Thursday, March 30, 2006

Another Culinary Experiment

Ok, so 2 blogs down at the end I said I was going to invent something for dinner using the ground round. Well, I looked around my cabinets and concluded that I was gonna try a southwestern casserole.
First I steamed a small amount of white rice then browned the ground round with some onions. I put that in the bottom of a casserole dish and mixed it with 2 or so tablespoons of cream cheese. Then I poured a jar of left over salsa, a can of corn, a can of drained black beans, grated cheddar cheese and crumbled corn chips that were just sitting there not being eaten. Let me tell you, It was GREAT! and Jerome loved it. I love casseroles because you can assemble it , throw it in the oven or crock pot and forget it!
I didnt think Charles would eat it due to the heat and tomatoes in the salsa so he had a small frozen pizza and salad (lettuce, cucumber, cheese, egg and croutons) with ranch dressing.
Im starting to think that sometimes the measure of a good cook is not necessarily what you cook but properly utilizing what you already have on hand.
Thanks Mom D (Mom Denardo soon to be Mom Bowers) and Mom M. (Mom McDougall) for inspriring me to want to cook and experiment!

p.s.
For those of you who seriously want to go, maybe we should start thinking about leaving on a (5 or 6 day?) cruise anytime on or after Christmas eve. Could we possibly pull this off?
FBI on Duty!

I WON THE LOTTERY!!!

Actually I didn't win anything. I just wanted to see if I could get some more readers based on the headline AND get your attention.

Did you all miss my highly interesting blogs? Well nothing highly interesting has happened lately. Allow me to share several thoughts, stories and updates in one long blog that should last until something else comes to mind.

I walked the bridge this morning after several weeks off and several days sitting, working at a computer all day. I sure felt the burn today. . . No, not the burn of fat dissolving off my body but the burn of the thick flesh of my thighs rubbing together. Needless to say, I need to do this more often. I know I am doing good when they quit chafing as I sweat.
I did get to see my usual dolphins. I am so disappointed if I don't see at least one. Even if it's just a tail. Today, they were feeding on a batch of baitfish which attracted the pelicans. Nature is so amazing.

These past few weeks have been hectic at work. We finished yet another deadline. I worked on the April issue cover but after doing so many ads, I guess my creative juices ran out. Either way, I did the major work and Heike, Karen and I unanimously came up with the color scheme. Works out fine by me. I also spent a few extra days working on ads for the 2006 Melbourne Art Festival (which I hope to enter with original artwork one of my living days) and I had the privilege of designing the cover again this year. I will figure a way to post that. I think I am going to hunt down the artist of the painting that we used for the cover and have him/her sign it. I should have done that last year. They usually have booths at the Art Fest.

Charles is on Spring Break and it hasn't been so exciting for him. However, I think he is just enjoying the time at home with us. As you know, when school starts up, the schedules get strained and time together is spent mostly on the weekends. Anyway, yesterday we went to the courthouse to pay my tickets. (ok, so the ticket could have been for BARELY running a red light but the nice, young, handsome officer gave little ol' me a nice BIG break. Instead of major fine and points I got 2 tickets for not having proof of registration or insurance-which I did-get it). Sooooo, I took the opportunity to show Charles a life lesson that will hopefully stick. Luckily it was not at a major expense to me! He was interested to see the courthouse and assumed that we were going to see a judge. (he said he wanted to say "hi" to the judge if he wasn't too busy). We made our way through the security checkpoint and past the poor people waiting in line for court to the clerk of courts. (Gigi's old job at the city of Winter Park). To Charles' disappointment we only spoke to a woman behind the counter. However, my point was made when we got to the cashier and I had to hand over $15 only to get nothing in return. He was amazed.

We then went to BK drive through for a croissant & coffee for me and hash browns for him and then to the bank to deposit the majority of my Brevard Live April issue paycheck. A nice one at that due to a nice bonus from Heike for such a good month. Thanks BL! I am very lucky. I also get free lunches on deadline week and a full body massage once a month. Those Germans can be quite generous if you do them right.
We got home, I packed tuna sandwiches. NOTHING tastes better than my cold tuna fish sandwiches at the beach. Right MOM D? Celery, mayo and pickles for me and celery, mayo and onions for Mac. Charles will learn. For now he just had ham and cheese. For some reason, the same sandwich can taste much better at the beach than at home. We also had chips and sodas. It was really nice.

Mac tried to go out surfing but he doesn't have a wet suit, only a vest so he got a weeee bit chilly and had to come in after about 30 minutes. Pooor poor wittle Florida boy.
I came home afterwards and went shopping for this years bathing suit. I found one at the big W for $24. It is hot pink with a rhinestone heart on one side of the top and the hip. I wonder how long those will last. My bathing suits only tend to last one year. When the new one comes in the old one is retired to my 'backyard' bathing suits and my old backyard bathing suits are thrown out.

After that I went grocery shopping for basic necessities and dinner ideas. Of course I draw a blank when I get to the store and cant remember one damn recipe. So I just get various meats, snacks, drinks and sides like pasta, rice, veggies & fruits. I don't buy many desserts because I am usually the one who ends up eating most of them. Every now and then I will buy a batch of cookies or make brownies. This time I bought pudding. Chocolate and banana cream. I made the chocolate last night. Mac wanted to eat it so bad but he says it breaks him out but Charles and I did. I will save the Banana cream for the weekend and make real banana pudding with nilla wafers and real banana or a banana cream pie. Whatever vote wins.

The other night I made boneless beef ribs with an oj & bbq sauce and rice a roni, green beans and biscuits. Am I a true southern girl or what? Charles LOVED it. Is he a true southern boy or what?

Simon has now learned to catch and return frisbees (rather well), sit, speak, shake, lay down and we are working on roll over. Smart guy. He smells sooooo good after a bath and I gave him one yesterday, he was REALLY dirty.

Thanks for all of your compliments on my dress for the wedding. My new theory for picking out clothing is "WWMD". What would mom's do? Carroll and Annette included. I tried to imagine what they would say about the dresses on me or the suit on Charles even though he was MUCH easier to pick stuff out for.

Once again, the wedding was really nice. I keep dreaming about the food. The whole evening went rather quick. Good thing I got some pictures to remind.
Well it's another day off for me. I go back to work tomorrow and Annette will be down to visit for the weekend. I will do some laundry today and we will find something to do as a family today and rest tonight. Im not sure what for dinner but I have some ground round out and I will more than likely invent something based on the ingredients in my cupboard.

I am not suprised LIsa got voted off. I agree with Bobby, all of their performances could have been much better. Watch out Bucky, Ace and Blondie!!! Gooooooo Taylor and Katherine!!!!!!

Also, just dropping a hint;
A cruise for Xmas would be great.
BYOTIOP Style- (Buy your own tickets instead of presents).
Anyone want to try to work it out despite very different schedules?

Much Love, Miss all - Keep on bloggin ya'll

Monday, March 20, 2006

Pictures of my Beaver!




This is my design for the Beaver Bikes line and the bike. I also designed the Blackhawk logo on the back of the seat. Wish I could ride it!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Hi Everyone

I am exploring more of my computer outlets. Charles and I are here at the Melbourne Beach Public Library. We just got back from a (rather boring) St. Patrick's Day parade downtown. I know St. Patrick's Day was yesterday but I guess they have it on a Saturday so the kids can attend. We ate ice cream from a new store downtown that sells ice creams & shakes, turtles, candy apples and bunches of other yummy stuff. (Annette, I put in a request for some divinity around Xmas time.) I was lucky enough to enjoy some corned beef and cabbage on the real St. Patrick's day so I felt like we celebrated the holiday well.
Im sure all of you know by now that I have decided to go to the wedding. I am going to make it a total family affair and visit with all of my relatives. Charles and I will be going over on Saturday to Dad's house and we will all ride together. Then we will spend the night with him and visit with Annette, Mac and Granny for breakfast Sunday morning. So it is for more than just the Bowers.
I actually just found a dress at Goodwill believe it or not. I went there last weekend on a "girls only" shopping spree. I found a couple pairs of shorts and happened to walk by the dress section to spot a really pretty black and white print dress actually hanging aside. Really hoping that it would fit, I took it into the dressing room to try on. IT ACTUALLY FIT! The instant I zipped it, I knew it was mine. It isn't a very expensive dress but it is really beautiful. The original "Dress Barn" price tag was on it. $39.99. It has a tank style top and an a-frame skirt with a slight flair at the bottom. It has a fairly high waisted bow that can be easily traded with a bow of another color to match shoes. I was totally thinking Red. Very couture! So I have my dress and was given some money by a special person to buy Charles a nice suit of some sort. Thanks again!!

Apparently I will be able to upload pics from the library. All I have to do is bring my cruzer stick and go!
COMING SOON:
I have some pictures of a logo that I did for a motorcycle company called Blackhawk. Which I have designed the logo for as well. The new logo is for a line of women's motorcycles called "beaver bikes". Catchy huh? Can you imagine the lines you could come up with? Anyway, I will supply a few of those and pics of the logo that has been sewed onto the seat. MY LOGO! It's really cool. So I will post those pics along with the pics of the process it took to make a "alligator" for teacher appreciation day. I will also take pics at the wedding and upload those. Could be interesting.
I miss each and every one of you and hope that everyone is happy and healthy! Now were going to check out some books and go home!!

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Hello again cyber world!

Well, as usual not much going on except LIFE! Wow what an oxymoron.

We went to the store this morning and bought the usual stuff. We had $100 to spend (you know how we like CASH). Doesn't go very far as you all know. First of all, I forgot my calculator. I LOVE that thing. Keeps me well in my budget. We tried to stay within what we thought was well below $100 since we had a c-note to spend.
Well, the bill came out to about 109 and change and that was a subtotal BEFORE our charcol, wood chips and beer. I looked at Jerome and he looked at me and said he had only 103. JEEEZ.
Well, it WAS more than I thought he had. So not only did we have to to put back the charcol, wood chips and beer but we had to take another $3 off by turning in, under my decision, the canola oi, ranch dressing & stove top stuffing. Anyway, might as well put back the bad stuff. I wasnt that embarassed cause at least we asked her for a subtotal before the beer & stuff and the girl behind us had a ipod and was thumbing through the mags. It didn't take us long to get outta there.

Our shopping cart more or less consisted of items like gatoraid, caprisun, sliced turkey, carrots, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, bread, honeybuns, bacon, frozen dinners, bagels, chips, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, yogurt, country fried steak, raviloi, canned veggies, pork chops, steaks, sausage patties, hamburger meat, tunafish, pita bread, milk, eggs, alfredo sauce, yellow & rice a roni, and lots of legumes for some reason like lima beans, black beans, baked beans & pinto beans (to make in crockpot).

Considering all we got is food, I think we did pretty good. Especially since we are feeding a family of 3 for a week and off course we eat out periodically.

Anyway, After shopping, I made sandwiches and we went to the beach to soak up some sun. Basically dethaw. Earth/Florida/Melbourne/Indialantic/Tampa Ave. It was perfect weather! About 72 degrees with a light breeze. I chilled & ate. Going shopping when you are hungry is pure torture, not to mention Mac and I don't always agree on whats necessary like my Marie's blue cheese and his beer. Equally heart clogging. But we made it.

There were several pelicans today hanging out on the beach. They are so cool. Not very interesting to watch but cautious and beautiful. There was a dad down the beach trying so hard to fly a kite for his kid. He kept running and the kite would go up in the sky and fly for a minute then plummet to the ground. His persistence was admirable. He did eventually, after several tries, get the kite to fly.

The water was cool but not cold and there was a little area right at the water's edge that was only about 1 or 2ft deep and perfect for Charles or anyone else who didnt want to go out deeper.

We ALL enjoyed the weather and of course Mac and I enjoyed people watching. We all know you have to have sunglasses on to do this. BIts of eye candy here and there. More for him than me.

We are home now. Charles has been allowed to rent Godzilla Final Wars which is on "in demand" on cable and only $3.99 for 24 hours. Meaning he can watch it twice, today and tomorrow if he wants. Mac's Gators are playing basketball and he is out in "his room". I am here on the comp. catching up on blogs, emails, downloading stuff for ads and "listening" to CD's I rented at the library on my "cd BURNER". I have Alicia Keys, Eric Clapton, The Pretenders and Usher. I enjoy having them in my collection. cough.

I have to assemble a "control panel" prop using empty boxes for the play in which Charles' class will participate. I actually did the same "control panel" last year but I guess the other teacher didnt save it. This year, I will make a better one!

We are having steak and bacon wrapped shrimp (yumminess!) for dinner and we will enjoy the rest of our day hanging out as a family.

Bloggin Peace Ya'll!

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Original Artwork by Sir Charles



Entitled:
Mega Monster and Monster Ali

Good News and Bad News

The bad news first.
Would you beleive that in Canada it is actually illegal to touch a baby seal but it is NOT illegal to club them. What the f...??

The good news
They found a new breed of crustacean in the deep Pacific. It is a type of shrimp with long furry silk-like blonde hair. They have named it something weird that I can't remember. Isnt Mother Nature wonderful? She always has something new in store for us!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Local women eat, drink & dance to the tune of $20,000

(An article in our local news paper)

Teachers, mothers, and other women from Indialantic put a new spin on "Ladies Night Out."

These seaside matrons kicked up their heels at the recently opened Crowne Plaze Hotel, located on Highway A1A, not just for the fun of it, but for a good cause.

The ladies of the one-square-mile town gathered to raise money for the Indialantic Elementary School's technology department.

Technology is widely considered a cornerstone of public education. But paying for the constant improvements needed to keep up with today's ever-changing workplace is an ongoing concern of educators throughout the community.

The teachers at Indialantic Elementary decided to help their students and the women of their oceanfront community by holding their own unique event.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, the faculty, staff and parents of the school hosted the "Ladies Night Out" fundraiser.

Co-chairs Holly Baney and Shelley Johnson led the committee organizing the event, which was a huge success and raised more than $10,000 just at the door.

"We have to thank our major sponsors for all they did," said Marci Bratman, who was one of the organizers of the event.

Both community businesses and longtime residents each pitched in to help. More than 50 area businesses and residents sponsored the event, including Stuart's Bistro, Genna Jewelers, The Yellow Dog Café and Robinson Insurance.

The event, which was attended by more than 200 women from throughout Brevard, was also sponsored by Unversal Studios and Donald Trump.

Under the soft lights of the new beachside hotel's grand ballroom, ladies from the community enjoyed dinner, music and took part in a silent auction, which featured the work of local artist Kathleen Gillon.

"It was really rockin' with the ladies," said Ms. Bratman.

The women of the community also bid during a live auction for the coveted positions of principal for the day and P.E. teacher for the day, which went for more than $400 each. Students whose parents won the bidding will work directly with the school's principal and P.E. instructor for one day.

The event sold-out early in the evening, and while final totals were not yet known, organizers said they expected to raise nearly $20,000 for school computers.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

My Idol Faves & Opinions

Women to stay:
Katherine
Lisa
Paris
Mandisa

Women to go:
Kinnik
Heather
Brenna

Men to stay:
Taylor
Elliott
Chris

Men to go:
Ace
Sway
Bucky

The others will probably go too.
I think they will keep Kevin a while cause he is cute and adorable.
Will has a good voice but a had a bad song choice.
Bucky had a good song and not a great song voice.
Sorry David but I dont think we need another Frank, Buble or Connick Jr.
Chris had the performance of the week. Very passionate and strong.
Ace, you are a hottie (even though you possibly could be gay) but you are not a strong enough singer.
They will keep Sway and Gedeon around a while for the minorities.
My guess is the guys will have it and I will go with Chris or Elliott at the moment!
I hope the ages of Paris and Lisa dont affect their ability to become "The Next American Idol."
And what was it with all the slow music? How old are these contestants anyway??? Did THEY forget?

Kiddie Bloggin

(this was a letter to me that he wrote in school).

Dear Mom,
I want a pet sea monkey because Simon and my pet sea monkey can play together! And I will teach him how to play video games. That is why I want a pet sea monkey.

Your Master,
Sea Monkey King (Charles)

A stunning "post" hurricane shot


A river on our street due to Hurricane Wilma last year. It is the beautiful side of Nature's cleansing.

My Family Pic


This was taken last summer at the Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort in Cape Canaveral. Are'nt we a spiffy bunch?