazine.

We are having a picnic dinner for my mom’s birthday this Sunday, similar to what we had last year. Bro #2 will probably be there-he wasn’t living up here last year, but not Sean. Not sure about the other two older boys. I plan to make a ham and cheese pasta dish and broccoli salad. I got buy one get one free on the broccoli. I figure they will hold up better than a lettuce dish, plus each are like a meal.