Pumpkin Fun

After your pumpkins have formed fruit, there are some fun things to do while waiting for them to ripen. While the fruits are small, carve your childs name into the pumpkin. As the fruit grows the name will too. At harvest your childs´ name will be big enough for all to see! Some major garden centers carry scary face molds of plastic. You slip these on the young fruit, and it molds the face right into the pumpkin!

Cooking Term "C"

Cream
To beat vegetable shortening, butter, or margarine, with or without sugar, until light and fluffy. This process traps in air bubbles, later used to create height in cookies and cakes.

When September Ends

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

Green Day

Cooking Term "B"

Bake-
To cook in the oven. Food is cooked slowly with gentle heat, causing the natural moisture to evaporate slowly, concentrating the flavor.

Disgusting & Disturbing News

It's not very often do we hear on the local news something like this. In Sacramento, CA a young man and his infant son were shot to death in their home. Someone actually shot the 7 month old baby in the head. This is the kind of stuff that actually outrages me. You got a problem with someone take it up with that person, shoot them?..hell no...shoot an innocent child...ummmm I don't think so...my god no!
This makes me want to vomit.
Full Story

Funny of The Day

Other Blogs

As I sit here waiting for another load of laundry to dry, I am surfing blogs..my goodness haha...I came across one blog that the spelling was so bad ..I mean really bad, not just some typos like me..I mean really, really bad. I could barely decipher any of it, excpet for the bad words. I recently signed up for Blogcatalog, in hopes of being able to find some quality, interesting and filtered by topic blogs. So far this site seems to be better than what I've used to surf blogs in the past.

The Little Fox Theater

in Redwood City is absolutely the best place on the Peninsula to whet your musical appetite. From the latest in music to rock classics and everything in between, you'll appease your craving for live music at one of their great shows!

2209 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

Ticket purchase and info number is 650-369-4119 for all shows at the Little Fox.

Tickets also available online at foxdream.com

I took these pictures at one of the shows last year. Above the lead singer for the Led Zeppelin Tribute band Heartbreaker & below the Tribute band to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Saturday Night Special

I was really impressed and emotionally moved by "BOTH" of these tribute bands.
I almost started to cry when the Lynard Skynard Band sang Free Bird..I got the chills. That song was dedicated to my Aunt Noelle who passed away back in 1983. It was her favorite song.

Then when Heartbreaker band came out, it felt and sounded like the real thing. The Robert Plant wanna be, not only sounded like him, but that whole group played them as well. I laughed everytime he flicked his hair outta his face just as plant used to do, and all the crazy little moves he'd make.

For anyone who is/or was a big Led Zepplin fan, go check these guys out, It's worth it!

Chocolate Chunk

Here is my favorite chocolate cookie recipe.

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread

3/4 Butter, softened
1/2 C Confectioners (powered) sugar
1 C Flour
3/4 of a bag of Nestle's "real semi-sweet" Chocolate chunks

In mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Gradually adding the flour. Stir in the chocolate pieces.
Place a tabelspoon size cookie dough kinda molding it into a ball on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart or so.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 mintues.

I normally cook them until I barely see them browning on the bottoms of the cookies. I take them out of the oven but leave them on the cookie sheet for a minute or two, then I slide them off onto a wire rack. Being very careful not to make them fall apart. If they feel like they will fall apart leave them on the hot cookie sheet until they harden a bit.

Enjoy!

God Has Kept Me Here For A Reason

I survived because He has a plan for me. All my bad relationships, the bad credit, the repossessions, the death of my loved ones, the back stabbing from my friends, the negative thoughts, or the lack of support; I made itbecause I am blessed! I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings and grudges because I am blessed! I recognize them as the illusions they are, for God is all there is. All else is a lie!Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears and walk in victory!!!!!!!! Ilove you, but more appropriately God loves you BEST! Be blessed andknow that you are at one with THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD!And may the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away fromeach other. Genesis 31:49. Amen!

Most E-mailed Photos On Yahoo

Reuters - Thu Sep 20, 8:18 PM ET A veterinarian holds a 7-week-old Giant Panda cub during her weekly physical exam at San Diego Zoo's Giant Panda Research Station September 20, 2007. REUTERS/Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo/Handout (UNITED STATES).



AP - Sun Sep 23, 8:41 AM ET A Bavarian boy takes a nap in the hand cart pulled by his parents during the tradtional folklore parade on the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich , Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher) Email Photo Print Photo

Sunday Evening

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.
G'night

Bullies

are not only on the playground these day, they are showing up at the work place.

Here are some great resources and reads on the subject:

When the boss is a bully

Beating a bullying boss

Workplace Bullying Institute

I wish I would have these links before.

One of the reasons why I quit my job last July was because of a workplace Beep, Beepin, beeper, beep, bully of a boss I had.

I feel so much better now :)

I hope no one has to go through what I did as an adult let alone as a child.

Favorite Fall Plants

Annuals When days shorten and nights get cool, these plants thrive.Arctotis: Bright, daisylike flowers, silvery foliage, and a neat habit distinguish this plant; also try Osteospermum -- it is similar but has rounded petals and a wider palette.

Cabbage, chard, kale, and kohlrabi: These intriguing, richly textured vegetables range from blue-gray to pink and purple.

Cardoon: This artichoke relative's large, silvery-blue foliage makes a pretty accent.

Perennials Mix these with annuals; they can be replanted in the border before the ground freezes.

Ajuga: This slow-to-spread ground cover is a surprising container plant; 'Chocolate Chip' has mounds of shiny purple foliage.

Ferns: Choose evergreen or semievergreen varieties of these shade lovers, such as leather wood, Japanese holly, or Christmas.

Grasses: There are grasses to suit any style: Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' has spiky mounds; Carex testacea boasts burnt-orange foliage.

Heuchera: Colorful foliage on these shade plants stays dense in fall; try 'Plum Pudding.'

Ivy: Consider yellow 'Gold Heart,' gray-green 'Pedata,' or gold-and-green 'Golden Ingot.'

Sedum: Masses of colorful, star-shaped flowers characterize this plant.

Woody Plants Keep these in pots year-round or replant in the garden.

Dwarf conifers: These lend soft texture. Cryptomeria japonica 'Compressa' has rounded gray foliage that turns golden in fall; chamaecyparis is deliciously fragrant.

Japanese maple: This tree has many cultivars: Its fall foliage varies from burgundy to red. Look for Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy.'

Red osier dogwood: Stems on red- and yellow-twig dogwoods are most vivid in fall.

Spiraea: Profuse spring blooms give way to red, orange, and yellow leaves in autumn.

Fall & Winter Gardening

Many people see the fall and winter as a time to close down the garden and wait until the spring to start up gardening activities again. However, there are plenty of things you can be doing through the fall and winter months to continue enjoying the pleasures of gardening.

Fall and early winter is a great time to plant bulbs. Bulbs can often be the first flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring. Some of the best bulbs for planting in the fall and winter include daffodils, day lilies, iris, tulips, and ranunculus. Get out and get your hands dirty planting bulbs so that you’ll be rewarded with color in the spring!

Pogo

I'm playing free poker with my sis who lives in another city.Isn't the internet an amazing place?! Gotta love it!
~S
www.pogo.com

Cooking Term "A"

Al dente
"To the tooth," in Italian. The pasta is cooked just enough to maintain a firm, chewy texture.

Birthday

Happy sweet 16th Birthday Teri.
We hope you have a wonderful day....We love you!

Inner Peace

Dr. Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all
the things you have started and never finished."

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and
hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off
a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish
Cream, a bottle of Kalhua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old
Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box
of chocolates.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

UFO's

Do you beleive?

Photo Friday-Beach

This will be the last Photo Friday we post on this blog.
To view our photos go to: PhotoFridayChallenge

Kitty Galore

Nicole and I decided to make a scrapbook for all the cats we've had in our liftime. A page per cat. I will be digging up some old photos of them. Here is the list so far..hope we didn't forget any. Nicole was great for bringing strays home. She knew I was a softy in this department and I couldn't say no to her!

Friskey
Power princess
Pita
Mousers
Mama Cat
Rafiki
Rat Dog
Smokey
Mittens
Casper
Dusty Valentino
Chunk
Darla

"Cats leave paw prints on our hearts"

Memorial

[click on image to enlarge]

The most controversial hillsides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Located on Deer Hill Road overlooking the Lafayette BART Station and Highway 24.

The number 3780 along with the cross's mark the deaths of all the fallen solder's in Iraq.

Personally, I do not see anything wrong with it.
It's a statement of fact.

Could there be more laying beneath the hillside some think is an "eyesore", "graveyard of some sort" "depressing" or that it could potentially cause an accident
if someone is looking at it and not paying attention to the road, and sorry to interrupt your quiet perfect little neighborhood theory, Oh I'm sure there is.

What more could be the reasons people want to see it removed?

I understand about the sacrifices our hero's have made.
Some families feel as if these solders go on unnoticed, abandoned, lack recognition & attention.
How can we offer more of what these families need, besides being able to return their loved one?

I'm a very sensitive human being a realist of sort. Have I thought about loosing a child to war? Yes.
As hard as it would be to cope I couldn't even imagine, I would have to never lose sight of "how & why" they died.
This world has "hero's" & "cowards"..I'd be proud my child choose the 1st and being able to serve for this country's existant should make any parent proud forever.

One father was upset that the organizer did not get permission to put his
deceased sons name on a cross. He removed the name, but left the cross.

Freedom isn't free! If you don't believe me, go read your history books.

I truly support our men and woman of the armed forces
who obviously risk and lose their lives to protect the lives of many and our beautiful country.

VH

My all time favorite Band ever..Van Halen. (Dave Era)

I never thought I would live to see this.

Football

Andrew made 1st cuts for 8th grade!
We're so happy for him.

Hockey Season '07-'08

The boys started Ice Hockey this week.

Try To Remember

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain so yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a young and a callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow--follow, oh-oh

- by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

Autumn Bread

* 2/3 cup shortening
* 3 cups sugar
* 4 eggs, well beaten
* 1 1/4 cups cooked pumpkin
* 2/3 cup water
* 3 1/2 cups flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon cloves
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* Chopped nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.

Weird News

Man Dies After Three Days Online

BEIJING (Sept. 17) - A man in southern China appears to have died of exhaustion after a three-day Internet gaming binge , state media said Monday.

The 30-year-old man fainted at a cybercafe in the city of Guangzhou on Saturday afternoon after he ha been playing games online for three days, the Beijing News reported.

Paramedics tried to revive him but failed and he was declared dead at the cafe, it said. The paper said that he may have died from exhaustion brought on by too many hours on the Internet.

The report did not say what the man, whose name was not given, was playing.

The report said that about 100 other Web surfers "left the cafe in fear after witnessing the man's death."

China has 140 million Internet users, second only to the United States. It is one of the world's biggest markets for online games, with tens of millions of players, many of whom hunker down for hours in front of PCs in public Internet cafes.

Several cities have clinics to treat what psychiatrists have dubbed "Internet addiction" in users, many of them children and teenagers, who play online games or surf the Web for days at a time.

Home Sick

Andrew was not feeling well at school today.
I had to go pick him up. Last year he missed a lot of school.
I thought perhaps it was due to over crowding and eating cafeteria food.
Figures school starts back up and he's sick again!
He made the football team again this year and is very upset
that he is going to miss out on practice!

Vampire Kiss Martini

I thought these were so cute!

1 part vodka, chilled
1 part Champagne
1 part Chambord
Garnish with wax teeth/candy corn/blood orange slice

Pour vodka in a martini glass, top with Champagne and pour a little of the Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float.

Courtesy of Sweet & Spooky With Sandra Lee of Food Network.com

Autumn

I've always called this Fall.
This has always been my favorite time of year.

Something about the air getting cooler, the month

I was born. I get that hunker down feeling.

Quote 10

"Things aren't as valuable as experiences, no matter how much they cost"

BFF

Lafayette Art & Wine Festival

Great Truths...

About Life that Adults Have Learned

Raising teenagers is like nailing JELLO to a tree.

There is always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

One reason to smile is that every seven minutes of every day, some hardbody in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.

The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere and let the air out of their tires.

Car sickness is the feeling you get when the monthly car payment is due.

Families are like fudge .. mostly sweet with a few nuts.

Laughing helps. It's like jogging on the inside.

Middle age is when you start choosing your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts.

You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

Names

S is for Smooth
T is for Tasty
A is for Adaptable
C is for Complicated
E is for Elegant
Y is for Yummy


Although the name "Stacey" creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.

Your name of "Stacey" has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission. You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people. You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain. You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.


Although the name Vince causes an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it causes an unscrupulous, materialistic approach that frustrates higher humanitarian qualities.


V is for Visionary
I is for Irresistible
N is for Nervy
C is for Classy
E is for Energetic


This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus and reproductive organs.
The name of Vince creates a very aggressive and independent nature, one with big ambitions, giving you original, progressive, large-scale ideas, salesmanship and promotional ability as well as the excellent business judgment which enables you to gain the financial accumulation to which you feel entitled.

You have a versatile, restless nature, and could do any job well, although you would not like to do menial tasks.

You are seldom satisfied and are always seeking something new.

Ways to tell kids 'I love you'

Let your children know they're your heroes.

Reward and praise them for good effort, not just results. Remind them that a winner never stops trying.

Turn everyday accomplishments into celebrations. Make a special dinner - with your child as the guest of honor - and toast the loss of a tooth; making the soccer team; getting an A on a history paper, etc.

Teach your children to think positive by being positive. Instead of noting how dirty they are when they come in for dinner, say, "Looks like you had a great time!"

Read "just one more book" even if it's late and you're tired. And don't forget to read to older children who already know how to read themselves. It's a great opportunity to snuggle.

Get out your childrens' baby books and tell them stories about their beginnings.

If you leave the house before your children are awake, leave a trail of Post-its with lipstick kisses leading to a goodbye note.

Spend one-on-one time with each of your children so they know they're special.

Let your children choose their own clothes. It shows you respect their decision-making ability.

Besides, everyone will know you didn't dress them - you'd never mix plaid and stripes!

Get messy with your kids. Climb in that sandbox, dip your hands in the fingerpaints and mush up that clay.

Get to know your child's schedule, friends and teachers so you can ask "Did you and Sam sit together at lunch today?" or "What did Mr. Rogers sing in music class?" instead of simply, "What did you do today?"

Hang out together. You don't always have to do something; just being together in the same room is often enough to open lines of communication.

Teach your children to play jacks, use a yo-yo, knit, or do something you loved as a child.

Let your children put on their boots and jump in the puddles you usually tell them to avoid.

Really listen to your children when they talk. Put down your newspaper, turn off the TV and look them in the eye.

Cut the edges off their sandwiches.

Slip little love notes, jokes, poems and words of encouragement into your children's lunchboxes just to let them know you're thinking about them. (My Favorite)

Let your children overhear you complimenting them to someone else.

Wear the "jewels" your children make for you and display their artwork proudly in a special, visible place.

Try not to do all the things your parents did that you vowed never to do to your children.

When your child makes a mistake, instead of saying, "I told you so," try asking "What lesson can you learn from this?"

Create a secret word, sign or gesture of affection that only you and your child share.

Give your children a true, lifelong gift: roots and wings. If they push for independence, take it as the sign of a job well done.

Forget about yesterday. Start each day fresh. It's a new opportunity to have a better relationship with your children and to fall in love with them all over again.

Hug them, kiss them and say "I love you" at least once a day. Kids thrive on it and it's a daily fix we all need no matter what our age!

Leo & Libra

We are 87% compatible for one another

Flashback 70's

My Memories of the 70's.

Ages 5-15

Playing with all the neighborhood kids and not coming in the house until after dark

Peach color gouchos and multi colored striped top

Having an older sister stick up for you
Roller skates
Yankee Doodle
Barbie
Ken
Barbie Camper
JI Joe
Tonka
Wallabies

Waffle Stompers
High School Football games
Mom=hair rollers and bathrobe
Rotary dial bell desk phones
Polywogs
Rope swing
Kings Market
My sisters Chrissie doll (sorry I put baby oil i her hair..pls forgive me!)
Mrs. Beasley
Edgehill
Riding bikes
Rector Cadilaic Ramp
Skateboarding
Truth or Dare
Northpark
Swimming
Delivering Newspapers
Bills Drug Store
Luckys
Noels (Feathered Haircuts)
Goody Combs
Space Food Sticks
On Broadway
Best Friends
Poor Boy Sandwiches
Hello Kitty
Bee Gees
Andy Gibb
Recoder player
Needle replacment
Elvis
Kiss
Barry Manilow
KC & The Sunshine band
Brownies
Girl Scouts
Camp
7-up
Stationwagon
Pinto
Tiger Beat Magazine
Posters
Mad Magazine
Nixon-crook
Ford -boring
Carter-peanuts
Bicentennial Train
Paper Drive-Mc Kinley

Food/Drinks:
Kool-Aide
Tang
Jello
Liverwurst
Salamon Patties
TV Dinners
Stuffed Celery
Cheese sandwiches

Lingo:
"Don't Be Such A spaz"
"Dream On"
"Good night, John-boy"
"Far Out"
"Chill"
"The Man"
"Right On"
"You gotta be Joshin me"
"Say What?"
"Rock On"
"later" or "Later Days" My favs.
"Trippy"
"Your a trip"
"Whatever"
"Small fry"
"Bad"
"Airhead"

TV Shows:
The Gong Show
Sanford & Son
Happy Days
The Muppett Show
The Waltons
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Bob Newhart
All in the Family
The Brady Bunch
Laverne & Shirley
The Odd Couple
Taxi
Little House on the Prairie
Family Affair
The Partridge Family
Schoolhouse Rock
Seasme Street
HR Puff N Stuff

Movies:
Blazing Saddles
Young Frenkenstein
Willard
Jaws

AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY
1970 - 1979

Leave Britney Alone!

Our next Academy award winner?

Gymnast

Teri did really well for her 1st competition. She got a few medals!
We are very proud of her.

9.11

We remember..
September 11th, 2001.
"The world saw evil that day.."












The 2,948 confirmed victims of September 11th 2001 included innocent victims from 84 countries

The youngest victim was 2 years old Christie Hanson - The oldest victim was 85 year old Robert Grant Norton





3,251 children lost a Parent on that day


Freedom through Terror.


we remember, we will always remember.





AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 11,
from Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center with 92 people on board.


AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 77,
from Washington to Los Angeles, crashed into the Pentagon with 64 people aboard.

UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 175,
from Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California, was the second hijacked plane to strike the World Trade Center, plowing into the south tower. Two pilots, seven flight attendants and 56 passengers were on board.


UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 93
from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, crashed in rural southwest Pennsylvania, with 45 people on board.



In loving memory..





.9-11.