Leigh & Jo

   I found this amazing site on StumbleUpon that shows you photos of the most delicious foods, and then when you click on the photo, it takes you to the site where the recipe can be found. As a consequence, I discovered many delightful recipes. Thus, on Monday, I cooked two items for dinner, and they earned our seal of approval. 

Our entree was Honey Glazed Chicken and Bacon Bites, which can be found at http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/honey-glazed-chicken-bacon-bites  Our side dish were Hasselback Potatoes, which are potatoes that remind me of little porcupines. The recipe for this can be found at http://savoringtimeinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/01/ode-to-tuberpart-one.html

   Well, last week was a blur. I do not like going to see the doctor but I found myself at the clinic four times. Hundreds of dollars later, I only had a bagful of prescriptions to show for it. Yet, I am doing a lot better now. Somewhere between doctor's appointments, the rat snake popped in to say hello to my husband, who wasn't too keen on seeing it. However, I am happy to say that our bathroom is snake-free now because the little fellow has been evicted from the household. Other than being at home recuperating, I spent most of my time asleep because the meds made me drowsy. I've never slept so much!

Our weekend ended up being a marathon of watching movies and just relaxing on the couch. It was my husband's idea ( and a very good one at that because it was nice to just slow down and be lazy.) On Sunday, we were joyful to find out the results of "The Glee Project"---Damian McGinty and Samuel Larsen. I had been rooting for both Damian and Cameron (who is a Texas native!) since the beginning, but unfortunately Cameron had to leave based on his strong, religious conviction which is admirable. How many actors will you find out there who do NOT want to kiss an actress because they have a girlfriend? Anyway, I digress. Samuel and Damian will be part of the "Glee" cast for seven episodes. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! I can't wait to see what roles they will play.

I've been away for a bit because I had to go to the Emergency Room on Saturday--we spent 8 hours waiting for a doctor to see me. And apparently I caught a nasty stomach virus (which is why I was feeling horrible since last Monday). The doctor told me to stay at home with my bagful of medications that he prescribed to me. Also, I was prescribed to be on a clear liquid diet for Sunday, and then the BRAT diet until I feel good enough to eat regular foods.

On Sunday, I ate my first meal (chicken broth) very reluctantly but my husband was persistent and adamant that I have something to eat. (He can be so bossy when I'm ill. Guess it's because I'm usually the bossy one when I'm healthy...lol!)

On Monday, I was feeling worse again so I went to the doctor's office. She prescribed me some more medications and wants a follow up. So here I am at home....mis-er-a-ble and watching endless movies on tv because I don't have the energy to do anything else. I'd better log off and rest. I'm still not feeling so good.

This week has been bedlam but fortunately tomorrow is Friday , and I'm looking forward to some r&r. This morning I was startled to meeting up with a snake in our bathroom--right next to the sink's cabinet. When it saw me, it slithered away as quickly as I dashed off. I woke up my husband, and by then the snake could not be seen at all. Then I decided to refrain from entering the bathroom at all costs. I tried to find out what type of snake it was, and from what it looked like, I believe that it was a Black Rat Snake. Ugh! Regardless of what it is, I want it OUT of our house. I detest snakes.

 I cannot possibly just have only one favorite night because there is a multitude of them. One fond memory is visiting my grandma and grandpa. My mom, dad, sister Linda and I would visit them daily in the evening, and they'd be talking about a variety of topics. Eventually, the topic would veer to a scary story or two and then my sister and I would inch our way closer to my parents. We were scared but wouldn't admit to it because we wanted to hear the ending to the story. Those days of feeling security and comfort helped when our imaginations ran wild with ghosts and monsters.

But the memory that stands out for me has always been Halloween. I believe that my grandfather instilled that fondness because he loved the holiday so much. It was an evening where he was able to spend with all of his grandchildren.  After we'd go trick or treating with our Mom, he'd then pile us all into the back of his green truck and we'd go on a hayride (without the hay). He'd drive us to different areas around the town and suddenly he would slow the truck down and that suspense would make us scream, giggle nervously, or cry. Sometimes nothing would happen,  but at other times (when we'd least expect it ) one of our older cousins dressed in a costume would pop out  from the dark and terrify us.

Those two nights are just as memorable as the time when my husband and I spent our first Halloween together. We bought pumpkins, carved them, and then enjoyed a quiet evening at home with the living room (since we live out in the country and have no trick-or-treaters to hand out candy to.) It brought back all of those nostalgic memories of childhood.

(Photo: Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson)

I wish I was better at dancing with ease and grace. I'm more of a closet dancer. I love to dance in the kitchen...across the living room....and basically all over the house. Yet, ask me to dance on the dance floor and I detest it (especially if we're the only ones dancing!) If there's a huge crowd of dancing, I do not mind. However, I would like to learn how to dance a variety of types of dancing...swing, hula,ballroom, etc...

(Photo: The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano)

I never leave the house without.....clothing. This is what I'd wear today if I had these items in my closet....good ol' looklet.com is like a personal paper doll site for fashion aficionados. :)

Photo from : http://blog.firenzelodging.it/author/devan/page/2

The countryside of Italy---Tuscany---is one place I long to visit. I also want to visit the coastal villages in Italy as well (such as Positano). Isn't this such a breathtaking photo?

The birth of four kittens was both wonderful and dreadful. I hated to see our cat Quinn (or Gwen as my sis calls her..lol) in so much pain and agony. It took her of being in labor for two hours, and she wanted us to pet her for reassurance. But once the first bundle of joy was born, the other three proceeded quickly into the world. Her mother instinct kicked in and she bathed them until they were four fluffy balls of fur. Watching the entire birth process gave me a sense of wonder on how God's creatures are more alike than what we believe. Seeing these furballs yawn, shakily walk  on four wobbly legs like a newborn colt, and meow for the first time is so beautiful. Everyday they are able to do something new, and that sense of wonder in both my eyes (and theirs) is priceless.

   I am blessed to have two special loves in my life who inspire me to grow and become a better person: my mom and my husband. My mother has always inspired me to be independent,compassionate towards both people and animals, strong-willed, and  self-confident, which leads me to have the belief that I can do anything that I choose to do in life. My husband continues to inspire me with each day when I undertake a new hobby (such as learning how to knit which I can now do after completing three mini-lessons from a book on my own.) He encourages me when I experience obstacles or failures. He also loves me completely---good qualities,flaws, quirks, and all. These two loves in my life are the strong foundation in my life, and I love them with my entire heart and soul. :)

This is one thing I'd really love to do....Go to Italy and stay there for a few weeks ....to attend a cooking school, preferably Awaiting Table Cookery School. I love to cook, and my fascination with Italy (as well as food) make this a combination that is too delectable to pass up.

This is a hard one because my faves fluctuate depending upon my mood. Today, my favorite artist would have to be Shania Twain. I love her new song "Today is Your Day". I admire that she has overcome so many obstacles from her childhood to the more recent ones of dealing with infidelity as well as not being able to do the one thing she loves the most: sing. However, she has conquered all of these struggles and now has a life with a new love named  Frederic (aka Fred). I'm so happy that she has found happiness and her voice once again. I cannot wait to see what other music she produces. She's a gem to the Country Music Industry.