Nov14

Show & Tell

Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 by Dianne

Sandy Bank School, Upper Providence, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

This is one of the two elementary schools that I attended. The other school was called Rose Tree and was within walking distance of this school. When I was in grade school, we walked to school. I remember kindergarten in the basement and trying to drink milk (out of the little cartons) that I didn’t care for. The basement was also used for the cafeteria. I fondly remember the see- saws and singing ‘Mockingbird’ which turned into a hit for James Taylor and Carly Simon a few years later. Speaking of James and Carly, their daughter Sally Taylor must have known a teacher at Walden School, as she has a photo of herself with students doing the ‘Ring around the Rosie’ in the yard there (it use to be labeled, so that’s how I knew).

Suddenly music became a serious option in Taylor’s life, if not the only one. And this week she will make two area appearances — at the Painted Bride on Sunday, September 12, and at the Walden School in Media on Monday, Sept. 13 (1999).

Her response to my question “why the Walden School?” was most illuminating. “This is actually my second visit to the school. And I’m really looking forward to it this time. When my booking agent first suggested it, since the school really seemed to want me to perform there, I said I’d have to think about it. I was never more nervous about an appearance in my life! What was I going to sing or say to these children?

Here is the beginning of the year sample of my cursive writing for 3rd grade. I struggled with handwriting as I am left-handed. When I knew we were doing these, I cringed and couldn’t hardly stand to do this. We did it until 4th or 5th grade too. I’m lucky I had one sample of this. Maybe I ripped up the other ones.
Here’s a sample of my ‘now’ cursive. My husband bought me a tablet to use with the computer (last year) and I just tried it. It’s not that easy to use!

Nov13

Mama’s here

Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2008 by Dianne

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It’s a cold and wet day here in southeastern, PA. I was going to mom’s yesterday and she decided she wanted to come here! I am a bit nervous when she wants to drive her 17 yr old car here and she just had her eye surgeries. I thought she’s be here around 3 and when 4 rolled around, I kept checking the door. She got here around 4:15! She said she had to wait until she felt better and she had to stop for gas. I was going to cook something she brought, but it was too late for that, so we ordered take-out and I will cook the pork chops tonight. I then went to the food store after dinner-did some power shopping in about 30 minutes! Mom was in Peebles store and was checking out when I came to find her. Unfortunately, one of her eyes was really paining her during the night. I did see her rubbing it earlier in the evening. It’s better this morning, but really bloodshot. I got the artificial tears for her and she is using them. My one eye had been really red a few days ago.It may be the house is dry or the cat hair too.

I guess I’ll go do some cooking soon. Mom also brought huge chicken breasts that I will boil for chicken salad.

I’ll have a really old WIP cross stitch to share soon. I seem to be better just working on something until I finish it. Kinda reminiscent of the charity stitching that I hope to start up again soon.

Nov12

What a Bull’s eye looks like

Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 by Dianne

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Bull’s eye marker from tick bite, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I’ve been scanning old photos into my Flickr account lately and ran across this. I had asked Brian to take this of the bull’s eye mark I got from the tick bite back in 1998 (it’s about 2″ below my right armpit-the tick had gotten up under my sports bra when I left it on at a time when we didn’t have power for a few days). You can see the affected area is almost as long as my pinkie. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years (past June) since I lay in bed with a 104 temperature and was so sick. I talk about aches and pains on my blog-well that’s what you usually are left with if you are lucky. It can be much worse.
So today I was sitting at the dining room table about to take a bite of my sandwich and I see something crawling under the clear tablecloth cover. It was a tick! I think somehow it got on Brian as he came in the house, crawled off him when he was eating his lunch, and ended up under the plastic. Tell me that wasn’t freaky to see a tick when I just uploaded this photo! It was a bigger tick, the pinpoint size ones are worse to have on you as they seem to carry the disease.
I’m waiting on my mom to come out for a visit. She needed to get away for a few days. I was about to hop in the car and see her!

Nov11

A little share

Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 by Dianne

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I’m in a Flickr group called ‘Skinny cards’-they are 3″x 5″. Each week we do a card based on a theme. This week it is ‘Wild’.

Here’s what I made last night-mostly all stickers! The background is torn homemade paper that I mod-podged down:

We have the option of trading, which I love to do too! I have such a big collection of art cards (of all sizes), it’s nice to trade and I have other artist’s work. The joy to me is in the creating.

Thanks for the suggestions about the wedding gift. I think a gift card is a great idea. I think I’ll make the wedding card at least for something personal.

I’m doing a tremendous paper sort. This huge plastic bag use to be in front of my closet and kept getting fuller and fuller. I moved it into the living room so it bugs me enough that I do something about it. I use to be so good at filing old receipts. It’s sure not fun!

Nov10

Local chef on Martha!

Posted on Monday, November 10, 2008 by Dianne

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When I saw Bryan Sikora on The Martha Stewart show, I got so excited, I called the Kennett Paper (my husband works for them), so they could check it out. I took a few photos off the tv. Bryan is the chef from a really popular Kennett Square restaurant called Tallula’s Table.

Here’s what they said on Martha’s website. You can grab the recipes there too.

If you like the flavor of mouthwatering mushrooms, Martha has a treat for you! Today, chef Bryan Sikora of Talula’s Table shares two seasonal recipes inspired by the variety of local mushrooms produced in his hometown of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania: pan-grilled flatbread sandwiches and herb crepes, a lovely dish for lunch or brunch.

I took a few snaps off the tv and told the receptionist at the paper they could use some. Martha’s show isn’t in HD, so not as good as they could be.

Time for me to go up and check out the take-out goods! They do family style dinners (gourmet that is and the website said $90 a person for an eight course meal-though Bri heard it was now over $100) which are booked months in advance.

Nov10

Like a lead balloon

Posted on Monday, November 10, 2008 by Dianne

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Week #2 of ‘I Recommend’ had no participates. I’m thinking Sunday isn’t a good day. Anyone have any suggestions? I thought it would be fun. You can share anything you like or have tried. A recipe, a car!, a book. Anything!! : )

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Yesterday I decided to tackle some tidying up in the bedrooms. Since your bedrooms should be the ‘cleanest’ rooms in the house ‘ *cough, cough*! I used my trusty static duster (I already recommended it a few weeks back) and went to town. I even went through old make-up and tossed eye shadows and lipstick (since I mainly wear lip gloss now). I did this because I got an all new Ulta make-up kit (pink one for $19.95) as an early birthday gift ( the store is nice, but the women who work there are so snooty). I also cleaned out a basket I keep next to the bed for books. I had really stuck a ton of stuff in it. I ran across some baby photos of me and Sean-I do think it was actually from the hospital when Sean was born! What? So I’ll scan them to share. I remember mom bringing in my baby photos to show Bri and his parents and I must have stuck it in the basket. Shame on me! Oh, even the hospital bracelets were in the envelope.

Here’s some:

Bri tried to get the leaves up with the attachment for the mower, but they were so wet, they were sticking in the chute that leads to the containers. He said he cut a lot of them up. To me, leaves in any form kill the grass. I’ll have to see what he did. The front yard looks ok. I wanted to know if he had added any to the garden to add some goodies to the depleted soil and he said no. Ah the joys of a too big yard with too big trees.

I’m not going to get any bloodwork done until next year either. I told myself I wouldn’t do this, but then I wasn’t feeling good most of the time. I’ll tell you it has to be stress mainly. I have my mom saying weird stuff. I can’t beg for my brothers to bother with her. They can be asses if they chose to be-I think it’s awful. Letting a 78 yr old lady take trash down a 100 ft stone driveway twice a week! And that’s just one thing they don’t do. Aren’t guys suppose to take care of their moms? I told Sean he better dang make sure he does! ; ) I was reading a forwarded email from my uncle about how a lady who had had a double mastectomy and her faithful dog ‘Lucky’ had been sorrowing after her while she slept. Lucky brought all his most cherished possessions and put them on the lady. Lucky gave her a reason to get better. My mom needs a Lucky.

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Anyone know a good gift for a second marriage? We aren’t really close to Bri’s cousin, but he invited us to the wedding. Since we missed his brother’s gala wedding a few years ago (because Bri’s dad, his uncle wouldn’t attend), we thought we’d go to this one since his dad isn’t well-so he has an excuse.

Nov9

Sunday’s I recommend-vol #2

Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008 by Dianne

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Welcome to the second edition of ‘I recommend’. As the name implies, this is a share to recommend just about anything you like or have tried. It can be a book, drink, food, movie, music CD-anything. Mister Linky will open to another page (that’s how it works on WordPress). Please add your link there and don’t forget to leave me a comment here.

Must haves:

1. Garnier hair products, especially the hair spray

2. Jojoba oil anything, especially by Crabtree and Evelyn

It smells so good and makes your skin feel wonderful!

Scent: Blend of lavender and green herbs with a hint of citrus.

3.The little squares of Dove chocolate (they have cute little inspirational messages inside the foil)

4. Martha Stewart’s Living magazine and Everyday Living magazine

5. A good sale at Tuesday Morning or JoAnn Fabrics

and Craft store…

It’s your turn:

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Rachel was my mystery ‘soon to meet’ blogger pal, but we postponed going to Longwood Gardens or the Brandywine River Museum until they have their Christmas displays set up. We did chat (she is an excellent listener and she understands why this blog is called what it is) for over an hour. I can’t wait to meet her in person soon! Thanks for lending an ear tonight Rachel!

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Added late Sunday morning:

My friend Cathy S., the founder of Love Quilts is doing a wonderful thing in memory of our dear friend Charlotte who passed away in June of this year. If you cross stitch and want to make a sick child happy and snug under a quilt, they you may enjoy stitching for Charlotte’s Kids. Over the years it’s meant a lot to me to stitch for Love Quilts (over 40 squares). Now with Charlotte’s memory involved, I will join in to honor her. I know many of my stitching pals do exchanges. Why not do something like this for a change? The notes of thanks and the photos of the children with their quilts is enough to melt your heart. When some of the children have sadly passed on, their parents hung up their Love Quilts at the wake or funeral. Your stitching will be out there in the big world being loved and honored too.

Nov8

Photo Hunt-Together

Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2008 by Dianne

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Ken’s awesome train board, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

My younger brother Ken is amazing when it comes to putting things together. Not only did he redo most of his house, he has put together amazing train board lay-outs like this for years. His children, especially his son, love them. He could surely make a living doing this!

Nov7

Holiday Cooking and Show & Tell

Posted on Friday, November 7, 2008 by Dianne

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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!