Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Monday, August 16, 2010

A letter to Facebook

Dear Facebook,

I love you.  These are the reasons why

~ It is really nice staying connected to childhood friends and reminiscing now and then.

~ Who doesn't like getting dozens of birthday greetings?

~ If you wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to keep in touch with my in-laws.  You know I'm a terrible correspondent.  I wouldn't have pictures of my nieces and nephews.  I wouldn't be able to spy on their daily lives or send them quick hellos.

~ Because of you, dear Facebook, my kids can see how cool their grandparents really are.

~ I love you because I can chat with my husband and kids and send them sweet little notes and somehow it means more when it's posted on their wall for the whole wide world to see.

~ I miss my extended family and you help me feel connected to the people I'm related to. 

I love seeing pictures and hearing the details of all the weddings and celebrations.


If you weren't around my in-laws and second cousins and once-removeds wouldn't even know who I am.  It's nice to put faces to names.

~ Facebook, I really love you, because you reconfirmed what I already knew.  My sister really is quite crazy.  She proved this to me when she posted that indecipherable status on her wall sending everyone into a frenzy.


Dear Facebook,

I hate you.  Here are the reasons why

~ You are a mind-numbing waste of time!  You suck me in to your web of 'friend-ing', 'like-ing' 'poke-ing' 'chat-ting' mayhem until I've wasted hours of my life - and for what?

~ I hate you for the days it seems like everybody's life is way more fun than mine.  I'm stuck at home and everyone, I mean everyone has posted a status about their trip to Rome/Bali/Dubai/Africa/Australia/Hong Kong/Paris.   Puhleeze.  It was a struggle for me to get to the hardware store for pantry moth traps and everybody's posting  pictures of  themselves beside one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  It's so not fair.

~ If it wasn't for you Facebook, 505 of my closest friends would never have seen that embarrassing picture of me from my awkward phase.

~ I would never have married my husband if I had known he wanted to be a farmer.  Now he wastes his time on you, Facebook, begging people to help him plant lima beans and tomatoes!
Okay Facebook.  I can forgive you for all of the above things based on this one single video.

It's the video that brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.  This is a video is of my nephew Caleb.  He is twelve years old and he is autistic.  Until a few weeks ago he hated water.  He couldn't stand to have it splashed in his eyes but this summer he learned to swim all on his own.  I couldn't be there, but when this video was posted on Facebook I watched it over and over and over.  It's really short, but it's oh, so sweet.

I love you Facebook.






I love you Caleb.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Major Crisis!

We had a crisis in our home this morning.  This was a crisis of major proportions.  Let me show you.


Don't let the label on the canister fool you.  There was no "Happiness" in our house this morning.  That lovely little canister is where the coffee is usually held, and this morning it was empty.  This was a particularly critical morning since I am suffering from a debilitating case of BH.  I'm sure you've all suffered from it before.  Some of you may be suffering from it now. and you have most likely suffered from it this summer - yes.  BH is also known as Beach Hangover. 

My girlfriends and I spent the day at Newport Beach yesterday with the kids and this morning I'm suffering from serious symptoms of BH.

-red skin from those spots where  I missed with the SPF 50.

-bloating from too much sodium (Chex Mix and Cheeseburger Flavored Doritos -really!)

-major sand rash

-sugar crash from the Sprinkles cupcakes on the way home (I know, we should have quit while we were ahead)

-parched, dry skin

-sluggishness from oversleeping this morning 'cause I just couldn't get my body to move

Okay, now I know you're not feeling sorry for me, you're just annoyed.  I'm kind of feeling the same way. It looks like I had a bit too much of a good thing in one day.  I'm not going to apologize for it.  A day filled with friends, kids, sand, sunshine, Doritos, cupcakes and fun does not come along every day and the sweet days of summer are quickly winding down.  So, this post is short.  My next chapter about My Story will have to wait. 

The back of my legs are burnt. 

I can't sit in this chair much longer. 

I'm going to get some aloe - and a cup of coffee.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I Wanna Be On Soul Train!

What did you want to be when you grew up?  Or, for that matter, what do you want to be when you grow up?

I had a list of things I wanted to do and be. Yesterday, driving in the car with Steve I mentioned the fact that I had never learned to whistle - LOUD!  My mom had a friend who could split your ears when she whistled and I vowed that when I was a grown up, I would whistle just like Elsie.  I can barely get a tweet out.  It's really quite disappointing.

Following, is a list of things I really wanted to do.  I don't know if they were the typical dreams of suburban California girls in the 70's, but they were my dreams.



~ I really wanted to be a race car driver.  My first car was a stick shift.  My dad taught me how to drive it.  He even taught me how to burn rubber, then had the nerve to get mad at me after I peeled out of the church parking lot in front of the whole congregation following church one Sunday morning.

Parents are so inconsistent!

~ I wanted to, no I needed to meet Peter Frampton,

because, I knew, once he got a look at me in my sweet ride...

it would be game over.  He would be happy with nobody else but me.  I was not deterred by the fact that he was four inches shorter than me.  After all, this was the 70's.  He could wear platform shoes!

~ This leads to my next big dream - being the lead singer in a girl band.  I had the hair.  I had the Chemin de Fer bell bottom jeans.  I have no idea why this never happened.

~ Now, don't laugh out loud when you read this one.  When I was in high school I really wanted to be a Soul Train dancer.  Forget American Bandstand.  On Saturday mornings, my friend Tamara and I would race to the television to watch the Soul Train dancers and try to imitate their moves.  Remember, Sharon?  Plus, nobody was cooler than Don Cornelius.  I lived in the Central Valley at the time and we plotted ways we could get to LA for our big chance at Soul Train fame.

For those of you who didn't have the pleasure of growing up with this epic show, here's a short clip.




Now that you have had a taste of this amazing program that shaped my youth, you may be asking these questions.  "Who did she think she was back then - the girl with the big 'fro or the styling lady in pink doing the splits?"

Yes, I'm afraid I was clearly suffering from delusions of funk.

Okay, so it is a little embarrassing that none of my dreams involved solving the world hunger crisis, meeting Mother Theresa or obtaining a PhD, but I'm just keeping it real here.

Clearly I did not achieve these childhood dreams, but I'm okay with that.  I dance around the house, sing loudly and often and have my Stephen instead of Peter.  I have been known to race now and then, but have curbed my inclinations in that area to a great degree.

There is one thing, however that still bugs me.  I want to learn to whistle!  I would love to be at the beach. see my kids half a mile away and just split the air with a noise that sends them running.  I don't know if it's possible to learn, but I'm going to try.  And when I succeed, you will be the first to know!

BTW,
Last night we discovered a new dance show on Hulu called The LXD.  It's filmed in a narrative style with a story line from one episode to the next.  The dancing is off the hook.  The music is great and the production quality is top-notch.  We sat with the kids and watched all nine episodes.  If you love music or dancing I highly recommend it.  It's suitable for all ages. maybe a bit intense for younger kids.  Perhaps it will inspire your dream to dance! 

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My Friends Are My Estate

Today's post is dedicated to three of the best friends a woman could have.  Kelly, Kathy and Cheryl (plus Madison) thanks for knowing exactly what I needed yesterday and being there for me!

"Friendship isn't a luxury, it's a necessity."
 - Karen Rutledge



To you and all the other dear friends that carry me through each day, may I be half the friend to you, that you are to me!

Here are some of the best quotes I have found, celebrating the gift of friendship - in all of it's beautiful forms - young and old, vintage and new!

"Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. 
Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
- Ludwig van Beethoven 



"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson  




"My friends are my estate."
 - Emily Dickinson


"Ah, how good it feels...the hand of an old friend."
- Mary Englebright


"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
- Mother Teresa 


"I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare 


"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than 
walking alone in the light."
- Helen Keller
  
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being."
-Goethe

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Let's Make A Deal!

I have a great new contest!  It's actually an experiment - something I've been wanting to try.

I've been reading a lot about bartering lately, trading goods or services without involving cash.  There are loads of barter sites, some that charge a fee to join and others that are available at no cost.  Craigslist has a barter section and it is growing exponentially as  people find themselves strapped for cash and looking for new and creative ways to get the things they want or need.  I have used Swaptree to trade old books, games and DVD's for titles I want.  It works great!


Since I know that many of you (I'm including me) are 'strapped for cash', I am offering you a deal!

Tell me what you will give me, in exchange for something that tickles your fancy, floats your boat or rattles your cage in either of my etsy shops -  Jenny and Pearl (selling vintage items) and Jenny and Pearl Too (selling handmade jewelry).


I have plenty of things listed, big and small, and will be listing more over the next couple days, so you are sure to find something that you want for yourself or to give as a gift.

You can offer items you want to get rid of, things you have made or, if you live in Orange County, services you can provide.  Keep it family friendly and make it worth my while!

Follow these simple steps to participate

~ You must be a follower of this blog, OR a friend on my Facebook page OR have chosen one of my shops on etsy as a favorite.

~ Visit my etsy shops Jenny and Pearl (vintage) and Jenny and Pearl Too (jewelry)

~ Pick an item or items you would love to have!

~ Tell me what you will give in exchange in the comments section below.  Let me know how you are following Jenny and Pearl (I'm obsessed about being followed.  It's like my own private band of stalkers!)  Make sure I have some way of contacting you!

~ Contest ends Tuesday, August 3 at midnight PT.

I may accept all or one of the barters offered.  If everyone is trying to pawn off ugly acrylic neon sweaters from the 80's, I will have to politely decline.

Here are some tips.  If you barter the following, I can pretty well guarantee I will accept

  1. a trip to Tahiti (or Toledo, for that matter - I need a vacation!)
  2. a professional massage (emphasis on professional)
  3. a scholarship to Yale for my children (come on Sweet T, I'm counting on you!)
  4. the thighs I had when I was 25 (liposuction, anyone?)
I will not, repeat, will not accept trades involving the following
  1. your children (period)
  2. your husband (unless he's an electrician, handyman or carpet cleaner - if so, send him over!)
  3. Richard Simmon's exercise videos 
Make it fun and remember, coffee and baked goods are part of my love language!

    Tuesday, July 13, 2010

    You Tube Tuesday - Dads

    This is dedicated to my favorite dads!  I know it's not Father's Day, but this is too good to wait.
    See if you recognize your dad in this video.




    Here are my three top dads.  I love you - khakis, socks with sandals (you know who you are) and all !


    My dad - rockin' the 4th of July!  Nothing says party like a recliner on the front lawn.


    My dad-in-law (just call him 'Buttons') with his favorite grandson.  (It's my blog, I can say what I want!)


    My babies daddy - lord of the Grill, King of the Coals!

    Wednesday, July 7, 2010

    Our Dumb Dog

    Our dog Casey is stupid.



    I know that sounds unkind, but stick with me here and I think you will eventually agree.

    On the other hand, our cat is smart.

    This has nothing to do with me be "cat person" or a "dog person".  These are just facts.

    I actually prefer dogs.  They wag their tails when you walk in the room, accompany you on on walks  and are generally good-natured when they are loved and cared for.

    Cats, on the other hand, want everything on their terms and can, at times, behave as though they really don't need you.  My cat would not like to be taken for a walk and I gave up buying her collars, since she immediately got rid of them (I have yet to figure out how).  I spent years disliking cats intensely and still have only warmed up to a few of them.  Our cat Skipper has won me over.  Even though she is noisy (like the rest of the family) and a bit demanding, she is smart.

    You are probably wondering why I think our dog is so dumb.  Let me tell you a story.

    Once upon a time, a family had a black cat.


    She was happy with her status as the family pet and was not in the least threatened by the parade of fish and reptiles that came and went.  She survived the occasional scrape with tomcats and possums and managed to avoid the coyotes.  To show her love and appreciation for her family, she regularly left gifts of dead birds, mice and lizards on the back step.

    Then this family adopted a cute little beagle from the local animal shelter.  That's when everything changed.  From the moment this dog entered their home it was clear that her beagle hunting instincts were very strong.  She cornered the cat, chased her down the hall and generally pestered her on a daily basis.  The cat, however, ignored the dog as best as she could and avoided her at all costs.

    One day, the cat had enough.  She was cornered by this pesky dog and took matters into her own paws.  With one swipe she left her mark.  The dog ran away, yelping  in pain.  When the owners examined her they realized the cat had hit the bullseye, or the dogseye, as it were.  She had scratched her cornea and left an ugly mark.  The dog was taken to the emergency room where they said the eye would heal.  The vet said, "well, at least now she will leave that cat alone".  For days, she lay shaking in her dog bed, whimpering in pain, while the cat paraded by, inches from her, once again queen of the house.

    Slowly the dog began to heal, with daily antibiotics squeezed onto her eye and extra TLC from her owners.  Peace ruled the house and the family breathed a sigh of relief.

    Now, if the story ended there, that would make sense.  The fact is that dog got better and once she got better, you know what she started doing again?  Chasing that cat.

    Now, if you were bugging me, teasing me incessantly and generally making a nuisance of yourself and I took a stick and poked you in the eye, practically blinding you, would you continue pestering me?  I highly doubt it.  Well, not our dog Casey.  She is truly thick-headed.  She has resumed chasing the cat, although I have to admit, the cat doesn't take her quite as seriously and doesn't perceive her to be the threat she once was.

    On her checkup visit to the vet, I told her how the dog had begun to chase the cat again and she shook her head in disbelief.  That is one dumb dog (she didn't say it, but I know she was thinking it).

    When I started thinking about these two beloved pets of ours and their complicated relationship, I realized I'm really not that different.  There have been times in my life when I have been poked with a stick in the eye - not literally, but you get the drift.  And you know what I did?  Went back to doing the same thing I had done before.

    This was partcularly true of me as a child and a teenager, but it has persisted into my adult life.  Like my kids say, "sometimes I likes to be's bad!"  I do something stupid, suffer the consequences for my behavior (the proverbial stick in the eye) and then turn around and do the same stupid thing over and over and...

    It has been a slow journey for me, realizing that I need to change my rebellious ways and learn from the discipline.  But the Lord is so patient with me and his mercy is endless.  If there's hope for me, maybe there's hope for that dog!

    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

    Tuesday, July 6, 2010

    And The Winner Is...

    Julia!

    My family voted, and their favorite choice for identifying the mystery utensil item was this entry,

    "I think its a country veterinarian's tongue depressor. You'd need weight to keep a cow's tongue down, and a string to pull it out if they decided to eat it."

    I really don't know if we are any closer to solving the mystery, but it was fun!

    Congrats, Julia!  I will be contacting you on how to claim your prize.

    Monday, June 28, 2010

    Guacamole for Dummies

    What is better than a soft, ripe avocado?  Okay, I can think of a few things, but I'm not listing them here!  I love this delicious fruit (yes, fruit) sliced on a sandwich or topping a salad.  But the tastiest way to eat an avocado (in my not-so-humble opinion), is in guacamole.  I even like the way the word sounds, 'guac-a-mo-le'.  It just rolls off the tongue.

    I had a predicament on Saturday.  I had three beautiful, soft, ripe, perfect California avocados that were screaming "GUACAMOLE!"  They wanted it, they needed it.  I wanted it, I needed it.  The problem was, I couldn't find a recipe that I trusted.  I had facebooked (is that a word?) my sister for her recipe.  She is renowned for her amazing guacamole, at least in our family.  I didn't hear back from her.  Was she avoiding me?  A dear friend saw my plight and came to my rescue.

    Little did I know, Cristina has a food blog.  This is where the problems began.  I was really hungry when I entered her site.  Everything looked so delicious.  I got the guacamole recipe but then I saw the salsa rojo recipe.  Well, if we're going to have homemade guacamole, we need to have homemade salsa, right?
    I knew you would agree.  I was all set and ready to leave her site when I caught a glimpse of the Bisteck Picado - be still my heart!

    By this time, I was ravenous and I...must...have that spicy meat to go with my salsa and my guacamole.  So, with the three recipes in hand, I approached the cook in the family.  I batted my eyes and showed him the pictures on Cristina's site.  He was hooked.  I don't know if it was me, or his growling stomach, but off he went to our local Mexican market for the chilies, flap steak and other ingredients.

    I am not exaggerating when I say, this was one of the best meals I have eaten in a while.  The guacamole was delish.  Steve tweaked it a little, cause that's what he does.  The salsa was scrumptious and, thankfully, made a large quantity.  But, the star of the show was the Bisteck Picado.  It was off the hook!

    Now that you are drooling and thinking of racing out the door to your nearest Mexican food establishment, I will share with you our version of Cristina's amazing guacamole.  For the salsa and bisteck recipes, you can visit her site, Vengan a Comer (Come and Eat!)

    Guacamole Ingredients

    2 California avocados (no bias, they're just the best!)
    2 small tomatoes
    2 green onions
    1/4 bunch of cilantro
    garlic powder
    salt
    1 lime
    hot sauce
    Here are the assembled ingredients so you can see the amounts.  I didn't picture the lime or hot sauce because Steve decided to add them at the end (he just can't resist that hot sauce).  If your avocados are not ripe, put them in a dark place for two days.  This is called delayed gratification.  Once they're ripe keep them in the fridge to halt further ripening.

    To remove the pit easily.  slice length-wise around the avocado, all the way to the pit. 

    Smack that knife into the pit and pull it out - voila!

    Get a spoon and scoop out the buttery avocado.

    Mash it well.  It should be creamy, not too chunky.  This way it will stick to a tortilla chip - Yum!  Add the garlic powder and a pinch of salt.

    Dice the tomatoes (we used Roma tomatoes - firm and not too seedy).

    Finely dice the green onions.  These are not finely diced, but Steve likes them chunkier and Steve's the cook, so I don't complain.

    Cut the stems off the cilantro and finely chop.  I love cilantro but it's not everybody's cup of tea, so if you don't care for it, leave it out (so sad).

    Just look at this for a while.  Such colorful, fresh ingredients.  This is good food.
    Okay, now that you're through looking, stir well.

    Get a tortilla chip, or a spoon and taste.  Steve thought it needed a squeeze of lime and Louisiana hot sauce so he made his final adjustments and... oh, mama!  This was good.

    Here's the cutest chef in Orange County.  Tasting the fruits of his labor.
    Que aproveche!  (Bon appetit!)


    *Don't forget to enter to win a gift certificate for merchandise from my etsy store.  The contest ends
    tonight at midnight. 
    Click on the link at the top of the page for contest details.

    Saturday, June 19, 2010

    Eat More Chocolate!

    As we enjoy the weekend and head into summer, I thought I would give you some healthy tips to make life a little sweeter.

    1.  Chocolate is good for you (can I hear an Amen!).

    According to the Cleveland Clinic and other reputable sources, cocoa, in it's pure form, contains high levels of flavonoids, a compound that is a known antioxidant.  It is believed that Antioxidants aid the body's cells in resisting free radical damage that occurs from environmental sources and simply breathing.

    "Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa and chocolate. In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research indicates that flavanols have other positive influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart, making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot, and lowering cholesterol."

    Be aware, however, not all chocolate has the same benefits.  The less processed cocoa has higher levels of flavonoids.  Your best option is darker chocolate with minimal added fats and sugars.



    2.  Coffee is good for you (duh!).

    According to the Mayo Clinic, recent studies have shown that the health benefits of coffee often outweigh the risks.  "These benefits include protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. And it has a high content of antioxidants."

    Drinking it with a friend and a piece of chocolate is even better!

    3.  Butter is good for you (Paula Deen was right!)

    According to several reliable sources, pure, delicious butter contains many healthy properties including the following
    vitamin A - necessary for healthy thyroid and adrenal glands
    lecithin - a substance needed for the assimilation and metabolism of cholesterol
    silenium  and vitamin E- which protect the cardiovascular system
    vitamin D -  essential to the proper absorption of calcium and  necessary for proper bone growth and preventing tooth decay

    4.  Sunshine is good for you.

    For years, doctors did not know why, but patients suffering from TB and other diseases healed faster when placed in a sunny location.  According the the magazine Scientific American, sunshine contains levels of Vitamin D necessary for bone formation and "powerfully influencing immune system responses and cell defenses."



    5. Laughter is good for you.

    This is the best one of all because, unlike coffee, butter, chocolate and sunshine, this one need not be taken in moderation!

    Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
          but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.


    Laughter can
    ~  stimulate your organs and increase endorphins released by your brain.
    ~  activate and relieve your stress response, leaving you with a good, relaxed feeling
    ~  soothe tension and stomachaches, easing digestion and reducing some symptoms of stress
    ~  improve your immune system, releasing neuropeptides to help fight stress and illness
    ~  relieve pain by releasing the body's own natural painkillers
    ~  increase personal satisfaction

    Don't you feel better already?

    So, this summer take the time to relax in the sun, laugh with a friend, sip a cup of coffee, savor a piece of chocolate or smear some butter on that corn on the cob - doctors orders!

    Tuesday, June 8, 2010

    Cinnamon Sugar Almonds


    Warning!  Read the following out loud before attempting this recipe.

    1. I am aware that these are highly addictive.  I know my own limitations and I do NOT hold Jenny and Pearl and affiliates responsible for late-night cravings that will ensue.
    2. I realize it is not advisable to make a small batch.
    3. I agree that it is cruel and unkind if I do not share these with others.
    If you are agree with the aforementioned statements, you may proceed.

    This is a step-by-step recipe for cinnamon sugar almonds.  This version is from allrecipes.com.  You can link to their highlighted site here for a printable copy.


    If you want the best and freshest almonds at a great price, you can order them from our friends at Alldrin Brothers Almonds.  They are the only almonds I use!

    Assemble these ingredients.  This is for a single batch, but I am making a double batch in the pictures, because I know I can't share a single batch.


    1 egg white
    1 tsp vanilla (did I mention, I like Mexican vanilla?)
    4 c whole almonds (not roasted or salted, silly - we're doing that now!)
    1/2 c white sugar
    1/2 c brown sugar
    1/2 tsp salt
    2 tsp ground cinnamon



    1.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).  Lightly grease a 10 x 15 jellyroll pan (what the heck is a jellyroll pan?  Cookie sheets are fine.)
    Note:  You can use that spray stuff, but I use butter because "butter is better".  Repeat that 3 times and proceed.

     Temperature is very important.  For best crunch it's 'low and slow'.

    2.  Lightly beat the egg white; add vanilla, and beat until frothy but not stiff.

    This is frothy, but not stiff.  Lots of bubbles, but no peaks.

    3.  Add the nuts, and stir until well coated.

    4.  Mix the sugars, salt and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts.

     (If you are like me, you will add a smidge more cinnamon.  I like things extra cinnamony.)  Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the prepared pan. (or pans, as the case may be).


    Don't scrunch all the almonds together.  Spreading them out toasts them better.

    This next part is the hardest part!  While they are baking in the oven for an eternal 75 minutes, you house will be filled with the sweet smell of cinnamon and sugar.  Don't take them out too early, or they will not develop the right crunchy coating.

    5.  Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until golden.  Allow to cool before storing in airtight containers.

    Although they  need to cool before storing, they do not need to cool before eating.  These taste best warm.

    I dare you to eat just one!