adventure in cooking (Edit Post)

Posted on 09/15/2013 by dnlg18652

I hate to cook. Its why I eat out so much. I love and appreciate good food, but have no skill/ talent for cooking it. There are 2 basic reasons I am such a bad cook.

1. I am very impatient. I don't think about cooking until I am hungry... then I want it now. I have no patience to wait for this to cook or become translucent...etc.. and

2. I hate following directions. I can have all the ingredience, but still don't like to reach each item then do.. I read it all up front catch the main ideas then try to do it how I think will work best... It doesn't work so good. and If I don't have an ingredient I will substitute something of the same color. Ya that doesn't go over to well either.

Today I made some chicken. Breast healthy no skin... I looked on line for some recipes... Found some spinach stuffed chicken.. looked good. even though I had the cheese it called for I really like cream cheese so i substituted it. and made multiple other changes too. like I didn't want to wait for it to bake so I cooked the chicken on the forman grill. Lets say it was edible. I ate it and was no longer hungry. 

I need to just spend more time trying things because a little more seasoning would have gone a long way.  

Happy Mother's day everyone

Happy Mother's day Everyone...Yes you too... Happy Mother's day. (Edit Post)

Posted on 2013-05-12 by dnlg18652



I am 40 and have never given birth. Yet I have cared for Children since I was 12 when my youngest sister was born. I started changeing diapers then and have been a care giver (mother) in one sence of the word or another, ever since. It is part of who we are as women/ dare I say as people to care for one another. I am a caregiver by profession and by choice. 

I wish sometimes that I had given birth. Had my own so to speak. It never worked out. When I think about Mother's day... Well I love my Mother so much she has been an inspiration, a care giver, a teacher, a Guide upon which I am grounded. But she is not the only one.... sorry Mom... There are other Mothers in my life. Women who I have called Grandma, and Aunt, and Friend. Some have now passed on and others are still living. Some I still see and others I have lost contact with. Everyone a Mother.  

Each Mother has given me something I cherish. Some Moms have helped my find myself... Grandma Veers, Angie and Diana. Brenda(Laurabeth's Mom) taught me grace under fire. Sarah, my sis taught me how to love unconditionally, and to seek humor in an often uptight world. Bethany sis in law taught me its OK to be a round peg in a square hole/ world. Diana's parents taught me the art of vacationing/ being there. My sis Andi showed me that you really can kill them with kindness, and love them forever. Oh ya and to try try again. Larabeth: patience, Grandma P: Caring, the art of anticipating a need and filling it before being asked. Susie: vaule of family/nature and how to grow up. The list could go on and on and on.... The list would include many men in my life, and people I don't know their names. Many people taught me so many things. Happy Mother's Day.

This Mother's day Don't forget your Mom... and Don't forget your Moms... 

Scale victory

I would like to thank the scale...

First I would like to thank the scale for this (2.2 pound / 1KG)Scale Victory. The kind number it displayed was such a welcome gift. 

I must also thank personally my family for whom I no longer make dinner/ or eat with for going the extra mile to feed yourselves.

I would like to thank my friends at MFP for their encouragements, their willingness to also put their journeys out there, sharing their success and failures.

And I also would like to thank MYSELF for not eating everything in sight! For occasionally haveing a bit of self control, and most of all for not giving up. Despite new knee injuries and patient deaths and family issues. I am still here and I am still plugging away. Not perfect just doing the best I can.

I want to dedicate this victory to My MoM! she is also on a weight loss journey.. and is a very special women whom I love so much. Everyday I see myself becoming more like her. I get stronger, and more determined and more responsible. Love you Mom. 

What it means: 60 Min of Exercise

What it means: 60 min of exercise.

I came home from work at 7pm. 

I ate dinner... OK healthy... not perfect...

I got on MFP to log food journal

I saw everyone's exercise diaries...(everyone worked out today! awsome job friends)

I got inspired at 8:15pm and I went to the GYM!!!! In my entire weight loss life I have never gone to exercise on a friday night...

What it means....

I put MY health first! Before going out for fun or drinks/ before a mindless night surfing the web, before chilling in front of a movie, and even before letting anyone at home talk me out of it. I said on my way out the door with my gym bag "Bye babe I will be back in a couple hours. Please make sure the dogs and kid are taken care of. Love you." No chance to say but we need you here; no opening for an issue to come up It means my health is that important, the Family and the Dogs can wait.

PS everyone was fine when I got home. The dogs got feed and went out, and I feel GREAT! 

Birding

So I took the girls with me when I dropped Edgar off at the airport for his annual trip to Washington DC. Then I took them Birding with me... Eagleing to be more exact. We went to west alton by the damn. It was awesome to see their excitement... they had never even seen a damn before. There wasn't many eagles because of the weather being so nice this year... but they got so excited esp Tasha. I think I have a budding birding buddy! They were even excited about the goldfinches... (which are not very colorful in the winter.) It was a great outing. So I got back on the diet and exercise wagon...and am back on My fitness pal. feel free to check it out it is a great fit for me. Anyone who of any size or shape will find other folks trying to get fit... runners or lose weight... I use it like facebook... anyway.. with that in mind I have decided to take up walking and recording my steps across USA. starting where We left off in New Mexico. if anyone wants to join me in my long walk or on my fitness pal. let me know... more motivation is a good thing...

Motivation

I am trying to lose weight....and so far 3 pounds down... not much but at least it is a start. I am planning to audition for the biggest loser. I need and want that kind of motivation. The hardest thing in the world for me is that I don't like to cook. in fact I hate it. I would rather eat cereal for every meal than cook. Having my neighbor girls around so much has been a bit more motivation to cook. but it is really hard when they want to eat things like baked beans and fried chicken. or Raman noodles with sausage and cheese. I made a really good almond crusted talapia last week. it was really good and everyone even Edgar liked it... but it was too much work. I am lazy in the kitchen. My mom made cooking look effortless. It seemed like she would go in the kitchen and a few mins. later out would come this great casserole with delicious vegetables on the side and whole made lemon-aid in a beautiful glass pitcher. I am pretty sure she worked harder than I ever noticed, because I can't ever seem to have the same results. and the food I make sometimes good and sometimes just plain terrible. So when I get off at 6:30 it is too often of to mcdonalds I go. How to break the cycle. what is super fast...low cal filling, low sodium, and pretty good eating? seriously any help would be appreciated.

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

I Love New Orleans. The music the food and the people who hold tight to traditions, land and they can cut loose every time they get a chance. New Orleans is sometimes pretentious, other times dark and haunted, but always with a spirit that despite many problems, is untroubled and free. New Orleans marches to the beat of many drummers. Just pick one and enjoy the ride!

Here are some pictures from our trip This past May. We took Edgars son Christopher and 2 of his friends as a graduation/going into the army present.

Oak ally Plantation

Fishing in the gulf of mexico near bay St. Louis...you would not believe the damage the BP oil spill caused. I got in the water and walked through several globs of oil. Tar balls everywhere! gross. No sea birds, and the fish all seemed to have problems. So Sad!!!

Sun set over Lake Pontchartrain. Beautiful!
Willie Mays good southern food.
Alligators on the swamp tour! pretty neat.

St. Baldricks...

Raising money to support cancer research!!! this is my cousin's little girl Whitney (she shaved her head with me) on stage after she got her head shaved... she raised lots of $$$ What an awsome girl...

First picture:

Whitney Before then...Brenda Getting it all shaved off next...Brenda Before and at last...

Brenda After.....

Its not to late to donate!!! go to St. Baldricks.org type in my name and donate away!!! I want to see fewer kids die from cancer... I saw several of former patients families at the event... and lots of other staff members shaveing!!! it was cool and It will grow back. Its only hair.

I don't know

Well March 5th is coming upon us and I just don't know what I am going to think when Brenda gets her hair cut off. I'm cool with it and all but it is going to be hard not seeing her with her hair. I have asked her to let it grow back long this time. I want to see her with pigtails like she wore when we went to Colorado Springs. I just love the run my fingers through and pull it from time to time!!! Just kidding. Well time will tell and I know that she wants to do it so I support it. I want her to be happy in all she does. She is a wonderful woman and i love her.

Edgar

Halloween

School house rock was the theme...

the pictures aren't great...most on a different camera... but here is what I do have.

Conjunction Junction in process....I'm just a bill...on capital hill...

Guess who one First Place in 2 costume contests!!

Homemade....

I will post better pics when I get my camera back...

One more day at the lake....

Labor Day 2010....The pictures are NOT REAL...(uploaded from google) but the experience is.

My dad wanted to go sailing!!! and the church youth had a boating activity and he was taking his sail boat out as a boating option. Off to Mark Twain Lake I went, Edgar was too scared to try sailing. When I arrived a kid by the name of Sam age 10 had sailed from the boat ramp to the dock with my dad. His Dad was going to meet my parents at the dock with the pontoon boat, but it took too long to get to the dock since the wind was coming from the same direction as the dock. You can't sail the boat directly into the wind. It was very windy winds about 30mph+!!! and the waves on the lake were bigger than I have ever seen they were the size of ocean waves4 foot swells easily. The boat leans way over to the side in big wind, and Sam was scared. But we could not leave him on the dock alone,so we made him get back in the sail boat. Sarah was going to be there but she could smell trouble so she went home. So my Dad, Mom,Sam, and I were in the boat. We sailed out to find Sam's Dad with the pontoon boat. It was so windy we were going fast and the boat was leaning hard and the waves crashing getting us wet. We found his Dad in the middle of the lake and since a sail boat cannot manuver so well... we came in faster than we meant, so my dad turned hard and fast at the last minute so we didn't ram into the pontoon boat. In the process the boat tipped too far over and water started rushing in and my Dad fell out....well thats bad because he is the only one who really knows how to sail.

As soon as he fell out the boat came back up right and we took off so unbelievably fast away from the pontoon boat. My mom was holding the main sail tight, and Sam just started screaming and crying. I had gotten in the cabin to help level the boat in the wind. and I started to yell at my mom to let the main sail out, so we would stop going soo fast. She didn't know how. So I got myself up there, realeased the jib sail and let out the main sail. Then I knew we had to take down the main sail but I couldn't remember how. It had been years since I had been sailing. And then all of the sudden it came to me unloop it from the mast. and I took it down. that slowed us down to a near stop! whew! So the pontoon boat caught up to us and Sam finally got on the pontoon boat. My dad had been rescued by the pontoon, so he got back on the sail boat. We decided to sail back to the dock with only the jib sail since it was so windy. We couldn't go directly there since the wind was coming from that direction. We had to tack back and forth going in at an angle inching closer as we sailed along. Unfortunately... there was a cove and we cut the turn too close in our effort to hurry back to the dock...and we ran aground. In the small cove with lots of dead trees. We could not get out the wind and the waves pushing us into a rocky shore. We flagged down the pontoon boat. They tried to just pull us out but the roaps got crossed and we couldn't both get turned the right way due to the trees in the way. So Sam's dad, on the pontoon boat had a jet ski, which he thought he could use. So I got out of the sail boat to help with the lines, and push the boat off the rocks. It finally got moved and and I got on the pontoon boat. It was easier to climb onto and the jet ski had less to tow.

While he towed in the sail boat, the pontoon boat also ran aground. Well the smart youth of the church got out without lifejackets to push the boat over into deeper water. With Sam's dad gone a 16 year old was left to drive the boat. We could have waited there at the shore for Sam's dad...but the teen agers thought it was a great plan to get us out of the cove. I don't know anything about a pontoon boat including the front and back of the boat. So when I got on the boat I sat on the front ledge helping with the ladder. Anyway we got out of the cove but the kids where stranded and had to swim quite a ways without lifejackets in big waves. Not smart. Once safely back on the boat we started to motor around kinda slow hitting every wave. It felt cool because the waves kept hitting me. But as we would go slower the waves hit harder and the back of the boat started to get a lot of water on board. Well we finally hit a wave so hard it swamped the boat. I took a last breath because I thought we were all going to sink. I was on the front and actually floated up. When the boat came back down I landed back on the boat, but the whole thing was full of water. The engine was out of water in the air and the front was deep in the water all the kids were so scared. The boat righted itself when people moved to the back and had about 3 foot of water over it. and did drain, but everything on board was soaked. Everyone had their cell phones.... all wet.

We hit at more of an angle than this boat.

Sam's dad finally caught up with us as we were getting to the dock. He was clueless as to what had happened and was wondering why we were going back so soon. When I finally found my parents I told them that at least in the sail boat I never took a last breath.! We went and ate a picknik lunch and I called Sarah and told her how smart she was for leaving. That girl knew something was too crazy!

That was my Labor Day. Scary as hell! When I left I drove about 25 miles toward home and felt so tired I pulled off in a Missouri dept. of conservation parking lot and slept for an hour or so... too exhausted from the excitement of the day to drive on without a rest.

Back to the Birding lake....Edgar took his mom and sister fishing.... and I went to find the birds.

To the life list I add Tufted Titmouse. A little gray bird with an echoing voice, the Tufted Titmouse is common in eastern deciduous forests and a frequent visitor to feeders. The large black eyes, small, round bill, and brushy crest gives these birds a quiet but eager expression that matches the way they flit through canopies, hang from twig-ends, and drop in to bird feeders. When a titmouse finds a large seed, you’ll see it carry the prize to a perch and crack it with sharp whacks of its stout bill. They often flock with chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers and are regular visitors to feeders, where they are assertive over smaller birds. Their flight tends to be fluttery but level rather than undulating. (( Interesting I also saw at this location chickadees, nuthatches and red bellied woodpeckers.)) The redbellied woodpecker I could see their nest/ cavity in a tree there where at least 5-6 of them. It was really neat to watch them playing, feeding and going back and forth to the nest. I saw many other birds, all species I have seen and listed before. Guess I need to find a new place to bird.

Same Lake more birds and fish...last weekend

Black Capped Chickadee

A bird almost universally considered “cute” thanks to its oversized round head, tiny body, and curiosity about everything, including humans. The chickadee’s black cap and bib; white cheeks; gray back, wings, and tail; and whitish underside with buffy sides are distinctive. Its habit of investigating people and everything else in its home territory, and quickness to discover bird feeders, make it one of the first birds most people learn.
White Breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.
Red tailed Hawk I saw this bird on a tree limb in the woods looking down at a creek bed.

• You’ll most likely see Red-tailed Hawks soaring in wide circles high over a field. When flapping, their wingbeats are heavy. In high winds they may face into the wind and hover without flapping, eyes fixed on the ground. They attack in a slow, controlled dive with legs outstretched – much different from a falcon’s stoop.The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of open country. Look for it along fields and perched on telephones poles, fenceposts, or trees standing alone or along edges of fields.

Edgar and his boys caught a mess of cat fish... it was very yummy... Thanks to Tim and Tab for cleaning and cooking :)

Birds!!! more Birds!!! and Catfish too.

Edgar had helped win a case for a lady in his union... Vicki... She was so nice and invited Edgar and I out to her families property in Oakwaville Ill. about an hour south east of St. Louis. Wow was her place amazing. Edgar caught this Catfish at her lake
This was a birding and wildlife overlook at her place. Her mother in law has been feeding birds here for at least 14 years.
This was part of the lake overlooking Vicki's house and the swimming beach, fishing dock and swim deck.
It was so beautiful! Edgar had a great time fishing he hooked at least one other really good sized CAT that got caught up in the rocks. I swam over to try to free it... and felt it or another fish brush past my leg. I couldn't free it so he had to break the line. I had fun swimming and watching the birds...
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I saw about 30-50 of these little birds today... Her mother is law had several feeders and she said the hummingbirds swarm when the feeders get low. So there where many all around and in the trees near by. I didn't have my camera so again this is from the internet.

There where lots of birds but few I could positively identify... but this one was clear as day... Red bellied woodpecker. Again my camera would never do it justice so this is from the internet too.
I saw many Cardinals, more goldfinches and sparrows... none I could positively ID

It was a good day... but the hot sun made me soooo tired by the time I got home I took a 2 hour nap. I heard owls, pileated woodpeckers and warblers

Sightings 8/11/10

Red Headed Woodpecker:

Easily identified by its red head and white wing patches, this woodpecker is also the most adept at catching flying insects. It is one of only four woodpecker species known to cache food in the winter months and is the only known to cover food with bark and other wood. Historically a species with population fluctuations, it has experienced a 4.6% decline per year since 1980 due to habitat destruction and a milieu of other factors.

Identification
Adult males and females are indistinguishable in the field and are easily identified by their red heads, necks, throats, and upper breasts. Their remaining underparts are white and their upperparts are mostly black with a blue or green iridescence. A large white patch on the wings is used to identify both adults and juveniles. Juvenile plumage most differs from adults on the head, neck, and upper breast with varying degrees of brown or red and white wing patch. Bill is white or gray. The bird I saw was most likely a yearling...however his head was partially red. The bird was sitting as seen here pecking at an exposed tree limb.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfishers are found along shorelines and wetlands in fresh and salt water environments. They require sandy vertical banks for nest burrows and clear water so they can see their aquatic prey.

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Behavior

Belted Kingfishers perch or hover over open water, watching for prey. Once prey is sighted, they dive headfirst into the water and seize it with their bills. Typically prey is taken near the surface, and the birds do not submerge themselves completely. Belted Kingfishers are highly territorial and vigorously defend their territories. Their most common call is a dry rattle, often given in flight. Belted Kingfishers almost always take food from the water, feeding predominantly on small fish. They will also prey on crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, and other aquatic dwellers. The Belted Kingfisher nests in burrows dug in sandy banks. Two of its toes are fused together and act as a shovel for digging these burrows.

I also saw all of the same bird I saw on Sunday...As well as Mallard ducks, Mourning Doves and red winged black birds.

Beginning Birding 101

So I found myself in need of a new hobby.... since I really didn't have many I truly liked. So I took up watching the birds.... I love the outdoors... and I like to have lists of things I have accomplished... A life list of birds I have seen and positively identified... fits well.

So this morning after a few months of starting to notice birds and look over field guides... I went out on my morning expedition/ adventure...

My little point and shoot camera is not gonna work to take identifiable pictures...So you will just have to trust me until I can get a better camera.

So I went to an area of Forest park which has been returned to native vegetation with a prairie and a lake and stream... So this morning besides the everyday birds like robins and doves... I saw (pictures from the internet)

Starling:

First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer
American Gold Finch:

This handsome little finch, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington, is welcome and common at feeders, where it takes primarily sunflower and nyjer. Goldfinches often flock with Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Spring males are brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white. Females and all winter birds are more dull but identifiable by their conical bill; pointed, notched tail; wingbars; and lack of streaking. During molts they look bizarrely patchy. These are active and acrobatic little finches that cling to weeds and seed socks, and sometimes mill about in large numbers at feeders or on the ground beneath them. Goldfinches fly with a bouncy, undulating pattern and often call in flight, drawing attention to themselves. Their song sounds like Po-ta-to-chip.
Barn Swallow:

A familiar inhabitant of barns and other outbuildings, the Barn Swallow is easily recognized by its long forked tail. It was originally a cave breeder, but now the swallow nests almost exclusively on man-made structures. Migrates fully to Central and South America.

Welcome to New Mexico

1. What is the capital of New Mexico? ____________________
2. Which country borders New Mexico? ______________________
3. What is the name of the large river that runs north/south all the way through New Mexico? ________________________
4. What state borders New Mexico on the west? _________________
5. What state borders New Mexico on the north? ______________________
6. What state just touches New Mexico at its northwest corner (at the famous "Four Corners," the point where four states meet)? ______________________
7. What 2 states border New Mexico on the east? ______________________ and ______________________
8. What is the largest city in New Mexico? ______________________
9. Name two mountain ranges in New Mexico. _____________________________ and _____________________________
10. What is the name of the National Park in southeastern New Mexico? _____________________________

We just entered New Mexico... near Gallup.... isn't nice to finnally be in another state?

Hope you enjoy the quiz!!!

Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert

The Painted Desert encompasses over 93,500 acres and stretches over 160 miles. It begins about 30 miles north of Cameron, Arizona near the southeastern rim of the Grand Canyon to the Petrified Forest about 26 miles east of Holbrook, AZ.

Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest National Park is along Interstate 40 between Holbrook and Navajo, Arizona in the United States. It features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, mostly of the species Araucarioxylon arizonicum.
The park consists of two large areas connected by a north–south corridor. The northern area encompasses part of the multihued badlands of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation called the Painted Desert. The southern area includes colorful terrain and several concentrations of petrified wood. Several American Indian petroglyph sites are also found in the southern area. Near the south end of the park is Agate House, a Native American building of petrified wood, reconstructed during the 1930s.

History:

Sites throughout the park tell of human history in the area for more than 2,000 years. We don't know the entire story, but there were separate occupations, a cultural transition from wandering families to settled agricultural villages, pueblos, and trading ties with neighboring villages. Then this story of early people, told by potsherds, rubble, and pictures on the rocks, fades around 1400 AD.
In the mid-1800's US Army mappers and surveyors came into this area and carried back East stories of the remarkable "Painted Desert and its trees turned to stone." Next, farmers, ranchers, and sightseers made their ways into the area. After a period of using the wood for souvenirs and numerous commercial ventures, territorial residents recognized that the supply of petrified wood was not endless. In 1906 selected "forests" were set aside as Petrified Forest National Monument. In 1932 some 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) more of the Painted Desert were purchased and added to the monument. In 1962 the area became Petrified Forest National Park, and in 1970, 20,250 hectares (50,000 acres) were further set aside as wilderness.

Road Trip

It rained a little while we were in New Orleans....

We saw a show!!!

Listened to some awsome Jazz!!!

Some people had a really good time....

The street music amazing!!!

So many blogs about the walk to Tybee here is what we did about a month ago.... Road Trip to New Orleans: Bourbon Street = fun

St. Louis Cathedral... We stayed at the Naval air station in Algers...across the river from the french quarter... we too the ferry across the river everyday....$1.00/ car... and this was the view!!