Update on Lottie

I am happy to report that Miss Lottie is doing very well. She is home with her new mommy and has just about fully recoved from her parvo virus. Her mommy just lost a doggie recently so Lottie should fill a dog shaped hole in her heart. That is if she stops chewing up things and crying all the time!

happy birthday flowers

one day spring will be here... until then I will enjoy my taste of spring and thank God for greenhouses and florists who are ablt to bring that sweet touch to peoples lives in cold, frozen January.

History Museum

We had to go to the museum today to get info on barbed wire for the history fair project.

It was a good experience for Jimmy to learn about the way to find needed information and research a topic. Seriously though, it was like going into Fort Knox or the National Archives... We had to call earlier in the week to make an appointment, tell them the names of the books/ photos/ manuscripts, etc. we found online that we wanted to see, check our bags and jackets, lock up our purses (well I did) and wear gloves to touch the Martial so we didn't get oil on the old documents.

It was interesting though and pretty neat to see some of the history of our city.

They did have some fun exhibits for the kids to look at, but definitely not a place you could stay very long. Especially with Pete and Re-Pete.

Simple Pleasures

When I saw the e-mail from the library yesterday that a book I placed on hold was in, I couldn't wait to get there and pick up it up. I know Jim might disagree, but it really doesn't take much to make me happy. Especially when it's a book... on food. Especially Simple Food.

I have been devouring it since yesterday. (the book, not the beef). She, Alice Waters, said you should rub your meat in salt a day (or two or three) before you cook it. For flavor. No argument there... and, always bring your meat to room temperature before you cook it or the outside will cook faster than the inside and the product will cook unevenly. Good point.

I even went out and bought a roast last night to make for breakfast today. Yes, breakfast. Sort of a lunchish, brunchish meal before the museum. People need fuel, you know?

Mmmm... Beef, it's what's for breakfast.

Sorry for no after photos, but it did come out great.

Especially with fresh green beans and mashed potatoes. So much yum.

Paint the Day Away

I think these kids asked me if they could paint at least 30 times. At least.

Saying yes was a celebration moment for sure.

Paint. It does a child good.

(Payton wants you to notice his muscles)

Go PAINT!

Let Us Pray together...

Let Us Pray Together ...

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU,
Because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were.

Because this morning my home was still standing,
Because this morning I am not crying
Because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not
need to be buried
or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete,
Because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,
Because this morning I was able to turn on the light,
Because this morning I was able to take a shower,
Because this morning I was not planning a funeral,

But most of all I thank you this morning because I still have life and
a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti .
Lord I cry out to you, the One that makes the impossible, possible,
The One that turns darkness in to light,
I cry out that You give those mothers strength,
That You give them peace that surpasses all understanding,
That You may open the streets so that help can come,
That You may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they
need in a blink of an eye.


For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them
hope, give them courage to continue to go on!
Protect the children and shield them with your power.
I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!


Let Us Pray together for the people in Haiti .

I found a new doctor!

This is just too funny not to post. I resonate with these words a lot. For all of my veggie pushing, real food standards of living, i feel like this all too often.

Enjoy.

I Love This Doctor!

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).. And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Meet Lottie

This is my girlfriends new puppy.
Her name is Lottie, short for Charlotte. She was brought in after she became sick when a couple adopted her from a shelter over at Touhy and Harlem.
She has parvo and the people couldn't afford to keep her.
My friend works at an emergency animal hospital and they are trying to give her a chance to get healthy.
You can see the sickness in her eyes, but she is so sweet still...
I hope she pulls through this, poor girl.
This is why every puppy should be neutered.
It's not fair to them to be born into neglect and sickness.
She is so lucky to be taken care of right now, most of the puppies with parvo get put to sleep.

5 little words

5 Little Words

sing

read

professional

fuzzy

birthday

5 little words

5 Little Words

(here they are, better late than never)

Focus

worked

surprise


squirrel

rush

5 Little Words - 1.10.10

i'm having problems uploading my pics tonight... grrr. maybe, hopefully, it works tomorrow.

Just go with the lard...

POSTED BY: Monica Reinagel, M.S., LD/N January 05, 2010 11:59 AM
g_baseurl="https://remote.condenast.com/exchange/fbknd/Inbox/11.16-12.4/emails/Monica%20Folder/Feedback-29.EML/,DanaInfo=SCNPNYA58.advancemags.com+";
Q. I am attempting to cook this recipe I found on the internet. It calls for 1/4 cup of lard OR vegetable shortening. I am health-conscious and I was wondering which option is healthier?
A. If the vegetable shortening contains hydrogenated or inter-esterified oils, I'd say go with the lard--unless you're a vegan, of course.
Lard has a bad reputation that I'm not sure it deserves. Like most animal fats, lard contains a mixture of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. In fact, it contains more monounsaturated fats (13mg per ounce) than saturated fats (11g per ounce). It also provides 280mg of omega-3 fatty acids per ounce.
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, see if you can find a shortening that combines coconut or palm-kernel oil with unhydrogenated vegetable oil. Both coconut and palm-kernel oil contain saturated fats, which allow them to stay solid at room temperature. In baked goods, that is often key to getting the right texture.
But straight coconut or palm kernel oil might not produce the best results. Unlike lard, coconut and palm kernel oil are almost 100% saturated fat. At room temperature, they are the consistency of candle wax! To produce something similar to shortening, manufacturers blend them with liquid (unsaturated) oil.

5 little words

Here are the pics for my first 5 Little Words post.

Dates: 1/1 - 1/5/2010

GLOW

LASTING

PROMISE

STRENGTH

GRIND

My new cousin: Jayden matthew

My new cousin: Jayden matthew, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Jayden matthew is here. My aunt's beautiful baby boy was born today. 8lb. 7oz. mama and baby are doing fine!

why does this dog look so pathetic?

Happy New Year!

Here's to a new beginning of the New Year.

May God Bless you and your family in the coming days.