Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Halloween stuff

More 'ween than hallowed, I am afraid!

Garden Plants for Bats
Plants to grow to attract night-flying insects that bats will enjoy include cornflower, phlox, salvia, silene, spearmint and stock.
http://www.gifanimations.com/Image/Animations/Animals/Bats/~TS1162323850402/bats_011.gif


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Freaky Plants with Eyes.


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Cockroach the size of a man's thumb. (Are you thinking-Let me hold it!!!??)



This year is the first year in 17 years that we haven't carved a punkin or gone trick or treating. we have moved to the windiest place on earth, I think, and I didn't put the spooky eyes out or the moving skeleton head because they would all blow away!!!
We live in a rural area, and we live in the boonies of the rural area!! No sewers or city water, the Chicago Tribune will only come on Sunday, and only after 11am!! This is a neighborhood, with covenants and rules, but the lots are large and I would think trick or treats would have to be done by car! It's 40* and the wind is howling!
I did buy a bag of candy, just in case.
In Memphis, Cass loved the Disney costumes. They were expensive, right out of the Disney store, but she looked so beautiful as Tinkerbell and Snow White!
We never had cold weather, as a matter of fact, the most popular house on the block was the ones who would give juice boxes and cans of Coke!


I haven't heard from anyone about the seeds for SASE. It cost me $1.57 for three packs. I guess they would email me when they got mine.

Cass went to school today, but she is still not 100%, I hope she remembers her inhaler!

You know what I feel like for dinner? Grilled Cheese on big thick Italian bread, american and provolone cheese, and homemade brocolli and cheese soup. Oh, and
Go Bulls!!
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:SRNBHEWbKRtnjM:http://www.ironmouth.com/content/binary/chicago%2520bulls.jpg

Monday, October 30, 2006

Welcome to my house!! Some friends from Memphis have been asking me to post pics of my house, not just my plants....
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Front of my house. Seems like I haven't done anything...! I have planted about 100 bulbs in this space. The way the windows are bumped out is silly, to me. I will plant that Hinoki Cypress in front of those...
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Looking right off the back deck. That's facing west. That mess is my lasagna veggie garden for next year!
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Looking left and down off the deck. I am really starting to get discouraged because we have spent so much and yet we have so little....
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The Bird Garden, looking left-straight off the deck. Those two trees are the crabapples we put in last summer.
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Looking right-straight off the deck. Those are nice neighbors! He keeps an immaculate farm. Tomorrow, the guy comes to aerate the lawn so we can have better grass. I am so anxious to get it all done.
So frustrating! What was I doing when the weather was nice? Painting the basement. Today it is windy and 70*, so I finished planting the bulbs, I chopped up the leaves for the lasagna garden, pulled grass out of the flower garden, and planted some Happy Returns Daylily

The image “http://www.gardenperennials.net/assets/daylilies325/happy_returns.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. and Thundering Ovation DaylilyThe image “http://dixondelights.com/assets/2005-300/t-z/thundering_ovation.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
I have written away for SASE seeds, where folks will send you free seeds in an envelope you send them with postage on it. But it's structure I am missing....the big trees or shrubs that give a landscape it's "bones", as they say. Those are the big ticket items...
Slowly but surely, I guess.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Asthmatically speaking...

Cass is back on the nebulizer. It's been four years since she's needed it, but her asthma is back. I wonder if it was the corn maze? Also, strep throat and ear infections. She lies in bed, coughing and coughing. Even after three days on the nebulizer and the antibiotic. I cannot listen to it, I know there's nothing I can do to help her. It really doesn't seem to bother her, though. I don't know if she'll make it to school, tomorrow....

The medicine in the nebulizer acts like a amphetemine. It won't let her sleep. She is laying there, tossing and turning and coughing.
The last time we were at the Dr., Cass measured 5'6", and 145lbs. That was 10 months ago. On Friday, my twelve year-old baby is 5'10" tall and weighs 165lbs. That's right. She's 12. Soon, she will be taller than I am. She wears a size 12 shoe. Do you know how hard it is for a 12 year-old to wear a 12 shoe? All the "good" shoes are in size 6 or 8. Or, they have a three inch heel, making her over 6' tall!
Tomorrow, whether she goes to school or not, I am working in the yard. I will plant the rest of those bulbs and mow the back.
Garden joke:
Two older ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress.

One leaned over and said, "Life is so boring. We never have any fun anymore. For $5.00 I'd take my clothes off right now and streak through that stupid flower show!"
"You're on!" said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill.

As fast as she could, the first little old lady fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked through the front door of the flower show.

Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause. The naked lady burst out through the door surrounded by a cheering crowd.

"What happened?" asked her waiting friend.
"Why, I won first prize for Best Dried Arrangement."
HA!!!

I sure have found some wonderful folks, thru blogging. My newest favorite is Carol's. She is blogging her grandmother's diary. Every day, she posts the entry of her grandmother's diary.
Read more here: Ruth Campbell Smith, 1925-1927.
It's facinating to read about her problems getting her youngest to sleep, and how the other kids dirty up the house....Hmmm...Here I am, 81 years later, with the same problems!!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Corn Mazing!!

I had never been to a corn maze before, never even heard of it, before our move to Northern Illinois!! I took several of the seventh graders to a corn maze, yesterday! We had temps in the 50s and loads of sun, but it was still chilly until we got into the maze!!
They take an aerial photo of the farm and then they go in and cut out a maze. This is what the maze looks like from the air:

http://www.jonamacorchard.com/images/2006-Corn-Maze.jpg
It is 10 acres and would take a regular adult about an hour to get thru. You see that little box near the horse's foot? That's the entrance. They hand you a map and you are on your own! The corn is about 8 feet tall, you can't see over it, you just follow your map, I guess, and start wandering around!
Well, I was in the group with the girls and we were right in front of the group of the boys. As you wander thru this maze, there are several ways to approach it. You can follow your map and methodically try to figure it out. That would take about an hour.
OR you can run, screaming and squealing, trying to beat the boys.
Guess which method we used? It took us 22 minutes to get thru that thing, those girls running the entire way, with me behind them, trying to keep them in sight.

We won!!!
They ran thru that thing with the boys on our heels, trying to find us, the whole way. I would keep shushing the girls, telling them if we aren't squealing, they can't find us, but the suspense of not being able to see the boys, but hearing them on our tails was too much and they would start screaming again!! It was kind of unnerving, running thru the corn, getting caught up in the race, and not being able to see what's around us!!

The boys took the loss like most boys, countering with reasons why they would have won and why they thought we cheated...

One boy even cried. He's 13 years-old and became so upset at the loss that he ran to his mom, who did not go thru and tearfully pleaded their case. It made me sick.
If that boy cannot accept that loss, what's going to happen when he doesn't get his first job? The first college choice doesn't accept him? His first girl? ugh...
That's the kind of mom that pays for grades, and gives cash incentives to compensate for working full time and for being emotionally unavailable. This is what happens when the kid has had a mom who interferes on his behalf in every case. His friend won't let him use the red firetruck? The mom is right on top of him, making the other kid share. See?? The kid hasn't seen rejection or failure, so he can't handle it. That is a recipe for disaster....

It's about 40 and raining, today, of course. I still don't have the allium in or the red tulips and white crocus. I have read on some boards where if you don't get the tulips in by Oct., they won't come up....yesterday would have been perfect, but, of course, we had an aMAZEing time!!

So many of you have wonderful family histories. It makes me jealous. I had a terrible childhood and have very little happy memories or heirlooms. So, I have decided to create a garden with memories. It's not hard to do, I have discovered.
Yvonne's Salvia
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Sam and Yvonne. They live in Massachusetts and have been sharing the seeds to that beautiful plant behind them for three years. All they ask for is a note telling about you and where you are gardening and how you will use the seeds!
I wish Yvonne and Sam where my grandparents!! I have sent away for the seeds...
Sometimes this kind of gardening is called heirloom. Really, for me, it's not the age of the plant or the age of the strain, it's the memory and the message the plant sends.

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I watched my hero, Allan Armitage, on the TV last night. They asked him why he grows the common red poppy. This was his response, very touching:
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


The idea for the Flanders Fields Memorial Poppy came to Moina Michael while she was working at the YMCA Overseas War Secretaries' headquarters on a Saturday morning in November 1918, two days before the Armistice was declared at 11 o'clock on 11 November.

The Twenty-fifth Conference of the Overseas YMCA War Secretaries was in progress. On passing her desk, a young soldier left a copy of the November Ladies Home Journal on Moina's desk. (He was the son of A G Kneble, Executive Secretary to the War Personnel Board of National War Workers Council, the governing board of the staff of the YMCA Secretaries for Overseas.)

Original grave markers at Essex Farm British Military Cemetery. The cemetery was close to the location where John McCrae conceived 'In Flanders Fields'.At about 10.30am, when everyone was on duty elsewhere, Moina found a few moments to read the magazine. In it she came across a page which carried a vivid colour illustration for the poem "We Shall Not Sleep" (later named "In Flanders Fields") by the Canadian Army doctor John McCrae.

Reading the poem on this occasion - she had read it many times before - Moina was transfixed by the last verse - "To you from failing hands we throw the Torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields."

In Moina Michael's book 'The Miracle Flower' she described the experience as deeply spiritual, and she felt as though she was actually being called in person by the voices which had been silenced by death.

At that moment Moina Michael made a personal pledge to 'keep the faith' and vowed always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and as an emblem for "keeping the faith with all who died".

Compelled to make a note of this pledge she hastily scribbled down a response on the back of a used envelope, entitled "We Shall Keep the Faith".

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies

Seems like I will have lots of red coming into my garden, next year!!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Wish list

The image “http://www.seedsavers.org/images/472.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Castor Bean Gibsonii, Red Castor Bean plant
The image “http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d128/dessibri/Views/Patio/DSC02260.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. see it here in a real garden?? Fantastic!!

The image “http://www.regannursery.com/resources/leda/110602/donjuan.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Climbing Don Juan. This rose covered an antique trellis Jeff bought me. We left it in Memphis. The roses smelled wonderful and the vine was well behaved, for a rose!

The image “http://www.robsplants.com/images/portrait/TalinumPaniculatum040723.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Jewels of Opar. How fabulous is that name??!! The plant looks kinda weird, but it has special meaning for me. I left that one, too, in Memphis.
The image “http://www.robsplants.com/images/portrait/TalinumPaniculatum040715.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.here it is in a garden. Looks a lot like lettuce with antennae!

The image “http://www.stratsplace.com/gardenpics/verbena_may98.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Verbena bonariensis. Really easy to grow, invasive. Beautiful, attracts loads of bees and butterflies!! Don't plant near the door!!

http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~dan/pictures/1/spiderwort.jpgprarie spiderwort. Ugly name, pretty flower!
This is back in Memphis, too....

http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/peony-1.jpgThis is a peony. So many gardens have peonies. The folks in the south call them PEE-OH-KNEES. I like that! I have never had a peony bloom in any garden. I have been given peonies and planted them, but they really hate being transplanted and they sulk for two or three years without a bloom. And, by that time, we were moved. Last year, I waited for three plants to come up. It was there third year. I was really excited about the fabulous heavy perfumed blooms that I would have in the kitchen. Then, we lost our job. I have planted peonies in every garden I have ever had, but never seen one bloom. RATS!!
I even bought a peony plant with a bud on it, ready to open! I rushed it home, dug it's new hole, placed it in, and what happened? The next morning, a straight line wind storm took the flower bud off.
In the north, I see entire front yards lined with PEE-AH-NEES. I often think, I would love to show up with a shovel and ask for a clump. Why would they care? They have miles of them!!
If you have such a beautiful plant, don't take it for granted! There are gardeners who have never had the luxury of staying in one place and nurturing a peony from spring to it's coppery autumn finish...The image “http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/foliage-plants/peony-flax-foliage.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
I think I will take the dogs to the park at the end of the block. (I am taking a shovel in the truck, just in case I find an unsuspecting peony!!)
Have a great day!!

Monday, October 23, 2006

Swedish Meatballs

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With Brussel Sprouts. YUM! What a terrific comfort food day!
Best way to cook brussels? Roast them! Coat fresh sprouts with olive oil and salt and roast them at 375 for about 20 minutes. Today, we will have them stir fried because they are frozen, but still yummy!

Book Fair? Nope, not even close...

I did the entire book fair by myself. I will never do that again. Every day, from 8-9, 1030-1, and 3-4, I had to attend the book fair. I also set it up and my family helped me break it down. It took all my time.
I don't think I cooked dinner once during the entire week. I am sure I have volunteer burn-out and it's not even November and the big push is in November....

Top Signs of Volunteer Burn-out
By Lisa Barker
Oct 5, 2006, 22:00



One of the best things parents can do for their children is to volunteer in the classroom or for an after school sport or club. But sometimes parents, especially moms, can over-commit and that can quickly lead to burn-out and resentment. Post the following list on your refrigerator to help keep your volunteerism in a healthy range.

You might have volunteer burn-out if…

1. You know the teacher’s planner better than she does and she has to ask you where to find such and such in her classroom.

2. Whenever you eat pasta you think of a dozen wearable art projects you can make with it.

3. On the average there are more kids at your house daily than you have actually given birth to.

4. You have a PDA to keep track of all the things you volunteer for.

5. Your husband, sitting next to you, has to call you on his cell phone just to schedule some snuggle time…and you have to clear it with the P.T.O. first.

6. Whenever you hear the timer on the stove or the alarm in the morning you snarl because it reminds you of how much time you DON’T have.

7. You’ve started volunteering for more projects to get out of the ones you are already committed to.

8. You realize that you’re in this for life, which is funny because you no longer even have one.

9. You spend more evenings out than you do at home but you’re not having any fun.

10. You’re away from home so much you need to be reminded where it is.

11. You know exactly how many days, hours and minutes until the next holiday break.

12. You’re thinking of committing a petty crime so it will show up on your next background check and prevent you from volunteering.

13. Your child innocently asks for dinner and you give a thirty-minute speech on how all you do is give and you’ve got nothing left to give.

14. You fantasize about sending a bill for your time to those you volunteer for or wonder if your time and talent are worthy of a tax write-off.

15. That sarcastic voice in your head is demanding to be heard…and you’re only too happy to oblige.

16. Every time somebody praises you for your volunteer work you eye them suspiciously, certain that they will give you more to do.

17. You’ve decided that the Golden Rule is for sado-masochists.

18. The kids want you to volunteer for some activities on the weekend. At home.

19. You’ve contacted the witness relocation program to hide you from the committee chairperson.

20. You’re thinking of going back to work full-time just to cut down on your workload.

---------------------------------------------------

The last one is especially true. I have been thinking about taking a part time job because I am caught at the school too often and they put me to work. I don't know another person who volunteers as much as I do. Especially with the volleyball, this year, it had me really running.

Enough!

I have really been wanting to finish the bulb planting, but now it's cold and rainy. What I really want is this:

The image “http://www.eastforknursery.com/images/Cham.%20obtusa%20'Fernspray%20Gold'.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Hinoki Cypress.

This spring, I will be ready. Last spring, we were waiting to move and I didn't have anything to landscape. But this spring, I will be the first one buying up the shrubs...




Monday, October 16, 2006

Verbena


This is 'Homestead Purple'. The garden books say I can take cuttings from this and will have the same plant, next year.
In the south, it just came back. I don't know about cuttings, though. Where would I keep them? I would love to be able to do it, but I don't trust myself!
He looks a little ratty because we have had a hard freeze...

Sunday, October 15, 2006

2 teens killed in suburban car crash

Chicago Tribune

A Deerfield High School homecoming celebration ended tragically when a carload of students crashed into a tree near Summit Drive in this north suburban community, killing two teens and injuring three others.

Killed in the crash was Daniel Bell, 18, and passenger Ross Trace, 18. Bell was believed to have been driving the auto late Friday when it crashed, officials said.

Trace, who graduated from Deerfield last year and now lives in California, was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene from massive head injuries.

Bell, a senior at Deerfield, died at Lutheran General Hospital shortly after midnight Saturday.

Three other students were admitted to the hospital with serious injuries. Their names have not been released.

The students had just left a party in Deerfield to celebrate the homecoming football game Friday evening, said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller.

School officials cancelled a homecoming parade scheduled for Saturday morning, but the homecoming dance was scheduled to be held in the evening.

A crisis team, including school administrators and counselors has arrived at the school and is available to students.


The above story is my worst nightmare. Two boys dead, three in grave condition. They were celebrating being young. They were drinking. It was homecoming, it's their right to be happy. Don't drink and drive.

I know just as soon as you say they won't, a child will. I have preached and spoken and pounded it into my kids that it's not them I don't trust. It's the other guy. The kid who is pouring gin into his McDonald's cup without you knowing. The guy who is polluted, driving home and swerving into your lane, while you are on the way to church. Don't park on the busy street. Don't walk in front of cars, even if they wave you on. Don't trust that friend will drive straight-even if she's only had two or three.

The kids and I have a signal. See, it's very uncool to call in front of your friends and say, "Mom, can you come get me? Soandso has had a few drinks and I don't want to die!". So, I have devised a signal. They call me and say, "What's up? Did you call?" I will know then that they need help and I can ask where they are and be there.
Even with all that, I know God, ultimately, is in control. I pray daily for my kids.
Anyone who knows me-knows I suffer from terrible anxiety about the kids.
Example: About a year ago, Nick went to see an all night Star Wars thing. It started at midnight. Don't you know I was up all night, watching for headlights out the window...
He texted me around 5 and said they were coming home, they got too tired...and I cried uncontrollably. Then, I waited the next 40 minutes on the front porch, scared to death something would happen on the way home.
Cass went to her first dance on Friday night. She thinks I just dropped her off at the Chinese place with her friends and picked her up at the dance a few hours later. Really, I was on the phone with the mom who drove and then with the mom who chapperoned.
I trust Cassidy. I don't trust the janitor who is lurking behind the door, ready to grab a child.
Really, Cassidy is 5'10", and hardly resembles a child, but in my mind she always will be.
I am exactly the person Paxil was invented for, but I don't take anything like that. Just another drug to help me cope? No thanks. I will keep praying...
Lord, look down from heaven above

And touch this special child with love.

Protect and guide this little one

'Till each and every day is done.

Remind us often that it's true:

This little life is a gift from you.

A miracle You've sent our way!

Lord, bless this little child today.

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My prayers go out to the Parents of Deerfield. It is my hope that they are able to find Peace of Mind and Comfort from the Lord.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Oscar Madison, I presume??


Once I dig in and start putting all this back, I will find Oscar Madison, from the Odd Couple. I just know it.
I thought getting new carpet would be a great thing. After all, the old carpet was only 5 months old and the carpet guy guessed 10 years. It was defective and shed all the pieces! But we had to move all the furniture, ourselves.
This is just part of the contents of my darling's closet.



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Today, it was windy and cool, and the boys are visiting U of I. Cass helped me pull the mushy annual vinca and I used my Garden Weasel on the old mulch. The image “http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/01/75/00/90/0001750090100_215X215.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
My mulch always gets so compacted, I am sure the water is just running off the top...This Garden Weasel looked like the silliest thing, a friend brought it over when we lived in Memphis along with some other things. I don't use it for weeding, but I Weasel the heck out of the old mulch!
I then planted Glory of the SnowThe image “http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/plants/springbulbs/images/chionodoxa.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.,
Don Quixote Red TulipsThe image “http://www.bloomingbulb.com/Images/ClientImages/TulpDonQuichotte70100.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.


Star of HollandThe image “http://www.brecks.com/images/250/68663.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Crocus Mixed The image “http://www.brecks.com/images/250/67341.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors..
I put down 7 bags of Midnight Black mulch and the front bed looks fabulous!
I pulled the purple fountain grass from the other side of the hosue and decided I don't like the look of the grass next to the house. It looks so messy.
I planted 8 of the tulips on either side of the paladium window. I cannot wait!! They will come up in front of the evergreen yews, so they will look great!!
Tomorrow, I will plant the crocus/tulip mix I bought. I am skeptical about them blooming at the same time, but I am hopefull!The image “http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/gardeningbulbs_1917_622725” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. isn't it beautiful??
I was not this crazy about planting bulbs when I lived in Memphis. There are many more plants and things you can do in a mild winter-I am just getting ready because I know I am going to be chomping at the bit, by April or March. February....you know...

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Geraniums....

On the way to school, it was sleeting and snowing. I have been watching a stand of red geraniums in a yard, on the way to school. As the weather grew cooler, they're color grew more intense. When we passed them today, they were bent over from the weight of the snow on them!
When I picked Cass up at 3, they were standing tall and straight, vibrant as ever, and their foilage looked pristine.

So, here's my question...why can't you buy geraniums in the fall? Why are the store clogged with the same old mums and sappy looking pansies? I mean, I like a nice pansy, but they are overplanted and they always look so weak in those stores.
Some of the old-fashioned petunias do well in the cool/cold. Do you think you could buy those now?? Let me know if you find them in my area. !
Vintage seed catalogs are beautiful!!
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The image “http://wallplates.ddrfurniture.com/images/Garden/gard-ads12.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

I found them while looking for info on old fashioned petunias!
Book fair tomorrow. ugh

The Weather Outside Is Frightful!







This is yesterday. I love the red barn against that grey puffy sky!!!







Lots of grey puffy, today!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

My bulbs aren't in, and look at the neighbor's yard!!
It's supposed to be 67 on Saturday, so I will put the bulbs in, then...!










Already dreaming of spring...
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This sumptuous tulip brings to mind the finest of renaissance painters with extra-large, 5” deep red flowers. Besides its refined beauty, this tulip is robust and flowers for a very long time
These are some I will plant Saturday!!


Tuesday, October 10, 2006

No Shells

After I posted, I got so sick. I am not sure what is going on, maybe the stomach flu, but there was no way I was going to shop and prepare all that food. I couldn't even look at the picture I had posted!
So, I called the Walmart deli and ordered chicken for 25 with the sides. I know they will still be grateful and it will be safer for them, I know that much!
Really, the chicken there is pretty good. I like to get the strips and have them on a salad with feta cheese and greek dressing!

A fantasy update:
I am in first place in my league!! I have been spending a little time on it, this year and it is showing. I was on the couch for most of the day, yesterday and I watched alot of the ESPN and NFL channels. They had the Joe Torre watch.
Speaking of that, the Cubs still don't have a manager. They interviewed Joe Girardi again and the AA coach and AAA coach. I have also heard Tony Pena's name. Whoever they get has to be
a really strong guy. Not a pushover like Dusty.
http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2006/10/bakergonegone.jpg
"I'm gone. I won't be back," Baker said Sunday after the Cubs completed a last-place season with an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies. "Somebody's got to take the blame, and it might as well be me."
See you, Dusty. Nice to see you take responsibility. All those days, wasted, the games we went to, you lost. I couldn't wait to see you clean out your locker and get the heck off my TV.

Monday, October 09, 2006

I signed up for what??!!

The school doesn't do a lot of teacher support activities, they just don't.
When I came, I started a once-a-month lunch, something to help them realize how grateful the parents are!
So, I did it last month, ordered Italian beef and drove an hour away and picked it up with all the fixings. I spent almost $75 and it didn't bring a whole lot.
This month, I said I would cook. Well, it's tomorrow, and I am really busy, this time. The Book Fair arrives on Thursday and starts on Sunday. I don't know why I thought I could do this...
I have to shop for it and make it today because Wed, all the carpet upstairs is being ripped out and replaced. It's matted and worn already, (since purchase in May) and I hate it...they are replacing it free, but we have to move the stuff we can. That takes up all Tuesday.
The image “http://recipes.rd.com/eRMS/Photos/37/exps16747_CB7477C189A.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Stuffed Shells Florentine

Thursday, October 05, 2006






This is what it looks like in the parking lot at Soldier Field, Chicago before a game. It's miles and miles of tailgaiting!! It's a beautiful sight, my friend!!
GO BEARS!!

I am looking for recipes for tailgate, I am running out of ideas!!
Send me your favorites, please!!