High School Senior Pictures

Time for Mom to Brag

My daughter, Evangeline, and niece Marguerite, are now seniors in high school.  Time for senior pictures.  Their friend Caitlin is a student at Soldotna High School and is quite talented as a photographer.  We asked her if she would take their photographs for us.  Both girls wanted to be outdoors for the pictures and Margy wanted to have one of her dogs with her.

Caitlin agreed and now we had to find a time that was available to both Caitlin, us, and their wonderful Grammie Peg (Peg Snyder for those of you that know this amazing lady). 

We waited until after vacation and then we knew we would have to scramble to get photos taken, select the ones we wanted, and then get them printed within the deadline for school submission.

We pulled it off.  We all met one Saturday (it didn't rain!) at a friend's house.  These friends have an amazing garden on a lake; the perfect setting.

Here are some of the photos.  I hope you enjoy looking at them.  It's really hard for me to pick the one I like the best.  Do you have one.  If so please leave a comment.  You might help us decide which ones to pick.

Evie on the dock

Evie relaxing 

Evie contemplating

Evie with a great smile

Margy with her old pal, Susie Q.

Margy and Sweet Susie

Margy, the tomboy

Margy 

Evie and Margy sharing the lake dock

Margy and Evie; beautiful young ladies!

Margy and Evie wearing their traditional Chinese dress

Microphones Off for Midday Connection

Anita Lustrea

     Back at the beginning of the summer I was shocked to learn that two lovely ladies that were part of the Midday Connection radio show on Moody Radio were "let go".  Melinda Schmidt and Caryn Rivadeneira were given their walking papers.  I, along with their listening audience were shocked.  Little did we know what Moody actually had in store. 
    

Lori Neff

     Unknown to the public Moody had told the Midday people that the show was being canceled and the other two hosts, Anita Lustrea and Lori Neff would also be out of a job.  They, however, were charged with continuing to host the doomed show and pretend nothing was wrong. 

Caryn Rivadeneira

Melinda Schmidt

     As an avid listener to Midday I continued to tune in (often through their podcast) but something wasn't right.  Midday just seemed to be "off their game'.  I attributed it to the absence of Melinda and Caryn.  Don't get me wrong it wasn't that Lori and Anita were doing a poor job; anything but that.  They still were wonderful as they always have been but I just had a feeling that things were not right.  Of course, I now know that it was indeed because Melinda and Caryn were gone but also because Lori and Anita were going as was the show!  What a terrible situation Anita and Lori had to endure; each broadcast day ending bringing them one day closer to the end of their Midday career and the complete end to Midday!  To top it off they had to endure it with a smile on their faces.  For a Christian based business that is a particular cruel and unchristian thing to do.

     It wasn't until the end of summer/beginning of autumn in my neck of the woods when the Vice President of Moody Radio, Colin Lambert came on Midday Connection and announced to the listening audience that Midday Connection was being taken off the air.  He stated that the difficult decision was made due to a "change of seasons" and also "the need to address seismic shifts in our culture." 

     What?  Midday Connection has been on the air for over twenty years and any radio show that lasts that long is successful in weathering many season changes and culture shifts.  Quite frankly that explanation is a bunch of horse doo doo.  Does Mr. Lambert really think that Midday readers are accepting those excuses?  We're not.  Sadly, as does happen with some Christian organizations upper management decisions are often talked about with catch phrases such as: "After much prayer and deliberation..."  or "In prayer God has led us in this direction...".  Hmmm.

I am one listener not buying the publicized reasons.  There is usually always more to the story.  I'm questioning what Moody didn't like about Midday Connection so much that it was cause to cancel it.  Was it that Midday challenged their listeners to read the Bible and to think for themselves?  Was it that listeners were encouraged to delve into scripture and to challenge other's viewpoints?  Was it the issue of gays and Christians that would be discussed from time to time on Midday?  Was it the book clubs and the choices of books we would read?  I doubt we'll ever know.

     This Friday September 18, 2015 will be the last broadcast of Midday Connection.  Yes, life goes on and yes, there will be a new program in Midday's time slot.  Perhaps that show will be as popular and successful as Midday; time will tell.  I'm surmising that sadly the new show won't be geared toward my culture therefore it won't be something up my alley.  What Christian based radio programming is currently available that is geared toward women in my season of life and encourages us to think for ourselves?  The answer is none.

     I'm certainly not an expert in radio broadcasting.  I'm a single mom of teenage children, a retired public school librarian, a teacher, and a lover of critters with four legs, fur, wings, or fins, and most importantly a follower of Jesus, the one and only son of God.  My only experience in radio has been as a guest three times on two local radio call in shows but I do know that Midday Connection had a large and broad based listening audience.  I feel that Moody made a mistake in their decision to end this ever popular radio show.  Shame on Moody.

     It is my hope that these four women, Anita Lustrea, Lori Neff, Caryn Rivadeneira, and Melinda Schmidt will continue to utilize the gifts God has bestowed upon them.  Your listeners are waiting...

A Great Way to Recycle

How to Remove the Print from Plastic Containers

I got this general idea on Pinterest from twobusybrunettes, but I didn't want to soak any of my washcloths or towels so I changed it for my needs and so I would have less clean-up.

You should do this in a well ventilated space, the acetone is pretty stinky and you shouldn't breath the "fumes".

Materials:

-paper towel, about 3 sections long for each container

-acetone {normally used as nail polish remover and oil based paint clean-up}

-plastic container with label printed on it

-large strong rubber band, one for each container

-rubber gloves

Process:

1. Fold the paper towel in half, end to end; then fold in half lengthwise.  {This will depend on the size and shape of your container; you want at least 3-4 layers of paper towel all the way around your container.}

2. Wrap the paper towel around the container; the paper towel should be touching the container all the way around.

3. Put rubber band around the center of the paper towel to hold it in place tightly.

4. Working over a garbage can or a surface protected with newspaper, carefully pour a little acetone all the way around the container, saturating the paper towel.

5. Let the acetone saturated paper towel sit on the container for at least 10 minutes   {The longer you leave it on the easier the print comes off; but don't leave it on so long that the acetone evaporates.}

6. Wearing rubber gloves; remove the rubber band and use the saturated paper towel to rub away the print from the plastic container.  {It should rub away easily, if not "soak" longer.}
7. Wash containers with warm soapy water to remove any residual acetone.

8. Enjoy!  You can use these for food storage, kid's toys/art materials, your studio/crafting things things, holiday gift treats, the possibilities are endless!

My mom's favorite joke

See if you find this funny or do you just let out a loud groan.  My family would groan every time my mom would tell this joke. 

 

A hearse was driving through the city on the way to the cemetery.  It hit a bump as it went up a hill and the back door opened up.  The coffin fell out of the hearse and started sliding down the road.  It bumped along and jumped the curb and went through the door of a pharmacy and stopped right in front of the pharmacy counter.  The lid popped up and the gentleman sat up and asked, "Do have anything to stop my "coffin"?

 

I can still see my mother telling this joke and laughing the entire time.  I can also see our entire family smile and groan and say..."Not again, mom".

Memories are so good to have. 
 

Candy bags personalized for each guest

    Sweet Sixteen Party

My niece, Margy, had her sixteenth birthday this past May.  She's having her birthday party tomorrow and her mom, my sister Lindy, has been busy getting all the candy ready.  Her theme is "Sweets" to match her sweetness!  Well, at least that's why I feel her party is going to be full of candy.  Jars - all shapes and sizes of jars - filled with all kinds of candies!

I'm making the German Chocolate cake tonight and we have ice cream sundaes to go along with the "sweet" theme.  I used my Viking Rose sewing machine to stitch the name of each guest onto a small bag.  The guests will be able to fill the bags with any kind of candy they want!  The bags we picked up while on vacation in San Francisco at a dollar store.  I think they turned out kind of cute.  I hope everyone likes them.

Tin Can Lanterns Tutorial

Recycle Project:  Tin Can Lanterns

Here's a great and fun idea to do with recycling in mind.  I found this idea while doing an Internet search for tin can lanterns.  There are several tutorials on Internet but I liked this one from the Grow Creative blog and thought I would share it with you.  Here's the address: http://growcreative.blogspot.com/2012/07/tin-can-lanterns-tutorial.html.  Here's the tutorial:

Tin Can Lanterns Tutorial

I love summer and I love that I finally have a backyard to have parties in! I made these tin can lanterns for a 4th of July party and they looked so lovely that I thought I would write a tutorial to share with you all.

So follow the tutorial below to get started making your own lanterns for your own outdoor summer party!

Materials:
recycled tin cans
hammer
nail
bailing wire
pliers
spray paint
tea light candle



Step 1: Remove labels and glue from the cans. I've found WD-40 to be very helpful with removing the glue.

Step 2: Fill cans with water and stick them in the freezer. Leave them in until the ice is solid. This helps the can hold its shape for the next steps.

Step 3: Take your frozen can out of the freezer. Using a hammer and nail, pound a hole near the top of the can. Flip the can over and make another hole straight across from the first hole. These will be used for the handle later on.

Step 4: Make your design. Use the hammer and nail to start punching out a design in your can. You can draw it our before hand or wing it. Either way, they turn out nicely.

Step 5: Once your design is all finished, let the ice melt out of the can and dry it out.

Step 6: Upon turning the can over, you'll notice a big bulge in the bottom. This comes from freezing water in it. But, it can be fixed! Just pound it down with a hammer so that it sits flat.

Step 7: Time to make a handle. Cut a 12 inch strip of bailing wire and curve the end of it to form a hook. Stick the hook through one of the top side holes.

Step 8: Twist the hook around to secure it. Make a hook on the other end of the wire. Stick it in the side hole on the other side and twist it around. There's your handle!

Step 9: Time for some spray paint! Paint several coats on to cover the entire can and handle. I used Krylon Indoor/ Outdoor paint and it worked great.

Step 10: Once the paint is dry, insert tea light candles and light them up! You're all ready to go!

Reader Tips:

• Azirkah said...To keep the bottom of the can from bulging out, put 2 or 3 inches of water in the can and let that freeze, then top off the can and freeze again.
• Esther en Calou said...... avoid to make holes in the bottom inch of the can. When your candle melts and the holes are made too close to the bottom, the wax will pour out.
• E C Ballard ஃ said...If you have a dremel tool or any kind of flexible shaft, you can use a burr or a very small metal drillbit and you will not need the ice.
• Nicole said...fill your can with sand prior to adding the water and placing in the freezer! It will prevent your can from bulging during the water expansion process :0)

Homemade Peanut Butter

From the Texanerin Baking blog I thought you might be interested in seeing how easy it is to make your own peanut butter...with no unseen ingredients.  The web address is below if you want to go directly to the blog site.  It was originally posted on Jan. 20, 2012.

How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter

That’s a cut up apple in the background. This is my normal breakfast except I much prefer Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter on my bread. I mean, come on, it has maple syrup!

German Vollkornbrot! I don’t know how we’ll survive when we move.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup roasted peanuts (I used salted, but you can use unsalted or honey roasted)
• salt to taste
• canola or peanut oil (I’ve never had to use it)

Directions:

Dump peanuts in the food processor.

Process until creamy. For me it took about 4 minutes. In my old blender it took about 8. First there’ll be ground peanuts, then it’ll start to come together in a ball, then it’ll be a ball, and then the ball will break down into what you see below. Then process it a little more until you’re sure it’s nice and creamy. I’ve never had to add oil, but people on the internet have. Add a teaspoon at a time until it looks like the below picture. Add salt to taste.

That’s it! Store in the fridge for up to two months (that’s according to Alton Brown). 1 cup of peanuts yields about 2/3 cup peanut butter.