Two Cackling Hens

Oklahoma is NOT OK - Part 1

2009-07-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

I have lived close to Oklahoma for the majority of my life. I have only been to Oklahoma a handful of times. I've never been impressed with Oklahoma. In fact, the part of Oklahoma that I am familiar with, the northeast corner, has always seemed to me a vast wasteland, one dried up town after another with backwoods bars and salvage yards to break up the monotony.

Every once in a while, though, I get suckered by the Oklahoma tourism folks into thinking there must be something more to the state than that. Perhaps I just haven't been looking closely enough to see its charms. A couple of weeks ago I decided to give Oklahoma another chance.

My family has been doing a lot of camping this summer, so we decided to make a return trip to Snider's Campground in Grove, Oklahoma. Snider's Campground is a lovely, little, no-frills, lakeside campground that I raved about in a blog around this time last year. For $10 a night penny-pinching campers can get a shady, lakeside spot with an electric hookup. There isn't a playground or wi-fi or boat slip rentals like some of the campground resorts in the area, but one can swim and fish all day and putter around the town of Grove which is located just over the Honey Creek Bridge.

Snider's Campground is a great little place, so we were happy to return for a two night stay. Unfortunately, our happiness was not to last. All hopes were lost in the heat. We rolled through Grove on our way to camp passing a sign that flashed an excessive heat warning for the area. With the heat index soaring to 110 degrees, it didn't take long for everyone to get cranky while setting up camp.

Did I mention we are TENT CAMPERS?

I was desperately trying to stay positive and keep the family's spirits up, but an oncoming migraine was making that increasingly difficult. Long story short, I was incapacitated for the rest of Friday evening trying to fight off my headache and nausea. Not even a dip in the lake helped because the water was like warm bathwater. My British husband, who is used to being drenched but not from his own skin, was withering before my eyes. My kids were bored because it was too hot to do anything besides count the beads of sweat as they rolled down your back, and, as mentioned, not even a swim could cool you down. How were we going to make it through another full day?

I awoke Saturday refreshed from my case of heat exhaustion and with a plan. To beat the midday heat, we decided to explore the Grand Lake area with a drive around the lake. After camp breakfast and a swim we took off on our little adventure. I had picked up some free tourist literature the day before, and had scouted out some promising sites.

We drove north of Grove and then started our loop around the lake. First, we overshot our turn because there wasn't a sign designating the road. We would have ended up in Kansas if my tourist map hadn't shown the convenience store located at the intersection.

Our first destination was Monkey Island. Let me set a few things straight here. Monkey Island is actually a small peninsula...and there are no monkeys. Monkey Island businesses advertise themselves locally like crazy as the "hot spot" on the lake. I was expecting a strip of restaurants and clubs and shops, something rivaling, I don't know...Padre Island. We drove down the long strip of land that is Monkey Island, and outside of a couple of bars that we passed, the area seemed to consist of only private resorts and golf clubs. Strike one.

Undaunted by the complaints from the back seat, we took off for our next stop, the nature center at Bernice State Park. We almost drove past the park. 1) We weren't expecting the park to be located right on the highway. 2) The park sign was so close to the entrance of the park that one has to slam on the brakes to make the turn. Okay, Bernice State Park was cramped, crowded, dirty, and looked like it was flooded. Our spirits lifted, however, when we found the nature center. A few seconds later my heart broke at the sight of my children peering wistfully inside the building, their little noses pressed against the glass doors, as they stood just below a sign on the door that read, "Closed to make an emergency trip to the vet. Be back soon." Strike two.

Promising more adventure down the road, I ushered everyone back to the car and gave my husband directions to the next town on the map. We drove completely around Grand Lake. Most of the little burgs we traveled through have, in my mind, merged into one big, trashy trailer park. I'm sure I'm going to offend someone by saying that, but it's true.

The one bright spot on the map was Langley, where we finally stopped for a late lunch at Pensacola Pizza and Pasta.

This place was great - good food, nice atmosphere, clean, cool (in both senses of the word). While in Langley we also checked out the Pensacola Dam, the "world's largest multiple arch dam." We tumbled out of the car into the scorching heat, so I could take a few photos. As I was snapping away, the door to the visitor's center opened, and one of the attendants beckoned us inside to watch a ten minute video about the lake. She also offered us a free tour of the dam, but we declined after being told it was probably 109 degrees in the workings of the dam. We did, however, take her up on her offer of ice water. We watched the movie, loaded up on more tourist brochures and then started the trek back to Grove.

Our trip around the lake took us about five hours. In those five hours I noticed a few things. I noticed that Oklahoma roads have the worst signage. Either signs are missing, non-existent in the first place, or are only posted in one direction so you have to look behind you to see if you've passed the road you were looking for in the first place. I noticed that Oklahoma falsely advertises to tourists. Half of the stuff in the tourist brochures I couldn't find. Of course, this could be due to the signage issue as stated above. Finally, I noticed that, outside of Grove, the Grand Lake area is underdeveloped. The lake is great, but seems to be a rather untapped resource. Clean it up and build it up, and, to steal a phrase,"they will come" - the "they" being tourists with stacks of cash who are interested in something besides casinos.

I'm not giving up on Oklahoma just yet, though. There's got to be something more out there. If anyone knows of anything, I'm open for suggestions!

Bite Me!

2009-07-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen Bite Me With Dr. Mike on the Travel Chanel?!? I used to think Andrew Zimmern had the grossest show going, but Dr. Mike has topped Zimmern's Bizarre Foods.

Dr. Mike is a young man with a doctorate in virology and molecular biology from Oxford University.

Dr. Mike is English and charming in a cute, disarming way.

Dr. Mike is also cracked in the head.

This guy travels the world with a small camera crew educating viewers about insects, parasites and any other creepy crawlies you can imagine by letting the aforementioned creepy crawlies BITE HIM or, in the case of tonight's episode, set up shop in his stomach. Yes, Dr. Mike ate unwashed fruit while in India hoping, HOPING, he would get worms. When the worms were confirmed, he took a dewormer, took a dump, washed the worms off and shoved them under the camera lens.

He also drank out of the Ganges River just after the camera man caught footage of a turd floating in the (cough) water.

Remind me not to book a vacation with this guy.

Why We Suck

2009-06-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know why we suck? Why everyone hates Americans? I just finished reading Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid by Dr. Denis Leary. That's right, Dr. Denis Leary. Apparently, Denis Leary received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Emerson University in Boston, so he is now Dr. Denis Leary. Okey dokey.

I saw this book at my local library. The little town I live in is a very traditional, southern, right-wing, conservative, Bible Belt kind of town. A book declaring why we suck was the last thing I expected to see at my library. Of course, I had to get it.

I remember Leary when he hit it big on MTV in the early 1990's. Since making his mark, Leary has turned to acting and currently has a successful series, Rescue Me, on FX. Leary is known for his lightening-fast, acerbic rants. His sarcasm is only rivaled by his verbosity. Personally, I like him.

And I liked this book. As the publishers describe, the book is "part memoir, part self-help tome but definitely a full-time funny assault on all the posers, politicians, and pop culture icons who have sucked in the public for far too long..." In these 240 pages, Leary takes on Britney Spears, Donald Trump, McDonalds, and Nascar. He expounds about bullies, family relations, famous kids, autism, children on prescription drugs, Oprah, and cats.

Leary warns the reader at the begining of his book that he or she will be offended. Take it to heart. You probably will be.

Leary's observations are scathing, yes, but they are also surprisingly heartfelt and homespun, even. Throughout the book he shares with us his family - the wisdom of his Irish immigrant parents, the antics of his youth, his love for his own wife and children. Ultimately his complaints and assertions of why we suck are tempered with pride and gratitude for family and country, so much so that Leary comes across like your crazy uncle who delivers brutally honest comments with the best of intentions.

You have to love him.

And you will.

Sour Cream and Vanilla Bread

2009-06-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well I had a bit of a problem with my bread last night. One of my daughters accidentally unplugged the bread maker during the last hour of baking. I really could have killed her. I had to finish baking my Sour Cream and Vanilla Bead off in the oven (350 degrees with the pan on the bottom rack if anyone needs to know). It was a little doughy in the very center because of this, but otherwise, this was a delicious bread - white and light and sweet with a hint of vanilla. I used it this morning for thick slices of french toast, and it was wonderful! Everyone gobbled it up. I think dried cherries might be a nice addition to this bread along with some sort of cream cheese spread, but it was good with alone or with just a dab of butter. Yum!

2009-06-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

I picked up a copy of Betty Crocker's Best Bread Machine Cookbook at the library and I've been going to town with my bread machine. I'm kind of new to bread machines as I've just recently picked up one at a garage sale. I had to download the manual online to even know how to work the thing. But it works great and I love having fresh bread.

Anyway, back to the cookbook...the other day I made Cheddar Onion Bread. It was good, but I couldn't really taste the cheddar. Maybe I need to monkey around with that recipe.

This morning I made Mediterranean Herb Bread to serve tonight with some roast beef leftovers. I sneaked a bite earlier and this bread is WONDERFUL! The herbs used are basil, oregano and thyme. The recipe calls for fresh herbs but gives instructions for substituting dried herbs. I actually used fresh basil because that seems to be the one thing I can grow this summer. The rest I used dried. I also substituted whole wheat flour for half of the bread flour the recipe called for. What I ended up with was a dense, fragrant, earthy bread. Lovely, if you like that sort, and I do!

I did some digging around online and the recipe is listed on the Betty Crocker website. If my link to Herb Bread doesn't work, you can find the recipe there. You might have to sign up, but it is free. Oh, and on the website the recipe is listed as Fresh Herb Bread. Give it a go and let me know what you think.

Oh, and I'm making Sour Cream Vanilla Bread right now. Will let you know how that goes later.

Thriftmistress Deal of the Week

2009-06-19T04:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the local thrift store I bought two sweaters and a pair of Liz Claiborne shorts for myself, a skirt for my girls, a soap holder for my bathroom, three purses, a jigsaw puzzle and a book for a whopping total of $1.65.

Think I'll go back again today.

Peg Leg Pete by Mel Ellis

2009-06-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

The last book I read, I did so reluctantly. The book? Peg Leg Pete by Mel Ellis. I found this book at my local library and actually checked it out for my husband to read. He likes books about the outdoors, so I picked this one up with him in mind.

Mel Ellis was a syndicated columnist for The Milwaukee Journal and wrote several books and short stories based on his life at Little Lakes, his home in Wisconsin. Peg Leg Pete details the story of a duck and his relationship with the Ellis family. The duck comes into their lives injured from a muskrat trap, and Ellis is forced to amputate the bird's damaged leg, hence his name. What follows is the story of Pete's incredible journey of rehabilitation mixed with Ellis's observations and philosophy regarding the natural world.

While not the most thrilling reading, I did find Ellis's descriptions of Little Lakes to be enchanting, and the lessons the family learns from Peg Leg Pete are heartwarming in a Disney sort of way. Oddly enough, in researching Mel Ellis I found that a few of his stories were, indeed, turned into Wonderful World of Disney features in the late 1970's (remember those?).

If you are interested in reading some of Ellis's work, check out this article by Faith B. Miracle from the Wisconsin Academy Revue.

Giggles

2009-06-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

This morning one of my daughters was explaining why she and her sister have started sleeping in the same bed.

DD: Last night we were off the ground!

Me: What???

DD: We were watching Mary Poppins with Daddy yesterday, and he said if we giggle too much we'll leave the ground.

I looked at her.

DD held her thumb and finger about three inches apart: We were this far off the ground last night!

Derek Jarman's Garden

2009-06-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today while my kids were at the local library's summer reading program, I picked up a copy of a most unusual book, Derek Jarman's Garden.

Derek Jarman was, most notably, a British filmmaker who's work spans the '70's to the 90's. To say his films pushed the limits of sex and violence is kind of an understatement. I've only seen one, Jubilee. I watched it because a young Adam Ant had a part in this film. All I can say about it is that it was weird. Well, I was 15 when I watched it, so, yeah, it was weird...maybe I should watch it again...maybe not.

Okay, back to the book. Derek Jarman's Garden is a journal of sorts recounting Jarman's garden as it grew at his cottage in Dungeness in Kent, England from its beginning in 1986 to 1994 when Jarman lost his battle against AIDS.

Along with lyrical descriptions of the garden and exquisite photographs (by Howard Sooley), the book explains Jarman's philosophy regarding his about gardening and provides a glimpse into the last few years of Jarman's life. If a book about gardening can be intimate, then this is it.

I simply can't describe this book, so if I've piqued your interest, please read this article from Guardian.uk.co written by the book's photographer. The most I can say is that I opened this book and couldn't put it down. I read it in an hour and a half.

One of my favorite parts of the book comes early on when Jarman shares his thoughts on lawns. He asserts that lawns are "against nature, barren and often threadbare," and, "For the same trouble as mowing, you could have a year's vegetables..." Inspiring, intriguing and bittersweet, this book is fascinating! I could go on and on, but I'm off to get my green thumb dirty.

The Story Teller by Margaret Coel

2009-06-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

At my local library I found another title by Margaret Coel, so I snapped it up. The Story Teller follows Coel's characters, attorney Vickie Holden and Father John O'Malley, as they try to solve the murder of a young Arapaho graduate student who held the key to a missing Arapaho artifact. The Story Teller once again weaves the ancient and the modern into a tale that is as spiritual as it is suspenseful. Unfortunately, my local library only had the one title. Luckily, I'm a patron of three libraries (proof positive that I'm a geek), so I'll be on the lookout for other Coel novels.

My Purple Cauliflower

2009-06-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday found me at the "big city" around here, and I ended up at the farmers' market on the town square. I was perusing all the tables when I stumbled upon purple and yellow cauliflower. I can honestly say it stopped me in my tracks.

This mother of three usually has to stick to a pretty tight budget, so if it's not sold at WM then I'm probably not buying it. Needless to say, the purple cauliflower was a first for me. I stood there staring it it for a moment envisioning my children so enraptured by the luscious purple color - something between dark orchid and eggplant - that they would eagerly gobble up this goodness and beg for more. Emerging from my daydream, I quickly dug in my bag for the $3 it would take to bring the largest head home with me.

I hid the cauliflower where I knew it would be safe, the vegetable crisper bin (my kids never root around in there), and waited for the right moment to spring it on my family.

Today was the day. After much thought, I decided to serve it up raw first since my kids like raw veggies more than cooked. I cut up some with a few other assorted veggies, tossed them with a little Ranch dressing (my kids' fave) and served it up with much fanfare. The purple cauliflower was met with excitement all around. All three of my kids were astonished by the color. Yes, we were on to something here. One brave daughter then my brave son began to munch on the cauliflower. The deemed it good and kept munching. My other daughter popped some in her mouth and gave me the look - the look that means she's stopped chewing and refuses to swallow whatever is in her mouth. She didn't like it, and she knew she wouldn't be allowed to spit it out.

This particular daughter has before battled it out with us over things she doesn't want to swallow. One day in the car she held a bite of granola bar in her mouth for nearly an hour because we wouldn't let her spit it out. The tension in that car grew with each passing mile as her mouth filled with saliva and she began to dribble down her chin. Her sister squirming next to her was about to gag as I am now just thinking about it.

When I saw "the look" today with the purple cauliflower I knew I needed to think fast. I cut a quick deal and told her if she would swallow what she had in her mouth that I would eat the rest of it on her plate. The gods must have been smiling down on me and my purple cauliflower because it worked!

I found some interesting information about colored cauliflowers from the Daily Mail Online. Their purple cauliflower is much lighter in color and more...um...radioactive looking than mine. Perhaps the most interesting tidbit in the article is about carrots not being orange until the 17th century when Dutch plant breeders looked for a way to honor Holland's royal family. Hmm...

I don't know if buying purple cauliflower is worth the hour drive to farmers' market, but I will definitely look for it locally. The taste is identical to traditional cauliflower, but with a few increased health benefits (read the article) and such a festive color, it is worth putting on my table again.

Family Fun!

2009-06-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

We recently decided to be brave souls and pack up the kids for an extended weekend of camping. After looking online at several places we decided to go to the upper end of Beaver Lake at the Dam Site River park. After waiting out two days of inclement weather we set off last Thursday afternoon. We got to the site we had chosen but they were all booked up. The Dam Site Lake park was all full except for three undesirable sites. We were then directed to Indian Creek park, so off we went.

Indian Creek, a Corps of Engineers park, turned out to be the best of the three. We found a nice, shady spot to pitch our tent. We were close to hot showers, and just up the hill from the playground, bathrooms, and volleyball net. That was nice because we could send the kids and they were within view from our site. The official swimming area was closed because of flooding (as were several sites), but we were able to walk to the water's edge and swim at a spot not far from our camp. The park filled up by Saturday, but it was a surprisingly quiet crowd.

On Friday we drove into Berryville to WM for some needed supplies. We stopped along the way at Onyx Cave, a great stop for the little ones. I also took hubby to the Christ of the Ozarks, a requisite stop for anyone traveling through the area.

On Saturday we drove in the other direction to Garfield. We ate at the Hungry Flea Cafe, a family run cafe inside a flea market. The cafe has a limited selection of burgers, sandwiches and "dinners served family style". We all opted for burgers. The kids were impressed when the server brought out 2 liter bottles of soda and set them on our table. This is really a mom and pop operation. The husband cooked while the wife doted on our kids. It took a while for the food, but we didn't mind. We had unlimited soda to drink, and I passed the time looking through the flea market booths and chatting with the owner. The burgers finally came. They were great, big, greasy, grilled burgers - the kind one can only get in a roadside cafe. They were delicious and well worth the wait!

On a side note, they have beautiful hand-cast decorative sinks for sale there. The owner said they are locally made. They actually had one installed in the restaurant restrooms. They were gorgeous!

We left the Hungry Flea and headed east to Martin Greer's Candy Shop. I've been by this place a hundred times and never stopped. It is a quaint little building out in the middle of nowhere where candy is made while you watch. Martin Greer is a second generation candy maker. He is also an artist, not with just chocolate, but in the real sense. I know this because a friend of mine recently took a college class taught by Mr. Greer. Anyway, back to the chocolate...everyone in the family picked out two pieces of their choice. I think choosing the chocolates was a much fun as eating them. My favorite was the coconut truffle. Yummy!!!

Back in camp we decided this was the first of a family tradition...lunch at the Hungry Flea, dessert at Martin Greer's Candy.

All in all, a fabulous time was had by all. I highly recommend all of the places mentioned for fantastic family fun.

Fabulous Find!

2009-06-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

I picked up a Pioneer Snapload Scrapbook Binding Retrofit System at my local WM a couple of weeks ago to put into a scrapbook that had missing screws. I finally got around to using it today. I LOVE IT! I'm useless at those screw mounts in the scrapbooks, but this system is wonderful. It is very easy to install, and now I'll actually be able to add pages myself instead of delegating the reassembly to my husband. I plan on getting more sets of these for my other scrapbooks. Well worth $5.

Reading Victoria Holt

2009-06-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Black Opal by Victoria Holt. This novel was Holt's last before her death in 1993. Oddly enough, this is the first novel I've ever read by this very prolific author. Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert wrote under the pseudonyms of Victoria Holt, Jean Plaidy and Philippa Carr, just to name a few.

The Black Opal follows the story of Carmel, an outsider in her own home, from the time of her birth to adulthood as she struggles to find a her place in the world and discover the answer to a mystery from her past. To do so, our heroine travels from 19th Century England to Australia and back again. I wouldn't give this book a glowing recommendation. The novel has many plot twists along the way, and I especially enjoyed the part of the tale set in Australia. Truthfully, though, I found the characters a little flat and a lot of the dialogue stiff and very repetitive.

The Black Opal is one of those books you don't spend a lot of time thinking about - you simply let the words wash over you and enjoy the diversion for a while. For that reason, I suppose it is good summer reading. I took it on a recent camping trip and it served to pass the time.

The Spirit Woman

2009-06-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading The Spirit Woman by Margaret Coel. It was another of the several books found in my $1 rummage sale box. This murder mystery is set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming and centers around lawyer Vicki Holden and Father John O'Malley who must work together to solve a mystery surrounding the supposed existence of memoirs detailing Sacajawea's life after her time with Lewis and Clark. I don't often read mysteries, but the historical aspect of this novel completely captivated me. I found this book to be a real page turner, and I learned a lot about Sacajawea along the way!

Grilled Snow Goose

2009-05-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight we grilled some snow goose from the deep recesses of our freezer.

I soaked the meat in salt water for two to three days, and then marinated it in teriyaki sauce for two days.

This morning I tenderized the meat with a mallet and let it continue to marinate.

When ready to prepare, I wrapped each breast in bacon and secured it with a shish kabob stick.

I've read that when grilling snow goose it is best not to cook it well done. I pulled one group off after about 20 minutes. I let the rest go 30 minutes. Both were tasty. One was just a little more tender.

Country Music

2009-05-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Much to my amusement my British husband has started listening to this classic country station, U.S. 94. Now I'm not that into country music. When I was younger I actually used to abhor anything with a country twang. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to listen to sad songs that spoke only of D-I-V-O-R-C-E or drinking or dying or all three at the same time!

These days, however, there are quite a few artists I like, and I've even come to terms with all the episodes of Hee Haw, The Dolly Show, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, etc. that I had to endure growing up. I have a theory about country songs. I truly believe that you have to live a little to appreciate this particular genre of music - have your heart broken a few times, lose someone near and dear, be beaten up or beaten down by life - you get the picture. At 41 it is pretty hard to identify with the love and loss sung about in most country songs - much easier than it was when I was 21, that's for sure.

Anyway, I bring this up to showcase this song that I've heard more than once on this local radio station. It is the kind of corny song I remember from the country music of my youth, but I can't get it out of my head, so I've brought it here for you to enjoy. I think it speaks for itself. Do N Do Do Do...

RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles

2009-05-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

Last night G and I saw Rain perform. Rain is a Beatles tribute band, or should I say THE Beatles tribute band. They've been going since the early 80's or so.

A few months ago, my husband and I watched a Rain performance on our local PBS station. We were both impressed. When we heard Rain was coming to a nearby town, we knew we had to go. Now G is a tad older than me. He was born in '59 and was living in northern England in the 1960's. Unlike me, he is old enough to remember the Beatles firsthand.

I feel lucky to even know about the Beatles. Born in 1967, I more than missed the whole Beatlemania heyday. My parents weren't fans either. They were in their thirties when the Beatles hit it big. My dad was in the service, and he and my mother were living in Germany. And they were more of the Johnny Cash demographic anyway. I guess they were squares. They didn't get it. But I did.

As a child of the 70's I was still exposed to a lot of Beatles music. I can remember hearing a lot of Beatles tunes played on the radio - back before they were "classic". Then there is also the extensive catalogue of the Fab Four's individual work from that time period. I also had a kind of fascination with the 1960's when I was younger, fueled in part by reruns of the Monkees, so I watched any documentary or movie that I could find. At the local library I checked out books about the '60's, listened to records from the era, and scoured through copies of vintage magazines (yes, kids, this was before the Internet when one actually had to research at the library to learn anything). As a result, I was fairly well educated on all things 60's, including the Beatles, by the time I was 15 (1982).

Well, last night I was transported back in time, and I got to see the Beatles - at least that's what it felt like. The performers in Rain were incredible! Their live performance was identical to the Beatles' studio sound! More than pitch perfect, they had every mannerism, every nuance down. The show follows the Beatles' various eras and sounds chronologically and includes several costume changes and a multimedia show.

I was worried it might be kind of hokey, but it ROCKED!!!

Old accountants in stiff suits were twistin' in the aisles, and ladies from seven to seventy were screaming in their seats! Seriously!

My reccomendation? Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you a ticket to this show! If you get the chance, by all means go and experience Rain.

First Read of the Summer!

2009-05-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I picked up a box of books at the school rummage sale. I decided to work my way through them this summer. Two days ago I picked one at random out of the box, Demon Rumm by Sandra Brown. It was a pretty predictable plot line with sex sprinkled throughout. The story revolves around the widow of a stunt pilot, Charles "Demon" Rumm, and the actor who wrangles his way into her home in order to learn more about her late husband whom he has been hired to portray. Of course they fall in love, but not before Kirsten Rumm has to come to terms with issues that surround the death of her husband. As I said, predictable, but it was an easy read (made even easier by the large print) and filled with naughty bits (take that how you may) - just perfect for a summer read!

What is Art?

2009-05-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

I just read an article about an exhibition of panels in Eureka Springs that have caused a stink because of some of the images depicted. Isn't art supposed to be provocative? If it doesn't make you stop and take a second look then what is the point?

Muppet Movie

2009-05-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

I grew up watching Sesame Street and the Muppet Show, and when I saw the Muppet Movie at the age of 13 it inspired me to buy the soundtrack, and it literally moved me to tears. Almost thirty years later, I've rented it for my three kids to watch for the first time. My kids were convinced they didn't like the Muppets. All they knew of the Muppets was the Muppet Babies cartoon, which, much like Scrappy Doo, was sheer blasphemy as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't like the Muppets either if that's all I had to base my opinion on. Three fourths of the way through the movie and they are glued to the screen. I love it!!! I'm so happy I found this lost gem for them to enjoy. Thanks, Netflix!

Speaking of little gems...check out Jason Mraz singing Rainbow Connection (and note the Rick Springfield t-shirt)!

Prunes!

2009-05-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Somehow I convinced my seven-year-old daughters to both eat a prune. I have never seen such a look of disgust on their sweet little faces. I laughed my butt off (don't I wish!). Another summer first!!!

Oak Ridge Boys ROCK!

2009-05-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, that's something I never thought I'd hear myself say, but it's true! ORB covered a White Stripes tune on their new album, and it's kind of seriously cool!

Seven Nation Army

Rhubarb Pie

2009-05-23T17:15:00.001-07:00

Today I made a rhubarb pie with some rhubarb I bought at a local farmers' market. My husband grew up eating rhubarb pie, and I thought I'd be brave and attempt it. I've never bought or cooked with rhubarb before, so this was a first. The pie was a big hit with my husband and son. My daughters didn't like it too well, but that just means there is more for the rest of us.

Catfish, Part II

2009-05-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Today we fried up some catfish that my hubby caught southern style with hushpuppies and the works! It was the first time my kids have eaten freshly caught fish like that. They loved it!