Edna’s advice about newfangled gadgets:
“Push all of the buttons and flip all the switches right away. That way all of the surprises happen while you’re watching for them.”
Blissification
Edna’s Advice: Newfangled Gadgets
October 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Boo’s Blogging
October 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As y’all may know, I’m homeschooling our boy child. In an attempt to connect writing with his interests, he’s starting to blog about the things he does and reads. Since his favorite activities involve gaming and reading and the dog, I suspect there will be a pretty heavy emphasis on these things.
Anywho, if you’re interested in what Boo has to say about Rocket Boys, he reviews the book here. He also did a first-day on Terraria post that sounds fascinating even though I haven’t a clue what he’s actually talking about.
Ahhhh… finally a “cool” way to get some words out of this kiddo. I love homeschooling. This is why.
Bliss in a Bowl
October 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
So, the other night we had friends over for dinner. They, very thoughtfully, brought an amazing chocolate cake and ice cream to go with it.
And we only ate about a quarter of it.
And they left the extras behind.
Sooooo, Ned Andrew brought me a bowl, you know, so it wouldn’t go to waste.
He’s a good boy.
Gina’s Stuff: Tennessee Tarts — Almost Good Enough to Eat
October 11, 2011 By 5 Comments
Last year around the holidays, Ned Andrew and I came across these adorable little cast iron skillets in Franklin, TN. We bought about a half dozen of them to give as gifts, but made sure to keep one for our own selves. The clever shop had them displayed with little tea light stands so that you could warm potpourri tarts in them. A local crafter just happened to have said tarts for sale nearby.
We’ve loved this little set up. It does a wonderful job of adding fragrance to our home, and the little tea lights are way more economical than scented candles. The tarts can be warmed over and over again, so they last for a long while. The dozen or so we purchased last December are just at the end of their run.
So, when I learned that single-mom, pal, and all-around super hero, Jennifer Batts, from Knoxville has a business making these little waxy smell-goods, I had to give them a try. I ordered a couple of’ 10-Tart Samplers (free shipping!) at the end of last week. Even with the postal holiday, they were here today. (Amazing. I was sort of looking around to see if she’d driven them to Nashville.) I’m kind of impressed that they weren’t eaten in transit. The box smelled like a bakery.
When I finally got inside and got the package opened, I was thrilled with the assortment of goodies. The typical tarts come in shapes that reflect their scent, but the samplers all look like baby Bundt cakes. Since I know that the shape doesn’t matter once you melt them, I was cool with the simple shape. I ordered 2 each of 10 “flavors” and had a really hard time deciding which one to try first. After warning everyone that they couldn’t actually eat the tarts — they’re that delicious — we put it to a sniff vote. Pumpkin Spice won the first round.
So far, we’re thrilled. It melted beautifully in our warmer. The scent is lovely and fragrant enough to notice without knocking you backwards upon entering the house. In short, I’m delighted!
The great news is that I probably have a years’ supply of them now. The bad news is that I can’t justify ordering Jennifer’s 30 other fragrances yet. Unless… I order a boatload of them for holiday gifts.
Ooooohhhhh…
Hey, Jennifer! I’m gonna need more tarts!
Edna on Moral Support
October 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Edna is always quick to point out that her cane does not indicate anything about her age or her vigor.
Then she highlights, in divine detail, its 101 amazing uses — her favorites being:
- nabbing small children from precarious positions
- catching the elevator at the last possible moment
- crocheting rope into the perfect hammock when faced with a sunny afternoon without a proper chaise lounge, fainting couch, or magic carpet at hand.
By the time she arrives at the end of her list, you’ve begun to wonder how, exactly, you have survived even a single hour without one of these essential thingamajigs.
Edna on Contact Sports
October 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
While she absolutely understood the urge to knock the crud out of something, Edna never figured out how hitting somebody did them much of any good.
Now beating a rug with a broom?
The old girl figured that was about all the whoopin’ anyone ever needed.
Gina’s Cooking: Beans and Cornbread
October 7, 2011 By 2 Comments
There are days when you I really want comfort food. Today was one of those.
Good thing Ned Andrew was in the mood for comfort food, too, because after my baby sister put the idea in my head I got a hankerin’ for a good ole batch of butter beans and cornbread.
The cornbread recipe is my Grandmother Walker’s. I’m pretty sure she picked it up in North Carolina back before phones were cordless. It’s a doctored up version of a Jiffy mix (we like our cornbread sweet) with cream corn, sour cream, eggs, and oil. It’s baked in a cast-iron skillet that requires two hands to lift.
The butter bean recipe is a concoction I’ve made up over time. It has the basics, though — beans, onion, butter, pepper, salt, and “flavorings” as my Granny called them. Some folks like pork in their beans. I don’t eat pork, so I put dry mustard, parsley, marjoram, paprika, a little Tony’s if I want some heat, and keep adding stuff until I like them.
I was in the mood for some chow chow, but we didn’t have any. So, I flavored this batch pretty high. Ned Andrew came to the table with his hot sauce and mustard but never opened them. These beans had some kick.
I have to say that there’s nothing more satisfying than a bowl of hot butter beans and cornbread. Sure, I like fancier fare, too. But tonight? This and only this would do.
Clicking this recipe will make it bigger.
Clicking this recipe will make it bigger.
Happy Snap: Floating Pretty Ceiling Stuff
October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Just as she was about to attempt to catch a falling star — and perhaps swing from a chandelier while she was at it — Edna remembered herself.
Taking a deep breath and regaining her composure, she yelled, “Waaaahoooooooo!” at the precise moment of take off.
Edna is a trained professional. Please do not try this when you visit Taco Mamacita — regardless of how much you love their sky decorations. Have some risky sweet potato fries and a dangerous mango taco instead.
Okay, fine. Yell, “Waaahooooooooo!” but please don’t hurt yourself.
Happy Snap: Champ’s Tree
October 3, 2011 By 2 Comments
Champ is happy to nap just about anywhere, but his favorite spot is under our apple tree. Sometimes he even puts his head up and barks at stuff, but only if it’s really important stuff.
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