I'm a Geek and a Glutton

Now, when I say that I'm a geek, you may picture me as looking like this:

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Or possibly, this image came to mind...sans the moustache:

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(However, if you have read more than one blog, I'm sure neither of those images came to mind.)  But, it was a clever "hook" was it not? 


And, when I say I'm a glutton, you may think I look like this:

Well, when it comes to chocolate, there may be a lot of truth to that one.


However, I am really a geek for vegetables and a glutton for punishment. This is how I came to that recent conclusion.


Even though I have a garden, it only produces enough for one meal at a time, so Hubby and I usually find ourselves at the local farmers auction in order to get enough food to can.


When I arrived at the auction, and saw all the beautiful vegetables, my mouth started salivating. The colors were so vibrant, the aromas so sweet. Well, not all of the aromas are sweet. Most of the suppliers are Amish, so mixed in with the sweet aromas of fruit and freshly baked bread, is horse manure and sweat. (Most Amish do not use deodorant.) I just wandered around saying, "Oh! Look at those beautiful beans!We need those!"   "Try to get those gorgeous peaches. We need those, too!" What I didn't come up with, Hubby did.

Lovely veggies and fruit

Vibrant colors

Freshly baked bread and goodies! YUM!

Amish don't like having their pictures taken. I try
to honor that, but sometimes, I can't help myself.
So, I have to take a shot on the sly.
I try not to get their faces.

One of the good aromas - onion rings!
One moment while I wipe up my slobber.

A quiet moment

Hubby in action! Total concentration!

Here's a little snippet of the sounds...

So, that is a short explanation of my geekiness. And, now about my gluttony. 


I could be called a glutton for vegetables. but you may decide that I am a glutton for punishment.


Are you sitting down? Well, believe it or not, this is what we brought home from the auction. I warn you, the sight may be quite shocking!

The last of the tomatoes, waiting patiently to be loaded.

This is how the pick-up looked.
There's another layer underneath.

Contrary to what you might think, this is not a produce shop.
This is our basement when everything was unloaded.

Aren't the colors beautiful??

Purple beans.
I was very disappointed to see the purple disappear
as the beans were processed.

Lovely peaches for Peach Cobbler this winter.

Beautiful carrots!

So pretty! So lovely!

Are you a vegetable geek??

I was just a little busy last month!

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Trip to Nashville

Hubby and I had a nice trip down to Nashville, TN to spend some time with our granddaughter, Sweetie Pie, and our son.  She is a natural born teaser (or maybe we trained her to be), and she finds great delight in teasing her "Pappy". She especially likes to tease him by not giving him kisses. She will kiss everyone in the room but him. But, you can be sure that as she's kissing me or her dad, she's also looking around to make sure Pappy is watching!


Aunt Jennee was able to take a few days off work and spend a long weekend with us. She was going to arrive late on Wednesday night. Sweetie Pie was very excited for her arrival, and planned to have a party for her. We told her it would be very late, but she was not deterred in the least. She set the table completely by herself. The menu included strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, and mandarian oranges. After all this, she said, "Now, we need a centerpiece". I was floored! She's five! So, we went outside, I snipped off some spikey leaves, and she put them in a short glass, with water. It looked fine. "Now, we need some rocks".  So, she went outside, scooped up a handful of rocks from the driveway, and plopped them in the jar. And, it made a very nice centerpiece. I didn't get a picture of it, but trust me, I was impressed!

We took her shopping for school shoes. She found this lovely pair of shoes with her favorite princesses on them. The day after we bought this pair of shoes, (with velcro) she learned how to tie her shoes. Then, she wanted a pair of shoes that tied! (Bad timing on our part!)

Nashville, Tennesse is the home of the world's only actual size recreation of the Parthenon. It is an amazing sight to see.

Just to give you an idea of the size of those pillars

Aunt Jennee and Sweetie Pie were hiding from us,
but someone peeked around the pillar just as I
was snapping the picture!

This shows the ceiling

Sweetie Pie snapped this picture

We had visited the Parthenon back in 2000 (I think!) At that time, everything was white. The gold was added in 2002. Very impressive.

This is not a small statue!

Lots of gold all around

The back of the statue. She is holding Nike,
the "god" of victory, in her hand.

The shield

 

Pappy and his Sweetheart

We had lunch with Dad at his high-rise building. She liked being up that high!

The "Batman Building" of Nashville

 We went bowling one night, just for fun. None of us are bowlers. My score was  60, or something equally ridiculous. But, for the record, I did manage to get one strike! When we got to the bowling alley, I told Sweetie Pie she would get to tie her own shoes! I no sooner got those words out of my mouth, and the guy handed her a pair with velcro ties. (My timing is impecable!) Oh my. She was very disappointed, and began to cry immediately! We were able to exchange them for a pair with shoestrings, and she went to work, happy again!

 We have started a new tradition. On our last day in Nashville, we go out for pancakes at the Pancake Pantry. If you don't want to wait in a long line, get there early. Seriously.

All I can say is, "YUM-O". Yes, I did go off my diet for this one meal. (Wouldn't you?) Technically, this is not a pancake. It's a crepe filled with chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Sin

 Everyone else got this delectable pancake.

Sweet Potato Pancakes with
Cinnamon and Cream Syrup

Bears and Berries
(chocolate chips)
for Sweetie Pie

After our tummies were full of pancakes, we went to a Greek Festival. The aromas of the food made our mouths water, but, since we were full, we didn't partake, tempting as it was. There was a petting zoo, pony rides,and lots of booths.  But what she  really wanted to do was climb the wall! We told her maybe next year!

And, that concludes our week in Nashville.

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A Great Time Was Had by All!

I don't mind telling you, that I'm quite exhausted! But, it's a good exhaustion.


It is very exhausting jetting back and forth across the ocean for a party, with all the time changes. I don't know if I'm coming or going. OK, it was only a virtual jetting across the ocean, and a virtual party, but it was quite fun!


Carol's book, "Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines", zoomed up to #50 on Amazon's Top 50 Women's Fiction Chart. 

The Mini Skirt Competition is now over, and Yours Truly came in 2nd! Thank you to those who voted for me! Kiss! Kiss! If you care to see the Winner's Circle, click right here. I will be receiving a Clinique eyegel wrinkle remover pen, as well as a bag of make-up goodies! Happy Dance! 


I will now retire my "mini skirt", and pull it back down from under my armpits. The things I'll do for free make-up!

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Constitution Day 2011

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Today is Constitution Day. On September 17, 1787, the thirty-ninth and final signature was placed on this document, making it the Law of our land. If you are interested, here is a site which gives all the names and short biographies of the signers.


I've always liked the form of the Constitution, with the words "We the People" taking such a prominent place. It should serve as a reminder, and I believe that was the intention, to all Americans that we have a responsibility in our government. If we all knew our Constitution as we should, perhaps our country would not be in such a mess today. 


Many people don't want to be "bothered" with politics. Some think that what happens in Washington "doesn't affect them". I recently watched the HBO "John Adams" series, which was fabulous by the way, and acquired a great appreciation and love for Abigail Adams.


She had this to say about politics: "And do women not live politics, John Adams? When I go to the cupboard, and I find no coffee, no sugar, no pins, and no meat, am I not living politics?..." 


Politics affects every aspect of our lives, whether we want to admit it, or not. 
Incandescent light bulbs will soon be a thing of the past. Politics. The price of gas. Politics. The price we pay for food. Politics. Unemployment. Politics. Have you seen the list of how many new taxes have been instituted in the last 100 years? Check this out, and then tell me that politics do not affect our lives. The attempt to remove God out of every single public place. Politics. (Contrary to what some believe, the words "separation of church and state" are not found in the Constitution. Amendment I: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."


How well do you know the Constitution? I've read it through a couple of times, but there's still a lot I don't know. If you want to take a quiz on your knowledge of the Constitution, you can go here. There's only five questions to answer. (I got three right.)  


So, on this 224th anniversary of the signing of our Constitution, I hope you will find and copy and read this document, and remember that many people have shed blood to preserve the freedoms that we have. 


Be an informed citizen. Don't allow yourself to be a useful idiot.


"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States...and the Constitution of this State...and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help me God."

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Come to the Party...and VOTE!!!

I've been gone for a little while, but I made sure to make it back in time for the "Party of the Century", and I'm giving you a special invite to come along.


My good friend, Carol E. Wyer, has written and released her first book, "Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines". It's a great read, however, I must warn you that by the time you finish her book, you may have more laughter lines than when you started.


But, you may be wondering where the voting comes in. Carol is also having a Mini Skirt Contest, but, you have to promise that you will vote for me before you see all the other contestants! (I'm #19.) Now, raise your right hand and swear that you will vote for me. The competition is fierce, and there are even a couple of men, which may sway your vote. Beware of the "Pink Hat" contestant! At risk is some great wrinkle erasing cream, which is much needed, since I now have more laughter lines after reading her book! 


So, now that I have your word and your vote, here is the link. Be strong, don't be swayed by a pink hat or any other contestant! #19 #19 #19 #19  Have fun at the party! #19  #19  #19  #19  #19  #19  After you VOTE FOR ME,(#19) go to the kitchen, where I'll be with other (ah-hem) celebrities. We can chat it up, and maybe drink a little bubbly. 


Please come and meet Carol. You'll be glad you did. I promise! #19 #19 #19!!!
She knows how to throw a great party! Did I mention that I'm #19 in the miniskirt competition?? See you there!

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As usual...

It is quite typical for me to say that things have not gone quite as expected. Today is no exception. I fully intended to write a thrilling and fascinating blog today, but "things have not gone quite as expected." 


I'm leaving bright and early in the morning to spend some time with my little Sweetie Pie. So, if you don't hear much from me this week, that is the reason.


If I didn't need my beauty rest, I would be up until the wee hours of the morning  entertaining you with my adventures of the past week (at least the ones I remember!). 


But, I do need my beauty rest, so you'll just have to wait!

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A Girl Just Wants to Have Fun...and Maybe Win Some Makeup

A few days ago, I introduced you to a wonderful lady, and dare I say, friend? blogger/author-of-a-new-book, Carol Wyer. And, I told you she's having a big party on September 16 to celebrate. (Did you check out her blog, Facing 50 with Humour, and register for the raffle? You could win a kindle!! If not, go there right now!! I mean it.) Do I sound threatening? Yeah, my kids never thought so either.

Anyway....I did not tell you that she is having a contest which involves mini-skirts. Supposedly, women over a certain age...can still wear mini-skirts. I'm not sure I agree completely with that, but, I have seen some contestants who look pretty good. The prize for this contest is some fabulous wrinkle erasing cream. Quite pricey, I believe, out of my price range.


Well, let's get right down to it. Yes, I decided, against my better judgement, to try to win some make-up.  Oh, the "lengths" I'll go for a prize!


After seeing my competition, I decided I would have to "take it up a notch". (haha get it??) Not my skirt, but the originality. I don't even own a mini-skirt, for Pete's sake. In fact, my "mini-skirt" is really a regular skirt hiked up to my armpits. 


So, I enlisted the help of my amazing daughter, and we had a photo shoot. 


Since Carol's book is entitled "Miniskirts and Laughter Lines", I decided to focus on the "Laughter Lines".  


You'll have to go here to see the photos I submitted.


I believe I'm #18. Remember that number because I believe that you will have the awesome opportunity to vote for me on September 16! I feel like I'm on American Idol jumping up and down saying "pick me! pick me!", while holding up my fingers to make an 18. (No, I don't have 18 fingers, in case you're wondering.)


What you are about to see are some of the rejected photos.


So, here are here goes nothin' on an empty stomach...drum roll...turn away now, if you have eaten recently....(and, fyi, that bottle of wine I'm using is full and corked, and not empty. Pretty frightening, huh?)

Taking a moment to check out my flowers

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OK. Enough of that ridiculousness. On to an attempt at classy, inspired by Judy Garland. I thought briefly, like a nanosecond, about showing a picture of Judy Garland, but, any comparison would just be, well, there would not be a comparison.

Swanee, Swanee, how I love you...

Am I impersonating a flamingo??
I toppled over after this shot... 

and after this shot. I can't wear shoes with
that kind of heel. Are you kidding me?

Moving on to the "library"...

I can't read a thing with these glasses -
maybe because there's no lens

Hey, look what blog I'm reading!

Well, there you have it. A morning full of fun and goofiness, just for a chance to win some make up. I hope it gave you lots and lots of laughter lines.

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