Tuesday Wednesday Tunes: Storm Comin’

Storm Cloud

*Since yesterday was my Grandmother’s birthday, “Tuesday” Tunes has been moved to Wednesday this week*

We’ll close out the month of April with another song about stormy weather – here in Texas, we’re heading into the turbulent season – “May flowers” around here have to be pretty darn tough to ride out some of our storms! This song always helps to lift my mood – it reminds me that while none of us can hide from whatever may come, we will never be alone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-2roZ-1sPMM Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Granny!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Another year sexier!

Today is my dear, sweet Grandmother’s 94th birthday.  I’m not able to see her very often since we live so far from her, but I think about her often (even if I am remiss in calling her when I should).  I do try to send her flowers for special occasions, though – Granny’s first name is Daisy, so I always try to make sure that any arrangement that is sent has lots of daisies in it.

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For Jonathan – “To Where You Are”

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On April 28, 2001, my best friend Becky got the phone call that no parent ever wants to get – her oldest son, Jonathan, had been killed in a car wreck.

The pain has eased somewhat, but it will always be there for her and for her family.  No parent should ever outlive their child – that is a pain that will never go away.

This is for Jonathan and all of those who loved him –
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Sunday Funnies: The Unbearable Lightness of Being……A Cat

If you’ve ever been owned by a cat, I’m sure that you have wondered from time to time just what they are thinking. Well, wonder no more – Henri the Cat is here to explain it to you:
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Honestly, I’m amazed they even deign to allow us to live in the house with them…..
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Foodie Friday – Strawberry Bread

Strawberry Bread 5
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Late April and early May is Strawberry Season in Texas – there are lots of Strawberry Festivals held around the state to celebrate the first fruits of the coming summer.

This wonderfully delicious sweet bread uses frozen strawberries, so it can be made any time of the year, but I thought it would be nice to honor their annual debut by posting this recipe now.

This makes a wonderful gift to give friends and family at Christmas, and it is always a hit at holiday parties!
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Strawberry Bread

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3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2-10 oz. pkgs. frozen sliced strawberries (do not drain; add juice to batter)
1 1/4 c. oil
1 1/4 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Mix dry ingredients together.
Mix remaining ingredients and add to dry ingredients; stir carefully.
Turn batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
Bake at 350F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes; turn out onto cooling racks.

This recipe makes 2 large loaves or 3 small loaves (it rises quite a bit while cooking)

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Strawberry Bread 3.

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Tuesday Tunes (on Thursday) – “Remember When It Rained”

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This song is just so lovely – I could listen to it over and over again:
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Have a great day!
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(The song “Remember When It Rained” is sung by the incomparable Josh Groban, from his multi-platinum album “Closer” – it’s available in CD or MP3 format)
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Earth Day, 2014

The Dust Bowl that Environmentalists Built

This is VERY good:
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Posted in A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy, Annual Posts, Elections, I Love America, Inspirational, Just Because, Liberal Nonsense, Occupy Wall Street, Things That Make Me Crazy, Think about it | 2 Comments

Softly Call The Muster….

Muster 9.
On April 21, 2009, I answered “Here” for my sister, Beverly Suzanne Hamilton ’84.

One day our children will answer “Here” for both Paul and me. It is the last thing that the family of an Aggie is called to do for their loved one. It is our sworn duty to do so.

Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”
Their spirits hover ‘round us
As if to bring us cheer!

Mark them ‘present’ in our hearts.
We’ll meet some other day
There is no death, but life etern
For our old friends such as they!

– from “Roll Call for the Absent“, by Dr. John Ashton ’06

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He.Is.Risen.

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Adventures in Remodeling – Out With the Old, In With the New

Weights 1

Sash weights – “old school” double-hung window technology, c. 1907

For many years, we were not able to use modern-day replacement windows when remodeling the house, because all of the ones on the market were made with metal rather than wood.  Also, none of the shapes available remotely resembled those of windows from the early 20th century. Continue reading

Posted in Adventures in Remodeling, Family, House Stuff, Humor | Tagged , , | 4 Comments