What Season Are You?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

http://www.blogthings.com/whatseasonareyouquiz/">What Season Are You?

I guess the results of this quiz comes as no surprise. I indeed love, love , love Fall! It's my most favoritist season of all!! Isn't it funny how answering random questions can pinpoint certain characteristics? What is your Season?

Our Weekend

On Friday morning we left on our "romantical" weekend with the in-laws. After we set up camp, had some lunch we decided to take a ride to Paradise & show my in-laws the memorial we did for the babies. They took their truck & we took ours. We also took all 5 dogs on the hike this time too! I must say, it was a much better hike out there than the previous week. I must have been having a way "off" feeling day that day. The waves were nowhere near the size of last week. Actually the waters were pretty calm...well for Superior! The weather was amazing...up to 82!! Can't ask for a better day!







After our hike we took a ride that was about 35 miles up the road to visit Sceney Wildlife Refuge. Bill & Jeanne had never been there & Ken & I enjoy that type of thing. The sunset was out of this world amazing! I think we took like 20 pictures of the various stages of it's decent.


How stunning!!

See the white swans?

Obviously this photo was taken before the sun set. See the adorable turtle sunning itself on the log? I totally jumped out of the suburban mid roll to capture this lil guy, or gal!! For serious!!

How stinkan cute is that!!! Ahhh how I love turltes!!!
Yesterday was a gloomish type of day. Sporadic showers all day & windy. We still managed to take a walk around the lake & Ken took, or rather tried to take some family pics with us & the pups. It's pretty hard to get all 5 of them looking at the camera & have us both in the picture! LOL Pay no attention to the crazy hair atop my head! LOL

Here I am with my babies: left to right; Allison, McKenzie, Macey, Arizona & Brayden

I didn't know Ken even snapped this picture. Here was Allison chillin next to me & apparently I was talking to Brayden & he was listening. Haha I am a bit bias but my doggies are sooo superly cute!!

Almost got it....but Macey had to show her rump to the camera!

We finally gave up....

On our walk around the lake we almost walked right into this...Bear poop!!! Luckily the dogs didn't decide to forage on this berry pile! Sooo gross!! I had to take a picture though seeing I have never seen bear droppings. We went back to camp, dropped the dogs off at the camper & asked Bill & Jeanne if they wanted to go blueberry picking. It was Ken's idea. I however told Jeanne to take a bucket...and she did! Just down the shore we saw the footprints.

The views from across the lake were astounding! The Fall foliage is really coming to life here. On our drive home today we noticed even more color.

Can you see this lil guy in the weeds? Ken almost stepped on him.

Yesterday Ken & I decided to take a ride to gather some more firewood in the woods & check out the other campsites. We just wanted some time alone, time to just chill with one another. We were just chillin at one site looking at the colors, relaxing & then his parents had to come find us...so yeah...there was an issue of privacy.

I would be lying if I said I am still not hurt about what happened. I would be also lying if I said I didn't have any fun. Because I did. It was an ummmm interesting weekend. Now, next weekend should be ultra fun!!! We know we will have the weekend to ourselves. They have my nieces recital in Wisconsin. We originally planned to go to Fayette for the fall festivities next Saturday. But now are planning on going up to Houghton, MI on a camping trip & do a Fall color tour... With a possible stop in Ironwood to say howdy to my brother. Just Ken & myself & our fab 5. =)

Autumn is here!!

Today is a much better day than yesterday. I'm still a bit on the upset side. But nowhere near the state I was in yesterday...which is a good thing!!


We are still going camping this weekend & we hope to make the best of the situation...we'll see what happens.


Anyways, today is Thankful Thursday!! Instead of focusing on one thing I'm gonna let my scatterbrain lead the way.



I recently joined Facebook & have reconnected with oodles of friends from high school & college!!! I totally stole, I mean borrowed this photo from my brothers facebook photo album. I don't have a copy of this photo. But now I do!! It's of the 10 of us Pepin kids taken at my brother Darryl's 25yr Jubilee celebration. It's not too often you get all 10 of us in one place!!

Back Row: left to right Christine, Darryl, Bruce, Joe, Jim (he's my real Dad)
Front Row: left to right Pat, Mike, Laurie, Kelly & me

Yeah, in this photo we are lined up according to age =)











My most favoritist season is Autumn. The U.P. is by far one of the best places to spend the season! New England area comes pretty darn close, if not tied with Yopper Land. The cool mornings that turn into sunshiney afternoons & crisp evenings is by far the best! Some other favorite Fall things are:














Homemade turkey noodle soup on a cool Fall night











Quirky scarecrow on the fence & Pumpkins

and don't forget the foliage in reds, yellows & oranges!!

The smell of cinnamon, a pumpkin scented candle

Apple season!

Wearing jeans & sweatshirts

The smell...yes, I do enjoy the smell of Fall, even the dead rotting leaves

The fact I'm not getting swampy butt from being hot. and no, my heine does not smell like a swamp!!

cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds

bonfires & smore's

The Upper Peninsula offers some fantastical aurora borealis (northern lights) shows. If you have not witnessed the northern lights, you best get your fanny up here in the fall! It's amazing! It also seems like there are more shooting stars in the Fall. Sitting outside gazing at the stars is something we enjoy.

Knowing Christmas is right around the corner. Which reminds me! We will have two additions to our household this Christmas!! We, I mean I will be adding 2 more big trees to our home this year!! No clue where they will be put yet but holy stokage!!! November 1st begins the decorating spree!!

Next weekend Ken & I are going to go to Garden, MI to attend the Fall festivities at Fayette. We've never been to it but holy beans! Totally can't wait! After that we are stopping at the apple orchard. I foresee batches of applesauce in my very near future! OH! And at the orchard they have a used book store! So we know where Kaffy's silly self will be!! Ahhh the smell of old books!

Being in the U.P. we have oodles upon oodles of trails & places to hike & explore. Especially for geocacheing! What better way to spend a day! Pack a couple sandwiches, some cider & snacks & head into the forest on a treasure hunt. Don't forget the GPS!! Feel the crunch of the leaves under your feet, look up at the foliage, breath in the crisp air. Guess what's also neato about this? It's FREE! And fun!!

Be sure to get out & enjoy your Fall season!! Before we know it'll be snowing!!

Is part of my heart dead?

There is such thing as needing time together right? I'm talking as in a marriage. Or any relationship for that matter. Even in the best of relationships. It's so important to take time to yourselves to reconnect & keep that fabulous relationship alive...right?

Well those are my beliefs anyways...apparently not all people find things such a nurturing a marriage important. For me my marriage means everything to me. Well what occurred to me today has got me beyond disgusted. My mind is just boggled & my heart is just hurt.

For months Ken & I have had an "alone" camping trip planned. Sure, we don't have kids and I go on the road with him. But it's not the same as spending time with one another. This away weekend is something I looked so forward to. To reconnect with my hubby means everything to me. He's been working a lot. So when he is home he's pretty tired & has been cranky. He's not usually like this. He's been so snippy & ornery and it's wearing me down.

We have talked about this alone weekend for some time. Our friends & his folks knew we were planning this get away. So, today I was completely floored when we were asked if they could tag along for the weekend. Now is it rude of us, more so me to be upset about this? This was a weekend we set aside for "US" and us only. A time for our marriage.

I handed Ken the phone & let him tell them no, that we wanted a weekend to ourselves. He did that but then he got off the phone & said "good one, Kat, you broke her heart" Then he said a bunch of other stuff about them leaving soon for TX & we'll have time then. So why...I've got to wonder...why would they do this. It totally put Ken in the middle having to choose between his parents & the weekend with his wife to work on our relationship. And just so everybody knows...no there are no problems on the homefront. It's just something we do now & then to keep the relationship nurtured.

Needless to say, his parents won, he chose them & they will be joining us on "our" weekend. He went on to tell me a part of my heart is dead...the part where there's a love for parents. I haven't had parents since I was 10 so this whole parents wanting to be around is so new to me. But I don't think my heart is dead. I do love them so dearly. I have phenomenal in-laws. It hurts me greatly the things Ken said and that his folks would impose like that...knowing we had this weekend planned. Do they not understand we NEED this. Life has been crazy hectic. I miss my husband...

Please pray that our weekend turns out well. I'm not having much hope for fun times at this point & am contemplating staying home & working on my craft room while Ken goes to nurture our marriage with his folks...

Those are some big waves Batman!

So, I decided to post a couple of the videos Ken took last weekend. The photos don't do these gynourmous waves the justice they deserve. I was sitting 20-30 feet from the edge of the rock walls & as the waves crashed & went over the cliff walls I was still getting splashed! By the time we left my jeans were wet!

Visiting the Memorial

I'm still here...just taking a break I guess. So many things have been going on. Usually when I don't have much good to say I get pretty quiet. But after thinking about it a bit I realized I should allow myself to vent a bit. I feel like I haven't been "me" in some of my posts. Well I've been in a "funk" these past few days. I guess we all have those not so swell moments. Right??

On this past Saturday Ken & I took a ride up to Munising to visit the memorial we carved in honor of our babies Angel & Alex & do a little hiking. The fall colors were astounding!! Now some people will say our babies don't exist. But to us they did. Anyways, this place where the memorial is located is in one of the prettiest areas in the whole Upper Peninsula. It's quite a hike into the woods to get to the actual carving. It's one that's even harder when I am a dizzy mess. Well Saturday was one of those "off" days. Usually we are off exploring this that & the next thing. In a couple areas we have to hold onto a tree & balance on a ledge to get to the other side. Well that was not an option for me that day. Ken would become frustrated at my inability. Plus we had Arizona Clarie with us. That's our youngest doggy.

The waves were astounding! It wasn't even all too windy. But if anyone knows Lake Superior, it doesn't take much. What a gorgeous lake full of rigor. When we got to the memorial I was in need of a rest & sat down. Just needed some quiet time, ya know. Time to reflect & honor the memory of our babies. It's a very special place. Most people have grave sites to go to...we have this rock in the middle of nowhere. Anyways, Ken was more into exploring the area, taking pics & videos. I just needed him to be with me.

I think I had such a hard time this time going there because the walk in was more challenging than the last time. I know one day we will not be able to make it in there. Or at least I won't be. Not when I'm a dizzy bird all the darn tootan time. I have come to an acceptance of this whole MM crap but every now & then it really gets to me. This was one of those days.
I am thinking we need to make a different memorial, something we will both be able to access...even when we're old geezers.

Below are some pics we took on the hike. I will include a picture of me in the cave...you will see just how high the water was. There was NO cave exploring this time needless to say.

On our way to Munising

Actually this beautiful tree was on our drive home =)

Below is what the caves looked like last weekend. Usually we can walk inside these caves & walk in the water on the outer edge of the caves no problem. The water level along the edge on Saturday was well above our heads!

Here's a pic of me video recording inside those very caves last summer! CRAZY how water can have a mind of it's own eh?

Another look into the cave this past weekend...not heading in there!!

Little toes in my home

Today was a fantabulastic day! It just so happens today is also Thankful Thursday & I have sooo much to be thankful for!!

I spent the day with a very special kiddo. I am not at liberty to say her real name. But she's a family member's foster kiddo. Having her is such a joy! In fact we had been tryingto adopt her for some time. But as our luck always goes...it's a no -go for a number of reasons I care not to discuss right now.

So back to today. She arrived here around 3:30 this afternoon. We took a walk to the park, then around the block, she played with the dogs & cats & was so excited watching the fish swim in our tank. Then I had her help me make frozen pizza. It was a plain ole cheese one so we added some pepperoni. Then she helped make juice. Much of the water ended up on the counter. She began splashing her lil fingers in it. Oh what fun!! We painted her toe nails, went outside with the sidewalk chalk & drew, read a few books & colored. Then she goes "Kashy lets for a walk in the stwower. Translation Kathy let's go for a walk in the stroller. How stinkan cute is that!!! So we did that. Shortly after we got home I got the call she was goign to be picked up soon. So you know what we did? We bounced on the couch! Well not me, but her. Total fun-ness!!!

Even though things did not work out as we hoped with the adoption stuff I am so thankful this lil peanut is in our lives! She totally rocks my socks!!

Busy hands

So, now that I got the bridge crossing out of my system I can concentrate on the fantasticalness of our road trip.


I did oodles of crocheting, a bit of reading, lots of gazing out the window, listening & singing music with the hubbykins. Ahhh it was soo fantabulastical!

I was able to stay awake most of the night with Ken on Sunday. Usually an hour or so into the trip I need to lay down to shake off the dizzies. But day one I made it up for several hours before I finally hit the sack & Ken continued driving.

Monday after we delivered in Willard we picked up at a driveway sealant place for our reload which delivered to 5 different places. Finaling in Esky for Tuesday morn. Again, on Monday I was able to spend oodles of time in the front with my hubbykins. Total sock rockage!!

While filling up at a Truck stop Ken pointed this out to me...The Sunday Night football announcer trucks! Now that's even more total sock rockage!! I must also add...GO PACK GO!!!! The team is looking fantstical out there & kicked some serious Lion heine...all without Favre!! Rodgers is full of talent! Now hopefully they can keep it up. Anytootles, seeing the truck just pumped us both up!!








I ended up having one meniere's attack while on the road & did some laying down while holding my head from taking a spin off my shoulders. I'm sure it'll take at least a few trips to get my body back to par with being on the road. Nothing is going to stop me from being a truckin chicklet!!! =)

My fingers stayed busy crocheting too!! A dozen or so sqaures for a project I'm working on....

9 dish cloths

and 2 fluffy scarves!!

I will be going with Ken the beginning of next week too...ahhh can't wait!!! Just hopefully there's no Mackinac involved!! ;)

The Mighty Mackinac Bridge

I got home yesterday afternoon from being a truckin chick for a few days. We left on Sunday afternoon & headed to Willard, OH. Obviously we had to go through Lower MI to get to OH...which is one of my not so favorite things.

Why might one wonder...because I have to ride over the mighty Mackinac Bridge & it's rainy & foggy-ish! That's why! It's a large 5 mile long suspension bridge that connects Upper MI to Lower MI! It's not only the 5 mile length that freaks me out. No, it's the fact that semi's have to go 20MPH over this bridge. Sometimes slower if there is a truck in front of us. PLUS!! not that going 20MPH is bad enough we have to be in the outer lane & that flippen stinks some serious poo folks! Our truck is higher than the guard rails! And there is deep deep water below!! I'm not sure how high the bridge is but gee wilakers! I go over it & for those 15 or so minutes I am contemplating how I will survive should we plummet off the bridge. Like, what if my seatbelt gets stuck? What will I cut it with to free myself? How bout Ken? The dogs? I can't swim well...will I know how if need be? How cold will the water be? Who would hear me scream for help... yeah all that crazy crap seeps into my brain during the mighty Mack crossing. In all actuality the fall would most definitely be fatal. I don't even want to know the height!! I sweat profusely while going over the Mighty Mack. Ken must remain quite & I swear to God I recite every prayer I have ever learned in my head...all while cursing some ohhh so colorful words!!! Well, this time I forced myself to roll down the side window & take some pics....And I am still alive =)

A couple quizzes

You See The World Through Red Colored Glasses

You live your life with intensity. You have strong emotions and experience everything vividly. You judge all interactions through the lens of power. You determine who has the most power and how to improve your position. You face challenges with courage and strength. You can will your way through any problem. You see love as the utmost expression of your passions and desires. Your romantic life is very passionate and overwhelming. At your worst, you are easily angered and quick to fight. You will go to war with anyone. You are happiest when you are expending a lot of energy. And you love the feeling of danger!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorglassesdoyouseetheworldthroughquiz/">What Color Glasses Do You See the World Through?

You Live in the Present

You take things one day at a time. And it turns out, that's a pretty great way to live. You aren't consumed by the past, and you're aren't obsessed with the future. You live in the now, and you enjoy each moment. While most people don't live in the present enough, make sure you don't live in it too much. It would be a mistake to forget your past or neglect to plan for the future.

http://www.blogthings.com/doyouliveinthepastpresentorfuturequiz/">Do You Live in the Past, Present, or Future?

The Road Trip of Your Life

You see romantic love as what's most important in life. A deep connection with someone else is the primary thing you crave. You live a life of leisure. You take your time in every aspect of life and enjoy it to the fullest. You are all about risk and randomness in your life. You travel off the beaten path... in fact, you're often the one carving the way! You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out. You could have owned an indie bookstore or boutique in another life.

http://www.blogthings.com/theroadtriptest/">The Road Trip Test

Hittin the road!

I'm stoked! Today I am embarking on a journey...with my hubby & our 5 puparoodles! I have not been on the road with him since May. So this trip is long overdue!! I anticipate being home within a week, maybe more, maybe less. I have the camera packed & will be taking my dear lappytop with. I'm unsure if we'll get an internet signal where we're heading. Hopefully I can check in now & then though.

I've packed 6 books to read, numerous skiens of yarn to do some crocheting, some paper strips to get a head start on the weaving needed for the cards, a plastic canvas project I need to finish, and a brain full of ideas to write about!!

It's uncertain if I'll use each of these crafts. I never know what mood I'll be in. Who knows, I may just find myself gazing at the post card views from the passenger window. =) Either way, I'm stoked beyond all stokage to spend time with Ken & get my head clear.

Have a fantabulastic week!!

Cheers!

Kat

I Remember...

Once again, I am lagging on my thankful Thursday post. Between not feeling too snitzy, the meniere's kickin my ass & remembering the devastating attack on our country that occurred 7yrs ago I wasn't much in the mood to be my giddy, dorky self. It's not too often I let myself allow people to see beyond the wall I hide behind. Just as the toughest buildings crumble...so have I.

I remember growing up absolutely hating history class. In order for me to even pass those classes I had to read, re-read & read the chapters over & over again. My brain just wouldn't "absorb" the info. Actually it didn't interest me. I'd read of the battles of our forefathers, the discoveries & travels...yeah, it never really phased me...Until I lived it & experienced some of the Nations & my own history. These historical event's whether they be Natiowide or things from my past have helped mold me into the person I've become.

I remember Mike waking me the morning of November 12, 1985 shouting what I thought was "I'm dying" He always joked about things. Like the finger falling off joke. Once I deciphered what he was shouting I couldn't believe it. He was saying "Mom's dying" I went downstairs in my nightgown to see the living room filled with sadness, the phone rang, it was dad...Mom died...It's a day in my life history that changed me forever. I was an evil snotty kid, spoiled rotten. Fighting with my Mom for new toys was an everyday event. The night before she passed I was mad at her because I wanted another Cabbage Patch Kid & told her I hated her & wished she would die....talk about a life lesson right there. It took years to forgive myself for being so hateful & I vowed to myself & the world around me I would NEVER be so selfish & say horrible things. It was a day in my history that forever changed me into what I hope is a much more giving, kind person.

I remember getting up Christmas morning of 85 to see what Santa had brought. Under the tree was a gift to me from my Mom. I thought it was a cruel for my siblings to wrap a gift & pretend it was from my dead Mom. But it was from my Mom. It was her writing as far as I know & in it was a necklace with a heard pendant watch. Mom was still with me, she gave me a heart even as hers was dancing in heaven. Weeks later that pendant was stolen by someone who I thought was a friend. I don't think she had a clue just how much that heart meant to me. What I wouldn't do to get it back...

I remember Dad, lying in the hospital bed, eyes too weak to close, the lemon swabs, the smell. I remember being home alone with Dad on New Years having a sleep over party with my umteen amount of Cabbage Patch Kids along with my sister's & our friends. I played with my new dollhouse my brother made me. Dad was sick, really sick. It was the worst New Years & I remember. I remember the day the family gathered around dad's bed to pray. I'm pretty sure my brother Darryl said the last rights. Darryl is a priest by the way so he can say those things. I remember the peace & sadness on January 15, 1986 when Dad died. He was finally in a better place & not suffering.

I remember January 28, 1986 like it was yesterday. I was in 4th grade, Ms. Peter the teacher. Two moths prior my Mom died, and just 13 days prior my Dad died. On this day a teacher was going up with the shuttle. Back then it was a big deal when shuttles went up & it's as if the nation stopped to watch a launch. I remember counting down to the launch, watching it go up, up, up & then explode....I was 10yrs old & I remember...

On the morning of August 31st, 1997 as I sat in the emergency room waiting area I watched on the small tv hanging from the wall the announcement that Princess Diana was killed in a horrible accident. I was in the ER losing our 2nd baby, waiting to go into surgery...a date in the Nations history & my own that I will never forget. To this day it sickens me watching the Princess Di tributes.

I remember our President's fiasco's in the White House, and when they cloned "Dolly" the sheep, and the end of the Cold War. And when Lorenna Bobbit took matters into her own hands & the infamous OJ Simpson chase & double murder case, the Y 2K hooplah...so much history...so much I remember

I remember laying in bed on the morning of September 11, 2001. the sound of Ken tromping up the stairs, the bedroom door flying open, Ken shouting, "a plane just hit the Twin Towers!" At the time I was half asleep & didn't fully understand what the Twin Towers were. I got out of bed, adjusted my Green Bay Packer night shirt & went downstairs to the kitchen to see what the commotion was. Indeed a plane hit tower 1 of the Trade Center. We watched it unfold. As we watched we saw a 2nd plane approaching tower 2. I started to scream as the plane got closer & saw it smash! I immediately told ken we are under some sort of attack. He thought I was being foolish. Ken's parents came to pick him up (they were working out of town) . We told them to come in the house real quick. Ken eventually left with his parents to go to work. I tossed on some purple underwear & pink sweatpants & walked across the alley to my siblings house to watch. I didn't want to be home alone during a time such as this. While there we watched the news, saw the Pentagon being attacked & the other plane going down in the field. Days after we watched as the recovery & cleanup went on. I don't remember how long it was but it was awhile that all flights in the US were halted & forced to land. I watched our nation pull together as a loving, praying community. It's as if we were all in this together. It made everyone more aware just how fragile life is. It's a day I will never forget...EVER!!!!

Thank You!!!

Yahooooooo!!!!!

It worked!!! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

Thank you oodles Jewel on your remedy for making paragraphs on my blog! You have no idea how happy a gal you made me!! You rock!

Nonsensical Things

I'm soooo excited! My Mom-In-Law called me tonight while I was outside playing with the dogs. She asked if I'd be interested in having some of their home grown tomatoes. I was like, absofreakinglutely!!! So Brayden & I be bopped over to Gma & Gpa's. Yes, we call Bill & Jeanne Gramma & Grampa to our pets & they call the dogs their grand dogs & the cats grandcats.

Anyways, I came home with a paper bag full of red juicy tomatoes. I bought hot peppers, onions, green peppers in hopes to get some tomatoes at the Farmer's Market tomorrow to make some fresh salsa. Now I have these yummers to use!! Yahooo for wunnaful Mom in laws! I've never made salsa before but it's worth a try. I'm still scouring to see what recipe I should use...hmmmmm Anybody game for being my "guinea pig"? LOL!!!

Tomorrow I will also tackle the pears. I keep going back & forth on what to make with them...like should I can them as halves, chop them up or process them like applesauce?

Speaking of applesauce. I phoned the Apple Orchard & as of 3 days ago they were unsure when they will have apples for sale. He said the apples are still the size of marbles & in need of some rain. Well, we've been getting some rain so hopefully, fingers crossed for a bumper crop of apples!!!

In other news Ken left early Monday morning. I was going to go with him but seeing we did a bunch of sitting on our heine's on Sunday we had nothing packed for myself or the fab 5 (that's our dogs) so I stayed home. Now, he might not be home till the end of the week...I sure do miss him!!

I don't sleep much at all when he is gone. I am finding such inspiration from some crafty blogs though! Now I just need to get the gung ho about DOING some of those projects. Do they sell Gung Ho at Walmart by chance? My craft room/office is coming along. I'll post pics of that soon. Including the embarrassing before pics! My goodness, that was a mess! I am in dire need of a scrapbooking, card making, sewing type of day. So that room really needs to be finished to get back on track with Christmas gifts!!

I managed to change my page up a bit...hoping what I did remedied the whole lack of paragraph problems. The whole lack of paragraphs being formed in my posts is one of my hugest pet peeves. So fingers crossed this post is successful!!!!!

Anytootles, I am rambling about nonsensical things & I should go to bed so I can get some stuff done around here!!!

Mutual Weirdness

" We are all a little weird, and life's a little weird
and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours,
we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”

Me with my "Mutual weirdo" on our wedding day

3-23-96

Blueberry Lattice Bars

Yesterday I made these yummy Blueberry lattice bars again. I finally got around to taking a photo...but not before I cut it into bars. Woopsie, my bad. Anyways, this recipe comes from Taste Of Home's book "Winning Annual Recipes 2007" This book is by far my most favoritist!!

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

FILLING:

3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

1 cup sugar

3 TBSP cornstarch

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the egg, flour, vanilla and salt; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring the blueberries, sugar and cornstarch to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Roll two-third of the dough into a 14-in. X 10-in. rectangle. (I just press mine into the pan...I rather suck at the whole placing it into the pan part...) Place into a greased 13-in X 9-in. X 2-in. baking dish. Top with filling. Roll out remaining dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into 1/2-in.-wide strips; make a lattice crust over filling. (As you can see I am not too swell of a lattice layer either...)
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until tip is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 2 dozen (not that many if you are oinkers like ourselves)

Into The Wild

We just watched a fantastical movie called "Into The Wild" about the adventures of Christopher McCandless. I highly recommend this movie! It's based on a true story too!

After graduating in 1990 from Emory University, McCandless gave away his savings of $24,000 and began traveling. He ditched his car, cut off all communication with his family and burned all his money. He yearned for a more simplistic life.

In April 1992, Jim Gallien gave McCandless a ride to the Stampede Trail in Alaska. There McCandless headed down the snow-covered trail to begin an odyssey with only ten pounds of rice, a .22 caliber rifle, a camera, several boxes of rifle rounds, some camping gear, and a small selection of literature—including a field guide to the region's edible plants, Tana'ina Plantlore. He took no compass or map.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Wild

What I love so dearly about this movie was the zest for simplicity in life this young man posessed. He was not into the fancy schmancy things , even though his family could afford him all those luxuries.

I just ordered the book written by Jon Krakauer off of Amazon for a nifty $1.95 & totally can't wait to read it!

Quotes from the movie to ponder that I just love:

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."— Chris McCandless


"If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed."— Chris McCandless

How'd That Happen?

Isn't it funny, or shall I say sad how old friends become acquaintances? You can share a young lifetime together. Then in a blink of an eye, all those memories, all the experiences & adventures shared mean nothing at all & one is so willing to throw it all away? Looking back one has to wonder...How'd that happen?

Last night we went to our friend Scott & Julie's wedding reception. Scott & Ken grew up together & were best buds for awhile. Actually it was Scott who introduced Ken & I & he was also our Best Man for our wedding.

Anyways, Ken was not too snitz on attending this event at all. See, it really hurt Ken ya know...not even being invited to the bachelor party. Heck, I was invited to the brides parties & I barely know her. But to exclude Ken...breaks my heart. They shared a young lifetime together, were pretty much like brothers.

Anyways, we get to the reception, scope out the scene, find Scott & Julie, congratulate them. Scott practically squeezes my head from my shoulders in a typical Scooter hug. He shook Ken's hand, thanked him for coming, said ""wow, you're actually home....when in fact, Ken would not miss Scott's wedding for the world. He still thinks of them as buds. The conversation was short lived...Scott had no clue what to say & walked away. We found our seats & then came the best man's speech. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt...not seeing Ken up there amongst these other friends. Pretty much Ken was excluded...it really affected Ken. He ended up walking out to take a breather.

It kept getting more & more awkward. Here are all the guys, all Ken's friends too...standing up for his best friend's wedding...Ken not even being invited to the bachelor party...yeah...the night pretty much sucked. We came home & watched a movie & snuggled...so that was nice. I had hoped for a better outcome. You could see it in both of them...the memories came flooding in & for an instant, a mere moment in time they were buds...even if it was only through the memories. It's so sad how friendships can mean nothing to some & makes one wonder....How'd that happen?

Thankful Thursday Week 3

Ok, so technically it's Friday by 8 minutes....shucky darn! I missed my deadline! I've been so very busy today canning. Along with the peaches I did whole kernel corn & am in the process of making sauce. Which meant...I got to use Mom's applesauce gadget again today!! wooot woot!!!










This week I had so many things to be thankful for as always. But this really sticks out in my mind right now. The other day I checked the mail & there was a little package in my mailbox. It was addressed to me from Logan. Now, Logan is my bestest friend Shasher's 2 month old son. He's super cute too! Anyways, this was form him...what could it be I wondered. So into the house I went & opened it up. Once I got it out of the tissue wrap I saw a beautiful necklace before me. I wore it today while canning. Anyways, it's absolutely adorable & it just rocks!!!






















I had already received a birthday card from Shash so this this was so out of the blue & such a surprise. I then plopped down at the computer & began writing an email to little Logan....this is what I said...












Hey there lil Logan & Logan's Mommy =)

I wanted to thank you oodles & oodles for the amazing, gorgeous necklace!! I LOVE IT!!!! It fits perfectly!!! You sure do have good taste in jewelry & one day you shall make one gal very lucky!! Thank you sooo very much!!! Big hugs from your Mommy's Michigander friend!! Hopefully one day real soon we can meet your cutie pie-ness. Your Mommy keeps us updated on how you are doing & sends us the cutest pictures. Now, be sure to let your Mommy know I say thank you to her too =)

XXXXXX
Kat




























So, after I hit the send key I though...oh boy, she's for sure gonna think I'm a wackadoodle for sending a 2 month old an email. Oh well, it was gone into cyberspace & my afterthoughts of it all weren't going to change anything.





















Later that day I received an email & this is what it said....
HI YA!! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD YOU LIKE THE NECKLACE! I THOUGHT IT WAS SO PRETTY, I HAD TO GET IT FOR YOU!! MOMMY SAID IT WOULD BE GORGEOUS ON YOU AND I AGREED =o) !!!























Now how stinkan cute is that! Not only did she not think I was off my rocker but she sent one back in Logan language!!! I am sooo immensely thankful for her friendship. I dream of the day we get to meet. Like I said in previous posts, I met her in a Meniere's group on Myspace a couple years ago. It started out talking about MM crap & quickly changed to crocheting, beading & all sorts of othercrafty things. We not only share the unfortunate MM crappolla but oodles of other fabulous interests. I have only heard her voice like 3 times. Two times on the phone & last Christmas her husband & her left a mssg on Ken's XBOX. I wish we could just pick up the phone & talk like girlfriends do but she can't hear well enough & I actually am not too fond of the phone myself. There are so many times I almost pick up the phone to call or think, hey, Shash would get a kick out of that. I wish NY & MI were closer. She has been my rock & such an inspiration. Without her I know for certain I would have many more frumpy froggish days. I treasure her friendship, guidance, encouragement & strength, wittyness, & her ability to be downright silly more than the moon and stars! Yup, I'm superly duperly thankful for miss Shashica!!!

If I can can so can you!!!

Yup, you guess it, I've been canning again. Actually all day to be exact. I am afraid my Thankful Thursday weekly post will have to be postponed to tomorrow. I can call it Fwankful Friday then right? ;) Ok, back to preserving...totally did the peaches today & as far as I know they turned out yummalish!! Now, I haven't been canning for too many years. Usually it's the normal jams & jellies but this year I've allowed myself to go a bit bonkers in the domesticated department if you will. You'll see proof of such domesticated-ness in this very post!! Ok, so as my title says...if I can can, so can you. So, gather your supplies & lets go on a canning adventure with one huge dork...that'd be me =)















You'll need peaches. I have a bushel. Dork head me didn't measure it out exactly. Actually I rarely if ever measure things out. Cuz I live on the dangerous side. No wonder why the peas in the stew were hard!!! Should have read that peas need to be soaked. Anyways, that's another story for another time...Ok, peaches. Ok, so on the bottom I cut an X for easier peeling.

I then gathered my big honkan kettle that I like use for EVERYTHING & this fantastical apron my neighbor gave me for my birthday. Oh, and yes, if you look at the photo closely you will indeed see a Christmas clock on the wall behind the stove. Totally forgot it up there & honestly, I rather enjoy hearing a Christmas Carol each hour.

Ok, so miss dorkface HAD to model the apron. Not saying you will need a dork for this recipe...but it may help to be a lil dorky. It makes things funner. Especially peeling & pitting that many peaches. So yeah, put on something fun to wear that reflects some inner dork & some quirk. Plus the earrings help & the necklace sent by a friend completed my lovely ensemble.

Ok, peaches marked with an X, water boiling submerge peaches into the boiling water for ohhh about 60 seconds. You'll notice the skin starting to pull away from the yummy fruit. strain & then dump peaches into cold water. (This helps to get those skins off)

Peal skins, cut in half, pit & put into hot jars. Oh, and by the way you make a simple syrup of water & sugar to pour over the fruit. Now, be sure there are no air bubbles or your goods will turn yucky & all that hard work would be for nill. Wipe rims of jars, adjust lids & rings, tighten & place them into a boiling water bath. I processed mine for about a half an hour. They sealed up swell!!

During the water bath time be sure to model & show off some more "inner dorkiness" I do soooo love this apron Mrs Rinne gave me. It totally saved my shirt today & the roosters on it made me giddy with glee!!!