This is Brother. I have 2 twin cats Bubba and Brother. They are primarily house cats but venture out to the garden when I am outside.
A pretty Sunflower planted by the squirrels.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
MY DAD'S RETIREMENT PARTY
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It was bitersweet. The party was very nice, but it was sad to see him retire afer 40 years.
NATIONAL MARITIME DAY
I received my MMD renewal yesterday. I am proud of it. Although I have not worked in the industry very much. I have the ability to and I am proud of how I excelled at the training and was top of my class.
CRAFTY CHICK-TOTE BAG MADE FROM FEED SACK
I was at the feed store and saw that someone crafty had made small tote bags from old feed sacks. I thought it was a neat idea. I asked for an old sack and they gave me this one with the cute chicken on it. The feed sack itself was huge probably a 30lb bag. Anyway I laid it out and centered the design. I did a double rolled seam on the bottom and a rolled hem at the top, everything was double stitched. I used strips from the feed sack doubled and double stitched to make the straps. I am by no means a seamstress, so I was happy that my little project turned out so well.
With all the stories on banning plastic grocery bags and everyone having to start using reusable totes, I have started hoarding tote bags.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
I am excited to see this movie. It comes out here this week. I found a theater where its showing and I plan to see it on Saturday and go for an Indian Curry afterwards. Perhaps I will even wear a gardenia in my hair.
from Wikipedia:
British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe
is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold
Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in Unexpected ways.
A group of seven British retirees have outsourced their retirement, attracted
by the less expensive and seemingly exotic India. They are enticed by
advertisements about the newly restored Marigold Hotel and given false dreams of
a life of leisure. They arrive at the hotel to find that it is not as
advertised; and, although the new environment is less luxurious than imagined,
the retirees are profoundly transformed by their subsequent experiences.[2] The travellers include
Evelyn (Judi Dench) a
recently-widowed housewife forced to sell her home due to huge debts, Graham (Tom
Wilkinson), a high court judge who was raised in India, Jean (Penelope Wilton) and
Douglas (Bill Nighy), a retired couple
who lost their life savings after Douglas invested them in their daughter's
internet start-up, Muriel (Maggie Smith) a retired
housekeeper travelling to India for an inexpensive hip replacement despite
her racist views, Madge (Celia Imrie), a wealthy
woman looking for (another) husband, and Norman (Ronald Pickup), an aging
Lothario still on the make for one-night stands.
Having arrived in Jaipur only to discover their
connecting flight has been canceled, Graham arranges for the group to be taken
by bus and tuk-tuk overnight to
the hotel. However, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, run by the extremely
enthusiastic Sonny (Dev Patel), is not what the
seven retirees expect, as the phones are out of order, the building is
dilapidated, and the Indian food is not what they are used to.
Jean is reluctant to explore the new culture and relate to her fellow guests (apart from Graham, due mainly to his former position as a High Court judge) and spends most of her time inside the hotel reading. Douglas, on the other hand, explores the city, visiting the sights that Graham recommends. Meanwhile, Graham disappears each day without telling of his destination.
Muriel has her scheduled operation and is told that, as soon as she can walk, she can return home. Despite her racism, she is grateful to her doctor and grudgingly admits his team's success with her operation. Then, recognizing the kindness of the hotel cleaner, Muriel tries to reciprocate with help but is told by Graham that the girl speaks no English and that she is a member of the "untouchable" caste (also known as "Dalits"), a social status that persists even though the title is an anachronism.
Evelyn finds herself a job as cultural adviser to a call centre, helping the phone operators to bond with their callers and to appear less rude and robotic. This is the first job she has had in her life, a fact that she shares with Douglas; she also tells him that, without the paycheck, she could not afford to stay at the hotel, "even at Sonny's prices".[citation needed] She also begins a blog chronicling her adventures.
Sonny, the hotel owner, finds himself in financial trouble as he struggles to get monetary support from a local businessman. However, he gradually tries to improve the hotel, starting with the repair of the telephones.
Madge decides that the way to find herself a rich boyfriend is to join an exclusive club; and, after failing to pass herself off as Princess Margaret, she is introduced to a rich, single man by the bartender. The man turns out to be Norman who has been more successful with his subterfuge.
Having been invited to the home of the hotel cleaner, Muriel and her doctor-cum-translator spend an awkward afternoon in the woman's house. Muriel is forced to eat some Indian food for fear of offending the woman but manages to upset the whole family after she begins shouting at some children in the street who are playing on her wheelchair. She later apologizes to the cleaner, offering her some chocolate hobnobs as a peace offering, and tells her that she spent her entire adult life as a housekeeper before being abruptly dismissed from the family she had served for years.
Graham confides in Evelyn that his daily disappearance involves a visit to the records office, in hope of finding an old friend with whom he shared a gay relationship as a young man. Jean, who is still dismissive of Indian culture, follows him to the office; she tries to make a pass at him and is humiliated when he tells her that he is gay. With the support of Douglas and Evelyn, Graham tracks down his old friend; and the two are able to talk for the first time since Graham left India at age 18. The next morning, having returned to the hotel, Graham dies peacefully of a heart attack. Evelyn writes in her blog that he had a heart condition and came to India knowing he would not be returning home.
Frequenting their club, Norman and Madge encounter Carol (Diana Hardcastle), an English woman who has lived in India her whole life; when Norman finally admits that he is just old and lonely, she says that she is, too: the two begin a relationship.
Sonny has his own problems. His two, more successful, brothers each own a third of the hotel and want it knocked down, while his mother wants him to return to Delhi to meet his bride-to-be. But Sonny is madly in love with the beautiful Sunaina (Tena Desae), who works for her brother at the call centre.
After Graham's cremation, Evelyn confides in Douglas, to whom she has become very close, just how empty her marriage was. Upset, she bursts into tears and he comforts her, which is witnessed by an increasingly jealous Jean. The couple fight and after Jean insults Evelyn the patient Douglas finally loses his temper and admonishes her for her negativity and lack of respect. Jean reveals that their daughter has returned their life savings and they can return to England.
Sonny's mother has decided to close the hotel due to lack of funding; but Muriel, hearing of Sonny's troubles, sneaks onto his computer for a look at the accounts, which she then takes to the businessman who has cut his funding. The residents are told that they must relocate—Norman decides to move in with Carol, while Madge and Evelyn decide to leave. As Jean and Douglas leave the hotel in a taxi for the airport, Evelyn hides in her room; she cannot bring herself to say goodbye to Douglas, Caught in a carnival-induced traffic jam, Jean and Douglas find a cycle rickshaw to take them to the airport; but they are told that it can take either two people and no luggage or one person and luggage. Jean takes this as a sign and leaves India without Douglas, who returns to the hotel.
The next morning, Sonny and Sunaina confront Sonny's mother. Sonny tells her that he will marry Sunaina no matter what, and she finally concedes. Muriel announces that, having looked over the accounts and spoken to the businessman, she finds that the original plan for the hotel is very good; it simply requires better management. She suggests herself for the role of Assistant Manager and says that, together, she and Sonny can run the hotel well. Douglas returns to the hotel and arranges to meet Evelyn after work for tea. Madge, Evelyn, Norman and Carol decide that they will stay in the hotel with Muriel helping Sonny to run it.
The film ends with Sonny and Sunaina riding a Yamaha RX 100 along the street, passing Douglas and Evelyn who are riding a moped. Madge is in her club, being wined and dined by an Indian man; Norman washes socks as Carol reads the Kama Sutra in their room. Muriel is seen behind the front desk as Assistant Manager, welcoming guests.
Jean is reluctant to explore the new culture and relate to her fellow guests (apart from Graham, due mainly to his former position as a High Court judge) and spends most of her time inside the hotel reading. Douglas, on the other hand, explores the city, visiting the sights that Graham recommends. Meanwhile, Graham disappears each day without telling of his destination.
Muriel has her scheduled operation and is told that, as soon as she can walk, she can return home. Despite her racism, she is grateful to her doctor and grudgingly admits his team's success with her operation. Then, recognizing the kindness of the hotel cleaner, Muriel tries to reciprocate with help but is told by Graham that the girl speaks no English and that she is a member of the "untouchable" caste (also known as "Dalits"), a social status that persists even though the title is an anachronism.
Evelyn finds herself a job as cultural adviser to a call centre, helping the phone operators to bond with their callers and to appear less rude and robotic. This is the first job she has had in her life, a fact that she shares with Douglas; she also tells him that, without the paycheck, she could not afford to stay at the hotel, "even at Sonny's prices".[citation needed] She also begins a blog chronicling her adventures.
Sonny, the hotel owner, finds himself in financial trouble as he struggles to get monetary support from a local businessman. However, he gradually tries to improve the hotel, starting with the repair of the telephones.
Madge decides that the way to find herself a rich boyfriend is to join an exclusive club; and, after failing to pass herself off as Princess Margaret, she is introduced to a rich, single man by the bartender. The man turns out to be Norman who has been more successful with his subterfuge.
Having been invited to the home of the hotel cleaner, Muriel and her doctor-cum-translator spend an awkward afternoon in the woman's house. Muriel is forced to eat some Indian food for fear of offending the woman but manages to upset the whole family after she begins shouting at some children in the street who are playing on her wheelchair. She later apologizes to the cleaner, offering her some chocolate hobnobs as a peace offering, and tells her that she spent her entire adult life as a housekeeper before being abruptly dismissed from the family she had served for years.
Graham confides in Evelyn that his daily disappearance involves a visit to the records office, in hope of finding an old friend with whom he shared a gay relationship as a young man. Jean, who is still dismissive of Indian culture, follows him to the office; she tries to make a pass at him and is humiliated when he tells her that he is gay. With the support of Douglas and Evelyn, Graham tracks down his old friend; and the two are able to talk for the first time since Graham left India at age 18. The next morning, having returned to the hotel, Graham dies peacefully of a heart attack. Evelyn writes in her blog that he had a heart condition and came to India knowing he would not be returning home.
Frequenting their club, Norman and Madge encounter Carol (Diana Hardcastle), an English woman who has lived in India her whole life; when Norman finally admits that he is just old and lonely, she says that she is, too: the two begin a relationship.
Sonny has his own problems. His two, more successful, brothers each own a third of the hotel and want it knocked down, while his mother wants him to return to Delhi to meet his bride-to-be. But Sonny is madly in love with the beautiful Sunaina (Tena Desae), who works for her brother at the call centre.
After Graham's cremation, Evelyn confides in Douglas, to whom she has become very close, just how empty her marriage was. Upset, she bursts into tears and he comforts her, which is witnessed by an increasingly jealous Jean. The couple fight and after Jean insults Evelyn the patient Douglas finally loses his temper and admonishes her for her negativity and lack of respect. Jean reveals that their daughter has returned their life savings and they can return to England.
Sonny's mother has decided to close the hotel due to lack of funding; but Muriel, hearing of Sonny's troubles, sneaks onto his computer for a look at the accounts, which she then takes to the businessman who has cut his funding. The residents are told that they must relocate—Norman decides to move in with Carol, while Madge and Evelyn decide to leave. As Jean and Douglas leave the hotel in a taxi for the airport, Evelyn hides in her room; she cannot bring herself to say goodbye to Douglas, Caught in a carnival-induced traffic jam, Jean and Douglas find a cycle rickshaw to take them to the airport; but they are told that it can take either two people and no luggage or one person and luggage. Jean takes this as a sign and leaves India without Douglas, who returns to the hotel.
The next morning, Sonny and Sunaina confront Sonny's mother. Sonny tells her that he will marry Sunaina no matter what, and she finally concedes. Muriel announces that, having looked over the accounts and spoken to the businessman, she finds that the original plan for the hotel is very good; it simply requires better management. She suggests herself for the role of Assistant Manager and says that, together, she and Sonny can run the hotel well. Douglas returns to the hotel and arranges to meet Evelyn after work for tea. Madge, Evelyn, Norman and Carol decide that they will stay in the hotel with Muriel helping Sonny to run it.
The film ends with Sonny and Sunaina riding a Yamaha RX 100 along the street, passing Douglas and Evelyn who are riding a moped. Madge is in her club, being wined and dined by an Indian man; Norman washes socks as Carol reads the Kama Sutra in their room. Muriel is seen behind the front desk as Assistant Manager, welcoming guests.
FLEUR DE LIS
I adore the Fleur de Lis. I just think it is a beautiful design. I came across a roadside statuary shop that was selling this 3ft tall cement statue for $20. I thought that was a fabulous deal. My find is now an elegant focal point for the garden.
MYSTERY NIGHT IN THE LIBRARY
The Library hosted a Mystery in the Library Murder Mystery Dinner. I have always wanted to attend one of these, so I was excited to get my ticket and Character Packet. My Character was Cinderella.
Being the analyst I am I have to know all the details. So I researched the various scripts til I found the one I thought we would be working with. It turned out I was the Murderer. So armed with this knowledge I vamped up my Character and ad libbed alot of lines. It was really fun..
My neighbors Paul, Donna and Micky also joined. We had a fabulous time. I am really looking forward to doing this again.
HENRIETTA
Henrietta is a 2 year old BB Olde English Bantam Hen. She is no taller than a 16 oz soda bottle. Basically she is a micro mini Bantam.
She is completely tamed. She let me hold her and pet her.
I scratched her head til she fell asleep.
She will even eat out of my hand.
These are a few of her eggs she lays every other day.
The eggs are about the size of a half dollar
Sweet Green Tomato Bread Recipe
Sweet Green Tomato Bread
3 eggs
1-1/2 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
1 Tblsp. vanilla
2 c. grated, drained green tomatoes
(can used diced instead of shredded)
3 c. flour
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. raisins
1 c. chopped nuts
Beat eggs well. Add sugar, oil, salt, vanilla & tomatoes. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients together. Gradually add to tomato mixture, stiring well to incorporate. Stir in raisins and nuts. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes.
****Cooks notes: I used 8 green tomatoes which ended up giving me enough to make 5 batches. So all in all I had 10 loaves. It took forever to bake more like 90 minutes instead of 45 mins. Once they were done they were beautiful. I gave 7 of them away today and everyone raved about them.
**I got this recipe from my sister Nichole Sullivan
Toyota 4Runner
I have had my new 4Runner for 2 months now and I am absolutely in love with it. I am so glad my husband got it for me. It has always been my dream car. It rides so smoothly and I get pretty good gas mileage. Its a great family vehicle and the dogs love it.
We got it from Ron Carter Toyota in Alvin and it couldn't have gone smoother. They were the 4th dealership I tried the first 3 did nothing but lie, pull the bait and switch and reinforce my absolute detest of car salesmen.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
KATHY'S HOMEMADE LOUISIANA PEPPER VINEGAR RECIPE
KATHY'S HOMEMADE LOUISIANA PEPPER VINEGAR RECIPE
I have a Louisana pepper bush in the garden and it was flourishing with peppers. So I picked a batch and decided to make some old school pepper vinegar.
Ingredients:
1 batch green Louisana peppers
1 red pepper for color
1 C. white vinegar
Directions:
Rinse peppers, use a knife to make a slit in each one so vinegar can penetrate easily. Heat 1 cup of vinegar and pour in bottle over peppers. let steep in the bottle on the counter top. Once cool keep in cool dry place and let mellow for 2 weeks.
Uses:
Down here on the coast , we use pepper vinegar to season cabbage, greens, turnips, beans etc. Its a staple on alot of Coastal Southern Tables
I'LL HAVE ANOTHER......KATHY'S NOT SO TRADITIONAL MINT JULIP RECIPE
In Honor of the Kentucky Derby
and the incredible win by "I'll Have Another"
I liked "Hansen" to win and Bodie as well. It was a good race, and I was happiest that no horses were injured this year. The track here stopped making Julips a few years ago, I have no idea why. So I was forced to make my own in keeping with Derby Tradition. Last years recipe was a bit to syrupy so here is what I came up with this year.
KATHY'S NOT SO TRADITIONAL MINT JULIP
**MAKES 1 DRINK**
1 gallon ziplock bag of ice powdered
lemon drop sugar to rim the glass
2 shots Gaetano Creme de menthe ( Clear)
2 Shots Triple Sec
1 shot Bourbon ( I used Wellers)
1 spritz of Lemon lime soda if drink is to strong
a dusting of nutmeg
and a mint sprig to garnish
Directions:
wet rim of glass and dip in sugar. Pack glass with ice tight. In a shaker mix creme de menthe, triple sec, bourbon. Shaken not stirred!! Pour over ice, dust with nutmeg and a mint sprig for garnish.
To powder ice, either pulverize it in a blender, or put ice in ziplock wrap a towel around it and beat with a hammer til its powdered
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS AND TURNIPS
My dear friend Henry Hawn gave this recipe to me. He is a widower and this was one of his favorite recipes his wife used to cook for him. He had his sister in law send him the recipe, and I am taking this as his subtle hint that next time I bring him dinner he wants this...smiles
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