javajanie

I almost killed a squirrel today

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:35:23 -0500

It's been awhile since I've blogged about my dear sweet backyard squirrels. I absolutely love the furry things. I could stand at the door, hot cup of tea in hand and watch them for hours. I've been so busy lately, running to and fro, that I've been neglecting the poor dears.

Today, while I was standing the kitchen talking to Steve on the phone, a little squirrel was eating petals off one of my rose bushes. When he noticed me looking at him, he ran up to the backdoor, put his paws on the glass and was looking in at me. Seriously, how can I resist if he's looking at me? I was out of peanuts and sunflower seeds, so I opted for the next best thing, peanut butter. I put it on a paper plate and sat it right outside the door (there was no way I was going to have a squirrel licking off one of my plates).

As soon as I put the plate down and shut the door, he was right there. First he scared himself by flipping the plate up when he leaned on it to get the food. He had a nice dollop of peanut butter stuck to his nose. After cleaning himself up, he went right back to the plate. He quickly learned how to eat it without flipping the plate over.

He was a hungry guy, licking it all up rather quickly. Then he stopped. I could see him swallowing hard. Uh oh. Then he started to gag. Not just a little one, tongue hanging way out of his mouth gagging. I thought for sure he was going to choke and die right there on my deck. I don't know if I could handle the guilt of killing a squirrel with a plate of peanut butter.

Luckily, he didn't. He finished up all the peanut butter and went on his merry way. I think I'll stop and get some nuts on the way home.

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Halloween Check List

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:48:28 -0400

1. Awesome Halloween costume.......check.

2. Camera to take pictures of awesome Halloween costume.....check.

3. USB cable to upload pictures of awesome Halloween costume to computer and share them on Vox.....nope, left it at my sister's house this weekend.

Crap.

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Kinda Lazy Saturday

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 14:32:34 -0400

I woke up earlier than usual this morning. Victoria was going to a friend's farm to dress up like Boots from Dora the Explorer for a hayride thing they do. Sure beats asking to hang out at the mall, so I drove her down. The costumes weren't just cheap costumes, they were like mascot costumes. She promised me to get a picture or two. We'll see if she conveniently forgets.

After dropping her off I took the opportunity to call Hannah and stop at the grocery store. I wanted to make "Quick Tortilla Soup". It's windy with a good chill in the air. Perfect day for a huge pot of soup.

When I got home, I made a huge pot, big enough for a couple of days. Steve was outback attempting to turn the pool from a lovely green back to clean. The pool guys are coming to close it in a little over a week. I'm always so relieved when they come to close it. I'm so tired of trying to keep the thing clean by this time of year (hence the green hue it currently has).

Now Steve and Alex are at the dump getting rid of our old dishwasher and stove along with other random crap that was sitting out in the garage. There is still much more out there, but the van will only hold so much.

Josiah is playing some SpongeBob video game. Sophie is working on a project for school, something to do with the United Kingdom. Ashley is hanging out at the neighbors. I told Hannah I would post the recipe. So here I am. I was racked with guilt for putting it off until now.

Quick Tortilla Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 tbsp taco seasoning mix

1 garlic clove chopped

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa

1/4 cup lime juice

2 cups cooked chopped chicken

1 can black beans

2 cups frozen yellow corn

1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro

2 cups broken tortilla chips

Toppings such as grated cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, and diced tomato.

In 4 qt pot, cook onion, jalapeno pepper, taco seasoning mix and garlic over medium high heat until tender crisp. Add chicken broth, salsa, and lime juice. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in chicken, cilantro, beans and corn. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with broken tortilla chips and serve with toppings.

So there ya go. A good soup for a nice cold day. I already sampled it several times, just to make sure it was edible and all. (Tamzen, I bet it would be good if you used vegetable broth and left the chicken out too!)

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Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:32:04 -0400

So, the other day I was on the phone with my sister, Marlen. I was standing on the deck, enjoying the fall weather while we chatted.

I noticed there were a bunch of acorns on the deck. It got me thinking, why don't we eat acorns? Squirrels eat acorns. They look like nuts. Why don't we eat acorns? (Yes, I was thinking this while I was supposed to be listening to Marlen. Sorry Mar!) I picked one up and examined it. I cracked it opened and examined it. I figured it couldn't be poisonous, squirrels eat them all the time, right? Then, um, I can't believe I am admitting this, I took a nibble. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good. I didn't even tell Marlen what I had done. I told Steve what I had done later that evening

Fast forward to the Bull and Oyster Roast on Saturday. Steve, Rob, Gary, and I are all sitting around, enjoying the day, waiting for them to announce the numbers for the door prize. Rob looked down and noticed the acorns on the ground. He said, "I wonder what acorns taste like."

Steve looked over at me with a mischievious grin, "I don't know, let's ask Janie....Janie, what do you think acorns taste like?" I started to laugh. I confessed that I had that same thought earlier in the week and had decided to try one. Rob picked one up and opened it, but didn't try it out. Chicken. We decided they probably wouldn't be too bad if they were roasted like a hazelnut.

Seriously, I'm going to go out into the yard tomorrow, get me some acorns and make chocolate chip acorn cookies. Then I'm going to go take them to Rob for "Pastor Appreciation Month". I just won't tell him what kind of nuts I used.

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Does This Make Me Old?

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:37:13 -0400

My mom turned 60 this week. Funny how 60 just doesn't sound as old as it used to sound to me. Grey hair doesn't seem so bad either. Good thing since I found my first one a couple of months ago. I kinda like it. Who knew I wouldn't mind getting older?

That isn't what I was here to blog about. I was actually going to post pictures of my mom's birthday party from yesterday. I started to do it earlier, then Hannah called and I got a little sidetracked. Although, I think the braindumping I did while I was on the phone with her did me good. I feel all ready to blog and take on the world.

So yeah, pictures. First we have the birthday girl opening her gift while my dad looks on....

justwhatIwanted.jpg

My mom just bought a new(er) car to replace the one she totalled in a lovely accident with a state trooper (long story). She was upset that her new car didn't have a cassette player. We all pitched in a bought her an adapter so she can play her cassette tapes. She's silly.

This was just after she blew out her candles. Well, my adorable blonde nephew, Noah, blew several out from way up in his daddy's arms. Grammie blew out what was left....

happybirthdaygrammie.jpg

This is Marlen's youngest, same kid that blew out the candles....

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This is her youngest daughter...

karebear.jpg

Nicole's teenagers fighting it out. Kay definitely had the upper hand...

siblingrivalry.jpg

I made a lemon pound cake for my mom. Here I am getting ready to make Steve try some. It was surprisingly good....

mmmmlemonpoundcake.jpg

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Some pictures of the grandkids with my mom's (formerly my) beloved dog, Harrison...

spoileddog.jpg

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This is Nicole's youngest, but the thing I love most about this picture is Kare Bear in the background about to lick her ice cream while trying to find a place to sit....

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I think they could've fit a few more people in the chair, don't you?

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My mom and her older brother...

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Steve, just because I think he's cute...

steve.jpg

Sophia, looking all serious...

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Alex modeling some really big shoes while standing with me...

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Ashley and my cousin's daughter...

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It was a good time. Lots of food, grilled salmon, burgers, hot dogs, loads of doritos, broccoli salad, deviled eggs, ice cream (seriously, can you have a bad time if there is ice cream?). The real blessing is just being able to have big ol' family get togethers like this. After years of being apart from my sisters, I'm thankful to have times like this with them and their families.

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Do You Know the Muffin Man?

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:56:55 -0400

Or woman...whatever. Today's experimental pear recipe was for Bartlett Pear Muffins.

Muffins on my head

The recipe made a dozen. I didn't have any nuts either. The kids don't really like nuts in their cookies or breads anyway. I slathered 'em with butter and the kids had them for dessert with a nice cold glass of milk.

Pear muffins

They were a little bland in my opinion. I think I'll add cinnamon and sprinkle some sugar on top before I bake them next time I make them. Considering I still have about 15 lbs of pears left, I think I'll be making this again.

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Mmmm, Pears

nobody@vox.com(java janie) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:47:33 -0400

My in-laws have a pear tree in their yard. They don't pick them, but in the past some guy would come by every year and pick them. The man has passed away and there wasn't anyone to pick the pears this year.

I don't like letting things go to waste and I'm certainly not one to turn down free food, the kids and I picked a bunch and brought them home...

Mr. P's Pears

That isn't all of the pears. The kids have been taking them for school snacks. The kids have taken big bags to their teachers. They even took a bag to my neighbors.

Last night, I decided to do something with the plethora of pears left.....

I am a very messy chef

I decided to make pearsauce. You know, like applesauce, only with pears. So I peeled a bunch of the pears (I still have over half that bowl left). Then I put them in a pot and covered them with water. I added a couple of tablespoons of sugar and a little cinnamon and simmered them for about a half hour, until they were mushy.

Simmering the pears

Then I mashed 'em up really good....

The mashing of the pears

The kids were skeptical...

Skeptical

Mmmm, warm pearsauce...

The tasting of the pearsauce

Hey, that's really good!.....

Hey that was good

Everyone but Ashley liked it. They took some in their lunches today for school. Next up, pear bread!

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