tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53179148377681822412024-02-21T00:07:13.200-08:00A Day In The Life Of EllenHi! Look For Updates about my everyday, but comedic life!<br> Hope you enjoy!Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-17672044706997855062010-11-07T07:52:00.000-08:002010-11-25T07:50:48.390-08:00Community Projects<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I am currently working on two community projects this year that I'd like to share. You don't have to have a lot of money to make a big difference in someone's life. Just an opportunity and a little creativity.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Scarves for the Homeless Project</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A friend on Twitter has befriended a group of homeless folks here in town. As we head into cold season they need warm things to wear when temperatures dip. I know many people that knit or crochet and we are always complaining at the amount of leftover project yarn we have laying around unused, so I organized a group of several of us and we have started making scarves with it to donate to my friend who will get them to his friends.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you don't know a group of these people in your area, I am sure that your local homeless shelters would be more than happy to take and distribute donations. Don't knit or crochet? Consider hitting the fabric store and buy a 60 inch length of fleece. Cut it into widths of about 5.5 inches wide and voila! No-sew scarves.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This will be a constant need through the winter I am sure as these people are very transient and there are always new faces showing up at the shelters.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">**UPDATE (11/18/10): Since initial post the number in need has risen to over a thousand. I am in desperate need of help. I need volunteer knitters/crocheters and donations of fleece and yarn.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>**UPDATE (11/25/10) Please see list added below this post. These are items that the camps are in need of. A wish list. Please consider a donation of any of these items to get these folks through the winter. I do have a safe drop location and will be dropping off donated items once a week so they can be distributed.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">My Family's Christmas Plan for the Central Food Bank</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I first introduced this idea to my family last year and it was such a huge success that it's the plan again for this year. It used to be a pain to buy for all the adult members of my family for Christmas gifts. A pain because we are all thankfully able to buy what we want or need and so it was usually just a round of the exchange of cash or gift cards when we did our holiday gathering.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Although we will be buying gifts for the kids to open, we take all of the Christmas budgets for the adults, pool it together and then make a large donation to the Central Virginia Food Bank. In a couple of weeks my mom, my sister and I will meet up somewhere for lunch, write our checks and put them in a sealed envelope together. None of us know what amount was donated by the other and we get a pleasant time together and get the satisfaction of knowing that we are giving other folks something to eat in a time when so many are going hungry.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our holiday gathering, we draw one name each and limit the gift purchase to $5 so everyone still has something to open. Most creative gift with the $5 wins a prize.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Consider giving back to your community this winter season. It really feels good to give from the heart.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Wish List of Donation Items:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Clothing:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Hats, gloves, coats, long johns, heavy socks, underwear, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, scaves and booots and shoes.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Camping:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Backpacks, heavy trash bags for wet weather, blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights, batteries, radios, lanterns, canned goods, instant coffee and tea bags, water pots, frying pans, dark tarps, tupperware/ziploc bags and rope/string.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Hygene:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Towels and wash cloths, soap, lotion, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine products, condoms and cold medicine.</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-54291346466972405692010-05-06T15:51:00.000-07:002010-05-06T16:15:06.209-07:00Help Your Local Food Bank<span style="font-size:130%;">As we move into the gardening season I have to admit that I start to get excited. After a long winter of greenhouse produce there is finally a whole lot of REALLY fresh stuff available. It's one of my favorite times of the year when the Farmer's Market finally opens up downtown.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We take full advantage of local produce in our house and it is not unheard of for me to walk into the office on a Monday to find that a coworker has brought in excess bounty from their backyard garden. Zucchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes...the list goes on.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I also think of those less fortunate though who hardly ever have such access to fresh produce because they rely on the local food bank for their food needs, most of which is strictly canned and packaged.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Most people don't know that many food banks will accept donations of local produce. I encourage you to get in touch with yours if you do garden. If they accept these gifts put in an extra tomato plant or two and donate your harvest. It'll make you feel good and help give back to the community.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-82558088585704839722010-04-11T14:28:00.000-07:002010-04-11T17:28:56.114-07:00Helping a Friend<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Below is a guest post from a friend of mine, written by her as she faces foreclosure due to prior health and employment problems. To visit her original post with links (I'm not sure why they don't all work...I am still trying to figure this out) please visit </span></strong><a href="http://www.lalayu.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">www.lalayu.com</span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Every little bit can help her and her family. Let's show some Twitter Love and spread the word.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>From @lalayu:</strong><br /><br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Where do I start?</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t know why it never occurred to me to do this before. But I was tweeting this morning about working on my taxes, and I mentioned all I had lost trying to save our home…and a writer named Beth Wareham who tweets as </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/powerofno"><span style="font-size:130%;">@PowerofNo </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">responded to me, sparking a tweetstream soliciting donations to help raise money to save my home. I explained that it wasn’t just one months mortgage payment but closer to $42k that I needed. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When I first started on Twitter, my intention was to gather information about foreclosure and loan modifications, and to educate myself on the best way to go about trying to save my home. What has happened in a year is completely different from anything I ever expected. I have connected with others who have helped me helped me look for a solution, vent about the obstacles I face, and celebrate every tiny victory I have had along the way. Working to save my home dominated my life, and become almost a full-time job…..the connections I have made helped me start living instead of worrying. For the first time in a long time: I felt energetic and excited, and could see beyond the doomsday foreclosure. We have a long way to go before we save our home, but the idea that life can go on regardless of what happens, resounds to me in the echo that the Twitter community provides on the daily. Here I am, a year later…. humble and thankful for the real friendship, inspiration, and pep talks that got me from there to here. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My hardship letter hasn’t worked with my mortgage company, maybe it will help on the web. I feel like I have to preface my request for </span><a href="http://lalayu.wordpress.com/stay-at-homeless-mom/"><span style="font-size:130%;">donations</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and help with a little more about my story. The easiest way is a timeline.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">March 2007 I was diagnosed with a bone tumor in my knee. It’s an uncommon condition called Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). The surgery was invasive & left me with a foot long incision in my left leg. It took me months to walk again and I used most of my sick leave. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: Current </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">April 2007 I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I was hospitalized for exhaustion several times, and went into heart failure right before I gave birth to Olive. (I was diagnosed with a heart disease ten years earlier when when I was 22 years old.) <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: Current</span> </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">January 2008, I lost my job because of my employers leave policy. My cardiologist said they would help me file for short term disability, the HR office said I would quailify for unemployment. I was sick, tired, still in heart failure, had a newborn, and was suffering from postpartum depression. I did not file for any of it. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: Payments deferred for six months.</span> </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">March of 2008, my mother asked me to take over and close our family business, which my mother ran for 26 years. She was ill and ready to retire. They have legal custody of my two nieces, (my sister is unable to care for them) ages 12 & 15 at the time. They asked if I could take them and I agreed. This is how I ended up with five kids. I have a son, a stepdaughter, a daughter, and two nieces. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: Subprime adjustable went up approx $400, we could not make payment. </span></span></p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><p><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">August 2008 to May 2009, I returned to work part-time. With five kids — one in daycare, the money I made wasn’t even close to what we needed, and most went to the cost of childcare. Balancing it all started to take a toll on my health and I left my job to try and figure out how to work for myself from home doing consulting and promotion. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: We started our first loan mod, made payments & then they wanted a balloon payment. We couldn’t afford it. We started it again. </span></span><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">May 2009 to Present: I have an established clientele. I have four of the five kids full time, serve as home base for the different sets of co-parents, try my best not to get hospitalized again, and I work….as much as I can. Even if I worked full-time…it’s not enough to catch up on how far we fell behind. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mortgage: We have been under review for modification several times since we fell behind in March 2007. We have tried two different programs and are now under review for third. The first two times, it failed because of balloon payment requirement. The third time it failed because my husbands salary dropped dramatically for six months. Calling and waiting, waiting and calling. I think our mortgage company knows less about what is going on than we do. The problem I have is one lots of people are going through. A series of posts on my “progress” with our mortgage company is here. </span></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Like most of American families, I make difficult and humble choices to make ends meet. My experience with illness has taught me to be thankful, creative, and balanced. If we can catch up on our mortgage payments, we won’t have to continue to live in limbo while we negotiate a loan modification. I want to raise $42k or as much as possible to bring us current. I haven’t filed for bankruptcy, haven’t applied for welfare, haven’t filed for unemployment. While these resources are available to me, I simply can’t feel good about it, when I know there are others who need it more than me. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">What followed the mentions by </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/powerofno"><span style="font-size:130%;">@PowerofNo </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">was a list of suggestions from others on what I could do to help raise money…a list of incredible suggestions that I plan to follow up on. Until then, thank you so much for the donations that you have sent, the ideas that you have shared with me, and the generosity that I continue to find in all of you.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you have extra, I would appreciate it…if you don’t? I appreciate you still. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Peace.</span></p>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-29492698219057376432010-03-17T16:14:00.000-07:002010-03-17T16:39:17.596-07:00Irish Eyes Are Smiling At Our Dinner Today<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMBQVv53V7R0-bE7HGFsk3R7DrvEGLp62-jxhElYZ4A71RsceX34oScwrsdX4d6sBJr4fndmJ_cZTNH20UXw1UklYA4O5qYTYIi13QGCJNMY2sFYhomHtrONckPEpyMNy-5fCqxv7638/s1600-h/IMG00328.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449746457768601506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMBQVv53V7R0-bE7HGFsk3R7DrvEGLp62-jxhElYZ4A71RsceX34oScwrsdX4d6sBJr4fndmJ_cZTNH20UXw1UklYA4O5qYTYIi13QGCJNMY2sFYhomHtrONckPEpyMNy-5fCqxv7638/s320/IMG00328.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">So this is a crazy easy recipe, but it was requested a couple of times on Twitter so I am happy to oblige. I like to share. I don't know why it's not made more than just around St. Patrick's Day here in the US.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Corned Beef And Cabbage Dinner</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 corned beef brisket with spices (they are usually vacuum packed in the meat section of the grocery store)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 lbs baby carrots</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 small head of green cabbage cut in wedges</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Remove corned beef from package and place in a large stockpot with the juices from the package. Open and add the spices from the packet. Cover the brisket with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and simmer for two hours.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Add potatoes and carrots. Bring back to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer 20 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Add cabbage and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to about medium and continue to cook for an additional 20 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The trick to the corned beef with the spice packet is that you should need no additional seasoning until it is served (salt and pepper on the vegetables to taste and can be passed at the table to suit individual taste).</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Enjoy!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</p><br /><br /></span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-70621862155119566372010-02-07T08:10:00.000-08:002010-02-07T09:13:22.925-08:00Lessons Relearned...<span style="font-size:130%;">When I was in high school I had a very wide variety of friends. Don't get me wrong, I definitely had an inner core of friends, but I also sought people out from outside our little circle who seemed interesting to me and I was glad I had the opportunity to get to know them. Those people came from all kinds of different "clique" groups and made for an eclectic little mix of people to talk to about a wide range of things.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It was the same thing when I went to college. I joined a sorority my freshman year. The girls in my sorority were fabulous, but I again found myself not only looking to them to bond with but also friendships outside of that circle. All of the people I interacted with enriched my college experience to some extent and for that I am forever grateful. I was an Anthropology major in college and that fostered an interest in me to learn about different people, cultures and beliefs.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In the corporate world, it is somewhat compulsory to practice this because of course you cannot choose your co-workers. Most of my friends since college have been gained through work relationships and unfortunately with a child and a busy job I have not had much opportunity to branch outside of my work friends to seek new relationships to cultivate, something I sorely missed.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In the early days of "internet" relationships, AOL was the big thing. I explored, but found the chat rooms to mainly be a conduit to practice pickup lines with no way for a meaningful conversation to take place. I did not stay long.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Classmates came along next, and although a good way to find old pals, unless you exchanged personal email addresses it provided no real way to stay in touch.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It was a while before Facebook came on board. Although much better than Classmates, I was still pretty much only limited to reconnecting with old friends and getting status updates. Chats were mostly boring (I disabled the feature, in fact, so no one knows when I am online). I needed more and I wanted more.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It wasn't until I checked out Twitter early last year that I finally found the ability to once again build a network of friendships that is diverse and satisfying. I'm pretty picky about who I follow. I like a good conversationalist, someone who has a sense of humor and someone who enriches my Twitter experience. Some of my friends follow other friends in a group, but there are some that I follow who don't know anyone else that I know at all. Each and every one though has sparked an interest in me and has qualities that I like in a person.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We don't all have to get along. We don't always have to agree. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I try to look at how someone treats me as a person. I tend to keep out of negative conversations that don't involve me and because of that, I have forged ahead with some really great followers.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In a way, Twitter is kind of like high school. There will always be groups battling each other. That's a fact of life. I try to look beyond all of that to see the potential of the real person underneath. I am grateful that Twitter has taught me that life's lesson all over again.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-66349502479009821662010-01-03T08:24:00.000-08:002010-01-03T10:13:29.285-08:00The True Meaning of Friendship<span style="font-size:130%;">I grew up in a typical, middle class suburb of Richmond, VA. For the first three grades of elementary school I attended a private Catholic school. When my parents moved, they gave my sister and I a decision to make. Do you want to continue at private school or would you rather attend public school? Hint: If given the opportunity to not have to wear a uniform to school, what do you think your average 3rd grader is going to choose?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was amazed at how many activities were available to me in public school. There was a club or a class for just about any interest imaginable. After seeing it all my first year, I decided I wanted to take violin in the 4th grade, so my mother signed me up for the class. That was where I met Karen.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Karen was a shy, quiet girl but because the strings class was so small (gee, I wonder why) we became fast friends and were virtually inseparable at school. We hung out together at lunch and at recess and introduced each other to our circles of friends.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There was one thing about Karen that made her "different" from the other kids at school, although I didn't really see it with my 4th grade eyes. Karen was one of about four "black" children at our mostly "white" elementary school. I didn't notice it because she was my friend.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We graduated from elementary school and after having the summer off, I started off to junior high. I arrived my first day, but Karen was nowhere to be found. Our circle of friends asked around, thinking she may have moved to another school district. She was being raised by a single mother and they had moved before. However, after checking with a few of our former classmates at other schools, no one had seen her. I didn't hear from her again until...</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Fast forward about 35 years. I was sitting in my office one afternoon at work and I received an email. Upon opening it, the sender was asking me if I was the Ellen from strings class at Chalkley Elementary School. The sender was Karen. She had found me through my maiden name posted on my college alma mater's website. I was absolutely thrilled. So thrilled that when I went home that afternoon and told my daughter about it we dragged out my elementary school yearbook from the attic so I could show her Karen's picture.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We exchanged several emails and it became clear to me how much my friendship with her meant, even though I hadn't known it at the time. I never knew how she felt like an outsider at her own school. The fact that she remembered me and sought me out after so many years just absolutely floored me. Her mother had moved to the northern part of the state after elementary school, and Karen had to start all over again in what are probably some of the most difficult years of trying to win acceptance among your peers.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Karen lives in another state now, but we remain in contact (she's even on Twitter!). She and her husband still have family here though. About four years ago, she and her family were coming to town for a funeral and we made arrangements to meet for breakfast. I took my daughter, who was about the same age that Karen and I were the first time we met. The morning came and I was SO excited to see her.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She finally walked into the restaurant and I looked at her and she looked at me and it was just like we were kids again. After huge hugs and introductions all around we eased right back into our friendship and sat down to break bread with our families. We laughed over old times and caught up on the new and we were both disappointed when our short time together came to an end.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I guess there are several points to this blog entry.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1. My belief is that prejudice against any so-called "group" of people (whether it be race, religion, sexual orientation etc.) is taught by example. Children do not know prejudice until it is introduced to them by others.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2. True friendships really do last a lifetime. Cherish them.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3. You never know how your actions affect the lives of others. Be kind. It may come back to bless you in ways that you never dreamed.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I love you Karen. Thanks for teaching me so many valuable life lessons. You truly are my oldest and dearest friend and I am so very proud to know you.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-71790705239099255492010-01-02T10:50:00.001-08:002010-01-02T11:33:18.225-08:00Toys For Tots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT4xRZku7uBQpbO6LRYm9irJmk9_a60fkS3pMj4XosLi4_B0WUjzxearqEseQ0zUF4eu9946lx3AuPjmoJAnTFnma7gkGmXvH_u90_tRMqtjkDLfYCl7bbUsFRgow6f-6ok8BpBtQne0/s1600-h/IMG00280.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422217018855819426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT4xRZku7uBQpbO6LRYm9irJmk9_a60fkS3pMj4XosLi4_B0WUjzxearqEseQ0zUF4eu9946lx3AuPjmoJAnTFnma7gkGmXvH_u90_tRMqtjkDLfYCl7bbUsFRgow6f-6ok8BpBtQne0/s320/IMG00280.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">I know a single pencil is an odd picture for the subject line of this post, but you will soon understand why I used it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As Christmas has past and all of the kiddies are enjoying new toys (and no doubt have them strewn all over the house) I thought I would share a childhood memory of mine that is as crystal clear in my mind as if it were yesterday.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When my sister and I were little we lived for Sunday evenings when Mutual of Omaha and the Wonderful World of Disney came on TV. Mom would get us bathed and dressed in our pajamas early enough so that we could watch the Shasta soft drink sponsored programs before we went to bed.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One particular Sunday, my sister and I had made a complete and total mess of the living room. After bathtime and dinnertime and before our shows came on, my mother and father asked us to tidy up our toys from the living room and get them into their proper places. My sister and I both balked and continued to play despite their warnings about what would happen if we didn't.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We abandoned everything when our shows came on and went to bed leaving the living room a hot mess. We awoke the next morning to find that the living room was completely clean and there was no sign of anything we had left out the night before. We went to school completely unsuspecting and came home that afternoon only to discover that we could not find anything anywhere.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My sister and I asked our mother where our playthings were and she responded nonchalantly that she and my dad had thrown them out the night before after we had gone to bed because we hadn't cleaned them up as we had been asked. My sister and I were dumbfounded. All of the crayons, the blocks, the Barbies, the tea sets....all GONE?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For the next several nights, my sister and I braved it out. We played with the "second choice" toys that had been left in our rooms that Sunday night. We colored in our coloring books with pencils (you see where I'm going with that picture now, right?). Finally, our little hearts just couldn't take it anymore and we cried over the loss of our beloved playthings.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The next morning we woke up and were having breakfast at the kitchen table. Our father entered the room with a massive garbage bag and opened it. We squealed with delight to see everything that had been all over the floor in our living room. We asked how he had gotten it and he told us that he had rushed to the junkyard and had managed to procure the bag just as the junkman was getting ready to toss it into the incinerator. Our father was our HERO!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, now I know that the things were just stored in the attic to teach us a lesson. And what a valuable lesson we learned.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO<br /></span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-49434044961031604812009-12-18T15:23:00.000-08:002009-12-18T15:51:11.052-08:00Employers....Your Attention Please....<span style="font-size:130%;">I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Unemployment rates are at an all-time high. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Layoffs continue to happen in both small companies and corporate giants.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">People are draining their savings and retirement in order to live.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Families are being forced into homelessness and hunger.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Yes, it's an economic crisis of gargantuan proportion.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, here is something you can do to help.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Unemployed folks are out there capable of doing work, begging for work and they would make some excellent employees. The problem is these capable potential employees are being turned away at the door when they apply because they are deemed to be "overqualified" for the positions they are applying for. For this reason, I think you should overlook a person's past job history for the time being and have you just look at the candidate applying.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I know what you are thinking. "How can we expect to retain this person after the crisis is over when their work history is so above the position that they are applying for?" Well, that's exactly my point. We need to get those willing to work BACK TO WORK. They will thank you with a loyal and consistent work ethic, I guarantee, if given the chance. That's all they want and it is what they deserve.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">You are only fueling your own increases in unemployment tax rates in not doing exactly that. Just my two cents on the unemployment situation. Take it or leave it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-36914282550024920542009-12-12T16:36:00.000-08:002009-12-12T17:21:56.816-08:00Souper Creation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pzv2GwbC7fahc9YdmYCHF5nyxAs-699N9Pj5UJsssaHfe0p8puNRd4AWOwGdsrGHKlB4VybXnQn2-O-aCpy6IfwQSwJtJf2AEcmRdK5oih5sKU4C4oDJLJsuO4dQsDVehGGXNlKKKBc/s1600-h/IMG00208.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414513499853058850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pzv2GwbC7fahc9YdmYCHF5nyxAs-699N9Pj5UJsssaHfe0p8puNRd4AWOwGdsrGHKlB4VybXnQn2-O-aCpy6IfwQSwJtJf2AEcmRdK5oih5sKU4C4oDJLJsuO4dQsDVehGGXNlKKKBc/s320/IMG00208.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">In a previous post I discussed how easy it is to play around with soup recipes depending on what you have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">onhand</span> in the kitchen. It's actually really easy to have a nice homemade soup dinner on the table with minimal prep and through the use of a few convenience products.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It got REALLY cold here this week and it was just me and my daughter here for dinner tonight so I became inspired this morning and decided to rummage my pantry and refrigerator to whip up something that would be comforting when she got home after being out for the afternoon.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">BTW...this will feed the three of us for a couple of days and I will probably have some left to freeze to take for lunches down the road. If you are feeding a crowd, throw the pasta in for the recommended cooking period. If you plan on having leftovers the next day I recommend boiling the pasta separately and just add it to the dish before reheating. If you store the pasta in the soup in the refrigerator it will bloat and soak up all of the broth. Not so yummy.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So this is what I came up with. Since it is kind of like a minestrone and the main ingredients are either red or green, I think I'll call it Ellen's Italian Holiday Soup. Welcome to the world. It was yummy and here is how I did it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 lb mild Italian bulk sausage</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, broken up and with juice</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 medium zucchini, split in half and sliced into 1 inch half moons</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">garbonzo</span> beans, drained</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 can red kidney beans, drained</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">32 oz box beef stock</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">64 oz tomato juice</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">10 oz bag fresh young spinach leaves</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 lb pasta (I used elbow macaroni since it was in the pantry, but you can use small shells or tube shaped pasta)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder to taste</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Form meatballs out of the sausage into small (approx 1 inch) balls. Bake at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes to remove some of the grease and to harden the outside so they don't break apart once added to the soup. They should be slightly browned.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In a large stockpot combine meatballs, tomatoes, zucchini, both cans of beans, beef stock, tomato juice and seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and simmer covered for about an hour. Add whole spinach leaves. Allow to simmer until wilted (if adding pasta to the pot do it during this step, otherwise, boil <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">separately</span> and add to bowls before ladling soup over pasta).</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-26000569863201352172009-11-24T13:54:00.000-08:002009-11-24T14:49:26.779-08:00Holiday Gifts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7M21NfJoh-_PdfeTaQnxdnsOfmacvbHk5Ts9cWIz5p1zNmuoMtfEzZdbd6P3g7HEAgHifz8t25kS1P4qA5XkS-vUGfUBmHUR-PdFcMNuvvLsfFIZLAY7gFiYAO3OOEwWZ-RXpigxkac/s1600/IMG00163.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407803973517648386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7M21NfJoh-_PdfeTaQnxdnsOfmacvbHk5Ts9cWIz5p1zNmuoMtfEzZdbd6P3g7HEAgHifz8t25kS1P4qA5XkS-vUGfUBmHUR-PdFcMNuvvLsfFIZLAY7gFiYAO3OOEwWZ-RXpigxkac/s320/IMG00163.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Gary and I (Gary my husband, not @Gary1980Arb from Twitter, although he started the idea rolling in my head) were sitting around about a week ago talking about holiday plans and what we'd like to do for our families for Christmas gifts this year. We go through the same routine every year and every year it becomes a more daunting task.<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Our families are lucky enough to be blessed during these difficult times. Everyone who is supposed to be employed has a job, we own our homes, are not facing any foreclosure crisis and have food to put on the table. We are pretty much able to afford what we want when we want it, so it makes the task of trying to figure out what to buy for gifts an impossibly complex and exhaustive process.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Then I remembered Gary's Twitter Food Drive idea (@Gary1980Arb this time) and the light bulb went on in my head. I devised a plan, presented it to my family and they are completely on board with it. Thus, our Christmas will be celebrated as follows...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We have agreed to take all of the Christmas budgets that we would have spent on the adult members of the family (the kids will have a completely "normal" Christmas) and pool it all together. The family matriarchs (mom, sister and me) will take the money and spend an afternoon in the grocery store stocking up on canned goods and dry goods which will then be delivered and donated to our local food bank.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">To make things fun and so that we all have something to open at our family get-together, we're going to draw names. Each person will have $5 to spend at a dollar store on the person they draw and there will be a competition for the most creative compiliations of the gift dollar store items!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We will feel very good giving to our community and to those who need some help this holiday season. Isn't that, after all, what Christmas is truly about?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-39885150451645194752009-11-22T08:39:00.000-08:002009-11-22T10:34:10.722-08:00Celebrate Good Times...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOewVTA0MRbE0wmdRedwlGdUMiWxr5SyoQh-xyXLfzbKcmJXUMIUERdCHEhH3aDRBa_ZBp4Id3op0adiYNhJyWJh-DCFW67KC5p6JCmhc79bbPZ_jzomzf948jA76lwSsoHYOEVS05xM/s1600/IMG00146.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406968703500809090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOewVTA0MRbE0wmdRedwlGdUMiWxr5SyoQh-xyXLfzbKcmJXUMIUERdCHEhH3aDRBa_ZBp4Id3op0adiYNhJyWJh-DCFW67KC5p6JCmhc79bbPZ_jzomzf948jA76lwSsoHYOEVS05xM/s400/IMG00146.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Please forgive me if this post seems self-absorbed. I warn you ahead of time it will also be lengthy as I have many pictures to share. :)<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We've had much good news about achievements in our house this week.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My teenage daughter tried out for and made the Winter Guard Squad at her high school. She tried out last year, but did not make it and is one of only two sophomores on the team this year. I am really proud of her. Winter Guard is like the Color Guard in the marching band (flag tossers), but Winter Guard actually performs to prerecorded music and competes. They also bring guns and sabers into the mix along with the flags. Yikes!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I also got a pleasant surprise at work. I have been promoted to an Assistant Vice President of the company.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It seemed that a mother-daughter celebration was in order, so I asked the teen if she would like to go to dinner. She thought the idea to be a good one so I asked her where she wanted to go, expecting an answer like Olive Garden or some other typical place. She said she wanted to go to Ruth's Chris. I looked at her for a moment in amazement and then threw caution to the wind. Why the heck not?<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">So this post is kind of to memorialize our evening out, but also to give those who have never been to Ruth's Chris steakhouse a glimpse of what you get inside. They truly, most certainly make the BEST STEAK EVER. No doubt.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ordering at the restaurant is kind of al a carte. The side dishes all can easily feed two people and most who go order steaks and split everything else. The teen and I decided not to do that when we got there. We decided we were going to order whatever we wanted. That resulted in bringing home two massive shopping bags of food which will be devoured again tonight. I can't wait for dinner.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ruth's Chris locations are generally unique. The one here in Richmond is in an old plantation house which is on the National Historic Homes Registry. So not only do you get awesome food, but you get an EXPERIENCE. The service is beyond excellent too. Staff is carefully screened and you really feel like you are a guest at a dinner party rather than sitting in a restaurant. The people who work there go the extra mile to be friendly and helpful.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, it IS very expensive to eat there (my steak alone was $35) but if you did the smart thing and shared on the sides, you can come out without too big a dent in the good old checkbook. We didn't do the smart thing last night and our bill with the tip included weighed in at around $230. But we were celebrating and we eat there maybe once a year and save it only for occasions which deserve something special.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">So, to share, here are some pictures of the restaurant and the incredible meal we had last night. I know. I'm such a geek.</span></div><br /><div>1. The outside of the restaurant; 2. One of the cocktail lounges<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa4kIryLpGgRsx0GF8Y614J6F74VGKvs4rWfmEZI6Z-jf-1ZS0kR1NEeDBkSqSg_HCxMbm13Jl7vOdvqRBRUg30Q_iyGTTAUaYu0rpsRYfaDQXZ0eV1sEMKrng9Fys0QNEU3qlp6Bxt8/s1600/IMG00147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406969911758352034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa4kIryLpGgRsx0GF8Y614J6F74VGKvs4rWfmEZI6Z-jf-1ZS0kR1NEeDBkSqSg_HCxMbm13Jl7vOdvqRBRUg30Q_iyGTTAUaYu0rpsRYfaDQXZ0eV1sEMKrng9Fys0QNEU3qlp6Bxt8/s200/IMG00147.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPpjYCneEyd6kShaF77AknH1mZaTYTdr3eGX2BWkQDG-uHEZ0RH6UEE4ShvIzuAEDwDWq0xESEB_9N8KO9mBIkR0WxdEHWQvzSU8vGwhDbfnL_eKpzVB7kUCnIBiq1MirKW-fMHaJRM/s1600/IMG00148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406971021576045570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPpjYCneEyd6kShaF77AknH1mZaTYTdr3eGX2BWkQDG-uHEZ0RH6UEE4ShvIzuAEDwDWq0xESEB_9N8KO9mBIkR0WxdEHWQvzSU8vGwhDbfnL_eKpzVB7kUCnIBiq1MirKW-fMHaJRM/s200/IMG00148.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPpjYCneEyd6kShaF77AknH1mZaTYTdr3eGX2BWkQDG-uHEZ0RH6UEE4ShvIzuAEDwDWq0xESEB_9N8KO9mBIkR0WxdEHWQvzSU8vGwhDbfnL_eKpzVB7kUCnIBiq1MirKW-fMHaJRM/s1600/IMG00148.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPpjYCneEyd6kShaF77AknH1mZaTYTdr3eGX2BWkQDG-uHEZ0RH6UEE4ShvIzuAEDwDWq0xESEB_9N8KO9mBIkR0WxdEHWQvzSU8vGwhDbfnL_eKpzVB7kUCnIBiq1MirKW-fMHaJRM/s1600/IMG00148.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>1. Our dining room; 2. Celebratory drinks...bloody mary for me, virgin daquiri for her</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl98-2JdnmlKzR8A227__u-rEs0raxtQm-r6Wtj8zZO-7bQVpjxEpKtYAK1e3BSbHV3ils5UaI0Ns9o3B4Hwr5yNcAcuOaisdqTnYgElxVFHhsbX9p4zsoS2PUoeUo3qcYlDmyEDLBi0/s1600/IMG00151.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406971315441812434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl98-2JdnmlKzR8A227__u-rEs0raxtQm-r6Wtj8zZO-7bQVpjxEpKtYAK1e3BSbHV3ils5UaI0Ns9o3B4Hwr5yNcAcuOaisdqTnYgElxVFHhsbX9p4zsoS2PUoeUo3qcYlDmyEDLBi0/s200/IMG00151.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzcb8xba0gBdrm9D9qkuKNs-PHHLixN5ErcAig4QO90_JbFCNtLSpnk6zD3sfxxzhYK8vXCwsJ57Y8U1ps9_TWG_81Ym8A0JrkTz8Gol_SWnUdPJYTimvipOw-MEg2hyphenhyphenigCXEZVLSZ-I/s1600/IMG00150.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406972235187625778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzcb8xba0gBdrm9D9qkuKNs-PHHLixN5ErcAig4QO90_JbFCNtLSpnk6zD3sfxxzhYK8vXCwsJ57Y8U1ps9_TWG_81Ym8A0JrkTz8Gol_SWnUdPJYTimvipOw-MEg2hyphenhyphenigCXEZVLSZ-I/s200/IMG00150.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Shrimp appetizers. 1. Shrimp cocktail for her; 2. Barbequed shrimp for me<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJBSszCjXtZdo_Wushk0N3uJuEXFyYAoEGMhNhtk8GQZJR2WB9ZAZcsB9Y7esyyx66exsp5FV64qJCHBzba73BADz7JFZA_x195Z64wpcw9EnX2w59YwTa7akm8yKBsgSt7eXzfDP4qg/s1600/IMG00152.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406974892125208722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJBSszCjXtZdo_Wushk0N3uJuEXFyYAoEGMhNhtk8GQZJR2WB9ZAZcsB9Y7esyyx66exsp5FV64qJCHBzba73BADz7JFZA_x195Z64wpcw9EnX2w59YwTa7akm8yKBsgSt7eXzfDP4qg/s200/IMG00152.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tMNyX0d_s_1FnUavVF5viXTWGK7kxb2I3343ATBd6QuEuvjX6z6APwe4ljS-l9cnuC-cxtjzOJuGijqxC9XfmI95wZvAO46KCYK3BOXPNVce8xkWgRIXQfvx-mHv9xPApkJFsMMkxrg/s1600/IMG00153.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406975037395823410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tMNyX0d_s_1FnUavVF5viXTWGK7kxb2I3343ATBd6QuEuvjX6z6APwe4ljS-l9cnuC-cxtjzOJuGijqxC9XfmI95wZvAO46KCYK3BOXPNVce8xkWgRIXQfvx-mHv9xPApkJFsMMkxrg/s200/IMG00153.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My steak and potato. The potatoes really do weigh a pound before they're baked!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCVmSl4AsVL0-2CKWsM1dVJRAqdDYp4GmM_vVxAk5Se_AK1B1gJefo7-3xFrBMn-POO3ziiHypqEbfF-muxy4uqv-onTu2Yw2-KGf-3sAuxEyZ21hHpTWm-PV4ylP_rMm9jH0wCwMvYQ/s1600/IMG00154.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406980465309271186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCVmSl4AsVL0-2CKWsM1dVJRAqdDYp4GmM_vVxAk5Se_AK1B1gJefo7-3xFrBMn-POO3ziiHypqEbfF-muxy4uqv-onTu2Yw2-KGf-3sAuxEyZ21hHpTWm-PV4ylP_rMm9jH0wCwMvYQ/s200/IMG00154.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcbUgzu-rMlWgUfKPrYVLIBJJzRXqTEhjZ1Q9zEun2kB36sNATiF3JJ3Ht0cXZZk-kC2nDWjyN1GB47ugBfCLM8Xknn1M1pwcBXyF6GL0bvHjF48wO0m79s00x-FCccIchgiWx06QUwY/s1600/IMG00156.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406980596106321954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcbUgzu-rMlWgUfKPrYVLIBJJzRXqTEhjZ1Q9zEun2kB36sNATiF3JJ3Ht0cXZZk-kC2nDWjyN1GB47ugBfCLM8Xknn1M1pwcBXyF6GL0bvHjF48wO0m79s00x-FCccIchgiWx06QUwY/s200/IMG00156.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>1. Asparagus hollandaise and spinach au gratin; 2. Savannah's dessert, a banana cream pie that was literally a mini whole pie. My dessert was not as interesting but my favorite so I didn't take a picture but I had the berries and sweet cream.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fm9_iqnDeVLE3CGEtSNJ8wsFTBc6MblS1gpcqeJFFODVZaLHHHmNexiS8UMn17Jc3l1NKJjOWMjOZEYCvRBkdvjNX2jy2gEZr3GE3wkxPlXgKGue9yWXMO6dcDS2fkvbngWIpt91pa4/s1600/IMG00155.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406981449644924786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fm9_iqnDeVLE3CGEtSNJ8wsFTBc6MblS1gpcqeJFFODVZaLHHHmNexiS8UMn17Jc3l1NKJjOWMjOZEYCvRBkdvjNX2jy2gEZr3GE3wkxPlXgKGue9yWXMO6dcDS2fkvbngWIpt91pa4/s200/IMG00155.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_6wtSzd7Bcb7r1IcLnPfZE4arA3ZnIzh8BfBwOQZl0G2ghAOYX3aa6hK6ypxQ9RKgkSgUe7G2AKqZbopzQrOfsp9oPEVUUYegZIaWRf38EouJPftD8YO_7cVY8G6uqJlGPNdEcQ83TU/s1600/IMG00157.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406981780288230338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_6wtSzd7Bcb7r1IcLnPfZE4arA3ZnIzh8BfBwOQZl0G2ghAOYX3aa6hK6ypxQ9RKgkSgUe7G2AKqZbopzQrOfsp9oPEVUUYegZIaWRf38EouJPftD8YO_7cVY8G6uqJlGPNdEcQ83TU/s200/IMG00157.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed!</div></div><div></div><div>Ellen</div><div>XOXO</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPpjYCneEyd6kShaF77AknH1mZaTYTdr3eGX2BWkQDG-uHEZ0RH6UEE4ShvIzuAEDwDWq0xESEB_9N8KO9mBIkR0WxdEHWQvzSU8vGwhDbfnL_eKpzVB7kUCnIBiq1MirKW-fMHaJRM/s1600/IMG00148.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-4526649295721296972009-11-14T12:07:00.000-08:002009-11-14T13:04:33.571-08:00Japanese Steakhouse at Home<span style="font-size:130%;">I have taste tested these in my kitchen MANY times and anyone who has tasted has said that it is virtually the same thing you will find in a hibachi kitchen.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Some of these combinations may sound strange, especially for the ginger salad dressing, but trust me. It all works GREAT and will give you the ability to mock a traditional Japanese steakhouse dinner at home. BTW....this is the ULTIMATE in date night meals.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When making it you will need the blender several times. I usually start by making the sauces (can be left out at room temp until time to serve) and salad dressing, just rinsing it out between uses. You can prep the fried rice ingredients early in the day and leave them covered in the refrigerator until ready to stir fry it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Do not substitute the real butter for margarine for any of these. This is a splurge meal, after all. You can also use the same large frying pan to cook the shrimp appetizer, the fried rice and the hibachi steak. Just wipe it out between uses and serve the food in courses like you would get at a Japanese restaurant.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Soup</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">To mock the soup I just usually use some Knorr vegetable broth cubes and the water recommended on the package. When it simmers add some sliced mushrooms and sliced green onion and let it simmer until the veggies are tender.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Ginger Salad Dressing</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup minced onion</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup peanut oil</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/3 cup rice vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs water</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs minced fresh ginger (do not substitute ginger powder)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs minced celery</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs ketchup</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">4 tsp soy sauce (kikkoman is the best)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tsp sugar</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tsp lemon juice</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 tsp minced garlic</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 tsp pepper</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until all ginger is pureed. Best if made an hour before, placed into a shaker container and chilled. Shake before using.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Shrimp Appetizer</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ingredients Per Portion</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">5 large srimp, peeled, cleaned, deveined</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">salt to taste</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs peanut oil</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tsp butter</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tsp heavy cream</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tbs fresh parsley, chopped</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">juice of 1/2 lemon</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Heat oil in griddle (you don't have to use the full 2 tbs per portion if making multiple portions at once, just lightly coat the bottom of the pan). Sprinkle shrimp with salt to taste. Place shrimp in griddle and saute 3 minutes per side. Remove from griddle. Melt butter and add heavy cream, heating until warmed through. Cut shrimp into bite sized pieces and add back to the griddle. Add parsley. Cook 1-2 minutes longer and squeeze lemon juice over shrimp. Remove and serve. Great with ginger sauce.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Ginger Sauce</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 c soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 c vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 small piece ginger root (1/8 tsp ginger powder can be used here)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Place all ingredients in electric blender and set at high speed until ginger is chopped.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Magic Mustard Sauce</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tbs crushed toasted sesame seeds</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3 tbs dried mustard</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs hot water</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3/4 c soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 garlic clove crushed</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3 tbs heavy cream whipped</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place sesame seeds in a single layer on a flat pan and toast (keep an eye on them...they burn quickly). Mix mustard and water in a small mixing bowl until it forms a paste. Place in blender with sesame seeds, soy sauce and garlic. Blend at high speed for 1 minute. Remove and stir in whipped cream.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fried Rice</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">4 cups cooked converted rice, chilled</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 c frozen peas, thawed</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs finely grated carrot</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 eggs, beaten</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 c diced onion</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 tbs butter</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tbs soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Combine chilled rice, peas, carrots and onion in a bowl. Scramble eggs breaking into pea sized bites, remove from pan and add to rice mixture. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Dump rice into pan and add soy sauce and salt and pepper. Cook rice for 6-8 minutes over heat, stirring often.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hibachi Steak</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ingredients per portion</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 6 oz sirloin steak, boneless</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tbs peanut oil</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 large mushrooms, sliced</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Heat griddle and pour on oil to coat surface. Sear steak on both sides. Remove from pan, cut steak into strips and return to pan with mushroom slices to cook to desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with magic mustard sauce.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-61680990267429916902009-11-14T11:57:00.000-08:002009-11-14T12:02:42.593-08:00Cheddar Bay Biscuits<span style="font-size:130%;">I've had a couple of people ask me for some recipes on Twitter recently. This recipe is similar to the cheddar biscuits you get at a famous seafood restaurant chain. I've been told that the garlic butter recipe is proprietary, but this is as darn close as you can get.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Biscuits</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2 C Bisquick</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 c cold water</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3/4 c grated sharp cheddar cheese<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Baste With</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 c melted butter</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1 t parsley flakes</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 t garlic powder</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 t Italian seasoning<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Mix biscuit ingredients and drop by spoonfuls according to package directions. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Brush with melted butter mixture.</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-6505930994867347092009-11-08T12:11:00.001-08:002009-11-08T13:12:25.078-08:00Why Twitter Rules Over FaceBook<span style="font-size:130%;">I never had a MySpace account. I checked it out once and found it to be too juvenile for me. When my friends started exploring FaceBook and were raving about it I took a look and decided it was more my speed. I signed up for an account, created my profile, posted a picture and sent out some friend requests.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It wasn't long before I had reconnected with about 100 friends from high school. Funny, because I didn't realize I was all that popular in high school. I enjoyed catching up, sharing family photos and chatting with everyone. I even attended a mini reunion and met up for lunch with a couple of girlfriends a few times.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There were only a few apps out there at the time and sending a round of drinks to friends on a Friday night or giving a virtual hug to someone who needed it was kind of fun. But then it all started getting out of hand. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My timeline was clogged with things like quiz results (who is like what celeb, five favorite fast food places, who would you have at your dinner table) and games (Mafia Wars, Bling, Vampire Bites). Nice that FaceBook incorporated games you could play together into its' site, but I really did not want to see who was passing what poker chip, secret vaults or weapons to whom. I wanted to see what my friends were doing and pass valuable information.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I also wound up with a nasty little chat stalker who would immediately start up a chat session every time I signed in to check out my friends updates. I think he lived on FaceBook just to harass me when I showed up. It got so bad that I disabled chat.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A friend of mine from FaceBook kept talking about how cool Twitter was so I decided to check it out. I created the account and profile and then just sat looking at it. I was completely lost and had NO idea what I was to do next. I gave up and went back to the FaceBook frustration.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then came the infamous battle to 1 million followers between CNN and Ashton Kutcher. I figured I would help Mr. Kutcher out with my two cents worth, so I logged into my abandoned Twitter account and followed him. I noticed that my account had picked up some followers, so I followed them too. Over the next few days I slowly started getting the hang of things. I watched who others were talking to and started following and to my delight some of them started following me back. I started sending @replies to people and they responded! I was hooked.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I worked very carefully to build the number of people following me by being sure I responded to anyone who sent me a tweet, by following back others when they followed me and by retweeting my new friends often if they had information to share.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then one day I discovered something grand. Kirstie Alley was on Twitter. I'd been a fan of hers for years, since back in her Cheers days. Every time she was on TV doing those Pier 1 commercials I told my husband that it would be my dream to hang out with her for a day, that she would be so much fun. And just as I suspected, she is an incredibly fun person. It shows on Twitter. The day Kirstie sent me my first reply I literally almost fell off of the sofa.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After I started following her and watched who she chatted with, I started following some of those folks too. By doing that, I discovered some of my best friends on Twitter. Many of my friends and family do not understand how you can truly connect with and care about people over a social networking website. My only response to them is that they should not knock it before they try it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Twitter is an excellent source of information also. Breaking news is tweeted regularly and I often find out about things happening in the world well before I can ever get to the TV or internet. People also tweet web links full of useful stuff.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So, to sum things up, for the ultimate in chat on steroids, interaction with folks you would not ever get to meet in real life and the best immediate source of information, Twitter wins over FaceBook for me hands down. Now, I know some of you have farms to attend to so I will quit my rant here. ;)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-27444264070703774512009-11-01T11:48:00.000-08:002009-11-01T12:43:57.189-08:00Mom's Soup Recipe...Shhhhhhhhh....<div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399229642048240930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRImxT_VHwnOV9ORwmkzDvTSflxrR9mHOP6Z_IzXAQlkXN9YfG0hRkHUT4fYTMugry9OfNyvblcAXbmNoMvbct7HkAkqJpDshgNA6L3x8SEeUM3I5bD9WnetyfF4z8Bc5n4au-pt6u9Ac/s320/IMG00101.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">This soup recipe takes me back to my childhood. It was one of our traditional Sunday suppers and although it may not look like much it brings back so many good memories for me. This is one of my true definitions of "comfort food".<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My dad's mother taught my mom how to make this. Daddy's family was a pretty poor, Czechoslovakian family who immigrated when my grandpa was just 16. They did their best to use what they had. This was used to stretch beef when they could afford it.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">When I was a kid I remember smelling this cooking all day in the kitchen and it brings a smile to my face even today as it is simmering on the stove.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here we go on how to make it like my mom and grandmother did.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 28 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes--Make sure you squish all of the juice out in a colander over a large stock pot. They should be pretty much just tomato pulp in the colander when done.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">6 potatoes (I used Idaho baking potatoes today) peeled and quartered</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 pounds peeled baby carrots</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 big bunch celery from the heart, leaves and all</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">2 lbs stew meat</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Throw everything in the pot, add water until about an inch from the top of the pot. Add a liberal amount of salt and some pepper. Bring to a boil, lower and simmer until dinnertime (best to let it simmer 5-6 hours).</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">To serve put cooked Minute Rice in a bowl (grandma probably would not have liked that but it's what I grew up with and not the same without it), ladle broth and veggies and meat over rice.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-68414310239155440812009-10-30T12:37:00.000-07:002009-10-30T13:37:30.754-07:00You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslRDhqXtRaSizedqbnKS92C_2gXeOCHPme7ivhNYtggvDbgJA6xKDIrKddDyzva4eQd-RXPHzioFSQ9A-BG5G3JatWTTLZyHJLonjn04OdxBnovtLkkMRgzNx3ymJMnI0PhryOFkwLsM/s1600-h/IMG00085.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398483910120194066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslRDhqXtRaSizedqbnKS92C_2gXeOCHPme7ivhNYtggvDbgJA6xKDIrKddDyzva4eQd-RXPHzioFSQ9A-BG5G3JatWTTLZyHJLonjn04OdxBnovtLkkMRgzNx3ymJMnI0PhryOFkwLsM/s320/IMG00085.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">OK, I admit it. I have probably the most badly behaved dog on the face of this planet. Seriously. No joke.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When we got him five years ago, we decided to become responsible dog owners and took him to puppy obedience classes. He flunked puppy training. We then hired a personal trainer to come and attempt to work with him. She quit. We kinda gave up and just let him do his thing.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">He won't come when he's called. He won't let us near him with a brush to groom him. He runs in fear and hides under the table when we run the bathwater. He takes certain pieces of dog food out of his dish and leaves them in various locations around the house. He won't let anyone near the front door of the house until we have him on his leash. The list goes on and on. We got him devil horns as his first Halloween costume for very good reason.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So, let's talk about that one doggie activity that is supposed to be fun for both dog owner and dog. FETCH.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Admission. Not surprisingly, Truffles has never quite grasped the concept of fetch. He loves to chase a ball, but never brings it back properly for you to throw it again. Instead, he brings it back to around two feet in front of you and looks at you hopefully as if he wants you to throw it. Make a move towards the ball, and he grabs it and backs up a little every time. Eventually he is about five feet away and still looking hopeful until you actually have to get up to get the ball and throw it for him.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Makes me tend to wonder whether he has us trained instead. But he's mine and I love him anyway.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-135156923217546362009-10-25T14:21:00.000-07:002009-10-27T13:57:42.694-07:00#FollowFriday Pet Peeves<span style="font-size:130%;">I LOVE Twitter. Do not get me wrong. Having it and my Blackberry is like having a little pocketful of friends wherever I go. Always someone to talk to or get an opinion from. And I dearly love all of my followers.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">However, I do have some pet peeves about how some tweeps use it. I'm not there to lecture anyone, but this is my blog, so I can express my own opinion here.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">#FollowFriday is a day to recognize your friends who you would like to give a shout out for others to possibly discover if they are not following already. Three things bother me about Follow Friday.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">1. People tweet meaningless lists all day which give me no real clue as to why anyone is following anyone else.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">2. People throughout the day only retweet (post again) the lists that include their name, not choosing their lists personally.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">3. People who use their own user name in every list they post.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, that said, there are a few that do creative #FollowFriday lists effectively. Take @Gary1980Arb or @Paulbritphoto. But they took the time with these and to come up with something more inventive than the average "name list" tweets.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The new list service that Twitter provides is cool in a pinch, but does anyone REALLY look at them? I guess time will tell as it is all relatively new.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I try very hard to do #FollowFriday justice for the friends I recommend. If I am not going to personalize it, I just feel like I should not do it at all for the week. I do still find that my best follows and followers have come from watching who my pals on Twitter are talking to.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Again, this is all strictly my opinion and not meant to preach to anyone on the use of Twitter.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-62055664523006177452009-10-24T10:48:00.000-07:002009-10-24T11:44:35.806-07:00Time Flies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_GbhsZsml-rfT8O_NcGwb0nIYe1tRsnzt-Bc46zE6jlbzfzHNrtrbeezAnxqAJykOyfZrer5U9-L8ZworgvOydiVSmtUtCdJMwRjY4QnPtSi_aXynD3-bDzqtu7YugLFWdMaL7IoSLg/s1600-h/DSCN1216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396238738304457250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_GbhsZsml-rfT8O_NcGwb0nIYe1tRsnzt-Bc46zE6jlbzfzHNrtrbeezAnxqAJykOyfZrer5U9-L8ZworgvOydiVSmtUtCdJMwRjY4QnPtSi_aXynD3-bDzqtu7YugLFWdMaL7IoSLg/s320/DSCN1216.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">In case you can't tell, there is a bunny on the chair and the child is in tears because it just tried to nibble at her dress. Savannah is a year old here and we were at a photography studio memorializing the moment. It's one of my favorite pictures of her ever. She came running straight to me almost the moment after this was snapped. </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This baby will be Sweet Sixteen in March. Where did all the time go? She laughed at me the first day of school when my mouth dropped when she handed me her driver's ed manual and again the day she brought home the order forms for her high school class ring. I know I have watched her growing into the beautiful young woman she is today, but it really hits home when I see this picture and then see her bounding down the hall off to meet friends.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I miss the days when she counted on me for protection and told me everything. We still talk, but these days she is much more reliant on her friends. I guess she is coming into her own.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Nowadays our house can be quite chaotic between all of her activities, functions and outings. I literally live in the bus loop after school and am a constant chauffer on the weekends. I won't know what to do with myself once she goes to college and *YIKES* that's only another couple of years from now.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">That being said, I do enjoy the peace and quiet in the house when everyone is gone for a bit, so that's exactly what I plan to do for the rest of this Saturday while the husband is out of town at his brother's and Savannah is at a band competition. Yep, just me and the dog. Maybe we'll go for a walk.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-69301593395147056172009-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:002009-10-20T15:58:55.498-07:00Jammie Day<span style="font-size:130%;">Most of you who follow me on Twitter know that I am graced with the ability to work from home 1-2 days per week. I call those days "Jammie Days". There are many reasons that Jammie Days are good for the employee and the employer. Here are a few.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Employer Benefits</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I actually put in a longer work day when I work from home. I boot up the laptop right after my daughter leaves for the school bus at 6:30 a.m. and on many days find myself still working at 4-5 p.m.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't have the distractions I do when I am in the office. Let's face it, if a co-worker pops in for water cooler talk, there's not much of a way to say no.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Employee Benefits</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't have to get out of my pajamas all day.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't have to get ready and drive into the office.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I often can complete more intense work that requires my focus.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I am in the comfort of my home.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">My dog has company (OK, so this one is ridiculous, but I do feel bad leaving him alone for the whole day.)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">That's all I got for today. No, I will NOT be posting a pic of me in my jammies for this entry. Thanks for reading!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen XOXO</span></p>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-49068405273714662422009-10-18T08:53:00.000-07:002009-10-18T10:41:38.293-07:00Souper Sunday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64wsdCE-whW4BdgTAPJZr_6azgXAswRXGhbmkleAj3q4LnbgIBSW8LhBwfTI_QRqZ5QG6IaHRCQ_RSW2_Ysl1pEja8tJZyZ0U7-gRva5s8Turv1mYXECWObPKfs4jTZI0MWsKNWusd6I/s1600-h/DSCN1205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393995603739919954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64wsdCE-whW4BdgTAPJZr_6azgXAswRXGhbmkleAj3q4LnbgIBSW8LhBwfTI_QRqZ5QG6IaHRCQ_RSW2_Ysl1pEja8tJZyZ0U7-gRva5s8Turv1mYXECWObPKfs4jTZI0MWsKNWusd6I/s320/DSCN1205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Wow. Fall came roaring in this week bringing along my favorite time of the year. Soup Season is officially open! In my house that means that pretty much every Sunday from now until spring you will find a pot of some sort of soup (and I have recipes for hundreds of them) simmering away on the stove for dinner.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Soup is such a wonderful thing. A one pot wonder of yummy goodness and recipes range from the very complex to the very simple. Tonight we are having homemade split pea soup. You may take a look at a bag of dried split peas and think you could never do that and it takes forever, but it's really one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest soups in my repertoire. You can even make this no-brainer on a weeknight it's that quick and the items I use for my variation I keep on hand in the pantry.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">There are other Sundays of course, that I feel a little more ambitious and will make chicken noodle soup from scratch or a many vegetable beef soup. Those are the days that make the house smell fantastic...all day. We're literally drooling by dinnertime.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Canned soups are great to have onhand for a weeknight. Opening a can of tomato soup and grilling cheese sandwiches happens in our house once every couple of weeks, for sure. By the way, did you know that a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup has 32 feet of egg noodles in every can? I freaked out when I heard that on a commercial. But I digress...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It's so easy to create your own soup too. Lots easier than you may think. There are so many good packaged stock products available to create a base with. Then add whatever vegetables, pasta, rice, meats, fish or shellfish (remember to throw those shellfish in towards the end though, they don't take long to cook). One of the favorite bases I use for a create my own is a combination of tomato juice, beef stock and water.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">So that's a little insight into what is one of my favorite times of the year and what makes it so special to me. Please don't be a Soup Nazi this winter. I'm sharing my easy split pea soup recipe below.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for reading!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">XOXO</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Split Pea With Bacon Soup</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 lb dried split peas</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup finely diced carrots</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">3 oz package of real bacon bits</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">8 cups water</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 bay leaf</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tsp salt</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Heat about a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute the carrots until tender crisp (about 10 minutes). Add split peas, water, bay leaf and salt and heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. Add real bacon bits and cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.</span></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317914837768182241.post-8099742113727142152009-10-17T08:05:00.000-07:002009-10-17T09:04:35.657-07:00The Hair of the Dog That Bit You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3gqAslMdGaArlLcpRNSvnmN2H77ZYSoApcGujQSEbYimRsfSiAs_3bqanIvLww2oX0xLappidUeFrp6e0hyphenhyphenJFz5Dopsoqd_YJ-p4vs1s3zmgeMDZrWpjQGvmkn0yWn3PhAKKyAqXZRU/s1600-h/DSCN1201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393600431589351746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3gqAslMdGaArlLcpRNSvnmN2H77ZYSoApcGujQSEbYimRsfSiAs_3bqanIvLww2oX0xLappidUeFrp6e0hyphenhyphenJFz5Dopsoqd_YJ-p4vs1s3zmgeMDZrWpjQGvmkn0yWn3PhAKKyAqXZRU/s320/DSCN1201.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Several years ago my daughter decided she wanted a dog. Problem is, we are both allergic. Being the good mother I am I researched dog breeds and discovered that shih tzus (or as I like to refer to him...shitzu...place emphasis on the first syllable) are great for people with allergies. Thus, I contacted a breeder and Truffles became a part of our family that Christmas.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, for anyone who does not know, shih tzus grow long hair. A lot. Very fast. Since he will not let us anywhere near him with a brush frequent trips to the groomer to get him trimmed are necessary. We started taking him about once every two months from the time he was a puppy.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">About two years into the grooming trips, Truffles developed a nasty habit of biting the hands that groomed him. It got to the point that when the groomers at the doggie spa saw Truffles on the list for the day everyone mysteriously became ill. They suggested contacting our vet to get some suggestions to make him more manageable.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After speaking with the vet, over the next few visits we tried varying doses of benadryl. When that didn't even slow him down, we all agreed that it was time for a puppy prozac prescription. The vet suggested half a pill about an hour before he was to go to the spa. I took him in that first morning confident that the problem was resolved. When I picked him up that afternoon and mentioned that we had given him the pill that morning, his groomer looked at me in amazement and said, "He was SEDATED?".</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Another phone call to the vet prompted upping the dose to a full pill. When I picked him up following the full pill dose, I could finally see a difference. He couldn't stand up to pee, but he had not bitten anyone. I spent the rest of that Saturday (and every one since then where he's had a grooming appointment) trying to keep him from falling off of the sofa.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My husband is on his way to pick Truffles up from the spa now, so I bet you can guess what I will be doing this Saturday. :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ellen XOXO</span></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425222863655745487noreply@blogger.com6