Artistics

Chocolate Creamy Praline Cupcakes

2009-04-07T20:24:00.012-05:00

This cupcake was inspired by March 2009 Iron Cupcake Earth. Again, I had great intention and thought with this creation, but failed in the posting process. I missed the deadline again.

Reality...its not about the contest. Is it about getting into the kitchen and creating, experimenting, and watching everyone participate in the tasting process.

This months theme was Nuts and Seeds. So many choices!! Nuts are a favorite food, second only to cheese. Pecans, walnuts, almonds!!! how do I choose?

The experiments began with a chocolate cupcake recipe. I used Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate Cake recipe. I choose three different fillings for the inside of the cupcake - caramel and pecans (store prepared), heath bar (the candy bar) and creamy pralines (homemade).

The carmel was too large of a chunk and fell to the bottom when baking. The heath bar chunks were too small and blended with the chocolate batter.

The most successful was the Chocolate Creamy Praline Cupcake. This was my first choice and attempted the other items as back up, so I was excited it was a success!! The pralines were just the right size, did not sink or melt too much. There were a nice creamy crunchy sweet gooeyness. I frosted with a Italian Buttercream Frosting, topped with creamy praline crumbs and drizzled with caramel sauce.

Recipes to follow!!

just a little tease...

2009-03-31T21:30:00.004-05:00

I haven't abandoned the blog! I actually have more posts in DRAFT than posted!! I just cant seem to post. I am so far behind in processing photos. And, it is after all, all about the photos.

So, what do you do with caramel (not homemade), heath bar (half of a bar crumbled, the other half eaten), and creamy pralines (homemade!!)???

Stay tuned...

Spring....welcome back

2009-03-10T08:05:00.003-05:00

The excitement...the anticipation. I have been waiting for the day my tree blooms. I have been waiting for the time change. I have been waiting for a inkling of hope of more sunlight each day.

The time has been too long for the absence of color, the absence of sunshine, the absence of flowers, the absence of...

....pollen....

Okay, it call be ALL good, can it?

Devils Food Java Cake

2009-03-03T23:01:00.000-06:00

This recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspans Baking: From my Home to Yours, Devils Food Cake. My adjustments were using coconut milk for regular milk, adding espresso powder to the boiling water. This halved recipe made approximately 24 mini cupcakes and 6 standard sized cupcakes, total. It would probably make 16 standard sized cupcakes.

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
3/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt and cool bittersweet chocolate. Add linings to cupcake pans.

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

In bowl of mixer, beat butter until light and creamy on medium speed. Add sugars and beat another 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating for approximately 1 minute after each. Add vanilla. Slowly add melted chocolate on low speed until fully incorporated.

Alternating with milk, add dry ingredients on low speed, mixing lightly, scraping bowl as needed. Mix espresso powder in boiling water, then add to mixture. Finally, mix in chopped chocolate.

Fill cupcake cups and bake approximately 16 minutes for mini cupcakes and 18-20 minutes for standard cupcakes.

Miso Soup with Chicken and Brussel Sprouts

2009-03-01T15:01:00.008-06:00

This is very quick soup, it smells and tastes wonderful. Originally, I planned on using a different noodle, but these are the only noodles I had in the cupboard.

1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 glove garlic, grated
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes to taste
1-1/2 tablespoons miso paste
1/4 teaspoon white of scallion
1/3 teaspoon sliced green of scallion
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon seaweed
1/4 cup brussel sprouts, finely shredded
1/2 cup chicken, cooked and shredded
noodles, such as harusame, ramen.

Cook noodles as directed. drain and cool while prepping soup.

Over medium-low heat, heat oils; saute garlic, ginger, chili flakes until heated. Sir in miso paste, warm slightly, then add chicken broth and soy sauce. Add brussel sprouts and seaweed and bring to slow boil. Reduce to simmer until vegetables are tender.

Add noodles to bowl and add soup. Top with cooked chicken and a few more scallion slices.

As winter continues....

2009-03-01T12:52:00.005-06:00

I awoke this morning wanting spring. I bought tulips yesterday. I have buds and small flowers on my Bradford pear tree. I have moss on my maple tree.

Instead, I see this...a little snow. A thin white dusting.

Oh well...I guess I will have to create a few things...

YaYa Java Cupcake

2009-02-27T22:26:00.015-06:00

This cupcake was inspired by Iron Cupcake Earth. The theme this month was Coffee and I couldn't think of a better creation than cupcake imitating life.

Step one...find a cup and saucer that is oven safe. This was not as easy as it sounds. If the bottom of a cup does NOT say oven safe, it probably is not. I found this one at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was on sale...less than 3 bucks.

Step two...choose an inspirational recipe for the coffee cupcake. My two favorite chocolate cupcake recipes are Martha's One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes and Dorie's Devils Food Cake. I baked the cupcake and shaved (and ate) top to level surface.

Step three...What toppings look like milk foam and/or whipped cream that is NOT actually steamed milk or whipped cream? My first thought was Creme Brulee. I made Creme Brulee a few weeks ago (Daryl's favorite) and without an adjustment, it would be too yellow to mimic milk foam. My second thought was to use whipping cream, but it would absorb too quickly into the cupcake...sogginess. yuk. My final choice was Vanilla Panna Cotta. I prepped the Panna Cotta, excluding the vanilla bean. After congealing in refrigerator until slightly firm, I spooned on top of cooled cupcake.

Step four...top with a little whipping cream. Its my cupcake and to continue cupcake imitating life, I love extra foam and a dollop of whipped cream on my latte. I sprinkled with espresso powder.

These photographs were taken as the sun was setting, light beaming in my french doors.

the test...

the taste...

the fun...

the finale...

Believe it or not...I didnt get a bite of this final piece. But, I did enough taste testing during the process!

Recipe for the cupcake...coming soon.

Panna Cotta

2009-02-25T20:58:00.004-06:00

Panna Cotta is a congealed dessert, Italian for cooked cream. It is smooth and sweet and can be flavored with all sorts of ingredients. I prefer vanilla bean...very simple. This is the first time have made it, and it was for a specific purpose...one of the components for my cupcake for entry in a cupcake contest. I will post it soon.

1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup whole milk
1-1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 sup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean

Sprinkle unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup whole milk. Set aside. In saucepan, add sugar, vanilla and whipping cream. Stirring constantly, dissolving sugar. just before boiling remove from heat.

Add mixtures together, stirring to dissolve gelatin mixture. Strain mixture to remove and undissolved gelatin. Pour into ramekins. refrigerate until congealed.

This one is sprinkled with instant espresso powder.

yum.

Please, do your own search for Panna Cotta and let me know what you come up with!! I found one for peanut butter!! Is anyone up for it?

Cream of Chicken and Artichoke Soup

2009-02-22T16:42:00.008-06:00

The weather guys were wrong. I planned a cold Sunday afternoon with lots of baking with the big girls and little girls, and soup.

Soup is one of my favorite foods. But, I do NOT consider vegetable beef soup "the soup", just like I don't consider ankle pumps an exercise. Elaboration...ground beef, a can of tomato soup, two cans of veg all does NOT equal soup. It equals three bad ingredients in one pot. Legs extended and moving your ankles is not an exercise. But, these two things are the first thing mentioned when I say "soup", and "start your exercises." yuk.

This recipe is adapted from one I received from Karen.

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 can artichoke hearts, rinsed well, broken apart
1/2 cup butter
1 diced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup flour
5 cups chicken stock
1 1/4 cup fat free half and half
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
red (cayenne) pepper to taste

Melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute 3 minutes until tender. Add bell peppers, garlic and artichokes. Saute 3-5 minutes until artichokes are tender. Whisk in flour, stirring constantly until roux. Slowly add chicken stock, one cup at a time, stirring constantly. Bring to a low boil then reduce to simmer for 30 minutes. remove from heat and slowly add cream. Add chicken, lemon juice, parsley and basil. Add dry seasonings to taste. Simmer 10 more minutes.

I have used other "milks" such as regular half and half, whole milk,fat free milk and a mixture of what I have on hand. I adjustments the original recipe by adding lemon, roasted red bell peppers and basil.

Tie-Dye

2009-02-08T22:13:00.005-06:00

Its February 8th in middle Tennessee, Its 70 degrees outside. So, what do you do with a 2 year old and a 3 year old...OUTSIDE??

Tie-dye of course.

Kristen has really developed a creative sense about her. And now that she has a daughter of her own, she has someone to share it with. I haven't tie-dyed since the 70's. But, my daughter discovered these GREAT tie-dye kits at walmart!! I couldn't believe how great these look! We will be pursuing this craft much further in the coming weeks.

what kind of creative are you?

2009-01-31T08:16:00.005-06:00

I love these little quizes...you answer a few questions, choose a few images, and viola...they can tell you more about yourself than your own mother!!

I am HANDS ON.
duh.
What kind of creativity are you?

instruct

2009-01-19T08:04:00.003-06:00

Sophie seems to be a lot like me...her YaYa. She loves to be right in the middle of things, taking the hands on approach.
Her most used item in the house is the little stool I use to reach the top and sometimes middle shelf in the kitchen. She doesn't hesitate to grab it and run to the nearest happening event.

So, it was no surprise when she climbed up onto the cabinet to watch me pour ingredients into the the kitchenaid. It wasn't long before she took over! She did very well, for a two year old.

technology

2009-01-18T18:05:00.001-06:00

the evolution of technology.

I asked one of my patients last year, who was 104 years old at the time, what was the best invention he had seen over the years. He said, "Electricity; without it, we wouldn't have all this."

In the last year, we have disbanded, not repaired or replaced, tossed out and donated the following:

Two VCR's, one DVD player, one top of the line cassette player, a desktop computer from 1996, our home phones, our home phone line, a large projection screen television, two cell phones.

Now, we have this...

I was told to expect any new electronic device to last half as long as the previous one.

What do I think is the best invention in my life? There are too many to choose. I'm still waiting for my "Rosie". The electronic domestic goddess from the Jetsons.

I am sure there will be something new tomorrow.

old

2009-01-18T16:15:00.008-06:00

define old...
aged, along in years, ancient, broken down, debilitated, decrepit, elderly, enfeebled, exhausted, experienced, fossil, geriatric, getting on, gray, gray-haired, grizzled, hoary, impaired, inactive, infirm, mature, matured, not young, olden, oldish, over the hill, past one’s prime, seasoned, senile, senior, skilled, superannuated, tired, venerable, versed, veteran, wasted.

We all have one thing in common with everyone else on the planet. We are all one day older today than we were yesterday. You are never alone, you always have this in common with everyone else.

sphere

2009-01-18T15:55:00.001-06:00

handle

2009-01-13T09:08:00.006-06:00

Get a handle on it....get a grip....pull yourself together....shut up...open dialoge...closed reaction...open door policy....public excess....

Homemade

2009-01-08T07:38:00.002-06:00

Homemade....cheese broccoli soup.

Heart

2009-01-06T18:00:00.001-06:00

This is a card I made years ago and gave to my hubby for Valentines Day. He keeps it on a shelf next to photos of the family.

My Art Club Chickies will remember this technique! It involved frying pans, griddles, chip board and embossing powder. Play Play Play!

I heart you....and you...and you...and you.

Beginning.....The first inspirational word of the year....

2009-01-05T08:30:00.011-06:00

How do I begin?
I have never been one to awaken and jump out of bed in the morning. Its more of a slow crawl. My alarm is actually a radio and I am slowly awakened by Jerry House playing music and telling jokes.

The second thing...well, you know. I'm "at that age" and the bladder is tolerant to only a few hits of the the snooze button.

Then, the third. Which is really the most important and I consider it the first thing I do. I make the coffee. At the same time, BabyKitty has jumped off the bed and is begging for his breakfast, because he hasn't eaten is years. And, I tell him the same thing every morning....

Coffee Comes First!!!

And yes...that is a grannysmith apple green coffee maker. It was my Valentines gift last year.

We order our coffee from here...
BocaJava.

What I am cooking today...meatballs.

2009-01-04T12:54:00.008-06:00

I have been cooking since I was about 11. Of course, this does not include the almost daily freshly patted hamburger I would cook for lunch during the summer. Sometimes I would have this hamburger on a bun, but my favorite was between two slices of toasted bread. Add mustard, and as many pickles as the little round brown patty could handle. Yum.

I don't remember the first time I attempted meatballs, but I still have the cookbook with the original recipe. Mama Leone's Italian Cookbook published in 1967. It was in my mothers stash of cookbooks along with her 1960 version of Betty Crockers cookbook she probably received as a wedding gift.

I have adjusted the recipe quite a few times...probably to cut down on ingredients, or maybe I stopped checking the recipe every time I cooked them. One major change...I bake them, rather than fry. Frying is too messy. I can bake them...and do other things for 30 minutes, and as you know, I need all the time I can get.

A few years ago, I met Mrs. Gagliano. Her meatballs were knock your socks off good. We compared recipes, and mine was almost identical with one exception. I was adding milk. Where on earth did this idea come from Mrs Gagliano asked? Mama Leone recommended soaking the bread crumbs in milk, then squeezing out the excess milk prior to adding them to the meat mixture. I simply poured in the milk at some point.

And here they are today...

MEATBALLS

2lb ground sirloin
1 1/3 c bread crumbs
2/3 c Parmesan cheese
2-3 eggs
4 tsp parsley
3 tsp basil
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients but do not over mix. Roll into balls place in baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 350 until done.

I use my little scoop to make the balls uniform! Its one of my favorite and most used kitchen gadgets.

YUM!

peek a boo!!

2008-12-30T08:27:00.003-06:00

I see you!!
I have neglected this blog and posting photographs inspired by Her Space/My Space/His Space. I have continued to shoot, but when I get so far behind in processing and posting is very hard to be inspired to start again.
BUT, its time to plan my goals for the year and start my engines. I have always been a list maker and set goals for myself. But, even after 48 years, I am still trying to do 36 hours of working toward my goals in a 24 hour day. If I just didnt need to sleep!!
One of my goals is to begin posting again to my blog. I plan (its on my list) is to Post "quite a few" photos before Dec 31, 2008 at midnight.

HSMS peep

2008-07-20T18:53:00.000-05:00

HSMS red

2008-07-20T18:52:00.002-05:00

HSMS row

2008-07-20T18:52:00.001-05:00

HSMS ring

2008-07-20T18:51:00.000-05:00

HSMS sos

2008-07-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

HSMS sps

2008-07-20T18:49:00.000-05:00

Wish me luck....

2008-07-06T20:24:00.003-05:00

After many weeks of attempting many different "fixes", its just time for a hard drive reformat. No virus, no error messages, just junked up. Think of is a colonics for computers. okay, maybe not. Teeth Cleaning? uh...no. yuk...what do I have on the brain today?

jules...signing off for now. I will see you on the other side. going dark.

Happy Independence Day, USA!!!!

2008-07-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

July 4, 2008.

HSMS rest

2008-07-06T20:20:00.002-05:00

A day off for me, hubby, family and babykitty.

HSMS upside down

2008-07-06T20:20:00.001-05:00

HSMS chain

2008-07-06T20:19:00.001-05:00

HSMS twist

2008-07-06T20:18:00.000-05:00

those curls!!!

HSMS educate

2008-07-06T20:16:00.002-05:00

An old school house, Holly Grove Road, Lewisburg, Tennessee.

HSMS ripe

2008-07-06T20:16:00.001-05:00

HSMS fringe

2008-07-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

The edge of a corn field.

HSMS sos

2008-06-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

HSMS sps

2008-06-22T21:53:00.000-05:00

HSMS grid

2008-06-22T21:52:00.004-05:00

HSMS lamp

2008-06-22T21:52:00.003-05:00

HSMS yawn

2008-06-22T21:50:00.000-05:00

HSMS hydrate

2008-06-22T21:17:00.003-05:00

No matter how old I get, I still am tempted to run through a sprinkler. This is the best "less than $10" water toy I have bought. Its a thin tube that nooks directly to the hose, then smaller tubes come out all along. when you turn the water on, They wiggle back and forth! The babies LOVED it! So did Papa!!

HSMS bell

2008-06-22T21:14:00.002-05:00

This bell has such a great story and a long history.
My great-grandparents had a farm in the Peytonsville community, Franklin, Tennessee. It was a working farm back in the late 1800's. This bell was used to call the workers in for "dinner".
My Grandfather was the baby and was born when my Great-Grandmother was 48 years old. He sold the farm in the early 60's and moved only 5 miles away. He took a few things with him including this bell. He mounted on top of his mail box, and in script he welded his first and last name using metal wire. That is where it stayed there until about 1980 when someone stole it. The police were called and the entire community was upset.
My Grandfather was a barber and quite well known in the area. He began cutting hair when his father ordered a pair of scissors, a comb and a few other items relating from the Sears Roebuck catalog. He was tired of going into town and paying 10 cents for a hair cut. So, he decided my Grandfather could do just as well. My Grandfather was 15 years old. He was still cutting hair for his customers until two weeks before he passed away in 1988.
After my Grandfather's death, my Grandmother moved into my mothers house. Every now and again the conversation would come up about the bell. Then, out of the blue, my Grandmother received a phone call. Someone found the bell at a garage sale The name was still on top ten years later.
The police were called. The present possessors were not charged and proved they had acquired it though someone else.
This bell is now in my mother's backyard.

HSMS sos

2008-06-22T21:13:00.001-05:00

This is one of the first photos I took digitally. I cant belive it has been 3 years. I have taken over 17,000 photos since then, mostly of babies and cats. wow.

HSMS sps

2008-06-22T21:12:00.002-05:00

HSMS reach

2008-06-22T21:11:00.001-05:00

HSMS drip

2008-06-22T21:07:00.001-05:00

HSMS burst

2008-06-22T20:59:00.003-05:00

How far and to what lengths must I go at times to fulfill the daily challenge of taking "the picture" inspired by he word of the day? I was at a complete loss....BURST? What will burst in my day? Hopefully nothing. The things that have the potential to burst in my daily routine would not be a welcomed site. But, there I was, driving as usual, when there it was. A FIRE HYDRANT!!! Bursting into the street!!! I have seen this going on for a few weeks in various locations throughout this little town, testing the water pressure of the fire hydrants. The man noticed me as I drove by, possibly thinking I was "rubber necking", looking at HIS hotness. I guess he was disapointed when all I wanted was a photo of the water gushing from the hydrant.

HSMS trapped

2008-06-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

HSMS puddle

2008-06-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

HSMS secure

2008-06-22T20:55:00.001-05:00

HSMS track

2008-06-09T07:28:00.002-05:00

HSMS sos

2008-06-08T22:12:00.003-05:00

HSMS sps

2008-06-08T22:12:00.001-05:00

HSMS bloom

2008-06-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

HSMS creep

2008-06-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

HSMS laze

2008-06-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

The Disney Series

2008-06-08T21:52:00.003-05:00

I was temped to name this a different title than Lucky, as the word suggested. And, although this is what happens to a van when it collides with a deer, I thought BAMBI may be a little to suggestive.
And, Lucky? Yes, I was lucky. I travel hundreds of miles a day on country roads in the middle on somewhere or nowhere. I see all wild life including deer, wild turkeys, hawks, horses, cows, dogs, cats, snakes, etc. But, I hit a deer on the interstate at 5 in the evening doing 70 miles per hour. There were cars and transfer trucks all around. A deer jumped over the car to my right, and landed right in front of me. I didnt have time to put on my brakes or react. I literally saw the deer, thunk, and looked in my window to see him flying through the air like the cow in Wizard of Oz. He cleared two more lanes to my left, landing in the grass.

So, again you ask...Lucky? I didnt hit anyone else. No one else hit me. I didnt loose control of my car, I kept it straight. No one else hit the deer. No other cars hit each other. It was "rush hour". I drove it home, and then to the repair shop the next day. My insurance paid all my deductible of $4500. I picked it up yesterday (three weeks?). I didnt have to rent a car, I used a company car (thanks Karen).
Someone said to me, "you have the worst luck". I disagree. I am very fortunate.

A hand turned bowl, created by my hubby. Its an African Ebony, sometimes referred to an Dalmatian Dot.

The Disney Series

2008-06-08T21:32:00.006-05:00

This is an oldie, but not to may recent pics of freckles around here.

I absolutely LOVE this photo. This is obviously a scan. Kristen still has the most freckles in the family. Dont you just love her hair too? This was taken after playing at the playground four hours!

Why Duck you ask? When Callie was little, after watching Land before Time (the original) probably about 1989, she started saying "nope nope nope" just like Ducky. It was so cute, we started calling her Duck, or Ducky.

Sometimes I forget about this scar...four years old in July. EW...Someone gave me their chin...I have two now.

The Disney Series

2008-06-08T21:21:00.002-05:00

Beauty and The Beast

Baby Kitty rarely meows, but since Max died he talks a little more. He always makes a screeching noise when their is a flying bug in the house, on the french doors. But, when there is a strange (neighbor) cat on the deck...OMG. He will wake us up in the middle of the night!

HSMS The Disney Series

2008-05-25T19:09:00.003-05:00

Goofy

Okay, Lilly can shuffle, tondu, arebesque and loads of other dance moves. But, can she turn a cartwheel?

HSMS The Disney Series

2008-05-25T18:47:00.003-05:00

The Seven Dwarfs

HSMS race

2008-05-16T08:31:00.000-05:00

HSMS lines

2008-05-16T08:29:00.001-05:00

Another shot of these massive power lines running across county. These are about 12 miles west from the previous photo.

HSMS sos

2008-05-11T19:45:00.000-05:00

OMG!! This is one year ago!

HSMS sps

2008-05-11T19:34:00.001-05:00

A rare moment of stillness, just barely long enough to look into the lens.

HSMS remember

2008-05-11T19:22:00.003-05:00

This was the first time I drove by this cemetery/grave yard. It was a bright sunny mid-day, but this place was surrounded by trees. When I first stopped, there was a huge crow perched atop one of the tall pylon markers. An old friend popped into my head...Doreen. I hopped he wouldn't fly away so I could capture the image for her, but he flew into the trees. Of course he cawed at me the entire 5 minutes I took photos.
When I shot this, I envisioned the look I wanted. Remember Barnabos Collins/Dark Shadows? Or older black and white vampire movies? Okay, you would need to be born in the 60's or before. But, I can just hear the crutching of dry leaves, the bad music and sound effects. Also, the use of lighting effects and lens openings to make daylight appear as though it is dusk or darker.

HSMS dome

2008-05-11T19:18:00.003-05:00

I seem to have an obsession lately... all my photos are FARM related!! I don't live on a farm or the country. But, I spend my entire work week driving in the country.
Until looking for dome, I never realized how many silos I drive by in a day.

HSMS spiral

2008-05-11T19:12:00.002-05:00

The top photo is what I first envisioned for spiral. But, the day I shot this, it had been raining most of the day and too muddy to get close. Maybe I will try again next week. This is such an interesting piece of farm equipment. I have no idea what it does, but I think it may have something to do with hay.
The second picture was a back up attempt just in case I did like the first. I really have no idea what this is. It was sitting on the side of the road.

HSMS wild

2008-05-11T19:10:00.000-05:00

HSMS long

2008-05-11T19:09:00.001-05:00

This is another thing that I see quite a bit while driving my home health territory! TRAINS! I am sure everyone living in the Chapel Hill area have a love/hate relationship with the trains.

HSMS delicate

2008-05-11T19:02:00.003-05:00

This was a hard word for me. There is very little I consider delicate in my life. Even the babies are not delicate...too rough!! But, I was cleaning these for our upcoming wedding anniversary...the stems are so delicate. I cant believe they have survived 24 years without breaking!

HSMS bathe

2008-05-11T18:57:00.002-05:00

This is an oldie, but I couldnt get the images out of my mind of Max bathing himself in the late afternoon sun beam that bathed our Brown room (really...we call it the brown room.) But, this was a rare occasion when there was nothing on the bottom shelf of this book case. There he was, wedged in and leaning on the side, bathing his one white spot. I still miss stepping over the fur ball.

HSMS repeat

2008-05-11T18:56:00.001-05:00

These large power lines and towers travel east/west throughout my home health territory. I never stopped to look at them until today. I was amazed at the loud hum they made. I would hate to live close by them.

HSMS recycle

2008-05-11T18:53:00.000-05:00

HSMS square

2008-05-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

HSMS road

2008-05-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

HSMS twisted v1

2008-05-07T22:32:00.000-05:00

HSMS twisted v2

2008-05-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

HSMS dairy

2008-05-07T22:28:00.000-05:00

HSMS view

2008-05-05T22:50:00.002-05:00

This is a view from the new lookout, Pulltight Hill Road, College Grove/Bethesda, Tennessee. This road was completely rebuilt using 22,000 big trucks full of gravel. Before it was rebuilt, it was a very dangerous road, up hill, down hill and tight curves. I think it was one lane...or not quite two lanes. I wish I had pictures of it "before". If I find a photo, I will post it.

HSMS yellow

2008-05-05T22:49:00.000-05:00

HSMS sad

2008-05-05T22:48:00.000-05:00

HSMS investigate

2008-05-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

HSMS window

2008-05-05T21:54:00.001-05:00

personality test

2008-04-26T11:28:00.002-05:00

The Idealist

You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.
Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.
It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.
But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.

In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards.
You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings.

At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values.
You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

You Are An INFP

What's Your Personality Type?

HSMS sos

2008-04-13T19:20:00.001-05:00

HSMS sps

2008-04-13T19:15:00.003-05:00

HSMS post

2008-04-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

HSMS lever

2008-04-13T19:11:00.001-05:00

HSMS Moss

2008-04-13T18:53:00.003-05:00

I have used this picture before, but I thought this was fungus. When I photographed the moss, I found out IT was fungus.

So, I dont know the difference between fungus and moss.

HSMS sos

2008-04-13T18:52:00.000-05:00

HSMS sps

2008-04-13T18:51:00.002-05:00

HSMS speed

2008-04-13T18:51:00.001-05:00

HSMS pen

2008-04-13T18:50:00.000-05:00

HSMS flag

2008-04-13T18:49:00.000-05:00

HSMS instrument

2008-04-13T18:48:00.000-05:00

HSMS bubble

2008-04-13T18:41:00.001-05:00

HSMS sos

2008-04-13T18:25:00.002-05:00

I am breaking from my tradition of a favorite picture from 1 year ago. This is Max and Babykitty in 1998. They slept together until Babykitty grew to big to cuddle up.

Its funny how Max continued to sleep on the floor throughout his life, rarely sleeping on furniture or beds. He loved to curl up in a box but it had to be on the floor. Babykitty is just the opposite. He prefers to sleep up on beds, sofas, chairs, Daryls pillow. (Daryl HATES this..."why does he always sleep on MY pillow!!")

Max was given to me by one of my first patients. Originally, his name was Maggie. But, as he grew we figured out that Maggie was a Max.

It didnt take long for us to realize Max hated kitty litter. He would only use the litter box if it had NO kitty litter. After he was big enough to jump in the bathtub, this is where is went. He peed straight down the drain, and pooed next to the drain. We always knew when he was finished, he would paw the sides of the bathtub. Honestly, it was easier than cleaning the cat litter for Babykitty.

Thank you, Max. Miss you.

HSMS sps

2008-04-13T18:12:00.003-05:00

Max died in his sleep last night. He was a good kitty and good family friend. He was always in the middle of the kitchen floor or the hallway floor. For 14 years we stepped over him, brushed him and gave him his favorite food...chicken. For a little over 2 years he has been loved, layed upon, hugged, carried and kissed by lilly and sophie.

I gave him three weeks after diagnosis. After that I had planned to take the next step. He died at the end of the third week. Daryl buried him in the back yard.

This is the last picture taken of Max.