tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19280280238221677082024-03-13T10:50:27.020-04:00My Right BrainSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-41095902605149774432015-11-30T15:37:00.000-05:002015-11-30T15:37:10.516-05:00The Ghost of Hiccups PastOver this past holiday weekend we were continually reminded of our dear departed Gypsy--mainly because holidays that revolve around food were her very favorite thing. Then today when yet another comment came in on <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2009/02/terrifying-hiccups.html">the post I did about her odd fear of hiccups</a> I was smiling again thinking of her. Is this a sign that I should try to do a blog post every so often? Perhaps...
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-27585004363799882872013-01-27T15:02:00.001-05:002013-01-27T15:04:29.675-05:00Ruby Loves the HoseSo nice to see the bright sun today, despite the temperature. It makes me anxious for the green and heat to return. Ruby definitely prefers warm weather too.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lr6-bjZcnE8" width="480"></iframe>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-21746775533639654752011-04-16T16:36:00.011-04:002011-04-16T17:21:59.450-04:00FishOn Friday I tweeted about fish:<br /><br /><!-- http://twitter.com/sllark/status/58964329898319872 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox58964329898319872 {background:url(http://a0.twimg.com/a/1302541726/images/themes/theme5/bg.gif) #352726;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox58964329898319872'><p class='bbpTweet'>Fish on Fridays reminds me of all-you-can-eat fish places w/my Dad & him always angry because they never served the fish fast enough for him<span class='timestamp'><a title='Fri Apr 15 18:46:06 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/sllark/status/58964329898319872'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://www.hootsuite.com" rel="nofollow">HootSuite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=58964329898319872'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=58964329898319872'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=58964329898319872'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/sllark'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1235773475/DSC_0167_normal.gif' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/sllark'>Susan Larkin</a></strong><br/>sllark</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet --><br /><br />There is nothing like a <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2010/06/pig.html">fish sandwich from Pittsburgh</a>, and my childhood growing up there involved lots and lots of them.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OtPANWO2AU/TaoD5edGjeI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/Z-ho-ozH6n0/s1600/pig-fish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OtPANWO2AU/TaoD5edGjeI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/Z-ho-ozH6n0/s400/pig-fish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596289772923817442" /></a><br />But when I was quite young, I remember Ponderosa had all-you-can eat fish on Friday night during lent. I remember my Dad talking about it for weeks before we actually got to go, because people had told him about it: how there were servers walking around the dining room with huge, overflowing platters of fried fish, dishing it out to everyone as fast as you could eat it. There was a great build-up for the Friday we finally went. Of course the place was packed, and despite their best efforts the staff just couldn't serve the fish quickly enough to make my Dad happy. He left totally disgusted and never set foot in a Ponderosa again. I don't think I ever did either. <br /><br />An all-you-can-eat experience that he <span style="font-style:italic;">enjoyed</span> was at Ground Round here on the Eastern side of the state. The waitress figured out quickly that it was going to require a lot of fish, and just left the whole platter that she was serving the dining room on our table and my Dad was overjoyed. That experience alone took him back to Ground Round a few times, and those few NON all-you-can-eat trips probably paid for the money they lost on the fish. Probably.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Fridays during lent are nice because there are so many more food options available when you go out. Why can't more restaurants have that many non-red meat, non-chicken, seafood and vegetarian specials all the time?)</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-1819743352803175492011-02-05T20:37:00.008-05:002011-02-06T15:53:54.163-05:00Totally Addicting PretzelsThis weekend I am using the Superbowl as my reason to whip up a batch of these completely addicting pretzels. The only reason I need an excuse to make them is because I've made them practically every weekend this year. I had them on New Year's Eve and was instantly hooked. They are simple to make and so much better than just plain pretzels.<br /><br />Start with sourdough pretzels. This time I used the big tub from UTZ.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU6waTiXmRI/AAAAAAAAB4E/lBLIHpvgqvc/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU6waTiXmRI/AAAAAAAAB4E/lBLIHpvgqvc/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570583755071396114" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(We knew someone once who wasn't from this area and he didn't say Utz as a word, he said You-Tee-Zee. So of course now that's what we usually refer to them as also.</span>)<br /><br />Break the pretzels up into smaller pieces and put them into a big baking dish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU8G8LBXVFI/AAAAAAAAB4M/f0CR9MvdXqo/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU8G8LBXVFI/AAAAAAAAB4M/f0CR9MvdXqo/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570678894901023826" /></a><br /><br />Combine: 1 cup canola oil, 1 package ranch dressing mix, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, dill weed, and lemon pepper. Mix well and pour over the pretzels. Stir the pretzels to coat them all with the oil and spice mix.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU8H-tL7PiI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Mnakog4Rs1c/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TU8H-tL7PiI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Mnakog4Rs1c/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570680037943492130" /></a><br /><br />Put them into the oven at 350 and stir them every 5 minutes until the oil is almost all absorbed. I think it usually takes 20-25 minutes for this quantity. They are good warm, but I think they are best the next day. I think other spices might be interesting to try. Maybe a touch of cayenne? Or perhaps the bacon salt that I can't seem to find a good use for beyond home fries. <br /><br />The nice thing about using the tub of pretzels is that you can store them right back in it. I imagine they would keep for longer than 2 days, but I can't actually confirm that....Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-38589298341591962722011-01-19T20:32:00.004-05:002011-01-19T21:06:36.878-05:00I Have a Blog?Wow, I had no idea that I hadn't posted here since last August. While I still have a few blogs that I read regularly, these days most of the time when I'm online I am on Twitter, or posting over on <a href="http://sllark.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>. <br /><br />I am finally putting some more time into learning how to take really good pictures, and I hope to have a few things to post here soon that I am proud of. Posting pictures is easy, though, so I need to try to also find some motivation to write too. <br /><br />The key for me I think is content. I think when I was posting more frequently, when I first started, content came pretty easily. Now when something strikes me as an idea for a post I either just tweet something quick, or throw it up on <a href="http://sllark.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>. So I have to figure out what that leaves for this space, which hopefully I will in the near future.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-4979034378071322352010-07-02T16:09:00.004-04:002010-07-10T12:30:48.692-04:00The Avett BrothersI've only got one concert on the schedule this summer, but it's local (Musikfest) and I'm looking forward to it.<br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d1XMHGVOXZ8&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d1XMHGVOXZ8&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-38646343692332246602010-06-13T11:46:00.003-04:002010-06-13T19:28:44.259-04:00EarsThe post every day thing isn't going so well. I've got a few things in draft, and a few ideas, but not much has materialized as far as an actual post goes. I do have a good photo post coming. Here's a preview.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TBT9yltBM-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/MSyX-TArJ1Q/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TBT9yltBM-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/MSyX-TArJ1Q/s400/DSC_0537.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482285691972957154" /></a><br /><br />Unlike the other dogs, Ruby doesn't run and hide as soon as I get the camera out. Not like she could hide anywhere with those giant ears.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-90116035182684249402010-06-07T20:28:00.013-04:002010-06-07T22:31:21.043-04:00My Old GirlGypsy turned 14 yesterday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2R8uOmOtI/AAAAAAAAB3E/4lIlwAzpO_8/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2R8uOmOtI/AAAAAAAAB3E/4lIlwAzpO_8/s400/IMG_0423.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480196793967196882" /></a><br /><br />The tendonitis in her left front shoulder has just never healed, and her limp is permanent. Breathing is a little more labored for her now. Panting is pretty much the norm when she isn't sleeping. She groans a lot. The only thing that isn't a huge effort for her is eating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2TE7Og21I/AAAAAAAAB3M/b2v8ToVMQYg/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2TE7Og21I/AAAAAAAAB3M/b2v8ToVMQYg/s400/IMG_0466.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480198034407086930" /></a><br /><br />She still likes to bark, and does so as often as possible. People walking by the house used to mean running from window to window barking non-stop. Now she still barks, but doesn't get off the couch.<br /><br />Thunderstorms still terrify her. <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2009/02/terrifying-hiccups.html">Hiccups do too</a>. Both mean heavy panting and quivering, and standing on top of someone, no matter how much it hurts her legs.<br /><br />The vet would like to see her lose some weight, but I don't think that's going to be a big priority for us. She's really motivated by food.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2VkTvbcpI/AAAAAAAAB3U/t_v-4gQNkcA/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2VkTvbcpI/AAAAAAAAB3U/t_v-4gQNkcA/s400/DSC_0430.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480200772586795666" /></a><br /><br />I'm sure the birthday cake she had last night won't really help. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2pLlKMG4I/AAAAAAAAB3c/_1M5D-bZ8Pk/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2pLlKMG4I/AAAAAAAAB3c/_1M5D-bZ8Pk/s400/DSC_0532.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480222337998265218" /></a><br /><br />But wow did she enjoy it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2q5ndNapI/AAAAAAAAB3k/xiODhhwXRRQ/s1600/Smiling+Melon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TA2q5ndNapI/AAAAAAAAB3k/xiODhhwXRRQ/s400/Smiling+Melon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480224228400523922" /></a><br /><br />Happy birthday, Melly. Thanks for being such a great dog.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-88132805686506992802010-06-04T21:06:00.004-04:002010-06-06T15:28:19.535-04:00The PigTonight my Mom and I went to a little bar and restaurant that I've always known as the Pig. I think I saw a different name on the menu, but I'm pretty sure everyone calls it the Pig, because of the neon pig shaped sign that hangs out front.<br /><br />After the pathetic excuse for a fish sandwich that I had last week at Red Robin, I knew when I came home to Pittsburgh for a visit this week I had to try to find time to have a real fish sandwich. "Real" being defined as about 5 times as big as the bun, with nothing more than the fish and some tartar sauce. The Pig didn't disappoint. I was also very happy with one of the daily specials that we tried, some homemade halaski (noodles and cabbage fried in lots of butter) which was delicious. It was also a bargain at a mere $2.45. <br /><br />I try to include some sort of picture or image in pretty much every post, and for this reason the iPad is not the ideal tool for daily blogging. I did take a picture of the fish before we ate it, so when I get back to a computer I'll update with the addition of the picture.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Update: Here is the photo. I missed posting yesterday, so I only made it 3 consecutive days. I am counting this update as a post for today, because I don't know if I'll get the longer post I'm working on done.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TAv2mnIbZAI/AAAAAAAAB28/L13b6vn2yvY/s1600/pig-fish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/TAv2mnIbZAI/AAAAAAAAB28/L13b6vn2yvY/s400/pig-fish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479744514826134530" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-48585390828566302872010-06-03T20:06:00.001-04:002010-06-03T20:06:24.167-04:00Career DayA few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be asked to present for career day at my daughter's elementary school. Giving the same 30 minute presentation 4 straight times to groups of 5th graders was very different from any type of presentation related to my work than I have ever done in the past. <br /><br />Before the afternoon of presentations all of the presenters had lunch in the school library with the principal. I shared a table with a nutritionist, and even though it obviously wasn't a competition, in my mind I figured my content at least had hers beat. Then we were joined by a comic book artist, who clearly beat both of us. And the pilot in full uniform probably beat all 3 of us. But overall I think the vet who showed up with a parrot, a cat, and some sort of rodent couldn't lose. At least I finished ahead of the woman who administered insurance captives.<br /><br />My favorite part of the day was during my presentation when I asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grow up. I fully expected the answer that 75% of the boys gave: professional athlete. I probed a few of them about which sport, and they usually hadn't settled on a specific one yet. I expected at least a few kids to say they wanted to be actresses or singers, but I didn't get a single one. I was also surprised that only 1 child in all 4 classes said that he wanted to be a policeman or a fireman. But the 2 answers that surprised me the most were the boys who said "hedge fund manager" and "sniper". In hindsight, I wish I he'd probed both of those boys a bit about their answers. I did at least clarify with the sniper that he was planning on joining the military.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-743798406827020102010-06-02T17:19:00.005-04:002010-06-02T22:35:59.207-04:00Giving it a ShotI think this has been the longest stretch between posts (over a month) since I started this blog. I've got a few drafts started, but nothing that I put enough energy into to make a full post. So I'm not sure if it's the right time to try it, but I'm going to follow <a href="http://unclecrappy.com/">Uncle Crappy's</a> lead and try this <a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/">Nablopomo</a> thing.<br /><br />Posting daily will be plenty of challenge by itself, but to make it even more interesting I think I'm going to try to do the bulk of these on the iPad. I have not yet mastered typing on it, and fixing typos is painful sometimes. But I am in Pittsburgh for a few days and brought it with me so I'm going to make the best of it. Once I get back home it's too hard to get it away from my daughter so then I'll probably move back to the Mac.<br /><br />I'm not a huge hockey fan, but Game 3 is currently tied at 3 with about 7 minutes left, so I'm making this 1st post a short one. After all, this thing is partially about quantity and not all quality, right?Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-42285395483785873192010-04-17T09:20:00.019-04:002010-04-17T17:02:00.922-04:00Ruby LeeI thought <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2010/02/safari.html">529 pictures over 4 days at Disney</a> was a lot. It's a good thing they don't have puppies running around that place or I would have probably taken thousands. Over 2 days spent with my Mom's new puppy I took a quick 220. But let me show you how completely adorable she is and you'll see why.<br /><br />Ruby is a full-bred German Shepherd, and in these shots she is about 10 weeks old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n8d-LLyzI/AAAAAAAAB1o/Eru_Oe2rV4c/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n8d-LLyzI/AAAAAAAAB1o/Eru_Oe2rV4c/s400/DSC_0544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461173614999751474" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8no0CWYejI/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZRkj-ljGvX8/s1600/DSC_0649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8no0CWYejI/AAAAAAAAB1g/ZRkj-ljGvX8/s400/DSC_0649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461152003845028402" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n-10a7wOI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/adYYqPhDb3A/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n-10a7wOI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/adYYqPhDb3A/s400/DSC_0586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461176223721570530" /></a><br /><br />See? Have you ever seen a cuter puppy? <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n9oIt2d5I/AAAAAAAAB2A/PH6D9bpl6YY/s1600/DSC_0609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n9oIt2d5I/AAAAAAAAB2A/PH6D9bpl6YY/s400/DSC_0609.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461174889139828626" /></a><br /><br />One of the other reasons I took a lot of shots was because she is so small now compared to how big she is going to be, and I wanted to document plenty of proof of her current tiny state. Basically anytime she was next to something that she will someday be larger than, I took a picture.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n-l5W24VI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/CGuUsdiLoLo/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n-l5W24VI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/CGuUsdiLoLo/s400/DSC_0584.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461175950168744274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8oAmNyq_bI/AAAAAAAAB2g/_ouzHCFLQzc/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8oAmNyq_bI/AAAAAAAAB2g/_ouzHCFLQzc/s400/DSC_0659.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461178154677370290" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8oAnMHEgHI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-FrSTUE28yw/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8oAnMHEgHI/AAAAAAAAB2w/-FrSTUE28yw/s400/DSC_0588.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461178171405926514" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8m27Us0-cI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/uFSlJ7HxGEI/s1600/DSC_0605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8m27Us0-cI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/uFSlJ7HxGEI/s400/DSC_0605.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461097153448704450" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n99lF8vEI/AAAAAAAAB2I/RsEa4LjbIjY/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n99lF8vEI/AAAAAAAAB2I/RsEa4LjbIjY/s400/DSC_0615.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461175257534348354" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n9MI_sLuI/AAAAAAAAB14/3HPlcjpnm8c/s1600/DSC_0587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n9MI_sLuI/AAAAAAAAB14/3HPlcjpnm8c/s400/DSC_0587.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461174408178314978" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n8zH2zRRI/AAAAAAAAB1w/8PW50wQ8x4c/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8n8zH2zRRI/AAAAAAAAB1w/8PW50wQ8x4c/s400/DSC_0547.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461173978375865618" /></a><br /><br />She's growing quickly, so I fully expect her to be about 3 times this size when I next see her in June. But I think it may take a whole year for her to grow into her enormous paws and ears.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8m2jlknVRI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/eoNVlsyAuAg/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S8m2jlknVRI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/eoNVlsyAuAg/s400/DSC_0593.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461096745660798226" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-85920197047826874202010-02-22T20:50:00.014-05:002010-02-22T21:56:14.773-05:00SafariIn the 5 days that I was at Disneyworld a couple of weeks ago I took 529 pictures. It didn't seem like I was constantly taking pictures, although I was conscious of trying to take more than I usually do. I guess I succeeded. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M2dkDjD8I/AAAAAAAAB0E/YiEixWolJW4/s1600-h/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M2dkDjD8I/AAAAAAAAB0E/YiEixWolJW4/s400/DSC_0070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441252656316354498" /></a><br /><br />My favorites are from my favorite ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M6vg9ML1I/AAAAAAAAB0U/EnXsy4I5jNg/s1600-h/DSC_0171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M6vg9ML1I/AAAAAAAAB0U/EnXsy4I5jNg/s400/DSC_0171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441257362768539474" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M960eSmKI/AAAAAAAAB0c/zsVfENY_wb0/s1600-h/DSC_0148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M960eSmKI/AAAAAAAAB0c/zsVfENY_wb0/s400/DSC_0148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441260855521089698" /></a><br /><br />The African safari at Animal Kingdom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M_uCkaThI/AAAAAAAAB00/DDfhaJSu_yI/s1600-h/DSC_0189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M_uCkaThI/AAAAAAAAB00/DDfhaJSu_yI/s400/DSC_0189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441262834989813266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M-zDKqn9I/AAAAAAAAB0s/xFn_B62mtl8/s1600-h/DSC_0199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M-zDKqn9I/AAAAAAAAB0s/xFn_B62mtl8/s400/DSC_0199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441261821537984466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4NAR1gnXSI/AAAAAAAAB08/UXkP79KsJkE/s1600-h/DSC_0202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4NAR1gnXSI/AAAAAAAAB08/UXkP79KsJkE/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441263449959521570" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4NCGmoozRI/AAAAAAAAB1E/nneBMOoMZDA/s1600-h/DSC_0193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4NCGmoozRI/AAAAAAAAB1E/nneBMOoMZDA/s400/DSC_0193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441265456011332882" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(That's a lion napping there behind the grass.)</span><br /><br />I was looking through my pictures tonight because a friend asked me to send her this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M5wa-yyEI/AAAAAAAAB0M/6G5HOsgrmoQ/s1600-h/DSC_0335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S4M5wa-yyEI/AAAAAAAAB0M/6G5HOsgrmoQ/s400/DSC_0335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441256278832891970" /></a><br /><br />I barely saw any children on leashes all week. And this was certainly the only one that was tied to something.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-18443023691290927092010-01-30T09:02:00.003-05:002010-01-30T21:21:01.180-05:00Life is Filled with Wonder and SurpriseThis was the coffee cup I chose this morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S2Tn9R5hPtI/AAAAAAAABzw/ie-h4RtsT10/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/S2Tn9R5hPtI/AAAAAAAABzw/ie-h4RtsT10/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432722090478354130" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Life is filled with wonder and surprise</span><br /><br />It's really really old and beat up, and I have no idea where it came from. But I like it.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-72154181693575175062010-01-03T09:15:00.001-05:002010-01-03T09:15:36.953-05:00From Mommy to MomThe older you get, the less you like birthdays.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9T-OGJlfI/AAAAAAAABzY/EyRkQKcQaOs/s1600-h/ali-rubberducky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9T-OGJlfI/AAAAAAAABzY/EyRkQKcQaOs/s400/ali-rubberducky.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422144804778251762" /></a><br /><br />Not just your own.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9Tu9l_p_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/2JtUbQ9cojA/s1600-h/P0000387_1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9Tu9l_p_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/2JtUbQ9cojA/s400/P0000387_1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422144542650378226" /></a><br /><br />And not just because you aren't allowed to cover yourself in cake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9TkaM0OTI/AAAAAAAABzI/TsbOVwb4OUg/s1600-h/P0000396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9TkaM0OTI/AAAAAAAABzI/TsbOVwb4OUg/s400/P0000396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422144361350838578" /></a><br /><br />Because they are reminders of time speeding by you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0Gx5EEXFI/AAAAAAAABwE/F_mwEFdP0eY/s1600-h/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0Gx5EEXFI/AAAAAAAABwE/F_mwEFdP0eY/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394475382860962898" /></a><br /><br />Today my only baby is 11. She's growing up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9KZn9R0GI/AAAAAAAABzA/f6Me186p4Gg/s1600-h/P0000711.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9KZn9R0GI/AAAAAAAABzA/f6Me186p4Gg/s400/P0000711.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422134280460554338" /></a><br /><br />I've realized something in the last few weeks. Is it possible that I'm in the midst of the subtle transition from being called "Mommy" and nothing else to being called just plain "Mom" ?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0G5qFsKdI/AAAAAAAABwM/Iup66rQo_jY/s1600-h/IMG_0418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0G5qFsKdI/AAAAAAAABwM/Iup66rQo_jY/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394475516280187346" /></a><br /><br />Not just in public, this being called Mom nonsense, but at home too? I want to be Mommy just a little while longer. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9JOkymLpI/AAAAAAAABy4/AYuzetgv-08/s1600-h/IMG_0524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9JOkymLpI/AAAAAAAABy4/AYuzetgv-08/s400/IMG_0524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422132991120256658" /></a><br /><br />She's only 11. This has gone WAY too fast, couldn't I rewind a few years?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0JiQIySII/AAAAAAAABwU/MCY4cTne9rE/s1600-h/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/St0JiQIySII/AAAAAAAABwU/MCY4cTne9rE/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394478412711741570" /></a><br /><br />I'm going to try not to think about it. Maybe those last few times I just didn't hear her correctly. I hope she knows I'll always be her Mommy, not just her Mom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sv7PP7nThsI/AAAAAAAABxY/xhk0XVwGT7o/s1600-h/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sv7PP7nThsI/AAAAAAAABxY/xhk0XVwGT7o/s400/DSC_0005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403984475498710722" /></a><br /><br />But after her unbelievable report card (wherein her teacher calls her an "all around amazing <span style="font-style:italic;">young lady</span>" ) I guess I may need to accept it. She is growing up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9WVWv0e1I/AAAAAAAABzg/okFAX8-2AXU/s1600-h/DSC_0074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sz9WVWv0e1I/AAAAAAAABzg/okFAX8-2AXU/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422147401260759890" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday, Ali. Now knock off this growing like a weed thing. And remember that you will always be my baby.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-49233207687430008522009-12-31T16:54:00.007-05:002009-12-31T19:25:44.329-05:00Best Twitpic of 2009I have been trying to find the time to post at least one more time in 2009 (to add to the measly quantity of posts I've had all year), and since I don't have the energy to do a full-length "Best of 2009..." post, I was looking through some pictures from 2009, specifically ones I've shared on Twitter via Twitpic.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitpic.com/c2f51"><a href="http://twitpic.com/c2f51" title="If you ever get a chance to visit one of Bill Clinton's fav f... on Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/c2f51.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="If you ever get a chance to visit one of Bill Clinton's fav f... on Twitpic"></a></a><br /><br />I thought I'd used Twitpic more than I did, so this was the best I could come up with. It's from our trip to Martha's Vineyard in July. This place serves the <span style="font-weight:bold;">best</span> fried clams. One order is enough to fill you up all day. We did read that it is allegedly one of Bill Clinton's favorite places to eat on the island, so we had to check it out.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-59203406407842038232009-12-19T20:46:00.012-05:002009-12-20T08:08:42.331-05:00Snow = FoodLooking outside, it doesn't seem like yesterday's blizzard delivered quite the amount of snowfall that was originally forecasted for us. It would have only taken a couple of inches for me to happily declare myself snowed in, though.<br /><br />That makes this a great weekend to follow my first order from the <a href="http://www.lvfood.coop/">Lehigh Valley Food Coop.</a> This was from my Thursday order, which turned out to be more than I thought. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy2FajRisHI/AAAAAAAABxw/2Q2FPgQ1wlA/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy2FajRisHI/AAAAAAAABxw/2Q2FPgQ1wlA/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417132617988485234" /></a><br /><br />Potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, pears...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy2Q9KZR5wI/AAAAAAAABx4/wYrvg8mFE7E/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy2Q9KZR5wI/AAAAAAAABx4/wYrvg8mFE7E/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417145307233380098" /></a><br /><br />Spinach, carrots, apple butter...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4cKuo-NII/AAAAAAAAByA/G_5X3u4VewI/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4cKuo-NII/AAAAAAAAByA/G_5X3u4VewI/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417298372417434754" /></a><br /><br />Yes, that is a carrot next to the apple butter. Short, fat, funky looking carrots. Word is that they are super sweet. I can't wait to try them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4cjjVlQlI/AAAAAAAAByI/auQ9NkHD_qM/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4cjjVlQlI/AAAAAAAAByI/auQ9NkHD_qM/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417298798880047698" /></a><br /><br />Brown eggs, which Ali can't wait to try simply because she's always wanted to try a brown egg. I hope she's not disappointed when she can't tell the difference.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4dCNB-7ZI/AAAAAAAAByQ/mM2hDayYxhU/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4dCNB-7ZI/AAAAAAAAByQ/mM2hDayYxhU/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417299325468208530" /></a><br /><br />There's raw cheddar cheese, and really nice looking broccoli.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4did0QTFI/AAAAAAAAByY/Zgxjxcy7mYI/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4did0QTFI/AAAAAAAAByY/Zgxjxcy7mYI/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417299879729843282" /></a><br /><br />Pasta sauce from Butter Valley Harvest, made in Bally, PA.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4eL1cwScI/AAAAAAAAByg/vANfExsIVTw/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4eL1cwScI/AAAAAAAAByg/vANfExsIVTw/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417300590448363970" /></a><br /><br />And some Sumatra coffee beans. Locally roasted and very fresh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4etUzi5BI/AAAAAAAAByo/e1SB--CTGck/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Sy4etUzi5BI/AAAAAAAAByo/e1SB--CTGck/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417301165801137170" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span><span style="font-style:italic;">(These were delivered to us on December 17th.)</span><br /><br />I am currently planning today's menu, which somehow needs to include most of the fresh things from Thursday's order. Maybe some eggs florentine with home fries for breakfast, broccoli cheddar soup for lunch, and sweet potato pancakes with roasted carrots for dinner. <br /><br />Let it snow.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-36012316844732785652009-11-05T21:04:00.008-05:002009-11-05T21:24:01.534-05:00We Are...Since baseball season is finally over, my sports focus can go back to football a bit. I haven't been ignoring it, but baseball was a higher priority. I have a good game on Saturday to start with, but it will be stressful. <br /><br /><a href="http://unclecrappy.com/2009/11/05/7-time-to-focus/">Speaking of Saturday's game</a>, is there any better uniform in college football than Penn State?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SvOEQjF8lzI/AAAAAAAABxA/fe_-4e2UeFc/s1600-h/psu+football.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SvOEQjF8lzI/AAAAAAAABxA/fe_-4e2UeFc/s400/psu+football.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400805797980313394" /></a><br /><br />No. Not even close.<br /><br />And don't even get me started about our mascot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SvOE7s3DiQI/AAAAAAAABxI/_gZeXcXVA-w/s1600-h/lion+buckeye.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SvOE7s3DiQI/AAAAAAAABxI/_gZeXcXVA-w/s400/lion+buckeye.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400806539336583426" /></a><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-35673119257980264022009-10-31T08:39:00.003-04:002013-02-02T12:24:05.026-05:00Phillies vs. Gas House GorillasAfter the Phillies win and Cliff Lee's amazing performance in game 1, I tweeted something about him being like Bugs Bunny. When I said the same thing in my office, all of the 20-somethings had no idea what I was talking about. After my explanation they still didn't know what I meant. This morning, just like every Saturday morning when I was a kid, I watched a little Bugs.<script type="text/javascript" src="http://videosift.com/widget.js?video=34255&width=500&comments=15&minimized=0"></script>
I find myself thinking more about baseball than football this morning, which is kind of unusual for the end of October. Here's hoping that Cole Hamels can channel a little Bugs too for tonight's game.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-84460644941525505892009-10-29T21:31:00.003-04:002009-10-29T21:55:39.973-04:00Supersized Trick or Treat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SupCFeZEftI/AAAAAAAABwc/M1GUpRsFXHo/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SupCFeZEftI/AAAAAAAABwc/M1GUpRsFXHo/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398199765181955794" /></a><br /><br />This is what will face the trick or treaters that come to our house on Friday. A big bowl of assorted FULL SIZE candy bars. <br /><br />I love the looks on the kids' faces when they see them and try to decide which one to pick. And there have only been a few times that I've had to pull the bowl back from someone grabbing multiple bars.<br /><br />We've always done full-sized bars for Halloween. The good thing about it is I think it provides some extra insurance against our pumpkins being smashed or our house being egged. The down side is that you are stuck with BIG candy leftovers.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-54694834985440044622009-10-18T09:20:00.004-04:002009-10-18T11:39:44.209-04:00RIP Harley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/StsWPN-SGgI/AAAAAAAABv0/YU9IfvUNMGM/s1600-h/IMG_0537.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/StsWPN-SGgI/AAAAAAAABv0/YU9IfvUNMGM/s400/IMG_0537.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393929429411043842" /></a><br />The cancer finally won, and my Mom and brother finally had to put my Dad's dog, Harley, to sleep yesterday. Harley was a beautiful black lab, with one of the sweetest dispositions of any dog I've ever known. She was an old soul from the beginning; I remember watching her sleep--seemingly constantly--when she was just a couple of years old and thinking that if you didn't know better you'd think she was a senior citizen. With her lazy, easygoing personality, she always, always had a wag of her tail to greet you, and would quickly roll over to beg for a belly rub. <br /><br />Harley loved everyone, but she definitely was my Dad's dog and had a special bond with him. Wherever they are, I hope they are together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/StsWUohmq2I/AAAAAAAABv8/OFLgLVafuX8/s1600-h/IMG_0596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/StsWUohmq2I/AAAAAAAABv8/OFLgLVafuX8/s400/IMG_0596.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393929522437860194" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-55785399340017087432009-10-07T17:34:00.004-04:002009-10-07T17:39:18.213-04:00Lee NowI doubt anyone has a shot of someone with a sign for "Lee Now" from this game back on July 25th.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Ss0JwzL3GfI/AAAAAAAABvs/4SYsRQNKmQ8/s1600-h/haliday+now.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/Ss0JwzL3GfI/AAAAAAAABvs/4SYsRQNKmQ8/s400/haliday+now.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389975063010679282" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-12629714076067779102009-09-05T09:45:00.002-04:002009-09-05T09:56:23.827-04:00Homemade Dog FoodFor the last few weeks my dogs have been enjoying my version of homemade dog food. My inspiration to start making it for them was my friend Shari and her gorgeous dog Ben:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJaGNiHMAI/AAAAAAAABvU/kAUfZOZiBzQ/s1600-h/DSC_0188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJaGNiHMAI/AAAAAAAABvU/kAUfZOZiBzQ/s400/DSC_0188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377959967792246786" /></a><br /><br />Ben is HUGE, yet buff. His fur is shiny and soft, his eyes are bright. He is sexy. So after watching him devour the homemade food that Shari makes for him, I decided to give it a try for my freak dogs. (Speaking of freak dogs, interesting to see the comments on my post about my Gypsy's crazy <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2009/02/terrifying-hiccups.html">fear of hiccups.</a>)<br /><br />I considered taking pictures of each step of the process, but it's actually kind of gross. And the smell is pretty nasty too. I suppose that's why the dogs like it so much.<br /><br />So based off of Shari's recipe and some that I found online, my basic recipe is:<br /><br /><ul><li>5 lbs of ground beef (80/20, browned and drained.)</li><li>3 lbs of chicken livers (Cooked in a pot with just enough water to cover them, then mashed well with a potato masher. Definitely the most disgusting part.)</li><li>4 or 5 eggs (Shells included, blended in a blender then cooked in with half of the ground beef when it's nearly done.)</li><li>Big bag of frozen mixed veggies (Cooked with a little water, then mashed well.)</li><li>Brown rice</li></ul><br />Once it's all cooked and mixed together well it looks pretty much like any other wet dog food:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJc3a_FCWI/AAAAAAAABvc/rZAyj_APCcg/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJc3a_FCWI/AAAAAAAABvc/rZAyj_APCcg/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377963012240247138" /></a><br />To serve it we mix in a bit of bone meal, some water to moisten it, and then a few squirts of salmon oil over the top. I do intend to check with my vet soon to make sure she approves, but I think she will. They get 2 meals a day, breakfast and dinner. As fast as they devour it, it's amazing that they haven't choked yet. As soon as one of them empties their bowl, they immediately go to the other's to make sure nothing was left behind.<br /><br />One of the goals of this is to get a few pounds off of 13 year old Gypsy. She's developed a fairly significant limp on her left front leg and besides possibly her arthritis, the vet has no idea why. Other than that, she's pretty healthy for an old lady. But she definitely could stand to drop some weight. I haven't weighed her since we started, but I think she might have lost a pound or two. This despite the fact that she is so fat and happy after she eats that the next few hours are spent passed out cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJo_sQqNXI/AAAAAAAABvk/kroLbqwZdzQ/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eCW5a3eiuUw/SqJo_sQqNXI/AAAAAAAABvk/kroLbqwZdzQ/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377976348455875954" /></a><br />I should also mention that this has been made MUCH easier thanks to my Mom, who does the actual feeding of the girls every day. And the multiple walks she takes them on each day also are contributing to the bounce they both seem to have in their step lately.<br /><br /><div><br /></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-90385195956401979582009-08-07T18:13:00.003-04:002009-08-07T18:17:23.258-04:00Food, IncWow. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqQVll-MP3I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqQVll-MP3I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928028023822167708.post-17449281386025720982009-08-04T20:41:00.015-04:002009-08-07T18:40:35.777-04:00Did My Package Come?In recognition of the wildly popular National Blog Something From Draft Week 2009, which you probably know as <a href="http://littlenibbler.blogspot.com/2009/08/part-of-me.html">NaBloSoFroDraWe</a>, I decided to finally write this post. It's one of several in my drafts folder about my Dad, and I need to find the time to finish more of them. He has been on my mind a lot lately. First it was because of the one year anniversary of his death, but then it was the trips I took these last couple of weeks. So many of the summer vacations my 10-year old has had included my Dad, which I'm sure is why she brought him up to me multiple times a day while on vacation. (The fact that we saw a ridiculous amount of <a href="http://rightbrainmusings.blogspot.com/2009/01/cooper-slap.html">Coopers</a> on the island was a factor as well. Seriously, they were everywhere. Every color and style.) <br /><br />You know how some memories are impossible to date? This is one of those. Whenever my Dad came home from work, most days he would ask my Mom "Did my package come?" and she'd always casually say "No." When I was old enough to care, I asked what package he was talking about. Turns out there was no package. Ever. <br /><br />When my Mom and Dad were first married, money was tight. I guess it was always kind of tight, but that's probably more because of my Mom's thrifty, saving nature. Those qualities were actual very critical, as they were needed to balance out my Dad's nature--to spend it as soon as he had it. So apparently, early in their marriage my Dad's way of dealing with this conflict was to create something that was designed solely to drive my Mom crazy. They were married in January and I was born in December (makes you think for a second, right? Dad loved that too, but that's another post...) so I imagine my Mom was really freaking out about money.<br /><br />One day my he came home from work and asked her simply "Did my package come?" and she instantly panicked: "Package? What package? What did you order? We can't afford anything! What package is coming?" He just chuckled and said it was nothing to worry about and just let it go. She got really upset, but he remained calm. After doing this every day for a week, I'm sure my Mom was probably about to explode, thinking all week that he spent all this money that she knew nothing about and was sure they couldn't afford.<br /><br />He finally confessed to her that there was no package; he had just been teasing her. I picture my Mom being absolutely furious at him for a solid 5 minutes, and then not being able to help smiling and just shaking her head. That was a reaction my Dad always got easily--he could always elicit a smile from you shortly after whatever frustration he first caused you. There were always lots of both around him.<br /><br />Even though the joke was up after a week, the routine of him asking her when he got home from work "Did my package come?"continued for almost as long as I can remember, probably as long as he went to work every day. And after she answered "no" my Mom always just smiled and shook her head.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05214835420820980136noreply@blogger.com3