It is so foggy outside this morning that I am having trouble seeing the house across the street. I love these misty sorts of mornings. When our dachshund went out for her visit to the lawn, a large brown rabbit jumped out of the flower bed and then hopped off into the mist across the street.
The Peanut woke up early this morning — as in crack of dawn early. It is one of those days when I will be very grateful for coffee. Very, very grateful.
Seems like it has been a long week, but not for any one reason that I can pinpoint. Maybe it is just the lack of sleep talking, but bad behavior seems to be crawling out of the Beltway woodwork these days and I, for one, am suffering from a serious case of scandal fatigue.
Thought everyone could use a little something cheery this morning.
Here’s something that made me smile: kids are doing a lot of reading these days. And thanks to the Harry Potter books and the concurrent publishing drive to find the “next big thing,” young adult and kids market books are getting quite a bit of attention from publishers. Which means that kids have a lot of books to browse — and they are doing so.
From an early age, I always loved books. Still do. And we make a point to read to The Peanut every day, as well as read around her so that she gets the idea that reading is fun and something she should do. There are always studies and articles about what you can do to help your child do well in school and enjoy learning. One great way to help is to hook kids into the joy of reading and learning with the help of a great story.
We’re hoping to get out a little bit this afternoon with The Peanut. Maybe another little impromptu picnic at the park or a walk through the arboretum if the weather holds. Something outside in the fresh air for a bit – just the three of us, a few birds and an ornery squirrel or two. Now that is heaven.
So, that’s my cheery news this morning. I’ll add in a link to the Saturday cartoons at Bob Geiger’s blog — Steve Sack is especially on point this week. No matter how frustrated or angry or exhausted or whatever, you have to take a little time to laugh. And to dream. So, I’m wondering, what cheery little bit of news you might have to impart this morning? Pull up a chair…
PS — And, because this just sounds so yummy and evil at the same time, I give you…Tonga Toast.
(Photo of the woods via Big Gray Mare.)
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Good Morning
Morning Millineryman. How are you this morning?
I’m doing good thanks, got a great night’s sleep. That Tonga Toast recipes sounds decadent. How’s your garden this year?
Good morning Christy!
Morning, Christy,
Sitting here waiting for the wife to get up; she has to work this morning, and I’m going in with her to do a little grunt work (filing & such) for her. Here in Tennessee, they say that if you count the morning fogs in August, that will tell you how many snows you’ll have in the wintertime. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. You know how folklore is.
Morning egregious and Deacon. I have to say, Deacon, that your spouse is lucky to have a willing filing assistant. :)
Hi Christy
Mornin’ all.
My Mom would have us read a story from the Bible out loud us kids took turns reading each night.
Good Morning, Christy!
and all
Filing and office supplies? Mmmmm.
Colored file folders, key to the universe.
egregious @ 10
egregious, were you the one riffing off on office supplies during the libby trial?
Happy Bastille Day, in honor of which I will eat cake.
hey I’m sending from deep in the woods on my iPhone. Woo hoo it works bit I need to learn tip typing. At least the autocorrect works great. Bye
Well, I must say I learned to read from comic books when I was just a tyke. And of course the “Dick and Jane” readers. Taught my kids to read pretty early and read to them every night before bedtime. Books like “Make Way For Ducklings” and “Mike Mulligan” and “The Biggest Bear” — books from my childhood. I also had a great lady named Karen Davis (of Davis-Kidd Booksellers) who, in the early days of their store, before they became the huge juggernaut they are now in Tennessee, would find an new book for the kids when I came in every payday. Both young’uns turned out smart & happy. One’s even working on a PhD in Neuroscience, so I guess I did something right.
Christy, everything’s so fucked…the fuckery just gets worse and worse…is there any end to the relentlessness of these reptile brain fucks and their psychoses they relentlessly want to inflict upon us normal humans who just want to enjoy life
all you do in the good fight…is all we can do
anyway, you and the peanut and mister redd…makes me smile
Elliott @ 11
Yes along with Marcy and Rayne. And if memory serves, a certain well known fdl poster :)
Yo Sharkbabe!
a quick OT?
Has Dr. Hillhouse done a Book Salon here? I’m reading “Outsourced” – and – damn!
Her characters in the book operate under a certain knowledge that Bin Laden *was* actually captured, and put on ice, in order that he not be made a martyr, and is now dead. I was wondering whether she feels that to actually to be the case, or is just literary license in the fictional aspect of the book.
Darn near burned up a perfectly good tin-foil hat over the whole concept.
Clicking on the following link will take you to MSNBC’s synopses of the first six Harry Potter books: The story so far — Harry Potter 1 through 6
My bit of good news is that it’s my (our) 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow, and in a world of craziness, having Mr. B to lean on has meant everything to me. And my gift to him is will be two nights here. Shhh…don’t tell.
And tonga toast looks absolutely frightfully wonderful. Wonder if I could throw in some beach plum jelly somehow?
sharkbabe!!
sharkbabe at 15 — Sometimes, it sure feels that way, doesn’t it? But I’ll be damned if they get to win anything without a big fight…
Good to see you this morning. :)
kisses egregious
bookwoman @ 20
Congratulations!
Good morning, Christy. Did you get the bird photo I sent a couple of weeks ago? I think I have identified it as a Least Bittern. I’m not 100% sure though.
Mornin’ all.
I think I’ll take the fellas (2 and 4) to the chattahoochee nature center for the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival http://www.chattnaturecenter.c…..t_copy.htm .
If you’re in the Atlanta area, its a great facility. If you have boys, bring a dip net, its the best place around to catch bullfrog tadpoles.
your spirit keeps me going, Christy…Jane too and all the brilliance of this place – scarecrow, marcy, trex etc…btw happy Bastille Day everyone…may all tyrant kings everywhere be overthrown
Christy,
Good morning to you and all. Haven’t been on at the same time as Sharkbabe in ages. How ya’ll are ‘Babe?
My favorite recent kid’s book is “Walter The Farting Dog.” A funny story, as you might imagine, with really fascinating illustrations…..
bookwoman at 20 — Ooooooh! That looks lovely! Do let us know how you like it — that really calls to me as a potential B&B weekend for the future. And congrats on the anniversary!
When I was a kid I hardly ever got the toys I asked for. But,if I asked for a book,I almost always got it. My childhood was pretty crappy,but the only good memory I have of my mom is her reading to me and teaching me to read before I started kindergarten.
Nowadays I have so many books that the shelves in my big two sided book case are starting to sag a little in the middle,lol.
Lindy @ 25
Oh yeah. Christy next time you’re sifting through your 12,437,239 e-mails, there’s an awesome closeup picture of 2 Laughing Gulls in flight that I took myself. I’m not a photog, but that picture makes it seem like it.
Sharkbabe @ 27
It is a day of reflection, tyrant kings indeed!
My vacation that was supposed to be Kennebunkport with Bush and Putin is now the Jersey Shore. Will be leaving around 6 tonight. 4 nights of R&R. I have been running ragged for weeks now catering to elderly relatives who needed some help. Everything has calmed down a bit and Mr. Solai and I are escaping for a few days. Counting the hours.
Well, gotta hit the shower & get the wife up. Have a great Bastille Day everyone! Viva la’ Firedoglake!
Happy Bastille Day to all. Maybe in honour of the day, I shall read a little Babar to the kitties, who get very solemn when I read to them.
fahrender @ 28
Sharkbabe does seem like a blast from the past, but it might just be me. Did I see Zennurse pop in here recently? And what was the Gentleman’s name from Indiana that went to work on some campaign and was never heard from again?
My favorite book was “Where the Red Fern Grows”. I cried for days.
anang (#30):
i was lucky that way too. one of my aunts was the librarian at Kingsport, Tn. She always sent us books for presents. I still have a first American edition of The Hobbit, published in the year of my birth (1937).
After rain last ight a beautiful sunny morning. Blueberries are ripe in the garden, they will be joining some ice cream this evening for our pleasure.
Had a very good political event last night for Jay Buckey, candidate for US Senate, NH. He is a very interesting man. His wife Sarah writes mysteries for teenage girls. They brought their daughter and she sat reading most of the evening.
It was so much fun having a really positive political evening after so much BS coming out of the beltway.
On the downside there is the small matter of post party clean up.
Everyone is getting upset that the Iraqi Parliment is going on vacation while our troops are still in Iraq in 120 degree weather. Granted the Iraqi Parliment has not accomplished anything but what about Bush? Our “War President” has taken more vacation time than any other war President, or President during peace time.
Maybe thats why we’re losing this war Bush himself is unwilling to do whatever it takes to win the war. Where is his personal sacrifice why won’t he sacrifice a few vaction days to get the Job done (git er done!).
A president who puts having more vacation days than any other president ever as a bigger priority than doing something, anything about Iraq deserves to be impeached for being LAZY.
I know it sounds silly but every other American would get fired from their jobs if they did this. How can President Bush keep asking our troops to keep going back to Iraq a fourth and fifth time without an equal amount of time off to train like Senator Webb wanted? It seems the least we could do.
Christy if I may, recommend a couple of books that my 5 year old loves.
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell by Lucille Colandro
Snuggle rating: 1 – 5(best)
5
I’m not sure of your Peanut’s age but anything close to 5 will lead to a great read-snuggle moment.
For anyone who may have missed it near the end of the last thread -
SP passed this cause for a chuckle along:
A little old lady just called in to CSPAN’s Washington Journal with the following (paraphrased):
“When I was a little girl in 1951 and TV was just getting started, I used to wonder why there were so many boring news shows on. I always wished they would play more Howdy Doody. Well, I realized something just the other day: I finally got my wish. It’s nothing but Howdy Doody 24 hours a day now.”
Not sure whether SP (as paraphraser) or the caller should get the most credit for snark but I vote we make this woman an honorary fire pup!
things come undone @ 39
i think all the guys should take August off. they could hang out in Crawford while the village has it’s idiot around…..
I read TRex’s Peggy Noonan diary this morning. It was excellent. We need more repubs to act like the repubs in the Nixon era and recognize that this country is in trouble. We NEED to impeach. Trouble is, I think too many are being threatened with something. Arlen Spector especially. What the hell is Rove blackmailing him with?
whatever the subject, comments here and at digby’s, truest feeling and thinking anywhere
though I’m a lurker here at the moment for various reasons, you people are always my anchor…damn I have loved watching the amazing people jane’s modest little blog (really, it was that lol) continues to attract…
Our Muneca adores Junie B Jones books.
I am of two minds about them.
Junie’s 1st person writing is chock full of grammatical errors and non-words.
“Daddy, what’s this word?”
“Sound it out”
“Is that a word?”
“erm…..”
But the love of reading is a wonderful gift, and we have to make sacrifices.
I look forward to introducing Madeline L’Engle.
We really enjoyed reading The Take of Desperaux together.
As for scandal fatigue, there is a very real danger there. I fear that seeming bit players could slither away to ultimately become the Cheney or Rumsfeld of the next wave.
And with a seeming cornucopia of impeachable offenses; How to pick the best shot?
I stumbled across an early AtlasJuggs effort that is must see TV (um YT).
We all hope Richie Valens is doing the LaBamba in Heaven with Jesus, right?
PS It’s not really her, at least I don’t think so.
I’m on Vista, and everytime I move my mouse the web camera box appears in the margin. How do I get rid of it?? Help
Cherry news? The mortgage will be paid off in fifteen months. Now, if the housing market recovers by then………..
Deacon — I too learned to read from comic books and then the Dick and Jane primers in school.
off to the Vet to get our Addisonian Border Collie his monthly Percorten, then a stop at Dinkell’s Bakery for the donuts that make it the journey a happy event.
Oops, wrong Juggs YouTube. IT’s THIS one.
Oops. Cheery news.
Morning Christy,
We’ve got a beautiful day going in New England.
My Republican neighbor is having a “turn 60″ cookout with all the folks in the neighborhood.
I just told him I’ll give him a pass for today
(that is if I don’t have too many beers)
Sharkbabe @ 15
Same here. Thoughts of Bush already had me pissed off this morning. But reading here has been quite soothing. Thank you. Time to quit reading and get to work — while I still feel good. :)
Peanut is a little young for Ozma of Oz but I used to read the story of the wise girl queen to my little ones at night. The old version with the color plates was magical.
My mother gave me her copy, it was among her favorite books too.
My son’s favorite books were It Zwibble, The Star-Touched Dinosaur. Every night…it used to make me crazy. Now that he is 20 (I was 7 when I had him:) I wish he would snuggle up and let me read it a couple of more times.
Christy, that Tonga toast is crazy good. I avoid it like the plague (unless I have to go to the character breakfast at the Polynesian and then I feel like I deserve some Tonga toast).
Glad you all are doing well. I got a call yesterday at 11:00 a.m. from my daughter’s lead pre-school teacher saying her partner had been fired on the spot. I rallied what parents I could get, got a meeting for 4:00, and we all went in and told the Director why she was wrong and got her to rescind the firing.
Why am I telling you guys this?
1. I swear my friend who demolished one of the Director’s charges was channeling a combination of Pat Fitzgerald and Christy.
2. More importantly, I realized how powerful the specter of danger to our children is and started thinking about the implications of that in re the nation’s reactions to the fear-mongering, but also the potentiality for how we can turn this to our advantage. We have not pounded enough on how this will have a direct impact on our children…all this rottenness.
3. It was embarassing how easy it was to rally the parents together and it made me wonder if there was a lesson in number 2 that we could use to rally the vast numbers of parents against the true evil in the Whitehouse.
Wow. The Tillman obstruction, hitting hard after Libby could be a zinger. Especially, if his brother and mother go postal.
Hmmm. Happy Bastille Day indeed! With this admin and their courtiers getting more and more into Marie Antoinette territory, i.e., “Let them eat cake” (I know, it’s apochryphal and doubtful that she ever said it but still…), it seems to be getting close to Mr Jefferson’s call for occasional revolutions and government overthrows. Peacefully of course.
Besides the examples of seeing my parents reading all the time (Mom as an English teacher and librarian and Dad having gone only through 9th grade), I loved visiting my grandmother and having her read us Wind In The Willows or Kipling stories such as the Jungle Book or Riki Tiki Tavi.
When I was ten, my great aunt gave me a book that I didn’t understand at the time but am glad now she gave it to me as it resides on my bedside table: Palgrave’s The Golden Treasury including the FITZgerald translation of the Rubiyat.
Egregious @ 54.
Oooh, Ozma of Oz. I loved that. I used to read my Dad’s tattered hard back edition from the 1940’s/
Actually, if your kid likes the story any reading will do. My daughter likes Harry Potter and she is almost the exact same age as Christy’s.
Now if I could only get her fascinated with watching C-Span…maybe if that did some sort of combination of C-span and Sagwa?
Bill Moyers ~ Tough Talk on Impeachment
I propose people send in their favorite cake recipes in honor of Bastille Day :)
Bay State Librul @ 52
My mother’s husband is a die-hard repub. We used to have many debates on this administration. I don’t bring it up anymore. The reason? He didn’t vote in the last election. It may be expecting to much to have him vote for a dem. But, the fact that he sat the last one out spoke volumes. I’m not the type to rub his nose in it but he seems to have gotten the message.
Lou Costello @ 60
When will talk turn to action?
ccmask @ 47
Buy a Mac? (I’m sorry, I just can never resist)
Bay State Librul @ 57
Wow. The Tillman obstruction, hitting hard after Libby could be a zinger. Especially, if his brother and mother go postal.
yeah, and his brother is a *bad* man. And so is his mother – err, you know what I mean.
That family seems to take no shit from anyone. In the words of Hawkeye Pierce, “I will brook no babble”.
I was thinking this morning how it seems that the whole of Congress is being blackmailed by Bush & Rove. But I think it is more likely that they are all being blackmailed by Cheney, including Bush & Rove.
dakine01 @ 64
You Mac people are just so predictable.
Heya, Christy!
What makes me smile this morning is that it’s my son Sammy’s 10th birthday. My wife’s a little queasy over the fact that her “little angel” is growing up so fast and full of the piss, vinegar and know-it-all attitude that he’s already starting to display.
For me, it’s just another stage of my relationship with him… He already has a “girlfriend” so our talks have moved slowly away from SpongeBob and more to him asking me some very interesting questions about the women folk as we hit balls at the driving range.
But it’s all good! And that’s what I’m thinking as I pull up a chair today.
Waving hi to Bob Geiger!
Good morning, everyone! Thanks, Christy, for all you do to bring such wonderful people together here!
Early memories of reading: my cousin was educated in top-tier private schools in NY, as were my mother and aunt. Her unwanted books would periodically be brought to our home when my grandparents made a visit every two years. I would devour them, as she was four years ahead of me in school, and her school’s curriculum was another year or two ahead of the one in my public school. And Weekly Reader used to have a periodic book ordering opportunity. I would beg to get them all, and my book order used to larger than the class’ combined. Got lots of free book for my school that way.
I have no memories of anyone reading to me – it just seemed as though books were a real life line and real friends could be found in them.
Bay State Librul @ 57
We were talking tipping points on a thread last night and this may be a big one because most people know the story of the NFL star who joined the army after 9/11 and wound up being killed. Using the “we can’t release info because we’ll be embarrassed for stepping on our d*cks big time” privilege is just the type of thing that makes people stand up with a serious WTF?
I just noticed that the spook in the machine has a new post up.
Bob at 68 — No way that Sammy is 10 already! Wow, time really does fly…I don’t even want to think about how big our girl has gotten already — although the move from Spongebob to girls as the topic of conversation cracks me up on your behalf. *g*
egregious @ 69
Ditto. Love your Saturday morning work.
dakine01 @ 64
What did you say? I was making a list of things to do (she says typing on her 17inch powerbook in bed):
–Load Myst on the 4-year old’s 15 inch powerbook
–thinking about whether to get I-mac at office swapped out now or waiting until Leopard comes out
–reminding self to get files of 2 old powerbook wall streets in the study
When my parents come to visit my house becomes a nest of mac power supplies.
But seriously, my Mother-in-Law called yesterday while I was busy freaking out over the preschool teacher and wanted to know how to print out the pictures I had sent her in an email and I had no idea. If it was a Mac, I could have walked her through it step by step. PC’s however, differ so much from system to system and program to program I had no idea.
ccmask @ 66
These are my thoughts exactly. Especially Arlen Spector.
Now, with the possibility that Blanco will be choosing a replacement for Vitter, I’ll be anxious to see who is chosen. If it’s a progressive, I will celebrate. But, we are hearing about ‘negotiations’ with repubs. Is that code for extortion?
ccmask @ 67
We are horrible, I’ll admit it, and predictable, just like our machines….badump, bump. JUST KIDDING!
ccmask @ 67
That’s cuz we’re proselytizing for good things. After all Vista=Mac OS X circa 2001.
Mornin’ Redd. Just stopping by for a quick read between Saturday morning errands. Most of you will be too young to have heard of Uncle Wiggly, an adventurous rabbit. Been holding on to some for years in case they become collector’s items. Believe they are from the late 1930s. Kids loved them.
My fear is that with the Congressional recess coming up, any hope for action will be lost.
I have a silly question. What the heck did the White House have to do with Pat Tillman? Every time I look at the headline, I can’t possibly think of a way executive privilege has anything to do with it.
In keeping with solai’s comments @ 6:16 -
Neighbor’s daughter who’s visiting her for the weekend is a nurse in middle NC. She told me she never hears anyone (staff or patients) make positive comments about bushco anymore; it’s very likely to be something negative. Also when in patient rooms (with the ubiquitous idjit boxes) there’s a lot of head shaking when shrub turns up.
Observations from people like her who deal daily with the broader public bring a little hope to my life.
I’ve often wondered whether the case on my Powerbook could crack open a few politicians’ skulls by hurling it through the TV…those Macs are pretty powerful ya’ know?
for the funny page fanatics:
the comics curmudgeon
:^)
TiredFed @ 79
I had an Uncle Wiggly board game when I was in elementary school. But I can’t remember reading the books.
Good morning…I am recovering from an appendectomy, and this thread made me smile this morning. My mom used to read to us virtually everynight until she was horse. My favorites were the Little House on the Prairie series, and Kipling’s elephant’s child. Thanks for the smiles.
Bay State Librul @ 63
G’morning, Christy. G’morning, all. Coffee and calming meds, anyone?
I believe we need to storm the Bastille. Not the violent thing. Just show up. Shut downt the country for day or two or ??? Rally round the flag. The White House where we speak truth to the power that lurks in its shadows. I think “we” are the “they” who need to do something.
About eating cake? Somewhere I read that cake was the name for the greasy crud that accumulated in wood-burning cook stoves, and that the comment (if ever made at all) was made in reference to eating that.
Okay. Tonga Toast sounds better.
TJ @ 80
Did The Chimpenfuhrer participate in the cover-up that Tillman was killed by friendly fire?
At the time he was praising Tillman’s “bravery”, the Pentagon and WH had already received info that Tillman had been killed by his own outfit. What did the Chimp know and when did he know it?
TJ @ 80
apparently there were memos to the white house to tell president bush’s speech writers not to use the fabricated tillman story because it was false.
glenn greenwald has the story in his post today.
fahrender @ 28
Fahrender, I got that for the Peanut and ordered the Latin version for work…I keep hoping to offer a class one of these day’s on translation of children’s literature into Latin….I have quite a collection now.
Guys, I am out of it. Can someone point me to the Tillman story. I checked here before the “news” outlets. Thanks in advance!
At the time he was praising Tillman’s “bravery”, the Pentagon and WH had already received info that Tillman had been killed by his own outfit. What did the Chimp know and when did he know it?
And that, my friend, is a full and complete answer to the question – “why in the world would the WH claim executive privilege with regard to Pat Tillman”?
Christy *did* mention food so here’s a question I hope someone by the Lake this morning can answer:
How long might I expect it to take to simmer down a large stock pot of Roma tomatoes to sauce consistency? I frequently put up the larger varieties for soups, etc. but this is my first attempt at something with less fluid.
Thanks!
egregious @ 61
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
4 C flour
2 C sugar
1 C cocoa
2 C Miracle Whip [don’t ask me]
2 C luke warm water
4 tsp (not quite) baking soda
pinch salt
vanilla if desired
350 F approximately 30 minutes
grease 4 9 inch pans
Sift dry ingredients together 3 or 4 times. Add mayonnaise and water alternatively and beat until very smooth.
Divide batter evenly between four pans for thin layers.
350 F approximately 30 minutes
**best with a seven minute frosting**
and so what if you maybe have to hold it together with toothpicks
“…and I, for one, am suffering from a serious case of scandal fatigue.”
Yesterday was the last straw. Yes, I didn’t know there were any straws left. But when the Bush Administration says they are claiming executive privilege to withhold records on the death of Pat Tillman, I wanted to vomit. Yes, I felt nausea coming on. I am so sick of this pack of jackals. They should be put in a pen and be treated for rabies.
Waccamaw @ 92
It depends on water quality and other weird things. Did you peel them? If you did, you’ll be able to see the softening faster. Are you planning on using a hand blender to speed things along when they soften? If you do, you will get a more consistent sauce which will cook down a little faster because you are breaking the tomatoes into smaller bits. The time depends on how much you want them to break down. I would guess, based on the acidity of tomatoes, at least 30 minutes, but that is purely a guess.
Citizen Jane @ 90
Here’s the WaPo0 story. KO covered it a bit last night and promised a lot more for Monday.
Waccamaw @ 92
All I know is that they have less liquid, so it should take less time than if you use vine ripe other varieties. Thanks for asking the question. It led me to a couple of “quick sauce” recipes here.
you mean to tell me no one has posted the recipe for yellow cake yet? the one with the can of crushed pineapple in it? so appropriate for this blog. btw, does anyone here (besides Joe Wilson) have a spy crush on them? dealing with a nasty virus on this laptop.
Favorite cake, white wedding cake or yellow homemade cake with frosting. Extra frosting for little fingers.
TiredFed @ 97
TiredFed, we call that Sunshine Cake (also appropriate for this blog). Particularly if you’re talking about the one with cream cheese icing with mandarin oranges. I’m looking for my recipe, and if I find it, I’ll post it.
Well, since we’re talking food. Has anyone here ever been to Wildwood Crest, NJ? This will be a first for me. Absolutely no cooking will be done, so, anyone want to recommend a restaurant?
Favorite cake for me: homemade yellow cake with dark chocolate frosting. Nummy! (Dang, now I’m having a craving…)
Lindy @ 100
that sounds delicious, but there was a recipe for “yellowcake” on FDL and it was more of a breakfast food, as I recall.
In Minneapolis, Bastille Day this year coincides with the start of Aquatennial and the result is that there’s free music all over the place this weekend. From last night’s block party downtown with the Bodeans to the 24 hours of music inside and out at orchestra hall to neighborhood block parties in uptown and down by the river, it’s all good. Myself, I’ll be heading to Graham Parker’s annual Bastille Day gig at Brit’s Pub. One of my favorite songwriters, performing for free, and good beer, now that’s hard to beat.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 102
ah yes, classic birthday cake. hmmm. is it too hot to bake?
Christy Hardin Smith @ 101
I love that as well. Unfortunately, the baking gene is the one cooking gene that seems to have escaped me.
TiredFed @ 104
you know, really, this Bastille Day has to have the yellowcake
Going back to Christy’s call for ideas on motivating Democrats and the populace, I would like to suggest we use an important, but overlooked, national symbol, the Liberty Bell, with the motto “Liberty and Justice for All”. We could demonstrate at Independence Hall and march from there to Washington, get everyone to switch their ring tone to a bell sound, encourage everyone to buy a bell and ring it at local gatherings. Related slogans like, “No more Scooter Justice” and “Let Freedom Ring” are just a few ideas. The possibilities are many.
Lindy at 99 — Is this close to your sunshine cake recipe?
SUNSHINE CAKE
INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package moist yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, juice reserved
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
DIRECTIONS
Beat the eggs, and add them to the boxed cake mix. Add the oil and the mandarine oranges to the batter; remember to add the juice as well as the fruit. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan.
Bake the cake for 40 minutes in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cool on wire rack.
While cake is baking, prepare the frosting by mixing together the whipped dessert topping, the package of instant pudding, and the crushed pineapple with its juices. Set frosting in refrigerator to set. Frost when cake has thoroughly cooled.
Nigerian yellowcake with peach-mint ice cream.
twolf1 @ 111
insist on the peach-mint
‘Morning, FirePups. Late getting going, collapsed early last night and just now finished catching up to you folks!
Cool and sprinkling here, guess I can skip watering the garden…but I left the car windows down. You know what I’ll be doing instead of gardening.
I remember my father handing me Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” when I was seven; I’d just reached the point where the folks were too busy to read to me, having three kids under foot and two full-time jobs on different shifts between them, and Dad wanted to keep me busy. Dad never really did grok that reading material had suitability for different ages — at least not at that point in time. So Hemingway it was.
For a while I thought it was just me and my early reading skills that I didn’t take to Hemingway, blamed myself for not liking the book as much as my dad expected. Nope; took decades before I figured out I didn’t care much for Hemingway.
But now that I have kids I find there are some works that don’t have a limit on the range of ages that will enjoy their writing. I adore the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events, as do my kids. And they loved Jared Diamond’s Collapse. Some writers are very accessible universally; I’m hunting for more of them, now that my nine-year-old has read all of the Harry Potter series.
I picked a beautiful bouquet of flowers yesterday and got bit by a gnat on my eyelid. My one eye is almost swollen shut and the other is also swelling. Any home remedies anyone? This has been the buggiest summer I can remember. Other than that this morning is clear, temperate and beautiful.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 102
Christy: If you like a good yellow cake with Chocolate Frosting try this:
Bake your yellow cake recipe in a long baking pan.
For the frosting do this:
Buy one medium tub of Cool Whip and one small box of Instant Chocolate Pudding. Empty Cool Whip in large bowl. Prepare Chocolate Pudding according to box recipe, and gently fold it into the cool whip. Once mixed, layer the cake and put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Best Chocolate frosting ever.
carmen at 112 — Some benedryl might help with the swelling a bit, and a cold washcloth as well. Owie…
Christy @108, very close. The difference is in the frosting, mostly. It’s a cream cheese frosting that (for speed) can use a cheese cake mix, but for best flavor uses cream cheese.
If you didn’t get the bird photo (yes, i’m proud of it), you can view it here (actually the top two photos).
ccmask @ 72
His new post did not mention inherent contempt.
Rayne @ 112
Showing my age here a bit but the Walter Farley The Black Stallion series is a good one for nine/ten. It may be a little early at this age, but the John R Tunis sports books are also good reads, although based on a simpler time.
To help me calm down in between temper tantrums about this government, I went back to reread Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. [and no, it isn’t “all small stuff” like the subtitle claims].
Some interesting ideas on how to pace oneself even during a very busy and stressful time.
Lindy @ 116
Beautiful!
ok. the 16-yr old is back from driver’s ed. time for more practice with dad. pray for me guys.
carmen @ 113
If you have no problems with this medication, take a 25 mg dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and one or two over the counter ibuprofen tablets, or an aspirin. Tylenol doesn’t have an anti-inflammatory effect. use ice packs between ten and twenty minutes at a time over the eyelids – but be sure to pad the packs with cotton material. As you know the eyelids are thin, and the cold can penetrate into the eye structures quite quickly. Switch to warm packs after about twenty-four hours or so.
Elliott @ 111
because there really ain’t no yellowcake from Niger……..
Rayne, When my children were that age there were a few books that I thought were wonderful.
-The Indian in the Closet
-There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom
-The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (perhaps my favorite. A wonderful story about a motley family who had never heard the Christmas story but force themselves on the pageant organizers. Lots of humor and still poignant)
Rayne,
I remember reading far above my age group as well. But there were a few books i picked up at around 10 yrs of age. Jennifer Roberson’s Sword Dancer was one of them that mom asked me in the store. ‘you sure you can handle that?’ Me: ‘yes!’ What had interested me was the woman on the cover kneeling in front of the sword. *grins* Very mature series indeed, but i didn’t KNOW she’d turned it into a series until i was nearly done high school.
But what got me interested in reading in general was simply reading old world fairy tales to me from an early age. The fascination with them holds to this very day, and led to my love of mythology and my constant poking into it even now.
(Oh, and i picked up Zelzany’s Lord of Light about a week or so ago. A few chapters in and i’m fully intrigued. Loving this adaptation of the Siddartha mythos.)
Is cake just a reason to eat the frosting?
Thanks, Elliott.
Citizen Jane @ 95
What CJ said. But there is a challenge, and it’s the scorch point. The thicker the sauce gets, the closer you get to the scorch point. You might want to try using a very large crock pot with the lid off if you want to really cook it down without scorching (works GREAT for apple butter).
But I also find that I have the best luck with getting a thicker sauce if I do two things:
– cut the tomatoes in half horizontally and scoop out any seeds and “slime” if the tomatoes are juicier than the average Roma;
– after putting partially cooked tomatoes through a food mill, strain some of the tomatoes through a jelly bag and discard the fluid*, keeping the pulp in the jelly bag and returning to stock pot.
The jelly bag trick allows for a thicker but fresher tasting sauce since less cooking is necessary.
*reserve the juice for a refreshing cool summer soup, like a tomato broth. Season with a pinch of sea salt and a sprinkling of garlic chives.
Citizen Jane -
Yup, blanched to remove skins. Not as much concerned with consistency as fluid reduction. (think pizza sauce) 30 minutes! Darlin’, pot’s coming up on three hours and there’s a barely noticeable difference in thickness. At this rate, I’ll still be stirrin’ same time tomorrow. ;-( Have heat on very low in hopes of preventing burning/scorching.
Lindy -
Will check out your linky for recipe content comparisons. Thanks!
Thanks Nequals1 and Christy. Benydryl and icepacks it is.
dakine01 @ 96
If you go towards the bottom of last night’s thread, I’ve given the link to the hearing and blogged some parts of it.
TiredFed @ 121
OH Man, memories of my kids learning to drive aren’t memories, they’re adreniline flashbacks of anxiety, fear, etc…. once they get the drivers license the paranoia will kick in. Forget prayer, try valium.
Millineryman @ 126
My son insists that cake is merely a frosting delivery system.
He may have a point; when have you seen frosting without cake?
dakine01 @ 58
The “Let them eat cake” seemed pretty good to me as a kid..France must be a great place to live..
IIRC, the cake that Marie Antoinette was referring to was the flour-water mixture that the French bread makers put on the bottom of the bread ovens. After baking the bread for the day, this burned, hard flour “cake” was scraped off and thrown away. Not exactly what I had in mind as a kid.
Good morning, morning crew.
I just returned from Oregon, where deer (much cuter when they’re not eating your garden) popped by every night. And I saw a standard Kobe-like poodle kayaking (although, as with most poodles, he was being chaufferred).
Millineryman @ 126
Cake is, indeed, a frosting-delivery system.
Rayne @ 133
Wise young man you have there Rayne.
I have some kind of a bird or chicken or something that hangs out by my bedroom sliding doors with my ducks and I have no idea what it is. It runs very fast, it flies, it floats with the ducks and it loves bread and bird seed. It is black with a red crown and neon-colored legs. I just snapped a pic and was wondering if any bird peeps could help me out. I mean, since it has taken up residence in my yard….
Rayne @ 132
The beauty of being an adult without children that you have to set a good example for. Frosting eaten off of a spoon…who needs the cake.
I’m not talking politics today AT ALL. Like Christy, I’ve got scandal fatigue. Enough said.
Having already done five loads of laundry, I just pulled out a onion-basil-feta tart from the oven. I’m feeling very, very virtuous here. And there’s more to come today: kayaking on the Potomac and the late night out sound perfect for a bright, blue, and dry Bastille Day.
I’m a very happy boy today. :)
RockPaperScizzors @ 132
My father recognized that he did NOT have the temperment to teach us to drive (after he tried to teach my mother – he finally got a co-worker to teach her). He got a retired Detroit police capt who lived next door to teach my brother, a local state trooper to teach my sister, and the local state police detective who had raced professionally to teach me. This was pre-driver’s ed days and I don’t think he EVER rode with me until I was over 18 yo.
Catching the eye: McClatchy and the LA Times have stories about how successful programs that empower the poor and vulnerable are being reduced or eliminated to finance tax cuts.
janda @ 85
Hope you feel better soon!
Boston1775 @ 131
There is also this story (via The Huffington Post): Panel Demands Records on Tillman’s Death
ccmask @ 136
Looks a lot like a swamp hen. Scroll down the page and look for a small image on the left side of the page.
ccmask @ 137
The boy says it’s a coot, although likely not an American coot because of the red over its beak. He’s consulting his many bird books now to confirm. ;-)
(((((janda))))) hope you get well soon!
I worship some of the great cooks at this site. Rayne and Waccamaw and Christy are all inspiring me this morning.
I don’t have the baking gene, that is my Mom…ask me about how many gingerbread houses I have made/decorated with her in my lifetime.
Bruschetta, now, I make a mean bruschetta, risotto, stock, broth, pasta…the various stints living in Italy and marketing daily refined those abilities. That’s what I miss…you basically shop at a farmer’s stand on market days and it is mostly so fresh. And you eat the season. Don’t even get me started on zucchini blossoms…
But speaking of tomatoes, Rayne, that cool soup sounds good. I like to make bread/tomatoe soup and eat it cold in summer and warm in winter. And I don’t even like raw tomatoes–I keep trying, but after 39 years they still make me gag. Sigh.
Why in the hell would the combined White House and Defense Department have 10,000 pages of press clippings wrt Tillman…..
Okay, the boy says on further consult, it’s the American Coot that has a white to light colored bill, and the Common Moorhen has the red bill.
Although it’s interesting that Birding (by Forshaw, Howell, Lindsey and Stallcup) says that the Moorhen “skulks more than the coot and is rarely seen on open water or in groups.”
Lindy @ 116
Lindy, that is a terrific shot. Are the flower pics at your house?? They are gorgeous.
Such a happy, friendly crowd here this morning, apparently none of you read Bill Kristol’s Saturday morning WaPo piece “Why Bush Will Be A Winner”…talk about enfuriating.
I expected some real diatribes over here at FDL, and at least a little snark about it.
Christy, I’m not trying to break up all this friendly conversation, but I expect when you read Kristol’s predictions about a future historic view of Bush as something noble, your ire will ignite.
Just food for thought…
ccmask @ 149
Because Pat Tillman was very charismatic, and using his image for the purpose of supporting the GWOT was very much in their interest. I wouldn’t be suprised if DOD hired a PR firm for crisis control and communication in the wake of Tillman’s death. 10,000 pages actually doesn’t seem like all that much press for something like this.
Sorry if this already posted, but if you want to yell for the good guys, check out excerpts from Bill Moyer’s Journal last night — Bruce Fein and John Nichols on why impeachment is necessary — I was cheering the whole time — now to read the comments (and discover this was posted seven times!)
Citizen Jane @ 147
I cannot find the recipe for “tomato broth”, probably sill buried in one of my reference notebooks in the basement in a box…
But I did find this recipe on line; note the reference at the end giving a tomato broth recipe for use in the soup recipe. That’s it, in a nutshell, save the fluids from tomatoes and use it in this broth recipe. Mmm, with a teeny bit of fresh thyme or with a tiny bit of saffron — yum.
edit: OOPS!! I hit submit before I finished the recipe link! Here it is.
Waccamaw @ 129
Yikes. I think that Rayne has good suggestions for speeding things up. Also, I am a risk taker…I’d start the heat high and lower it gradually as the sauce thickened…but I am rather seat of the pants at times and scorching a sauce really will tick ya off! I tend to use non-stick pans most of the time as a cheat against really burning things in that pan/sauce junking way. I know, I am a wuss…
I thought that Karl Rove just wanted to hide that he lied about Pat Tillman dying in order to make his death by friendly fire seem more heroic. I think he is a Hero but his death was a mistake and lying about it to his family just seems wrong to me.
But what about all those solders who came back after the war and killed people that murder cluster at the army base? Wasn’t speed given to at least some of those troops and held as a partial cause for their behaviour? Were they even aware they were being given speed is a good question? Were they told about its effects?
Were Pat Tillman’s fellow troops on speed at the time. That might help explain the friendly fire and it would really explain why Bush is invoking Executive Privilege. I don’t hold Pat’s fellow solders responsible at all for this speed or no speed. But speed would explain why Bush is executive privileging again so soon after the Libby Clemency.
solai @ 76
The Vitter thing is slipping away from us.
http://www.thenewsstar.com/app…..14/OPINION
http://www.thenewsstar.com/app…..14/OPINION
JEP at 152—
You’re killin my sugar buzz from the cake frosting.
We work hard all week, and Saturday mornings are our collective time to kick back and get some perspective on life.
Rest assured we’ll be back in the saddle soon enough.
Thanks Rayne…and thanks also for the advice you gave me a few weeks ago about watering with the Peanut. She is stirring now so I’ve got to check on some things.
Lindy @ 145
Great find! Thanks so much. It has been making me crazy for quite awhile. From your link, this is exactly what it is:
Dusky Moorhen(Gallinula
tenebrosa) Slightly smaller than
Swamphen. Bill, frontal shield red, tip
yellow. Iris olive. Body slate-grey. Wings,
rump browner. Tail, black. White sides to
undertail. Legs yellow, scarlet and olive
boxer @ 158
forgot this one:
http://www.thenewsstar.com/app…..14/OPINION
Just got up and haven’t even read the post, this this will be way OT, but did anyone else watch Bill Moyers last night?
I think that the reasoned, calm, deadly on target discussion on his program last night could sway Pelosi and the House, if they could finally be made to understand that THE PEOPLE GET IT. That we understand those things to be true and that we want Bush, Cheney and Gonzales IMPEACHED.
I wish we could mount a campaign to get this program greater coverage, and get copies of it into the hands of all congresspersons and senators with the message that they aren’t fooling anyone. We know that they know the crimes and misdemeanors of this administration – here they are crystallized in front of you – now ACT. It is your sworn constitutional responsibility and we expect you to DO YOUR JOBS.
Nequals1 @ 142
The Guvunator is also promoting a bill in California that cuts off funding for homeless mental illness treatment…
Gov. seeks to cut mental services for homeless
By Lee Romney and Scott Gold
“Schwarzenegger says ending the acclaimed program would save $55 million annually toward $3-billion budget gap.”
Sharkbabe @ 27
Cheney in the Bastille = happy thought
Citizen Jane @ 155
Heh. Want a quick fix to salvage the scorched batch? Strain off the top 2/3rds, and then throw in some roasted garlic and call it roasted garlic-tomato sauce. Been there, done that. ;-)
Nequals1 @ 122
Guys, what is a good basic book to start with for birding…my daughter keeps calling everything a Robin (she’s 4) because that is the first she learned about. I am sure she would like to learn about all the birds and there are a couple of bird sanctuaries in our tiny city. Actually, I wonder if there are any out there for the 4-8 age set?
Going to read more Tillman links now…avoiding Kristol like the plague, need to start the day without vomiting.
ccmask @ 151
CC, Thanks. Some of the flower pics are at home in New Orleans. Some are at Audubon Park, and others are in my New Orleans neighborhood. The most recent ones are on the first few pages (12 of them), all taken with my mother’s day present of a new camera. The others were taken with 3 mp digital cameras (Olympus and Nikon).
Lou Costello @ 60
Should have known you’d beat me to it. Caw, Caw.
Maybe not a Dusky Moorhen. It is a Dusky Moorhen except it is all black, no browns or greys.
egregious @ 146
Thank you. Although it gives me a good excuse to lay around and read the lake.
Er…the first dozen shots are at a local wildlife refuge in Alabama.
egregious @ 159
Well, maybe this is one of those rare times when we do get to have our cake and eat it too… but since I’m known for my cookies (the edible kind, not the internet kind) I’ll be staying out of the cake conversations.
Honestly, I have been surfing the blogs, and I was sincerely surprised that someone as yet, on one of these top blogs, hasn’t taken Mr. Kristol to account for his inane opinion. It is so full of holes, it looks like a map of the Green Zone.
JEP @ 164
Yeppers – that’s the story I was referencing. Meanwhile, over half of inpatient psychiatric care is delivered in prison. That’s real compassion for ya.
Bill Kristol turns an otherwise beautiful day into UGLY. He is preaching to his already converted. Has Kristol ever put his body where his mouth is in his push for war?
I need to get back to a nice morning.
Lindy @ 169
Nice job on the pics. We live in such a beautiful city. None of my friends, who live elsewhere, understand when I tell them that we have a better quality of life here in New Orleans than they do.
Citizen Jane at 167 — I can highly recommend this game: Bird Bingo. T- sent The Peanut a copy of it, and we absolutely love it.
Lindy: They are lovely. I don’t know what is nicer–your photographer’s eye or the flowers :))
I have a huge cactus in my front yard that blossoms every morning but I just can’t get a great shot of the whole plant because the sun is right behind it every morning. I’ve digitally tried everything. Here is the best I could do.
Any suggestions?
INHERENT CONTEMPT
Here’s John Dean’s take on it
Here’s the Wiki entry
Here’s some discussion at Ezra Klein’s shop
As Dean rightly points out, Shrubya is itching for a fight and thinks his New Supremes will back him up. This isn’t just a political fight. This goes to the heart and soul of what the Constitution is all about. Congress needs to play hardball and use any tool available, including inherent contempt. The clock is ticking and the Dems are going way too slow.
Now, out to do some gardening…
bookwoman @ 20
Hey, HI FIVE bookwoman! It’s our 42nd in a few days. Haven’t even decided what to do yet.
Now that’s love, honestly! ;->
Actually, maybe in honor of the looming occasion, our friendly neighborhood Yellow-billed Cuckoo decided to wake up and start calling at 4:45a.m. today in the woods edge right outside our window. Dang boid didn’ shut up till 2 1/2 hrs later, when the neighbors’ cats got in a fitzrow right outside same window.
Yep. We’re the center of action in the universe, folks. Ya might as well c’mon over.
Before dawn? Sure. Why not?! Just bring some-a that tongatoast. Nummy! that sounds like pure sin.
OhMyGolly Yes, bookwoman, ya gotta have that beachplum jelly. Have a terrific time!
for after the coffee, cake and good read… and only for those who aren’t skipping the news today. this is an interesting read (via war and piece) on the failure of secretive usa foreign policy. it concludes:
Scarecrow @ 153
i’m sure you’re also reading glenn today… while he’s not there yet, i think this is the closest he’s gotten to calling for impeachment.
and
I’ve got a great idea for Saint McCain to replenish his campaign funds…
McCain campaign running out of money.
Go catch Osama… Senate doubles Bin Laden bounty to 50 million dollars.
JEP @ 152
-uh- JEP i don’t s’pose u read any FDL yestidie, did ya? think lightspeed & you’ll be able ta keep up wit da hounds here ;->
TiredFed @ 79
We’d spend time with an aunt and uncle of my mother’s. Uncle Wiggly, an old mandolin, a big yard (they had nearly an acre, with half of it in garden and poultry coops) … we’d cover some of the chairs from the covered patio with old bedspreads and use them for a ‘radio’ or ‘radar’ station (clothespin ‘keys’ and a flyswatter ‘antenna’).
ccmask @ 179
Do the blooms close early? I would suggest taking a shot from either side or the back, if so, depending on what’s in the background. Otherwise, wait until the sun is higher in the sky. If you don’t mind, I’d like to download it and try adjusting in Photoshop.
Citizen Jane @ 168
Try the Peterson First Guide to Birds http://www.amazon.com/Peterson…..amp;sr=1-1
You can also make your own backyard bird guide at whatbird.com. This is nice because you can eliminate all the birds that you don’t have locally. Helps the kiddies focus.
OT, but worth saying. If you haven’t seen Bill Moyers discussion on impeachment with John Nichols and Bruce Fein find it and watch. It’s very powerful and unfortunately points out the lack of Congressional leadership in holding the administration accountable.
ccmask @ 179
Use your flash.
Yeah, the flash might help.
Bluetoe @ 189
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/jour…..watch.html
Lindy -
Lovely! Thank you for bringing your wonderful talent to us. I especially love the Live Oak reaching across the path. So many were lost in Katrina. When I saw the field of dead Live Oaks at West End it broke my heart. I spent many hours playing in this area as a child. My Dad and uncle would take us kite flying at West End.
Your photos brought back so many lovely memories. Once my sister and her husband got their house in functioning order, one of the first things they did was replant.
Nequals1 @ 142
Lessee now, you have people who are poor or low income, you have programs that help them become less poor so they have more money and pay more taxes , so, to finance your tax cuts for the extremely wealthy, you cut the programs serving the poor.
Yep, makes perfect sense – if you live in Bushland.
In the real world, it’s nonsense. (Tells you more than you want to know about Bush’s view of the world!)
Balrog @ 46
Interesting, as I began reading this comment, Ritchie came on the radio singing “Donna.”
I remember seeing Ritchie Valens on Bandstand with a group that included a guy using a stand-up bass, singing this song. The TV had an eight inch screen and was a huge boxy thing. Through the years I always remember that afternoon when I hear this song or hear Ritchie’s name. I think it was sometime in late 58 when I was 8.
Citizen Jane @ 167
Oh, that’s a tough one; my son has always wanted the real stuff, not anything too simplistic. I think The Little Guides book on Birds is a decent compromise, not as detailed, but smaller, lots of pictures, would grow with her if she’s interested in the topic. National Audubon Society also has a First Field Guide, but I haven’t seen it, might be worth checking out. But I’d encourage giving her a pair of binoculars with it, little child sized ones. It worked for me, still have my pair given to me on my eighth birthday; my son still uses them. (They gave me a copy of the real Audubon field guide then, too, but it’s a bit much for a 4-year-old.)
I think the reason that Tillman caught the interest of the White House was not just that he was high-profile and a potential PR disaster, but that this affected the sports world and their real interests. Dubya and the male-dominated Congress have spent far too much time on sports during the last 6 years compared to other problems our nation faces; look at how much time they’ve spent on steroid use, instead of on the destruction and reconstruction of one of our oldest and largest cities, New Orleans. But then they have a personal interest in one, and not so in the other.
Agh. Just pisses me off. This is why they want to hide the Tillman papers — the VOLUME of papers tells us a lot already, that they were far too interested in one story rather than about the entire war itself. This is not to demean the Tillman family’s concerns; I imagine I’d be as outraged in their shoes. But they could have handled Tillman’s death easily, graciously, had they been honest and forthright in the White House, with only a few handfuls of paper. It takes a mound of paper to create a coverup.
Bob Geiger @ 68
happy birthday, Sammy! Enjoy these years, Bob, they’re the best.
Scarecrow @ 154
A sinfully late-morning “Hi” to you Scarecrow. Sounds as if you feel today the way I do most mornings. This is a fast crowd, heh.
I should feel guilty. You, however, should not. Your fingers are probably still smoking from all those incredible posts you sent to the Lake recently. Wonderful stuff. Thanks!
and, yes, folks like Bill Moyers give us hope, for sure. ;->
Bluetoe @ 189
More dircect LINK
Rayne (do hope you’re still here) -
Sorry to be so late in responding; had unexpected company come to the door. Thank you SO much for the great suggestions…….will incorporate those I can with this batch and copy all your ideas for future reference. I *knew* the Lake would have the collective knowledge. :-)
Adie @ 198
I second that, Adie! And Happy Anniversary! (I lost you on a thread – do you still have your goats? How I miss having them around – if they aren’t the comedians of the animal world….)
Rayne @ 146
Morning! Good pic! Try Purple Gallinule ;->
Another bit of the Bush legacy. Cranking up the cold war again.
MOSCOW – Russia on Saturday suspended its participation in a key European arms control treaty that governs deployment of troops on the continent, the Kremlin said, a move that threatened to further aggravate Moscow’s already tense relations with the West.
Putin has in the past threatened to freeze his country’s compliance with the treaty, accusing the United States and its NATO partners of undermining regional stability with U.S. plans for a missile defense system in former Soviet bloc countries in Eastern Europe.
Quakergirl @193, you are welcome. If you like the new orleans sky and can view windows media player file, take a look at this.
AP – President Bush took his critics to task Saturday for using the poor marks the Iraqi government received on a progress report this week as reason to argue that the war is lost.
Lindy @ 187
Please do. Appreciate it. They only stay open until 8:30. I’ll try from the back tomorrow morning and report back. Thanks.
dakine01 @ 118
Ah, yes, I remember reading EVERYTHING in the Black Stallion series. Funny that I don’t have any of those books here…thanks, dakine, might be worth the blast from the past to read them together.
solai @ 124
Heh. My son has watched the movie Indian in the Closet so often that he knows the entire script word-for-word. I think we’ll check outh the next two, sound very promising, thanks!
aliasofwestgate @ 125
Nice suggestions, might be very appealing to my daughter. And yes, I agree about the old fairy tales; the Hans Christian Anderson ones are definitely NOT for kids alone, dramatic and violent…but the precursor for so much contemporary work, like the darker Series of Unfortunate Events.
Christy. I’d say Morning, but I better hurry. Running late today…
One of my favorite things is the memories that come forth when I read your little notes of life with the Peanut. It’s a real warm-&-fuzzy-moment-maker. Trust me, you’ll never regret a second of that time. Neither will she.
Please give her a hug for us. ;->
Some more compassionate conservatism.
A nationally lauded program that has helped thousands of mentally ill homeless men and women break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization, jail time and street life is now on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s list of budget cuts.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 205
Here, you can borrow this. *hands icepack thru the toobz*
Now get that pillow. Lean back and close your eyes. There y’go. ;->
ccmask, i tried, but I wasn’t able to accomplish much. I’m learning to work with channels. Maybe I can use this as a learning project.
Thanks Lindy. And, for those wondering where Condi has been:
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice commended the WNBA All-Stars for their perseverance and achievement, and encouraged them to get involved in global initiatives for health, poverty and social equality.
Rice expressed an admiration for female basketball players “who could sweat and get dirty on the court, maybe even swear a little bit, and look like they were playing sports.”
Good morning, everyone!
Rayne – I hope we get some of those sprinkles/rain over in my neck of thewoods. My grass is so brown (when I came back from vacation, it was fried).
I’m having a very slow morning: slept in, drinking some very good Colombian coffee, and I’m roasting up some espresso beans. I’m very relaxed, kitty on lap, when the smoke detector starts roaring. Kitty launches, I launch & grab it. Whenever I roast coffee in the morning before I’ve finished my first cuppa joe, I forget to turn off the smoke detector. So, I’m awake now.
I’m going to a Bastille Day party tonight, and I’m supposed to bring something “cold and yummy to drink”. I was going to make Thai lemongrass lemonade, but I’d have to cook it here and transport it complete. I don’t have a pitcher with a completely sealable lid, the party is about an hour away, and I’m worried it would spill, giving me a lemongrass car. So, any suggestions for a good French concoction I could take to the party and assemble there?
Rayne @ 207:
I read all of the Black Stallion books as well. I think that may have been what started me on the path of “well I liked this book by the author, what else has s/he written that I might like?”
You might check your public library for them. Or at least for the first one, since the movie still gets play on AMC and such.
Gotta run. L8tr
ccmask @ 212
Sports Illustrated this week had her at Tiger Wood’s DC area golf tournament last weekend where she offered Phil Mickelson a tour of the State Dept.
Kevster @ 180
That would explain the total lack of any pretense to be governed by the Constitution or Law. If John Roberts has told Fred Fielding that the SCOTUS will now “certify” the actions of the unitary executive then we are really screwed. Winning 11 Senate seats and the Presidency will be crucial to the survival of “our” form of government.
Anyone need some rain? We got 2″ yesterday here at the house, on top of all the rest. We’re saturated. And imagine the humidity. It’s going to be in the 90’s today. The Red River is up. Way up. I feel like I’m living in tropical rain forest. I love it!
New thread upstairs…
The cardinals are out in force this morning. Counted twelve around the feeder and the bird bath. There was a also a rather large bobcat in the back yard up next to the barn. She comes here two or three time a week.
Nequals1 at 201
Oops! That was awhile ago. I’ve only been able to bounce around the threads these days. Drought continues here, and hummers have babies so it feels as if I’m making nectar 24/7! (Cardinal Climber flowers about to bloom, thank heaven. That’ll help.)
Thankyou for the good wishes. We always have a good time together, and we spent so many years having to alter our schedule to fit everyone else’s idea of “normal”, that we’re used to celebrating whenever we have an opportunity feel like it, heh.
No. No more goats. We miss them, but we don’t miss the work, and being tied down by the milking schedule. I remember one time we tried to take a little camping vacation with our “people”-kids (ahem). I ended up driving 3 hrs/day every day, to & from the campground, just to milk the gals. Some vacation(!?!) Yes, occasionally we were able to find an unusually-talented house-sitter, but that was a rare event, & too expensive for our budget. I was a stay-at-home mom/subsistence farmer-type, so we somehow made it on one paycheck.
Yes, we just loved the goats, and they were every bit as loving as any dog. Sweet, sweet animals, and gorgeous – brightly colored Alpines, and playful? Oh my! Yep. Good memories. The extra babies were sold as pets, never any problem finding people willing to pay whatever they had to for a companion for their horses, or just a fun 4-legged friend.
from http://www.chris-floyd.com/
Seems the Democrats are resoundingly going to choose…complicity!
not a surprise, but will they be made to pay a price, any price at all?
or is the codependency of the left with the (D) party so strong it will withstand any indignity and betrayal?
time for an antiwar, green movement that forms an electoral structure in its wake, and dispenses with the useless quagmire of (D) party politicking.
The Republican Party was once the anti-slavery party – they lost the first few times, then 6 years later they were the party of Lincoln.
dakine01 @ 214
My Friend Flicka? Misty of Chincoteague? ;->
New thread.
We’ve been around nature a bit more than we’de hope. We love the outdoors but our home took on new residents -bats. Although normally harmless, one was found dead on our property and it tested positive for rabies.
It has not been a fun week working with the City Public Health and service providers on this matter. Although, many have tried to be extremely helpful, it’s been a bit of a challenge to address all the related concerns when you have a rabies positive on your property. By the way, it is expensive to deal with from all perspectives… So this fall, bat proof your homes!
Anyway, if you want a good read on Bush language and RNC language for a change of pace go here.
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Cake
Cream together: 1 stick of butter, 1/2 c. packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar.
Add and beat well after each: 2 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla and 2 Tbs. molasses.
Mix in separate bowl: 1/3 c. dark cocoa, 1 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. baking soda.
Prepare 2/3 c. of hot cocoa.
Alternately add flour mix and cocoa to egg and butter mixture.
Fold in 6 oz. mini dark chocolate chips.
Bake in a 350 degree oven: for 2 9 in. layers- 30-35 minutes.
Frost with chocolate butter cream frosting and a sprinkle of chips on top.
Happy Bastille Day
Deep in EPU territory, but what the heck.
My cheery news? My fight with the electric company ended in my favor!
This whole parents/publishers thing of looking for the next Harry Potter…. Let’s hope they remember one of the key ingredients in JK Rowling’s success: she wrote children’s stories that didn’t talk down to children, which is what made them enjoyable for children and adults.
bookwoman @ 20: Congratulations on your anniversary!
Bob @ 68: Happy Birthday to Sammy! I remember that same queasy feeling as each of mine turned 10.
TiredFed @ 121
May the Force be with you! Been through it twice, one more to go. It’s a wonder I don’t fall apart at the mere mention of driver’s ed.
JEP @ 152
Just like when friends and family bring food over after the death of a loved one, and the conversation over the dinner table turns to laughing remembrances, we here at the Lake take a few hours every Saturday to walk on the lighter side.
Good food, good friends – it’s what gets you through the bad times.
Adie @ 181: Congratulations!
Malcolm, that sounds delish. Printed it out to add to the collection.
Adie @ 185
I’m still on centraltime; besides, that lightspeed thing is hard on us photons, always trying to keep up with the wave…
Redd:
I don’t know if you’ve read the Little House books in your adult life. But I think Laura Ingalls Wilder was one of the last century’s deepest souls. It’s hard to describe how deep those books go, although they tend to get ignored because they sit on the shelf marked for children.
Was anyone ever better at crafting a beginning, middle and end? I’d recommend starting weith the second book, Little House on the Prairie, only because the first book (In the Big Woods) was meant to be a one-time, stand-alone book about how-we-lived-back-then, and was therefore less strong on narrative.
I was lucky. When I was teaching fifth grade, one of my kids left the final book in the series (The Final Four Years) in her desk at the end of the year. Before I took it back to the library, I stole a glance, then read it…
EPU’d but oh well. Every Friday I read Bouphonia’s Friday Hope Blogging which I highly recommend.
Thru that linked to this story & blog: “After having to drop out of school due to lack of funds, William Kamkwamba from Malawi decided to learn as much as he could from books that had been donated to his primary school’s library. One of the books detailed how to build a windmill that generated enough electricity.”
Bay State Librul @ 57
Count on it!
Hey guys. Finally got to a book, & I was dead-wrong about the birdie at 202.
please forgive,
and try Common Moorhen, which I believe someone else suggested upthread.
Gorgeous picture, ccmask! ;->
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 231
what’s with this “oh well” bidness, heh?! ;->
Try as you might, you can’t be epu’d from “pull up a chair.”
Thanks for the tips. Always looking for a good read.
PA Lady 227
Thanks much. That was a very sweet post, scooping up all those thots together. ;->
and JEP
If it makes you feel any better, I can’t keep up either. But that doesn’t make any difference. I mean, people do have other lives besides blogging, eh.
Yes! I am positive your thoughts are read, and greatly appreciated around here. Keep ‘um comin’.
how about the federalist papers for the boy king’s summer reading?
not
*g*
EPU’d bigtime,
Summer soup, Spanish style –
GAZPACHO
testing little blue f thingie in epu land
:)
Mmmmmmmmmm, gazpachohhhhhhhh!
bob at 230 — Love the Little House books. And agree with you on Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her life stories parallel a lot of what my great grandmother lived, coming by covered wagon into WV with her family when she was a girl. We’ve already started reading the Little House stories to The Peanut and she loves them. Still have my original boxed set that my grandparents bought me for Christmas when I was four. :)