Angie

Stimulating conversations that open minds
Provoking thoughts beyond the mundane.
Seeing the world in kaleidoscope color;
Viewing vistas from great heights while
Standing on common ground.
Questioning, Contemplating, Creating, Soaring
You are my friend.


Thank you for inviting me to your haven.

Hemroid Humor

First, a warning: do not read on if you do not like undelicate conversations.
I'm to a point in my life that not much phases me and I'll talk about most things in my life, especially if it will help someone. This story is because you might enjoy a laugh. Okay, lately a dear friend and a family member have been dealing with hemroids. If you do not have them or know what they are, kiss the ground you walk on. Yes, there are worse things, but these can be a pain in the butt, pun intended. I know this because I have had hemroids since I was a teenager. I've even had them surgically removed years ago. Two days after the surgery, they were back. The greatest physical pain I ever had was poopin the day after that surgery. I didn't think I could take it. I was swearing at the doctor for not giving me stool softeners earlier and praying for help all in the same breath. I decided I would die from the pain, but then I saw the picture of me pitching over off the toilet, hitting my head on the tub, and being found with my pants down, with the lingering question being "What killed her? The hit to the head or going poo?" Can you imagine the obituary? Maybe that's why so many obituaries don't state the cause of death. Just saying. ;-)

The Queen of Hearts Made Some Tarts

My divine friend, Maghann, brought me a delicious surprise this evening... Strawberry Almond Tarts!! These tarts were tasty! My only complaint...there were only 3. ;-) I think there should be a "Give Your Friend a Tart" day. It would make for many happy people. Thank you Maghann, you're the best!

Peachy Keen

I got new boots! and new hiking shoes to "boot"! Dillards is having a 70% off ladies shoes sale; I was lucky enough to stumble upon it yesterday. I've needed new boots but didn't want to spend crazy amounts of money for some, so a sale is just my cup o tea. I've never heard of Keen before, but these look cool. Instead of $120, they were $36! What a bargain, and cute too. I'm never stylin' on purpose, I just happen into it. =) The hiking shoes are by Keen too. They were originally $125. The salesman couldn't find the official price code, so he gave them to me for $21! What a bargain! I'm now a fan of Keen. I'll show off my new acquisitions to anyone who wants to see...and even those of you who don't. ;-)

La-de-dah Sauce

As some of you know, I took a sauce class last month with my friend Maghann. I've been wanting to learn how to make a decent sauce to spice up my meals. A few nights ago, I made the berry sauce I learned at class and paired it with the salmon the chef recommended. I served it with asparagus and couscous. It turned out beautifully. Nadine isn't a big fish lover. She ate all the salmon and said the sauce took away some of the fishiness. She scraped up every bit of the sauce. The little ones didn't like the sauce as much, but then they belong to the "Give me Basics" club, so their opinion is to be taken lightly. Making a sauce can add a few extra bucks to the cost, but it really brings variety to any meal. My photo is just so-so, but trust me the sauce is good. Once you learn the principles behind a tasty sauce, you can substitute other fruit and pair it with other meat. I did a peach sauce with chicken that was pretty good. Use your imagination and happy cooking!


Gastrique - A thick classic French sauce
2 Cups Blackberries (fresh or frozen) /
you can use other fruit
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
(white wine or rice vinegar for pale fruit)
1/2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 cup minced shallots
1/4 cup dry red wine
(white wine for pale fruit)
salt and pepper

Place thawed berries in the mixer and puree. Strain several times to remove seeds.
In a sauce or frying pan mix sugar with water; cook, uncovered, over medium high heat until reduced to a thick caramel-colored syrup, 5 to 8 minutes. (It might not change much in color.) Remove from heat; add vinegar. Return to low heat and stir until caramel/sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and pour into bowl.
In the same pan, melt butter over medium high heat; add shallots and cook, sirring often, until just soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add berry puree and cook, uncovered, until reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Add half of the vinegar liquid from bowl. Stir. Add more, depending on how you want the flavor. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Strain at least 3 times to remove shallots and produce a thin sauce.

The Birds Sing Good Morning

We put some bird seed out on our patio a few weeks ago and have enjoyed watching the little birds that come to have a breakfast nibble. They are very jittery and fly away at the slightest noise, so it's been difficult to get a photo. Here are a couple a managed to get. I love the one of the bird in the tree. The twig fell perfectly so that the bud looks like the bird's eye. I even caught the seed in its mouth! Yes, I'm patting myself on the back. When my friend Angie, a bird expert, gets back from her birding trip to Omah a, she'll have to tell me what kind of bird this is.

25!

Well, it took me ten weeks, but I'm now up to 25 push ups, 25 situps, and 25 tummy crunches! How do I feel? Hmmm...first part of me feels stronger and ripped...but mostly, just sore. I'm thankful for Bengay, wonderful creation. There are times when I say "Teresa, you goddess, you deserve a break. You have so much to do today, you don't have time anyway. It's okay to miss a day of exercise." And then my more truthful self says "You miss one day, and the whole thing will go to shambles. Get your butt moving and hit the trend mill. Look at those puny arms...give me twenty!" Or should I say "25". ;-)