Happy Birthday Mocha Mike

Mocha Mike is my big brother Michael. When Orion was little he couldn't quite say Uncle. Or was it the ubiquitous cup of joe Michael always has with him? This is a picture of Michael on one of his most favorite places to be- the sailboat! May this next year have many opportunities for you to sail! We love you and can't wait to see you for Christmas!

My 100th Post!

This weekend we had several inches of absolutely gorgeous snow. The predictions were all over the place with 1-3 inches from some weather shows to 4-7 inches on other shows. We got a lovely dusting of about 6 inches! Orion has had so much fun. I am glad I let him have his Christmas Snow Shovel early! He was so sweet, without being asked he shoveled the walk to our next door neighbor's house! (She's in her 60s and not too steady!) What a good kid.

Friday evening our hot water tank finally rusted through. We have two in the basement, from the time our wee house was two separate apartments (!). The second one is much newer, we just have to figure out how to attach it to where the old one is. Seems we're short, about 6 inches! I'll keep you posted. Till then, I'll be boiling water to wash

Bowling Update

Greetings bowling fans! I am sorry I've not shared my bowling scores. I write them down, and then end up loosing them. Three weeks ago I missed bowling. Two weeks ago I was embarrassed by my scores. Overall I was about 20 pins above my average that evening, but I had two pretty bad games and my shoulder hurt like heck. This past week, I did very well. My average is up to 99 and between my three games I was just over 60 pins over my average! My score was 116, 124, 131. My New Years Resolution is to try to keep up with posting my bowling scores for all my fans out there.

OMG!

(Orion, Christmas 2001, Age 4.5)

So Orion says to me, "Wanna hear a funny Christmas joke?" Knowing I better answer yes, I nod. He continues:

"Sam writes a letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,

I'd like a little brother for Christmas.

Love,

Sam"

I look at him, wondering where and when we'll find the punchline, when he asks "Well, what did Santa write back?"

"I dunno," I grunted. Wondering what sort of dorky joke was up his sleeve.

Orion finishes:

"Dear Sam,

Send me your mother.

Love,
Santa"

Then he started to chuckle. "Get it mom? Get it?"

I am not sure which was funnier- the joke or the fact it took me just about 45 seconds to get the joke! Am I getting old? Or is it that I was stunned to discover that my 10 year old knows Dirty Old Santa Jokes?

Correction

Just a note to clear up any confusion about the "YakTrax" I mentioned in my earlier post. I have the YakTrax Walkers. These are "snow chains" for my shoes and they cost roughly $20. You can buy them at Amazon, at YakTrax, or at your local shoe store. They're great and I'd buy them for everybody if I could.

*Tree, you might want to consider making these a stocking stuffer for PilDong!*

Let it Snow!

It snowed! It snowed! It snowed! Yesterday I got to school at 7:20 a.m. and promptly kicked myself for not checking the weather before leaving home and for not bringing sturdier shoes (I was in my Birks and the campus is notorious for NOT shoveling or de-icing walks. There were several injuries last winter. I was lucky not to be one of the statistics and I didn't want to be one this year either!). The weather folks predicted snow turning to ice with accumulations of 1-3 inches. They were right on target. Just around 10:00 that morning the flakes started to fall. It was gorgeous. By lunch time the the cars, sidewalks, and streets were covered. That afternoon, it turned "crunchy" when it switched over to ice.

Today it warmed up enough for the streets to dry out and the yards to get muddy. The next five days the weather folks are predicting highs around 32 and more precipitation. Unfortunately it looks like it will be ice, not snow!

But I am prepared. I've got my YakTrax. I'm ready to go!

Happy Birthday Dr. Goodspeed

Happy Birthday Dear Friend & Welcome Home!

Dr. Eric (von) Goodspeed is celebrating his birthday today! Eric returned home from Iraq about three weeks ago! Hooray, welcome home, and Happy Birthday friend! The Leslie Family misses you!

On This Day

(Kathy & Dad, circa 1975)

Michael Angelo Mangione, born December 5, 1931

Elf-Help Fun!

Got time on your hands? Wanna "elf yourself?" Head over to the Office Max site and have fun. But before you do, take a gander at these elf-alicious videos.

Michael, Robin, and Dominic ring in the New Year!

Elfin Grandkids swingin' to the Christmas beat! Yes, that truly adorable elf is my niece, Ellie.

Thanks brother Mike for the Dissertation Diversion! But it's back to work for me!

Dangerous Curves Ahead!

My birthday present to myself this year was a new pair of tennis shoes (Finally! Nola ate my last pair nearly a year ago!) and a membership to Curves.

This morning I woke at 6:00, dressed, scraped ice, started the car, scraped more ice, found myself at Curves, did the circuit, nearly died, and returned home. My only complaint thus far, mind you I've only been twice, is that it is entirely too warm in the gym. I keep my house at 62. How can they expect me not to keel over with a heart attack if the furnace is cranked to 80? When I went for my interview it was a chilly 65 degrees! Is this some sort of bait and switch tactic? Aside from the heat exhaustion I think this is something I can and will do. In fact, I am considering walking to and from the gym. It's only about .6 of a mile from the house. As I see it, it will take less time to walk there as it does to de-ice the door, heat the car up, and scrape the windows.

I'll let you know how it all works out for me!

F is for Food

I love to cook. I love to eat. I love food. One of the things I have missed the most this past year and a half is feeding my friends. My small kitchen and tiny house do not lend themselves to feeding the masses. I hope to create a nice area in the backyard to do just that, three seasons out of four!

Weird Weather!

Originally we were to be on the cusp of the wicked winter storm that will be dumping lots of snow on my sister very soon (If it hasn't started already!). They predicted ice and a bit of snow. What we got instead has been really weird. Friday's high was not quite 40 degrees. The low last night was in the low twenties. It did start raining ice as they predicted (around 3:00 a.m.). As the sun rose it changed to a drizzle and by noon it was damp, windy and cold (about 40). By 6:00 p.m. it was 60! It is now nearly 10:00 p.m., windy and it's 61 degrees outside. The low overnight will be 55.

Mind you, I am not complaining. I am confused. It makes me wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us later! I hope we get lots of snow this winter! I've got my fingers crossed!

We Interrupt the Encyclopedia of Me to Bring you a “Photo Meme”

In the spirit of sharing I present you with a photo meme. For those of you with blogs, you may want to give it a try and link to it via the comments page. Those of you who do not have blogs, put it in an email and email it to me!

What do I do?: Type the answer to each question into a Google image search, and you pick an image from the first page of results. Ready? Let the games begin!

1. Age at next birthday?

2. Place I'd like to visit!

3. My favorite place to be!

4. Favorite objects?

5. Favorite food?

6. Favorite animal?

7. City where I was born-

8. City where I live-

9. Name of a past pet?

10. Nickname of best friend?

11. My nickname?

12. My first name?

13. My first job?

14. My grandmother's name?

15. My undergraduate major?

Now it’s your turn!

First Snow

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 we celebrated our first snow, albeit brief! The day dawned cold and wet. By mid afternoon the frozen drizzle turned to gorgeous, fat flakes and fell for nearly an hour! It was beautiful! Things were just getting covered in white when the snow switched back to the frozen drizzle and things went back to grey!

Here's hoping for a very snow winter in the 'Burg this year! I've got my fingers crossed! How about you?

Happy Birthday

Have a wonderful day Jenny Penny Shiny Shoes Strawberry Heart! I miss you!

E is for Educator

Educators are defined as “ones trained in teaching, teachers” and they can also be described as “specialists in the theory and practice of education.” I am not sure I can remember a time when I didn’t consider myself an educator, a teacher, of some sort-- It began with playing school with my little sister. Later it manifested itself in mentoring elementary students during high school and college. Whether teaching pre-kindergarteners or graduate students at the university, gifted elementary students or struggling astronomy students, I have most closely identified myself, my role in society, as that of an educator. The following is an excerpt from an assignment completed during my first semester as a Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas. I think it still sums up my beliefs on education. Enjoy!

Core Beliefs:
I believe that all children can learn. Children are unique and creative individuals. They are naturally curious. We must realize this and conduct ourselves accordingly. I believe that children can be problem-solvers, great thinkers, and life-time learners. I believe that learning is a result of the learner seeking meaning for that which surrounds her.


I believe that all children, regardless of ethnicity, income, and geography, deserve similar educational opportunities and equitable resources. I believe that these opportunities and resources must include the basics, such as text and trade books, desks, tables, chairs, windows, chalkboards, and a clean environment, as well as ‘luxury’ items, such as copiers, ditto machines, a safe environment, computers, breakfast, lunch, and snack (regardless of income), internet access, and partnerships with local businesses. I believe that children need an environment that both respects and responds to their individual needs. But most of all, I believe that children are worthy of teachers that are dedicated both to them, as students, and to themselves, as learners- continuing with their own training.


I believe that parents must take an active role in their children’s education. I believe that teachers should be paid a salary indicative of their worth to society- and that this salary should be based on experience, education, and successes… regardless of what grade or age you teach. I believe that learning must be worthwhile, real, and applicable to a child’s life. And best of all, I believe that learning must be fun!

(December 2001)

Ooof!

This is the second blog entry in a row that will begin with "Oooh, I hurt!" This weekend found me scrubbing floors (the old fashioned way - on my knees!) and cleaning carpets (Thank you Rug Doctor). Two full days and the only rooms in he house that are clean are the bathroom, living room, and hallway. Although there's a good start on the kitchen.

Orion has been an amazing help! He's lifted, toted, carried, and scrubbed! Of course, he's been vocal about child labor laws the entire time as well!

Tomorrow the tree goes up! I can't wait!

Bowling Bowling Bowling

Oooh, I hurt. I didn't play last week (conference!) and this week I paid for it dearly. My new average is a 98; it is slowly moving upward. Today's games were respectable, but I threw several gutter balls (WTF!?)- 107-101-106. I was twenty pins over my average. I think that will bump my average up about a pin. I am not really sure what the deal was today. I had a pretty heinous day dealing with some student and the approach to the lanes was very, very slippery. I think that had the biggest impact on my game. I was tremendously worried about landing on my butt. No for fear of pain, but because I was certain if that happened I curse a blue streak that could be heard all the way to Kansas City! I did not want that to happen. Imagine!

Well, each game was over my average and as I am told it is nothing to be put out about. I was also warned not to be too greedy . That is a problem.

Take care, gentle readers, and have a great week! No bowling next week; it's Thanksgiving!

D is for Dissertation and Death

Whichever comes first! It is impossible to separate who I am at this moment from that which haunts me, plagues me, and keeps me up at night- my dissertation. I am not even sure it can be called a dissertation at this time; it’s more like an approximation of a dissertation. But every day, I think, those approximations become something more like a dissertation.

My topic is alternative conceptions in earth science. That is, I want to know what misconceptions pre-service teachers hold in the area of earth science. To do this I have read a boatload of research articles about misconceptions, identifying misconceptions, misconceptions in astronomy, biology, and a scant few in earth sciences. Then I went about creating a sort of questionnaire to unearth just exactly what those pre-service teachers are thinking. Well, I’ve piloted the study twice. I’ve just sent revisions back to my committee and requested a meeting to seek permission to conduct the final round of testing. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Some misconceptions that are popular include: the earth is closer to the sun in the summertime, one can predict the harshness of the winter by caterpillar coverings, dinosaurs and man roamed the earth at the same time, rivers always flow south, and the sun is directly overhead at noon in Arkansas.

It’s a shame that there’s so much angst tied up in my dissertation for I truly get excited when discussing or thinking about the topic. Regardless, there will be much writing, researching, wailing, and gnashing of teeth this fall and winter.
Wish me luck. I’d like to graduate in ’08!

Observing Veterans’ Day

Last night an old friend from elementary & high school (Hi Pam!) sent me an email, “Something cool Xerox is doing.” Well, I had to check it out. If you head over to the Let’s Give Thanks website hosted by Xerox, you can chose one of hundreds of cards, write a message, and later in the month all the cards will be printed in a huge batch and sent to soldiers in Iraq. You don’t get to choose where your card goes, but you can write your own sentiment or pick one of theirs. According to Snopes, the Let's Give Thanks website has been in business since June 26, 2006 and will continue “as long as there is a need for it.” It only take a minute, so buzz on over and drop a soldier a line!

SRATE

SRATE stands for the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators. And that's where I am headed in a mere 6 or so hours! Yes, it's just after 2:00 a.m. and yes I am printing off my overhead slides, just in case I don't have access to a projector, yes I haven't completed packing, yes I am driving, and yes it looks like I'll get less than four hours of sleep!

Ugh! This year's SRATE conference will be held in St. Louis, so I have about a three hour drive in front of me tomorrow morning. I will be presenting on Thursday with a group of professors from UCM and again on Friday, solo. My Friday presentation is "Common Earth Science Misconceptions of Preservice Teachers." It is a discussion friendly version of my previous research and current and future dissertation.

We will be staying downtown in the Hyatt just off of Union Station! I am excited to be a "tourist" in St. Louis. After a few days with the conference I plan to hang with my St. Louis Teacher Friends, if time permits, before returning to the 'Burg, classes, paper grading, and the dreaded dissertation!

C is for Crochet

I couldn’t possibly discuss crocheting without talking about my maternal grandmother, Josephine Eva Bogacz Tyran (photo right, 1994). Grandma was born in Gromiec, Poland and came to the U.S. during the first World War. Grandma was exactly sixty years older than me. Grandma taught me to crochet when I was about 9 or 10. Unfortunately I had the attention span of a gnat; I honestly don’t know where she came up with the patience to even attempt such a feat!

More than twenty-five (yes 25) years later I picked up the crochet hook at a friends house. I wanted to learn. But my hands remembered. I only needed to be reminded of the names of each stitch and to practice, practice, practice!

I have been crocheting for about four years now. In that time I have made mostly scarves and baby blankets (Left my niece Ellie models the blanket I made for her, 2006.) with a handful of dish rags thrown in for good measure. I long to expand my repertoire to include sweaters, hats, and mittens. I would love to be able to read a complex pattern with confidence. Gran died nearly eleven years ago. And as silly as it sounds, when I crochet, she is with me. I only wish I had more time to devote to the craft and more money to devote to the yarn!

78 pins over my average!

Bowling Update!

Thursday found me bowling at the UCM CosmoBowl in the student union! My average is up from 92 to 95! Even with the new average I bowled 78 pins over my average! Yeah, I was pretty damn sore! My first game was a heart stopping 148, my second game a respectable 132, and the final game an exhausted 83! Ouch! This week I won't be bowling; I will be at a conference in St. Louis. My next date to bowl is November 15!

Four Days Straight

Attention readers! I have worked on my "book report" ~sob!~ for four straight days! Holy smokes! Please keep sending your prayers, good thoughts, brain vibes, and love this way! I have such a long way to go. ~sob-sniffle-sob~

B is for Books

My favorite memories of childhood are of reading books with my little sister, Tree. We would grab a couple of books and lay across her double bed; feet propped on the wall, and read. We would read for hours. Every so often we would stop, ask each other questions, make comments, and then continue. When we completed said book, we’d swap. When we finished both books, we’d have grand conversations. I remember being in 10 or 11 and comparing and contrasting the death of Aslan with Christ's crucifixion with my sister, two years younger.

I still have books that my sister and I purchased from Scholastic when we were in elementary school. Where did my passion for collecting books come from? I think my book hoarding stems from two separate issues. I believe that I associate books with education and intellect, thus with wealth. I also remember being traumatized by reading Fahrenheit 451 in high school; I knew it was my mission to save the printed word.

I could not possibly pick a single book to be my favorite, but there are several that I would highly recommend:

• The Fire Cat
• Where the Wild Things Are
• Stellaluna
• The Polar Express
• The Laura Ingalls Wilder Series
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• Anything by Madeline L’Engle
• StarGirl and Star Girl
• The Giver
• Just about anything by James Patterson, and
• Astronomy books by Carl Sagan

123-112-108

I had a pretty darn good night bowling! My current average is 92, so tonight's scores were great. Thirty-one, 20, and 16 points above my average! I'll take it! I hope to continue with this trend. My goal for the year is to be the most improved player. (Last year I was one point from most improved!).

There were no guesses for this week's scores, so we have no winners. Readers, care to make guesses for next week? Tree, our reigning winner should be receiving her surprise any day now!

Orion Update

The results are in! Orion's RAST test for allergies showed NO allergies! His blood was completely non-reactive to everything from dog skin to cat fur, goose down to cockroach feces (ewww!). He did get a ping on the old peanut chart, but not enough to be considered even a borderline allergy. His first question to me, after he hugged my neck in the doctor's office was, "Can we have dinner at Monetti's tonight?" I had to laugh. The boy misses his pasta and bread.

I just returned from parent/teacher conferences for the first quarter. He has shown major improvements in all areas! His grades are:

• Social Studies C
• Science A +
• Reading C+
• Spelling B
• Writing B +
• Math B +
• PE A +
• Music A
• Art A-

Celebrate the good news! Go Orion!

A is for Arkansas

(Criniod fossils at Richland Creek, 2001)

(Creek bed, Kings River Falls, 2004)

(Hawksbill Crag, Boxley Valley, 2005)

Arkansas is my home. Oh, I may have a zip code that reflects otherwise, but Arkansas remains my home. I grew up in Eureka Springs, a town known for hippies, artists, and hospitality. I spent several years in Conway and in Fayetteville pursuing higher education.

My favorite places to visit include Steel Creek on the Buffalo, Richland Creek, Hawksbill Crag (aka Whitaker Point), Beaver Lake, Blanchard Springs in Fifty-Six, Devil’s Den, and Hot Springs…just to name a few.

What do I miss most about Arkansas? The Buffalo National River and the tiny Odin Stones I find there, the fresh air, the thunderstorms, the leaves in autumn, fishing at the White River, hiking, but most of all my friends and my family.

The Encyclopedia of Me

Welcome to a new thread of posts- The Encyclopedia of Me. Over the next few months I plan to share a list, from A to Z, of not so random things. These will be items and ideas that move me, ground me, inspire me, or just plain mean something to me. I hope you enjoy!

To teach, or not to teach...

Perhaps we need to reevaluate how geography and social studies are taught and assessed in the public schools. Or maybe we all just need to READ A BOOK!

First Frost?

Our low was 37 degrees last night with a "wind chill" of 32. Was it our first frost? I am undecided. Plants seemed unaffected, however Orion did scrape the car windows for me! Brrr!

Read a Book!

I would love to know your opinions of this video. Really. Until I hear from you, I think I'll go read a book.

Orion's New Meds

Orion's new medicine is Rowasa. As I understand it, it is pretty much the same medicine that he takes orally (Colazal), in a liquid form, that is delivered via the south entrance as opposed to the north entrance.

Orion has not been overly pleased with the delivery method (enema), however we have seen an improvement that has been almost immediate!

As for our kitchen we are roughly 95% wheat free at this time. We wonder how and if this has affected Orion's health. As for me, I can say I no longer crave breads! But I wouldn't say no to a bagel (that is if Orion wasn't watching!). We will find the results of Orion's RAST test on Wednesday. This should indicate if Orion has any food or environmental allergies. As always, I'll keep you posted.

Tree-Saw Has a Birthday

Happy, Happy Birthday Little Sister!

I love you!

October 18, 1971

Happy Birthday PilDong!

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday! PD is a very special guy and I am so glad he's part of our family. These pictures were taken this summer during my visit. PD was helping me fry a million (delicious) egg rolls! I miss you lil' brother! I can't wait to see you during Christmas!

October 17,1998

Tree and PilDong were married on October 17, 1998 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I flew down from St. Louis (Orion was about 15 months old and remained in Missouri.) to join the festivities. The ceremony was held at our brother and sister-in-law's house. It was a wonderful day! It rained so hard that morning that water gushed down the hillside. It was so deep it was up to our knees! When the rain cleared, albeit briefly, we went ahead and held the wedding a few minutes early (outside, of course!). It began pouring again just after the ceremony. As you can see from the picture, Tree wore her Korean hanbok. My favorite parts of the ceremony were the vows. Tree said hers in Korean and PilDong said his in English.

Happy 9th Anniversary, Tree and PilDong! The traditional gift for the 9th anniversary is pottery; the modern is leather! Which will it be?

P.S. The children in the wedding picture are Alexa, the daughter of a friend, and none other than the coconut wearing Dominic!

Bung and Hole

Orion's Self Portrait, December 24, 2006, Nikon CoolPix

So my ten year old, rather miffed at his father and me, walks into the living room. He addresses me first, then his father. "You are bung," he gives me a regal nod, as if I am somehow unworthy of his attention. "And you are hole," he adds including his father in his contemptible glance. "I've made my point," he concludes and leaves the room with a flourish.

I tell you, it is impossible to discipline your child when you're laughing too hard to hold a wooden spoon. Suffice it to say he has yet to be chastised.

Happy Birthday

Happy Forty-first Birthday, John B.

And the Winner Is...

Last week I asked readers to post a comment guessing my scores for this week! The closest guess would receive a gift (to be named later so as not to ruin the surprise!). Two readers posted their guesses. Mom of Tampa, Florida guessed 82-115-176. (If Mom only knew how good a 176 is and how bad a player I am!) Tree of Ontario, Canada predicted a 78-103-112.

My average is 90. And today's games were: 79-105-119!

The winner is Tree of Ontairo, Canada! Tree, your prize will be mailed to you on Monday, October 15! Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

I must point out how uncanny Tree's prediction was! She was within ten pins of my total! How does she do that!?!

Next week, October 18, I will be presenting a workshop for a local student group, so I will not be bowling. However, the following week, October 25, I'll be back on the lanes. Place your guess now! Who will win in two weeks? Everyone is welcome to play!

WTF?

So my ten year old comes home and tells me, "It's Leif Erikson Day!" "Mmmm?" I reply, not really paying attention. "It's Leif Erikson Day!" "No it isn't!" Sure that Orion's confused himself with Columbus Day. "Is it the 9th?" he asks. "Yes, and?" I attend. "Then it's Leif Erikson Day!" he demands.

Sure enough, further research has uncovered that today, is indeed, Leif Erikson Day! It seems that congress authorized this new holiday in September of 1964. I do not ever remember observing this day during my public school career (as student or as teacher). I read that it seems to be popular in the states that were settled by folks of Nordic decent. I suppose that didn't include Arkansas and Missouri!

Well, to all of you out there: Happy Leif Erikson Day! And since we're on the topic of intrepid explorers, do any of you know when Capt. Kathryn Janeway Day is?

Update

This just in! Dominic in drag! Hope you had fun at Homecoming Domino!

Happy Sixteenth Birthday

Dominic Francesco Mangione celebrates his sixteenth birthday on October 9, 2007! Happy Birthday dear nephew! I love you and I am proud of you!

74-113-125

The results are in! I started out strong in the first few frames of the first game! Then whoosh, the toilet flushed and there I went! I was lucky to pull a 74 by the end of the game. I was certain doom lay ahead. The beginning of the second game seemed like more of the same! I was ready to come home. But I spoke with Tami and Paul (wife and husband on another team) and they offered some really good advice. I was able to land a few spares and a strike in the second game. The third game was much better: a couple of spares and a couple of strikes. I am eager to see how thing go next week!

Use the comment form to predict my scores for next week! The reader who comes the closest to my actual scores for each game will win a prize! Really!

October 2, 1993

Bone Head

My little bear has a thick skull! At it seems his bones are quite alright to boot! Results are in from the Bone Density Scan- Orion's bones are "normal." (Orion and normal in the same sentences? I don't think so!)

Bone Density Scan

On Friday after class, we made our way to downtown Kansas City to Children's Mercy. It actually took us longer to drive to KC than it did for us to drive to Overland Park, KS the previous week! Beside wicked traffic, there was a great deal of construction on Highway 71.

Despite these obstacles, we arrived on time (the required thirty minutes early), we were seen on time, and out of the hospital by 3:30.

Orion was a hoot. Here's a ten year old in his AC/DC tee shirt and Elephant (Yes, the one my cousin Sarah sent when he was about three months old!)- Orion's done blood work, Orion's had endoscopies and colonoscopies- All he had to do for the density test was lay on the table. He was scared to death. After getting his wiggles out he was finally able to lay still. We should hear the results some time this week. I'll keep you posted!

65-84-85

Thursday's bowling scores were an improvement over the previous week's. But I have many more pins to go! Perhaps this week!

Blood Work

Orion's blood work came back from Friday. He looks good! Everything is within normal parameters. Friday we return to the city for the bone density test. I'll keep you posted.

Tree

(Tree- circa 1972)

I have a sister. Her name is Tree. It's actually Theresa. But then my name's not really Kat. Tree lives far away. But not as far as she used to. Tree has two babies, a husband, and two twenty-somethings living in her house. Did I mention she's working on her dissertation too? Well, for Christmas, Tree asked for some things, two of which were "a completed dissertation" (yeah!) and "quick recipes." Well hell! I cannot seem to write my own dissertation, but I sure can help with the quick recipes. I hope you've been enjoying these recipes, Tree! I hope you're able to feed the masses AND have time left over for a bubble bath once in a while.

Potatoes Potatoes

Wal*Mart in the 'Burg sells potatoes like this: 5 lb bag of russet potatoes for $2.59 and a 10 lb bag of russet potatoes for $2.69. It's hard not to spend the extra dime for twice as many taters. But then, what do you do with them?

Well, my favorite way to eat potatoes are FRIED- with a bit of onion. But I'll save that for another post. This is an easy and delicious recipe for scalloped potatoes. Tree, it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare (but three times that long to bake). I plan to make two dishes the next time to see how freezing goes.

Tasty Scalloped Taters

What you need:
4-6 russet potatoes
1 medium onion
3-5 T of butter
3-5 T of flour (wheat flour or potato starch)
1.5 cups milk (give or take)
Garlic
Salt & Pepper
Optional cheese and/or ham slices

What you do:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Peel the potatoes. Slice the onion- super thin.
2. In a small sauce pan melt the butter, add garlic and flour. Stir till you get a nice, smooth roux. Add milk, continue stirring. If you used 3 T butter/3 T flour use about 1.25 cups of milk. If you used 5 T butter/ 5 T flour, add about 2 cups milk. Stir white sauce till bubbly and smooth. Set aside.
3. Spray Pam or butter the bottom of a baking dish or casserole. Layer half of the potatoes, onion, and ham. Cover with half of the roux. Repeat layer. Cover with rest of the roux.
4. Cover and bake for approximately 50 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 20-30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle top with the cheese of your choice.

I just made this last night and added the left over baked ham. While it's not treyf it sure is good. I've also thought of adding bacon! Mmmm mmmm, but I've yet to try that. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Orion Update

Friday we ventured into Overland Park, KS for Orion's pediatric GI appointment. It was only our second time to visit the great state of Kansas, and I think we were a mere 3 or 4 miles across the state line! Orion's visit to the GI Clinic at Children's Mercy South went very well. We were impressed by the staff and by his new doctor, Dr. Roberts. Essentially we discussed Orion's recent flare, getting him off the steroids, switching to Rowasa (an medicinal enema of sorts) when the next flare occurs, and his upcoming bone density test. One of the side effects of long term steroid use is having brittle bones. So this coming Friday we will journey to downtown KC for a bone density scan. Monday, we will be all having RAST tests to determine if we have an intolerance to gluten, milk, or other assorted items. I'll keep you posted.

p.s. This picture of Orion was taken when he was just over a year old (1998). Bath time is still one of his favorite pastimes.

Robert C. O'Brien

I've recently rediscovered Robert C. O'Brien. O'Brien, it seems, wrote for National Geographic decades ago. I know him best for his children's books. I first read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH in Children's Literature during my undergraduate days. It was highly recommended by my friend, Inge. I later read A Report from Group 17.

I recently had dinner with a new friend of mine, Chad. He was remembering his "first book." You know, the one you didn't have to read? The one that you couldn't put down? The one that "made you a reader." Z for Zachariah was that book. This discussion with Chad sent me to the library. One interlibrary loan, and a week later, the book arrived. It was indeed a page turner. Dark at times- an excellent book about survival. It reminded me of Green Angel by Alice Hoffman. Although O'Brien's ending might not be as promising or as uplifting.

After reading Z for Zachariah I had to know more about Robert C. O'Brien. I read that he also wrote The Silver Crown! I swear my sister and I had that book as children. But what I discovered about O'Brien that intrigued me the most was his birth name: Robert Leslie Conly. I think we would be hard pressed to deny any relation to this man. What do you think My Bob?

87-55-56

It would be best if we all forgot last night's bowling fiasco! While 87 was fairly normal for me at the beginning of LAST season... I have NEVER ever ever bowled less than a 67! What was I doing? Well, I have several good excuses. All of them too bloody to share here.

Hoosier Cornbread Revisited

Okay, so I got to thinking why it was that John would describe my friend's cornbread as "Hoosier." I know that a "Hoosier" is somebody that is a native of Indiana. And according to one of my favorite online resources, Urban Dictionary, Hoosier is defined " as "white trash of the worst kind. Also used as an adjective to describe anything several notches below your own perceived sophistication. Dates back to a strike that occurred in St. Louis in the 30's. During this strike, scab workers from Indiana were brought in to fill in for strikers." While I am fairly certain we didn't consider my good friend white trash, the definition explained to me why "Hoosier" was considered derogatory by St. Louisans and why my friend's feelings were a bit hurt.

I continued my research. Just what is "Hoosier Cornbread." And I have found a recipe (or two) for "Hoosier Cornbread." It seems that Hoosier Cornbread recipes share something in common and that is "a rich, cake-like cornbread." Perhaps that is what he was thinking.

And here's the recipe: Hoosier Cornbread, II

What you need:

1 cup white flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup yogurt OR 1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs -- well beaten
4 tablespoons butter -- melted

What you do:

1) Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease baking dish. Combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Stir yogurt or sour cream, milk, eggs, and butter into dry ingredients only enough to mix.

2)Pour batter immediately into baking pan and bake until top is springy and sides are beginning to pull away: about 20 minutes. Cool a little and serve warm with butter or honey whipped butter.

Hoosier Cornbread

I am not entirely sure why we call this Hoosier Cornbread. A good friend of mine made this for me when I came to her house for chili one frosty fall evening. I loved it! If you don't like cornbread, you'll love this. If you like cornbread, you'll find this oddly addicting. The floury sweetness of the yellow cake mix lends a depth of flavor and subtle textural changes to 'regular cornbread.' Try it. You just might like it. It's quite easy to whip up and goes great with vegetable beef soup, red beans and rice, ham and beans, or just about anything else your heart desires. Let me know what you think!

What you need:
Box of Jiffy Cornbread
Box of Jiffy Yellow Cake Mix
And the items they list on the box to make each:
---Eggs
---Milk
---Water

What you do:
1) Dump the contents of both the Cornbread Mix and the Yellow Cake Mix into a large mixing bowl. Look on the Cornbread Mix box and add necessary ingredients. Look on the Yellow Cake Mix box and add necessary ingredients. Mix using approximately fifty strokes with a flat whisk or rubber spatula.
2) Line muffin tins with cupcake papers or spray a 9”x 9” cake pan with cooking spray. Pour up the batter. Bake in a 350 degree oven. Cooking times will depend on type of pan used. Cook till golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3) Serve warm with softened butter.