I’m not an assertive person. My husband is. Let me back up…
Tuesday morning I headed off to the church with laptop in tow. First of all, let me say I feel a little silly now. I guess it’s been quite awhile since I dealt with using a wireless network other than our own setup at home. I had no idea that once I logged on to the internet at my church that I would be able to download the mail from my server through their server into my Outlook Express! Duh! Both of my college-age kids said they could have told me that, but I sure don’t remember getting that assurance from them while I was obsessing about it on Monday! Yeah, well. Live and learn.
Late Tuesday afternoon my husband called me at the church with good news. (I was working on church stuff, not still messing with my computer) After some frustrations trying to line up a local installer he decided to contact the company again. He told each person he talked to that if they didn’t give him the satisfaction he was looking for, then to transfer him to their superior. He finally convinced one that, although we had been with them for a number of years, he was going to switch to another satellite provider if they didn’t do something this week. They agreed to install our upgraded system the next morning, and at price much less than what they originally quoted us. Wow!
I guess that old saying about the squeaky wheel getting the grease really is true.
- Kelly
- Making my way through the ups and downs of life, holding fast to my favorite Bible verse: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." ~2 Corinthians 5:7. I began blogging in earnest at Yahoo360 on October 24, 2005. (briefly using LiveJournal and blog-city prior to that) In June 2008 I moved to Blogger. I'm now at WordPress where I hope to remain.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Woe is me
We've been without internet since Saturday evening. ETR (estimated time for repair) doesn't look good. With an upgrade (yes, that means extra money) it might be in a couple of weeks. Repairs on the current equipment could take months!!!
Switching to DSL or cable is not an option. We live too far out in the sticks for that. Even switching to a different satellite provider would take awhile.
I can do limited things on my Blackberry (which is how I'm posting this, if I remembered how to do it correctly), but that's also "iffy" since we don't get good cell reception at our house.
At least I'm getting more done at home since my #1 time-waster has been curtailed. *sigh*
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Not what I planned
I had every intention of posting the recipe for the cookies I made today. I clipped it from my Simple & Delicious magazine awhile back and thought they would really be good. They weren't. They're edible, but definitely not worth sharing (either in print or in reality).
Instead, I'll share a recipe for piecrust that my cousin gave me years ago. She took it from the January 1977 issue of Gourmet. I rarely make piecrust from scratch (it's too easy to buy good ready-made ones) but when I do, this is simple and very good.
Cream Cheese Pastry
In a large bowl cream together 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter and 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cream cheese, both well softened. Thin mixture with 2 Tbs. milk and sift in 1-1/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and 1/2 tsp. salt, stirring the mixture until it is well combined. Form the dough into a ball, dust it with flour and chill it, wrapped in waxed paper, for at least 3 hours.
Makes a double crust.
Instead, I'll share a recipe for piecrust that my cousin gave me years ago. She took it from the January 1977 issue of Gourmet. I rarely make piecrust from scratch (it's too easy to buy good ready-made ones) but when I do, this is simple and very good.
Cream Cheese Pastry
In a large bowl cream together 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter and 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cream cheese, both well softened. Thin mixture with 2 Tbs. milk and sift in 1-1/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and 1/2 tsp. salt, stirring the mixture until it is well combined. Form the dough into a ball, dust it with flour and chill it, wrapped in waxed paper, for at least 3 hours.
Makes a double crust.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Favorite Five - Fairy Tales
I didn’t plan to post another Favorite Five entry this soon, but I thought it would be appropriate after reading the post about Fairy Tales over at Pen and Paper.
Even though Disney has its darker moments (think about Bambi’s parents or Mufasa’s death in the Lion King), most of its stories are candy-coated. That’s a far cry from the way many of the traditional fairy tales were meant to be told. If you don't believe me, just go back and read the Brothers Grimm!
Some of my favorite fairy tales:
1. The Ugly Duckling
2. Aesop’s Fables
3. Shrek
4. Hansel and Gretel
5. The Three Little Pigs (check out this version my sister gave my kids when they were little)
Others: Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Even though Disney has its darker moments (think about Bambi’s parents or Mufasa’s death in the Lion King), most of its stories are candy-coated. That’s a far cry from the way many of the traditional fairy tales were meant to be told. If you don't believe me, just go back and read the Brothers Grimm!
Some of my favorite fairy tales:
1. The Ugly Duckling
2. Aesop’s Fables
3. Shrek
4. Hansel and Gretel
5. The Three Little Pigs (check out this version my sister gave my kids when they were little)
Others: Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
TV Sets
I posted the following entry on my 360 blog a few years ago. I thought it would be an interesting follow-up to yesterday’s post about sitcoms. The book is evidently out of print now and only available from third-party sellers. My copy is paperback and has a different cover from the one shown on Amazon.
TV Sets Fantasy Blueprints of Classic TV Homes by Mark Bennett
I've actually had this book for years, but thought about it again when my daughter was flipping through the channels tonight and landed on I Love Lucy. My degree in college was in "Design & Housing" (I still don't know why I didn't go ahead and get an architecture degree instead) and I always loved drafting (by hand, not computer). So... the hand-drawn plans in this book are right up my alley. It's great fun......full of "blueprints" and maps for tons of classic TV shows, including some of my favorites: Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, The Flintstones and more. Check it out for a fun trip down memory lane!
TV Sets Fantasy Blueprints of Classic TV Homes by Mark Bennett
I've actually had this book for years, but thought about it again when my daughter was flipping through the channels tonight and landed on I Love Lucy. My degree in college was in "Design & Housing" (I still don't know why I didn't go ahead and get an architecture degree instead) and I always loved drafting (by hand, not computer). So... the hand-drawn plans in this book are right up my alley. It's great fun......full of "blueprints" and maps for tons of classic TV shows, including some of my favorites: Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, The Flintstones and more. Check it out for a fun trip down memory lane!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Favorite Five - TV Sitcoms
Watching television is an activity I’ve enjoyed in spurts over my lifetime. I don’t remember watching a lot of TV while growing up, but I must have since I can remember so many shows from that time! The first couple of years in college were lean TV years, then my viewing time picked up once I moved out of a dorm. I watched a fair amount during the early years of my marriage, only to slack off in recent years. I watch very little TV at this point in my life.
One of my favorite types of programming has always been the Situation Comedy or “sitcom”. Many of the sitcoms I’ve enjoyed over the years were shows that I could watch with my family, either when I was a child or when I had children of my own. Often mindless and silly, occasionally witty or clever, but always a pleasant escape from reality. If only all life’s problems could be resolved in the space of thirty minutes!
Here’s my list, with a few runners up. Tell me some of yours!
1. Gilligan’s Island – I refuse to make excuses for this being on my list. I’ve always loved it and have seen every episode multiple times. I even own it on DVD.
2. The Brady Bunch – Another that I should probably be embarrassed to have on my list (but I’m not). At least I don’t own the DVDs of this one. Jan was my favorite Brady.
3. I Love Lucy – A classic in every sense of the word. Lucille Ball has to be one of the best comedic actresses of all time. It was great from the early episodes all the way through the birth of Little Ricky, the Hollywood & European episodes and the move to Connecticut.
4. Seinfeld – The show about nothing. It was hilarious! Enough said.
5. The Wonder Years – This show is sometimes considered a dramatic comedy rather than a sitcom. The pilot began with the main characters entering junior high school in 1968. I started junior high in 1970, so I readily identified with the events and emotions portrayed in the series.
Runners Up: Home Improvement, Cheers, Smart Guy, The Munsters, M*A*S*H, Psych.
One of my favorite types of programming has always been the Situation Comedy or “sitcom”. Many of the sitcoms I’ve enjoyed over the years were shows that I could watch with my family, either when I was a child or when I had children of my own. Often mindless and silly, occasionally witty or clever, but always a pleasant escape from reality. If only all life’s problems could be resolved in the space of thirty minutes!
Here’s my list, with a few runners up. Tell me some of yours!
1. Gilligan’s Island – I refuse to make excuses for this being on my list. I’ve always loved it and have seen every episode multiple times. I even own it on DVD.
2. The Brady Bunch – Another that I should probably be embarrassed to have on my list (but I’m not). At least I don’t own the DVDs of this one. Jan was my favorite Brady.
3. I Love Lucy – A classic in every sense of the word. Lucille Ball has to be one of the best comedic actresses of all time. It was great from the early episodes all the way through the birth of Little Ricky, the Hollywood & European episodes and the move to Connecticut.
4. Seinfeld – The show about nothing. It was hilarious! Enough said.
5. The Wonder Years – This show is sometimes considered a dramatic comedy rather than a sitcom. The pilot began with the main characters entering junior high school in 1968. I started junior high in 1970, so I readily identified with the events and emotions portrayed in the series.
Runners Up: Home Improvement, Cheers, Smart Guy, The Munsters, M*A*S*H, Psych.
Monday, October 19, 2009
C.J. Sansom
While browsing through back posts over at Petty Witter’s blog (Pen and Paper), I discovered an author that I’d never heard of. Okay, that’s not so unusual. There are plenty of authors I’m not familiar with. This author, however, writes Historical Fiction mysteries set in Tudor England. I love Historical Fiction, I love mysteries, and I love British history!
C.J. Sansom is currently a full-time writer, but began his career as an attorney. The central character in his mystery series is Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer practicing at Lincoln's Inn in London. Shardlake starts out as an avid supporter of reform, enjoying the patronage of Thomas Cromwell. Throughout the series his passion for reform wanes as he embarks on missions for Cromwell, then later Archbishop Cranmer.
The novels are very well written and, although fiction, contain a tremendous amount of accurate historical information woven into them. I thoroughly enjoyed the three I’ve read, Dissolution, Dark Fire and Sovereign and look forward to the US release of the fourth, Revelation.
C.J. Sansom is currently a full-time writer, but began his career as an attorney. The central character in his mystery series is Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer practicing at Lincoln's Inn in London. Shardlake starts out as an avid supporter of reform, enjoying the patronage of Thomas Cromwell. Throughout the series his passion for reform wanes as he embarks on missions for Cromwell, then later Archbishop Cranmer.
The novels are very well written and, although fiction, contain a tremendous amount of accurate historical information woven into them. I thoroughly enjoyed the three I’ve read, Dissolution, Dark Fire and Sovereign and look forward to the US release of the fourth, Revelation.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Blue Skies and Dogs
There’s no doubt about it. We’ve had an exceptionally wet September and October. I’ve been told that my rain gauge is probably not very accurate - therefore my readings may not be correct - but, we “unofficially” had more than 20 inches of rain in September and we’ve already dumped more than 15 inches from our gauge in October!!! Even half those amounts would seem like a lot!
The sun came out yesterday for the first time in several weeks. What a glorious sight! I’ve wanted some new pictures of our outside dogs, so I grabbed my camera and headed out into the sunshine.
Blue skies never looked so good! Of course the grass is nice and green from all the rain.
The begonias I planted at the beginning of the summer have done well.
Now that she doesn’t have to feed puppies and is getting fed regularly herself, Mama Dog has a soft, thick coat. She’s gotten back her figure as much as a girl can after having who knows how many litters.
Jed joined the ranks of the “spay/neuter club” in September. No danger of future puppies from any dog at our house now.
Blue had obviously been sticking her nose somewhere it didn’t belong. At least that was the only part of her that was muddy!
Mama Dog and Jed love to romp and wrestle with each other. Blue will sometimes join in.
This time she chose to watch the woods for something more exciting than romping with them.
None of the inside girls really mind going out in the rain, but they do love a cool, sunny day! Mabel, Alice and Esther wanted me to put the camera down and let them out.
Betty loves to bask in the sun on the back steps.
The sun came out yesterday for the first time in several weeks. What a glorious sight! I’ve wanted some new pictures of our outside dogs, so I grabbed my camera and headed out into the sunshine.
Blue skies never looked so good! Of course the grass is nice and green from all the rain.
The begonias I planted at the beginning of the summer have done well.
Now that she doesn’t have to feed puppies and is getting fed regularly herself, Mama Dog has a soft, thick coat. She’s gotten back her figure as much as a girl can after having who knows how many litters.
Jed joined the ranks of the “spay/neuter club” in September. No danger of future puppies from any dog at our house now.
Blue had obviously been sticking her nose somewhere it didn’t belong. At least that was the only part of her that was muddy!
Mama Dog and Jed love to romp and wrestle with each other. Blue will sometimes join in.
This time she chose to watch the woods for something more exciting than romping with them.
None of the inside girls really mind going out in the rain, but they do love a cool, sunny day! Mabel, Alice and Esther wanted me to put the camera down and let them out.
Betty loves to bask in the sun on the back steps.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Favorite Five - Children's Books
I love to read and books have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Although my mother read to me when I was young, I learned to read before I began school and always preferred reading to myself. We had a nice selection of books in our home belonging to my three older siblings as well as many of my parent’s books. In addition, I belonged to a "Dr. Seuss Book Club" where I received a new book every 6-8 weeks including books by P.D. Eastman, Bennett Cerf, the Berenstains and others as well as Seuss books like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.
Once I started school the opportunities for reading grew. Not only did my elementary school have a great library, our town’s public library was right across the street from my school. Even then there were so many books and so little time! I didn’t get around to favorites like Winnie-the-Pooh, The Chronicles of Narnia or Paddington Bear until I was a teenager. Others I didn’t grow to love until I read them to my own three kids: Goodnight Moon, I’ll Love You Forever, Runaway Bunny.
Here are my top five and some runners up:
1. Moonymouse by Helen & Alf Evers
2. Cheerful by Palmer Brown
3. If Jesus Came to My House by Joan Gale Thomas
4. Epaminondas and His Auntie by Sara Cone Bryant
5. Mud Pies and Other Recipes by Marjorie Winslow
Bird Life in Wington (J. Calvin Reid), Eight Bags of Gold (Parable of the Talents), Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White), The Boy Who Discovered the Earth (Henry Gregor Felsen), The Illustrated Treasury of Children’s Literature, The McGuffey Readers.
Once I started school the opportunities for reading grew. Not only did my elementary school have a great library, our town’s public library was right across the street from my school. Even then there were so many books and so little time! I didn’t get around to favorites like Winnie-the-Pooh, The Chronicles of Narnia or Paddington Bear until I was a teenager. Others I didn’t grow to love until I read them to my own three kids: Goodnight Moon, I’ll Love You Forever, Runaway Bunny.
Here are my top five and some runners up:
1. Moonymouse by Helen & Alf Evers
2. Cheerful by Palmer Brown
3. If Jesus Came to My House by Joan Gale Thomas
4. Epaminondas and His Auntie by Sara Cone Bryant
5. Mud Pies and Other Recipes by Marjorie Winslow
Bird Life in Wington (J. Calvin Reid), Eight Bags of Gold (Parable of the Talents), Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White), The Boy Who Discovered the Earth (Henry Gregor Felsen), The Illustrated Treasury of Children’s Literature, The McGuffey Readers.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Recipe Rehash (Couple-a-cakes)
Marion and I exchanged comments about her wonderful spice cake recipe on one of her blog entries recently. I think it’s probably the second best cake in the world.
MARION’S EXOTIC SPICE CAKE
1 Pkg. Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup oil
1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding
¼ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves
1 cup of beer
4 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cardamom
· Mix all well and blend for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into greased & floured bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 55 minutes. Cool in pan for about 20 minutes, then glaze.
GLAZE :
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
½ tsp. grated lemon peel
1 or 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
· Mix well and pour over cooled cake.
This is probably the best cake in the world!
VAN GOGH CAKE
4 eggs
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. instant lemon pudding
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Combine cake mix and pudding mix with the eggs. Blend in water and oil and mix thoroughly. Pour into greased tube or Bundt pan and bake 50 minutes at 325. Remove to rack and while hot ice with:
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbs. butter
1/3 cup concentrated orange juice
Combine and blend until smooth
MARION’S EXOTIC SPICE CAKE
1 Pkg. Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup oil
1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding
¼ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves
1 cup of beer
4 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cardamom
· Mix all well and blend for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into greased & floured bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 55 minutes. Cool in pan for about 20 minutes, then glaze.
GLAZE :
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
½ tsp. grated lemon peel
1 or 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
· Mix well and pour over cooled cake.
This is probably the best cake in the world!
VAN GOGH CAKE
4 eggs
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. instant lemon pudding
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Combine cake mix and pudding mix with the eggs. Blend in water and oil and mix thoroughly. Pour into greased tube or Bundt pan and bake 50 minutes at 325. Remove to rack and while hot ice with:
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbs. butter
1/3 cup concentrated orange juice
Combine and blend until smooth
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