tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22224761333564644262024-03-13T06:21:10.693-05:00Second ThoughtsA southern girl's blog about faith, family & friends!Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-28456111081264127192016-02-01T11:21:00.000-06:002016-02-01T17:01:40.164-06:00Sheet Rock Dust & Puppy Breath<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #bf9000;">Just found this old blog post that I'd never gotten around to posting. This was written over a year ago in 2014! Normally, I'd just delete it, but although the information is outdated, the message is timeless. GOD knew I needed to hear it today and hopefully there is someone else out there who may need to hear it as well. So, here it goes: </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love it when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to something that we didn't realize about ourselves. This morning, I'm walking around an hour after I woke up wondering why I'm still in pain. I have autoimmune issues, one of which is RA. For some, it makes our joints get really stiff & painful anytime you are still, which is why it's hard to take long trips in a car or sleep all night long. I don't talk about things like this much, so listen up. LOL I felt led to share what I learned about myself this morning & maybe God is talking to you too. Anyway...back to my story... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Usually, when I wake up, I have to take a pain pill immediately. Then I try to get up & stretch a little. No matter what I do in the morning, it takes a good 20-30 minutes before I'm out of pain enough to get rolling along. So.... this morning I was still in pain after an hour! Things begin running through my head that could be causing my pain to persist......is a cold front <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">moving through</span>? what did I do yesterday that would have aggravated my joints? As I mentally clicked<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> possible reasons</span> off of the list that was internally playing in my head, I realized that none of those applied. Which usually is <u>NOT</u> good news. Because sometimes it means the last thing on my list: Am I getting ready for a flare? For the uninitiated folks to autoimmune disease, a "flare" is a period of time during which your disease comes out of remission and begins exhibiting symptoms, despite your medication regime or treatment plan. Well, as I was thinking & walking, I happen to glance down & see my pain pill on the floor next to my bed. Yes, the very same pill that I thought I'd taken an hour ago. This illustrated to me a truth about myself that I needed to hear today. Sometimes we go along "wallowing" in pain (emotional or physical) without doing anything constructive toward releasing ourselves from that pain. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You see, I've been wallowing lately. A lot. Currently I have very unsuccessfully been dodging the emotional pain of dealing with 2 of my 3 sons moving hundreds of miles away to different states. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Add that to the fact that I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> had to retire <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">at the beginning of the year so I have all this time on my hands now.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I feel like I'm walkin<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">g around with a hole in my heart. </span></span></span></span></span> I knew this day was c<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">o</span>ming. Or, at least, for one of them I did. My youngest son, a 2nd Lt. in the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">USAF</span> went to college on a military academic scholarship<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span> I knew it was his dream to become a pilot someday. I also knew that, as nice as it was to get a free LSU Engineering Degree, the time would come that he would have to pay the piper. Thank goodness it's something he's well suited for and that fits the desires of his heart. The 5 years of his undergraduate degree should have fully prepared me for D-Day (aka Departure Day), but it was still painful as his momma to see my children move away. Throw in with that my middle son's sudden departure immediately after graduating with his Master's Degree in Social Work from LSU. I always knew there was a possibility that he'd move away. What I didn't know was that it would be so soon. He was keeping his options open and it just so happened a door opened in Chicago, IL. Again, I'm so happy for both of them to become who they wanted to become when they grew up. That being said, as any nurturing mother will tell you, it's just plain old sad to see them leave. Especially when we know it's likely to be a permanent thing. I did what I call my "<i>World <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mom-<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ination </span></span>Tour</i>" this past summer. Six weeks out from back surgery, I got on a plane to Chicago & spent a week with Son #2. I spent most of the time trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B in the Windy City. Very little time sight seeing and not a lot of one-on-one time with him, but it was still wonderful just to see his face every day. Plus <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got to <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">spend time with my granddog, Opie at<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Chicago's Dog Beach..that's right a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">beach just for dogs!! <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remind me w</span>hy don't <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we have those down here in the south?? Anyway... I digress...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span> I then flew directly from Chicago to Oklahoma to spend a week with Son #<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3</span>. He is in a very rigorous, time demanding, flight school so I spent most of my time enjoying the solitude of the beautiful place where he lives. Also, cooking some great wintertime soups & meals that I froze for him to have. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I also spent a lot of t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ime on the ground tr<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ying to pick out which plane he was flying overhead. I was grateful just to be in the same house as him for <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">several days and the tiny bit of time we had was so precious to me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span> It gave me satisfaction and peace beyond description to spend time with them both. I'm currently saving for my next tour. That being said, I'm so thankful for my oldest son, my beautiful DIL and my two grandsons who live five minutes from me. Although they lived in an adjoining state previously, I think I always knew in my heart that they'd eventually come home. Justin has always been a Louisiana country boy at heart. He loves the south, the outdoors, and family. I honestly think we'd be <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">packing our bags to find somewhere else to move if they weren't here. B<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ut back to my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">story.....</span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lately, I've been filling my time with chaos. Just anything to take my mind off the empt<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">iness and pain inside. I'm <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">keeping my self busy so </span>I DON'T<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ve </span></span>to deal with it. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, you know, little things like tearing walls out of my house or ha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ving puppies<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. LOL </span></span></span></span> My husband finally jumped into that kitchen renovation that he's been promising me for the past 6 years, so every crack & crevice in my house is currently filled with sheet rock dust AND my precious Harley, the super wiener dog, just gave birth to 3 precious puppies<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in an emergency C-Section!<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like I said, chaos! <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But </span></span></span>more</span> about both of those huge things in my life later<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">....</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious Beau, Breesie-Pey & Jax!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For now, I just know that God is telling me to lean into Him<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span> He and I will figure out together what I can fill <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is hole in my heart up with, as well as the extra time I have</span></span>. I'm sure it'll be something that will be challenging, hopefully help animals and people alike, and be satisfying. Most of all, I hope it glorifies Him. For now, I'm gonna just sustain myself on puppy breath and schedule that long overdue eye doctor appointment so I can actually SEE a pill if I drop it on the floor! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take good care,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cindy </span></span></span></div>
Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-20425665445116890722015-12-28T22:47:00.001-06:002015-12-28T22:47:59.051-06:00The Things I CanCindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-6250993844524453062015-02-24T16:51:00.000-06:002015-02-24T16:55:12.304-06:00Beignets, Boys & Blogs<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soooo, today
was the day I promised myself I'd post a long overdue blog post. Despite the fact that the weather outside is, indeed, frightful, I'm
determined to do it. But it seemed like the deck was stacked against me from the start. I just had too many things going on. For example, those of us living in the deep south laugh when we
get 2 drops of ice on the ground, because we basically shut EVERYTHING
down. <i>(In all fairness, it's mainly because we don't have the proper
infrastructure to handle ice on our roads, bridges etc. since it is
rarely below 60 degrees in February!) </i> With the slight chance of ice
here overnight, all the schools closed down today. All that to say,
that since the schools were closed today, I am keeping my 2 grandsons.
Normally, this would be enough of an excuse to put off, yet again,
working on my blog. But, like I said, I'm DETERMINED! Initially I
was planning to write with an awesome opinion piece...but I was
sidetracked and here I am posting a recipe instead. After getting the text asking me to babysit, I immediately was
distracted by the thought of what to cook for my grandsons, Eddie (age 8)
and Noah (age 5), for breakfast. Soon after, an old friend posted
pictures of some beignets he'd fried up for supper. My mouth
immediately began to water & I pulled up the recipe from Southern
Living that I'd been wanting to try. For those of you unfamiliar
with beignets, they are the deep fried little pillows of dough that are
crispy on the outside & soft/mostly hollow on the inside. Dusted
with a generous amount of powdered sugar, they have long been my
favorite breakfast food. They are in the doughnut family. I remember
my mom making these for breakfast when I was growing up & I'd
literally eat them until I felt sick! These bits of fried, delicious
dough are a part of the local cuisine here in Louisiana. If you ever
visit New Orleans, it's required that you go the french quarter &
eat a big plate of them at Cafe' du Monde. They are world famous for
serving wonderful beignets & awesome cafe au lait/chicory coffee
& hot chocolate. They are especially great after a night of
eating, drinking & making merriment in the quarter. In the
past, I would fry them up for my sons in the morning occasionally, just
like my mom. Admittedly, they are very messy..but your kids will LOVE
you for making them. We always used a box mix from our local grocery
store by Cafe du Monde. You basically mix it with water & it makes a
dough. <i> (You can check your local grocer, although I feel certain that unless you are south of the Mason-Dixon line, it probably won't be there.) </i>
The box mix isn't half bad; but, like anything else, I figured making
them from scratch would be much better. I was NOT wrong! Unless I'm
in a real pinch, I'll never use the box mix again. It does take some
forethought to make the dough ahead of time. This particular recipe
recommends keeping the dough refrigerated from 4-24 hours in advance of
making them. Normally, I would try several recipes before I land on
my "go to" one. However, on this very rare occasion, I landed on "the
one" first try! Since I'm no stranger to the gold standard for
beignets (the aforesaid Cafe du Monde), I can attest that they are probably the best, most delicious & authentic beignets I've ever had using this recipe. But what do you expect
from Southern Living? They are usually spot on when it comes to
recipes. I found the original recipe here: <a href="http://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/new-orleans-beignets-recipe" target="_blank">http://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/new-orleans-beignets-recipe</a>. You can either click on that link OR you can use my instructions below. I've written in some personal cooking notes. So, without further delay, here we go. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDgDs3rN5Xw/VOz4VYA98sI/AAAAAAAAAj8/9aGmYcPV3dw/s1600/beignets%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDgDs3rN5Xw/VOz4VYA98sI/AAAAAAAAAj8/9aGmYcPV3dw/s1600/beignets%2B3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the goal for the donuts to have a light, pillowy/hollow center & perfectly crispy on the outside. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrgC3L7QG7A/VOz4Vh4iMCI/AAAAAAAAAis/k3-tbYfPqI4/s1600/beignets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrgC3L7QG7A/VOz4Vh4iMCI/AAAAAAAAAis/k3-tbYfPqI4/s1600/beignets1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be stingy with the powdered sugar... dust PLENTY of it onto the warm beignets!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First,
I gathered all of my ingredients. Nothing worse then getting half way
through a new recipe only to learn you are out of something. Here's what you'll need, listed in order:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>STAGE ONE:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1 envelope of active dry yeast (1/4 oz) </b><i>(make sure to check the expiration date!)</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1 tsp. granulated sugar</b> &</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1/2 cup granulated sugar</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1 cup evaporated milk</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-2 large eggs (slightly beaten) </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1 tsp salt</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>STAGE TWO:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1 cup hot water (about 115 degrees) -</b><i>NOTE: DO NOT overheat..it will kill the yeast!</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-1/4 cup of shortening </b><i>(yep, that's right.. lard, fat, or otherwise known by us southerners as simply "crisco".)</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-6 1/2 to 7 cups of flour </b><i>(what kind? I'm not sure..the recipe didn't specify so I used 1/2 self-rising & half all purpose; although I think all-purpose is default if you don't know.)</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>STAGE THREE:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-Enough cooking oil for 2 to 3 inch depth in dutch oven </b><i>(I use Canola) </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now that you have it all gathered, here's what to do with all that stuff:</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage One (Making the Yeast Mixture):</b></span></span></u></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Combine
the yeast package with 1/2 cup of warm water (105 to 115 degrees) &
1 tsp. granulated sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixing stand. </b> <i>NOTE: Don't try to use the mixer to do it..it'll be a mess..just use a large wooden spoon</i>. <b>Let stand for 5 minutes. </b> <i>
Another note: I used hot tap water. Being the food geek I am, I used
my candy thermometer to make sure the water was hot enough to activate
the yeast, but NOT hot enough to damage it. </i><b>After the 5
minutes has elapsed, ADD 1 cup of evaporated milk, 2 large eggs
(slightly beaten), 1 tsp of salt & 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Again, I did not use the mixer, I just used the wooden spoon again.</i></span></span><b> </b><i>NOTE:
I did NOT have evaporated milk in my pantry & it was cold, wet
& late & I was much too lazy to drive to the grocery, so I
substituted heavy cream. I googled substitutions for evaporated milk
& got several suggestions but decided to just use the heavy cream.
Evaporated milk is simply milk that's been cooked down to remove some of
the water content. I have no idea how this affected my final product,
but they were quite delicious! </i></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage Two (Forming the Beignet Dough):</b></span></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht7N5KwEzBA/VOz6HbaXBSI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ib1GBi1_l4Y/s1600/beignets5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht7N5KwEzBA/VOz6HbaXBSI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ib1GBi1_l4Y/s1600/beignets5.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Microwave 1 cup of water until hot (about 115 degrees F)</b><i><b> </b>MAKE SURE NOT TO get it too hot..it will kill the yeast. I used hot tap water & zapped it for about 30 seconds. </i><b>Stir in 1/4 cup of shortening until melted. </b><i>NOTE:
My shortening never did melt entirely & I had read somewhere that
if the water was overheated it would kill the yeast so I erred on the
side of caution. Again, I used my trusty thermometer again! I think
my water was around 115-120 degrees F. <b> </b></i><b>I
did break up the crisco a bit & just continued to stir until it was
mostly melted. After it's mostly melted, add this water/crisco
mixture to the yeast mixture in the mixing bowl. Beat at LOW SPEED,
gradually adding 4 cups of flour, until smooth. </b><i> (NOTE: Remember to stop a few times & scrape the sides & bottom of bowl)</i>. <b>Gradually add another 2 1/2 to 3 cups more flour, beating until a sticky dough forms. </b><i>(I
used about another 2 3/4 cups of flour. Remember this is one dough
that you WANT to stay sticky. Also, I always try to beat dough the
least amount of time required so make sure you have your flour
pre-measured & nearby so that you won't have to beat it too much. I
don't know if this would affect this recipe, but it's just a habit for
me since several of my go-to recipes forbid too much beating of the dough! </i><b> Transfer this sticky
dough to a pre-oiled bowl. Turn the dough in bowl to oil the entire
dough. Cover the bowl & chill for 4 to 24 hours in fridge. </b></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 3: Roll & Cut the Dough:</b></span></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwOGZ_t9rbs/VOz6G-0dF_I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/B_UCJi05oSY/s1600/beignet%2Bdough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwOGZ_t9rbs/VOz6G-0dF_I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/B_UCJi05oSY/s1600/beignet%2Bdough.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Turn dough out onto a well floured surface, roll to 1/4 inch thickness & cut into minimum 2 1/2 inch squares.</b> <i>
They don't have to be perfectly square. Make sure to make them AT
LEAST 2 1/2 inches. Making them any smaller will not result in a
big-fluffy beignet with a wonderful hollow pocket inside. Also, don't
be stingy on the flour...remember this a STICKY dough... once you get
them cut up, make sure to spread flour on any surface you put them on...
For example, I like to pile mine on a plate to sit beside the hot
oil...if you aren't careful, they will stick together. </i></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step 4: Fry Until Golden Brown:</b></span></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXdoIWOtQAs/VOz6GxC-RMI/AAAAAAAAAkY/WKr_fMMvrAM/s1600/beignet%2Bfrly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXdoIWOtQAs/VOz6GxC-RMI/AAAAAAAAAkY/WKr_fMMvrAM/s1600/beignet%2Bfrly.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pour oil to depth of at least 2 to 3 inches in a dutch oven. Heat to 360 degrees</b>
(USE A THERMOMETER!) The easiest way to mess up beignets is trying to
fry them in oil that's too cold or too hot! Fry dough in batches of 3
or 4 for 2 to 3 minutes each side until golden brown. KEEP an eye on
them..it doesn't take very long at all! <b>As soon as they start
turning golden brown, flip them to the other side. Once they are golden
on both sides, remove immediately from oil.</b> <b>It's EASY to overcook! </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Drain on wire wrack & dust immediately with a GENEROUS portion of powdered sugar! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0U7Se9RxAE/VOz4UiWrSUI/AAAAAAAAAic/NubsSCvbADc/s1600/beignet%2Bcooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0U7Se9RxAE/VOz4UiWrSUI/AAAAAAAAAic/NubsSCvbADc/s1600/beignet%2Bcooking.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use a cooling wire wrack to drain mine with paper towels underneath..but my momma used to throw hers down into a paper bag filled with powdered sugar. I think they were a bit oilier, but still delicious without as much of a mess. But if you have the time for clean-up I'd drain on wire wrack for sure. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enjoy! </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ_oYsy3nNE/VOz4YNH7_iI/AAAAAAAAAjc/XiGvf974_0o/s1600/sugarfaceedbeignet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ_oYsy3nNE/VOz4YNH7_iI/AAAAAAAAAjc/XiGvf974_0o/s1600/sugarfaceedbeignet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51cuw_wJMBQ/VOz4XsUsJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/_spnaqc-SQQ/s1600/noahbeignet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51cuw_wJMBQ/VOz4XsUsJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/_spnaqc-SQQ/s1600/noahbeignet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3-382uDsU8/VOz4XZ-FmfI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/bf-47WWM7_Y/s1600/grandsbeignets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3-382uDsU8/VOz4XZ-FmfI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/bf-47WWM7_Y/s1600/grandsbeignets.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
you can plainly see, my grandsons, Eddie & Noah, thoroughly enjoyed
their beignets today! These Texas babies are now full-blown Louisiana boys...they asked for cafe au lait to go with them! Over the course of today, they ate every last beignet! Poor Poppa Day wanted some this morning, but alas, there is nothing
but a few crumbs & some powdered sugar left on the plate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't
be intimidated by these delicious southern classic doughnuts! Create a
new family tradition by having a beignet morning! Your kids and grands will LOVE You for it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take good care,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cindy</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span>
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Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-12951031342928224632013-12-09T20:16:00.001-06:002014-09-29T22:50:11.270-05:00Holly Jolly Shotwell Family Christmas?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYFobaGMD9g/UqZ1YMr3sUI/AAAAAAAAAhE/Xy21rtG4UoQ/s1600/the+grinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYFobaGMD9g/UqZ1YMr3sUI/AAAAAAAAAhE/Xy21rtG4UoQ/s1600/the+grinch.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is a quote in Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch when he asks: "<i>Are you having a holly-jolly Christmas</i>?". This is just before he hatches his infamous evil plot to steal the Who's beloved Christmas. Since I watch this movie at least five times every holiday season (my grandsons are now quite obsessed with it as well), I can pretty much quote it verbatim. This quote reminds me that, as much as I hate to admit it, I may NOT be having a holly-jolly Christmas this year. I LOVE Christmas. Always have. But despite myself, I keep letting my heart remember that in just a few weeks, my youngest son & his wife will be moving 700 miles away; and only six short months later, my middle son will also be moving away to parts unknown. I know what you're thinking.....the same thing I keep telling myself...ENJOY THE MOMENT! I'm trying! I raised my kids with the mantra of following their bliss and becoming the men that their hearts desired to be. I want them to be the very best version of themselves. I constantly told them that they were the <u>ONLY</u> person who could stop them from achieving their dreams. And believe me, I WANT them to be happy. If being happy means moving out into the world and exploring their options, then that's exactly what I want them to do. That being said, I just never envisioned my family being anything other than the typical family. A family just like the one I grew up in. I & all three of my siblings live within 15 minutes of my parents. We all obediently provided my parents with a whole passel of beautiful grandchildren. Family gatherings are full of cousins playing together & family frolicking. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I guess that's how I have always envisioned my life too. I figured, since I had my children young, I'd be a young grandmother with a station wagon (or it's modern-day, video laden, SUV equivalent) with 8 or 10 beautiful little bright-eyed cherubs, which my children would dutifully provided. Just like a Hallmark movie, my sons would show up on Thanksgiving Day with their beautiful wives & pink-cheeked children in tow, dressed adorably, carrying a covered casserole. Then we'd all say grace and discuss the wonderful things going on in their lives over dinner. Stuff like, oh, I don't know..the new house they were building or their new book being released, or something equally as interesting. We'd part company by promising to see one another the next Sunday at our regular Sunday family dinner. You know, the regular family dinner for which they'd rather stick a needle in their eye than to miss, because they just love being around their family THAT much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, I'm here to tell you that life is NOT a Hallmark movie & my family is NOT the Hallmark family I'd envisioned. In fact, I'd describe my family as more akin to the tv show, "Modern Family". And even though I sometimes still daydream about that hallmark version of the family, I wouldn't trade the one I have for all the tea in china! My family in a nutshell:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* I only have 2 grandchildren, and the prospects of have anymore, anytime soon, are somewhat dismal. Don't get me wrong. My grandsons are the loves of my life! They OWN my heart; and, they are so full of cuteness, I probably couldn't STAND it if they were any cuter! I also have 3 grand-dogs, all of which I regularly see & dog-sit. They love to come play with my 3 kid-dogs. And, if you know me, you'd know that is almost as joyful! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*There are no ideallic regular Sunday dinners. In fact, I can BARELY get all of their feet under the same table at Thanksgiving. Between everyone's busy schedules & in-laws, I seem to always be the one at the bottom of the list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*I do now have the 2 beautiful daughter-in-laws. My middle son is gay, so hopefully someday I'll also have a handsome son-in-law, but for now, he's still looking. (<i>Who knew I'd someday have a SON-in-law?-life sure is full of surprises!</i>) On the bright side, they DO bring covered casseroles upon request. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My problem with this Christmas is that it's the last one for which all of my children will be living in the same state. My middle son finishes his graduate degree in social work in May and plans to move out of state shortly thereafter. My youngest son is reporting for duty to flight school in the United States Air Force in January, 2014, and will be serving for the next 10 years, at least, as a pilot & officer in the USAF. In fact, we move he & my daughter-in-law to Oklahoma a few short weeks after Christmas. My brain has known that these moves were coming, but the closer they get, the more my heart is just not prepared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What happened? This is NOT the Hallmark Shotwell family that I'd always dreamed about! But, after turning 51 this year, I've been thinking a lot lately about what my life will be about for the next 20 years. What am I<i><b> meant </b></i>to do with this life? I know that part of my purpose here (and by "here" I mean on this earth), was to raise my sons & help them become good people. People who contribute good things to the world & help others. But that's done now. I know I didn't do a perfect job, but hopefully I had a hand in making them the awesome men they are today (and I'm not saying that about them just because I'm their momma. If they were little butts, I'd tell you ;0). I like to think that part of the reason they are all moving in the first place, is because of my encouragement to them to reach for their dreams. I recently read a quote by Maria Shriver that really struck a nerve, <i>"You have to be willing to let go of the life you planned in order to make the life you're meant to live." </i>That hits me square between the eyes! So, this Christmas will not only be about giving gifts for me. It will also be a time for giving UP some old, worn-out, unrealistic dreams. I'm letting GO of them. My plan this Christmas is to FULLY EMBRACE this crazy, wonderful, beautiful thing called MY FAMILY. I LOVE the fact that I have 2 exceptionally loving adopted grandsons, 3 awesome grand-dogs, 3 sons who are all LSU graduates & who are each doing EXACTLY what they set out to do in their lives & careers, 2 beautiful daughter in laws who I adore, and of course my best friend & love of my life... my husband of over 30 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm determined to look on the positive side. I'll be doing a LOT of traveling in the coming months and years. I LOVE to travel, so that'll work out great. I'll BEG my children to strive to gather together at least ONCE a year, no matter what. The hardest part of my dream to let go of is having a bunch of grandkids, but I steal every moment I can with the 2 I have & I've "adopted" some others that aren't mine in a legal sense. I have to admit; however, that I haven't given up on the idea of having at least ONE cute little granddaughter (preferably named
"Abigail" after her adoring Doda)----WHAT? A GIRL CAN DREAM!! </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wish you & yours a very Merry Christmas, full of blessings, love & laughter! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take good care,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cindy </span><br />
<br />
Here is a look at my beautiful family, sans my 3 grand-dogs & 3 kid-dogs:<br />
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-62352865354241725502013-10-17T17:39:00.000-05:002018-08-04T00:16:05.433-05:00The Road Less Traveled<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When Frost penned the words to his famous poem, I'm certain the "road less traveled" wasn't the context in which I write today. That being said, I think the less traveled road can mean many things to many people. I recently had an epiphany about a very important part of my life: that of being a mom. Like many women, being a mother is THE most important part of my life. It's the job I've worked harder at than any other. It's also the job that I've probably screwed up the most. Even so, at the end of my life, at the very least, I hope my sons look back and realize that they were cherished. I hope they realize that, although imperfect, my job as their momma was THE most precious thing to me. Each of our children come with their own set of struggles and challenges. Some more than others. Out of my 3 sons, my middle son, Garrett, probably had the most uphill climb on his way from childhood to adulthood. It just seems like he always had a roadblock in so many areas of his life. Even so, from childhood epilepsy to dyslexia, he always seemed to rise above and find his way through it. But it wasn't until adulthood that he finally faced down one of his biggest challenges in his life. Garrett is a gay man. I won't go into his story in detail. That is HIS story to tell, not mine. But as his mother, I'd like to share some of the things I learned about being his mom. I won't pretend that it was an easy thing to process. As parents, we tend to picture our children having a traditional adult life, including a spouse (generally someone of the opposite sex) and 2.5 children. It wasn't until last weekend that I realized that I have not only processed Garrett's life, but have FULLY embraced it. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were attending an out of town wedding with Garrett and one of his best friends, Lauren. On the way home from the wedding we were discussing marriage. Garrett made a comment that struck me. He said "I wish I weren't gay." I'd actually heard him say this before, but not until that very moment did it really sink in. He was being fully sincere. Despite what I guess some folks believe, gay people don't CHOOSE to be that way. It was one of those Oprah moments. Immediately my mind asked myself "Do<i> I </i>wish he weren't gay?". A year ago, I'm sure I would have answered YES! I wish he weren't gay. While I'd fully accepted who Garrett was and all that entailed, I think deep down I was still carrying a bit of sadness for him. Sadness for all the years that he kept this secret. Sadness for the stress and fear that I know this "secret" caused him growing up as he carried around. I have so many regrets & I wish I would have been able to help carry that very heavy secret he lugged around during the most vulnerable times in his life. I look back at his adolescence and realize now that he struggled with happiness, in no small part due to this secret. I also had sadness for prejudices that I know he encounters in this world. No mother wants their child to be thought less of or encounter hatred or bigotry of any kind. I once had a friend tell me that their child growing up and revealing that they were gay was their GREATEST fear. Really? Greatest fear? I mean...not them being a rapist, drug addict, murderer, cheater, a bigot? There are lots of bad things a person can be. Being gay is NOT one of them. But this attitude doesn't really surprise me. There is much ignorance surrounding the gay culture and what it actually means to be gay. Anyway...back to my "Aha" moment. It wasn't until Garrett made that statement that I realized I'm actually HAPPY Garrett is EXACTLY the person he was born to be. I wouldn't change one gay hair on his head! For any of you who ever wondered or questioned whether a person is born gay, let me clear it up for you. Garrett was BORN gay. I raised 3 sons & I can promise you that Garrett was exactly who he is from the moment he drew his first breath. I would NEVER try to push my belief system on anyone else. Others are free to believe in any laws, rules, or sins they choose to. But for me, I know that GOD has given me not only permission, but a clear DIRECTIV to LOVE my children, UNCONDITIONALLY. To love my children exactly like He loves me. Garrett has certainly taken the road less traveled and I, as his mother, have struggled at times because I can't remove all the bumps in that road. But it's exactly those rough patches that have made him the man he is today. That man is one of the bravest, strongest & most loving human beings I've had the privilege to know. It's been my privilege to be his mom. So I guess that makes me taking a road less traveled as well. I'm the mom who is HAPPY that her son is gay & HAPPY that he has the strength to live his life on purpose, and nobody is more surprised about it than me. </span></div>
Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-12690843903477841242013-01-28T08:14:00.000-06:002013-01-28T08:14:19.251-06:00FAUX APPLE CREPES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My family loves ANYTHING apple. We love apples like Bubba Gump loves shrimp! Apple pie, apple fritters, apple cake, apple dumplings....oh well, you get the picture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I found this quick recipe on Pinterest (in various forms). This is the one I used & it was simply delish. I topped it off with some fresh vanilla ice cream I had made the night before in my new ice cream maker which my mom bought me for Christmas. The hubs & my grandson, Eddie, literally were licking their bowls!! </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryDw_BJrRZ8/UQaGSgAxchI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/ubharm3ur0w/s1600/faux+apple+crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryDw_BJrRZ8/UQaGSgAxchI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/ubharm3ur0w/s320/faux+apple+crepes.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FAUX APPLE CREPES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>FAUX Apple Crepes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay--here is the recipe:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b> Important part is to let them sit in the sauce for at least 45
<span style="font-size: small;">mins:<span> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Faux Apple Crepes</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">1 pkg FLOUR
tortillas<br />
1 can apple pie filling<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1/2 cup white sugar<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup water</span><span style="font-family: Times;">
cinnamon to taste</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spray 9X11
pyrex dish with pam or butter... fill centers of approx 6-8 medium sized
tortillas with apple filling (divide evenly)--sprinkle with cinnamon to taste
& roll up, putting seam side down. Heat butter, both sugars & water on
stove..bring to boil & simmer for 3 minutes. Pour OVER rolled up tortillas.
LET SIT FOR AT LEAST 45 minutes. This softens the tortillas. Bake 350 degrees
for 25 mins OR until slightly brown. SERVE while warm TOPPED<span style="font-size: small;"> w</span>ith vanilla ice-cream..
YUMMY & DELISH. I actually make extra topping sometimes to scoop over ice-cream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take good care,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cindy </span> </span></span></div>
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</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-29938226536222185112012-11-22T20:59:00.001-06:002012-11-24T00:45:22.276-06:00Gary's Letter to LucyAny of you that know my husband, knows that he does not emote. He doesn't share his feelings. He doesn't do therapy. He's not a very touchy-feely kinda person. We have been crushed the past few days since our sweet baby dog, Lucy was killed in a horrible accident. My grief comes in waves, but it's been so hard to watch what he has suffered as well. This is something he wrote this morning. I've been married to him for 32 years & known him for longer. I was amazed & so proud of him for putting these feelings on paper. Here is what he wrote:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Lucy’s
Thanksgiving</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Where
to start??…..I guess at the beginning. About four years ago, my wife, Cindy,
brought home a tiny black & tan miniature Doxie. Cute as she was, I
immediately did not want anything to do with her. We already have a red mini-dox
and a full-grown golden lab. What in the world would we do with another inside
dog and the better question was WHY? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">I
was angry and wanted nothing to do with her. We normally sit down and make
those types of decisions together. But this time Cindy went out, on her own,
and made this life decision without my input or consent. MAD was not the word.
Furious would probably be accurate for the Grinch that I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nearing Christmas Day that year, so I
would have to say that I was truly Mr. Grinch himself, green as all get-out. I
did not want this dog and wanted Cindy to take her back where she got her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, our red mini-dox, Trixie, did not like
her either. She growled and barked at her, and even a snip if she got too
close. How dare this new little rat-looking dog come in and hone in on our
turf. Who does she think she is?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">My
Wife has always been a very smart woman. She was no different when she made
this decision. When she told me her name was Lucy, it was like a dagger in my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could I do? I couldn't
refuse this little rat-looking dog now. You see, my mother’s name was Lucille
and Lucy was named after her. My mother passed away in 1998 and I loved her
dearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth
be known, I probably should have gone to grief counseling when she passed
away, but I did not go. I bottled that up, only to share it with Cindy from
time to time. It has been the hardest thing in the world to deal for me- Ever! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Anyway,
here is Lucy, a happy go-lucky, energetic puppy that I had to accept, but wanted
nothing to do with. She would try to play with Trixie and fall back with
a growl or a snip. With time, Trixie warmed up to Lucy a little at a time. Lucy
would always try to get Trixie to play, biting her leg or the skin around her
neck. Not real biting, but play biting. Eventually, Trixie became a mother
figure to Lucy. Trixie loved her dearly and enjoyed daily playtime with Lucy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Lucy
tried her magic on me. Trying to warm up to me but huh, who does she think she
is? I'm not Trixie. She would not be able to manipulate me into caring for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she was persistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would come up to my leg and put her
little paws on my feet at first as if she was treeing a squirrel. If I was on
the floor doing anything she would ALWAYS come over and lick me dead square on
the lips! Ugggggggg dog kisses. This little rat-looking dog was becoming cute.
What am I turning soft? Get a grip Gary!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I say? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucy got into my heart deeper than anybody
other than my immediate family. You see, if you know me, then you know that is
not an easy task. I am not an easy person to get to know, or befriend but if
you are one of the chosen few, you are there for LIFE! And I do mean LIFE! I
have a lot of people that I know and like but I have very few “life friends”. I
value and cherish friendship. It's not a word I take lightly and it's not
something I do willy-nilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you’re
in, it's till death and I would literally take a bullet for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Anyway,
as I was saying, Lucy got into my heart and was truly THIS man’s best friend.
She grew from a hand-sized rat to a cute little loving dog. She was My Best
Friend! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Second
to being in my lap, Lucy loved the outdoors. She was just like her best friend
or Daddy as I became known to her. She couldn't wait to go outside in the
mornings to sniff out and chase the squirrels that taunted her on a daily
basis. She must have tree'd thousands of squirrels. She loved it and the
squirrels did too.!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were really
just playing with each other to have fun. They were equal in abilities as they
would run about the same speeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Cindy
would let her outside every evening before I came home so she could greet me with
Lucy loving. We live in a rural area where trees are throughout the yard. Our
drive is concreted about 3/4 of the way to the road and limestone after that to
the road. As I pull into the driveway everyday, Lucy would bark and run to the
end of the concrete jumping up and down. I taught her not to come past the
concrete as I did not want her to get close to the road. She always ran and
waited for me at that spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Once
I got the Lucy love inside, of course, I had to share with her dog-mates, Trixie
and Gus. But Lucy made sure she got the most loving as she would literally
nudge my hand away from the other dogs to her. She loved to settle into my lap
in my "nest", aka: my recliner. That was the spot she enjoyed the
most and I would have to say- in my nest, on my lap, in my Heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Trixie
has always been a jumper, she actually used to be like super dog. She used to
jump, flatfooted over three feet high before back surgery. And know she can
still jump two feet. Anyway Lucy would watch and try but it was known around
Shotwell Manor that black dogs can't jump. Lol<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently, instead of picking her up to put her in the nest, I thought I
would teach her to jump. I would put my hands down beside her as guard rails
and cup my hands to where she could jump into my hands. She began jumping very
short distances at first then higher and higher until one evening Cindy and I
were watching our evening episode of Seinfeld and she did it! She jumped all
the way to the chair by herself! Cindy and I both saw this at the same time. It
was like a baby taking their first steps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">We
were so proud of her major accomplishment and you could tell that she was as
well. She would continue to jump into the chair and even to the sofa. It's like
our Grandsons say when they accomplish a major feat- I DID IT! And she did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">I
was at work Tuesday morning on November 20th and my neighbor, Jim, called me on
my cell phone. Jim never calls unless it’s something important so I answer the
phone. A conversation I wish on no one. Jim hated to tell me but Lucy had
gotten hit by car out by the road and had passed away. I was shocked, stunned,
and in disbelief. I immediately left work on the way home. I even called Jim
back to make sure he was sure. Unfortunately, it was so. How would I tell Cindy
that Lucy had passed away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not
easy at all but all I could do was to tell her straight up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Neither
of us took this well at all. Our little baby was too young to be gone. We both
cried and cried. This was not in the plan for Lucy to be out of our lives so
soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the daunting task of
selecting a resting spot for our sweet little Lucy. We picked out a spot in the
back yard under a tree, near the pond where she would always chase squirrels.
This was not an easy task but I would have no one else prepare and put Lucy in
her final resting spot. She was special to us and she deserved the very best
and that is what she got. We can see Lucy’s resting spot from the kitchen
window where I drink coffee in the mornings and read the paper
overlooking the pond where she would tree squirrels every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">This
Thanksgiving Day, I thank God for all the blessings in my life &
there are many! My wife, kids, and grandkids, but I want to thank God for
sending Lucy to my life for the four years we had her to soften up this ole
Grinch heart. She showed me love and friendship that is immeasurable. I'm sure
I'm still Grinch-worthy, but not nearly as much due to loving kindness of a
dear sweet little dog named Lucy that my dear wife had the forethought and
wisdom to bring home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Lucy,
as the tears flow like rivers you will be greatly missed and we will always
love you for the unconditional love you shared with us only to remind us of our
Father’s unconditional love.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Marker Felt"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Marker Felt";">Love
Daddy</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-333HsuobAAo/UK7mAXtrRTI/AAAAAAAAAek/J3Q8pZUgw8I/s1600/sweet+lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-333HsuobAAo/UK7mAXtrRTI/AAAAAAAAAek/J3Q8pZUgw8I/s400/sweet+lucy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy 2008-2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-68626065983745471932012-11-20T19:09:00.004-06:002012-11-20T19:43:29.868-06:00Sweet Lucy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41UmlKlWOHk/UKwxonNYZyI/AAAAAAAAAeM/wP6enouV-_c/s1600/LITTLE+LUCY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41UmlKlWOHk/UKwxonNYZyI/AAAAAAAAAeM/wP6enouV-_c/s320/LITTLE+LUCY.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet baby girl :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lucy...the tears are unending...I miss you so much. Can't wait to see you again someday my sweet little four-legged soul. You are our baby always. xxoo Mommy & Daddy</span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pwPxZ8frqUk/UKwphmYkz-I/AAAAAAAAAds/cpbQ3ftMH0U/s1600/lucy+at+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pwPxZ8frqUk/UKwphmYkz-I/AAAAAAAAAds/cpbQ3ftMH0U/s640/lucy+at+beach.jpg" width="480" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lulu LOVED the beach!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-40711496835057138312012-10-30T20:50:00.002-05:002012-10-30T22:10:25.662-05:00Halloweeeeeeeen!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>I
have such wonderful memories of Halloween. Just one look at an old
Halloween cutout decoration makes me warm & fuzzy inside. We had
such little entertainment available to us back in the day. I think the
beautiful harvest moon & the fall weather also helps color all of
my trick-or-treat memories "happy" as well. I grew up in a big old
200+ year old house and our Halloweens were filled with great treats
& fun with the neighborhood kids. It's one of my very favorite
times of the year. Of course I have great memories of my own children
& their fun Halloween escapades.</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">Nowadays I'm combining 2 of my favorite things: being a Doda & enjoying Halloween! I'm so very happy that my grandsons now live back in Louisiana (where they belong). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">Who wouldn't be overjoyed with being Doda to Captain America & Spiderman? Each one of these little boys own 1/2 of my heart! </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOBtU2uIiJ0/UJB6uDJLyzI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/JUQHH0_TLh8/s320/noah+and+eddie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie & Noah aka: Captain America & Spiderman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOBtU2uIiJ0/UJB6uDJLyzI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/JUQHH0_TLh8/s1600/noah+and+eddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: orange;"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I always loved it when my momma sent things to school that I was able to pass out to the kids in my class. I always tried to be a room mother or helper at school with my boys & now I get to do things like this for my grandsons! Being a grandmother is such a joy! </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, I decided to make some homemade, from scratch, caramel popcorn balls. I started out with cooking popcorn the old fashioned way..no microwave-nuked-kernels for my grandsons. Honestly, it had been so long since I didn't opt for the push-button popcorn packages that I couldn't remember how to pop popcorn on the stove top. I found this awesome "no fail" Perfect Popcorn recipe & it worked out beautifully. This recipe was borrowed from <a href="http://www.simply recipes.com" target="_blank">http://www.simply recipes.com</a> Check out their website for some other great stuff. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmSkkumUIPQ/UJB8Z0gsX4I/AAAAAAAAAcY/SD7JtQmJzss/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmSkkumUIPQ/UJB8Z0gsX4I/AAAAAAAAAcY/SD7JtQmJzss/s320/IMG_2250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>PERFECT POPCORN</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*3 TB canola or peanut oil (high smoke point oil)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*1/3 cup high quality popcorn kernels</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*1 3 quart covered saucepan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*2 TB or more (to taste) real butter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* salt to taste</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Method:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Heat oil in 3 qt saucepan on MEDIUM high heat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Put 3 or 4 kernels into the oil & cover the pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer. Add salt to taste at this point. It will infuse into the popcorn as it pops. Cover, <b>REMOVE FROM HEAT,</b> and count 30 seconds. (This method heats the oil to the correct temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when put back on the heat, they all pop about the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. Once the popping begins in earnest, gently shake the pan by moving it back & forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam escape. This will make a crispier popcorn product. Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove lid & immediately dump popcorn into a wide mouthed bown. HARDLY any unpopped kernels will be left with this method. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. If you are adding butter, you can melt into pan while it's still hot & pour over popped corn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This recipe is AH-MAZING! In fact, I don't think I'll ever buy microwave popcorn again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next step is to make a batch of my BASIC CARAMEL SAUCE. This recipe I've had for years & is great on ANYTHING! I use it with apple pies for a delish finish. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BASIC CARAMEL SAUCE:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*4 TB butter (I used salted but either is fine)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*1 CUP packed light brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*1/2 CUP corn syrup (lite)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*7 OUNCE sweetened condensed milk (this is 1/2 can)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*2 TSP pure vanilla extract</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Method:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Combine butter, sugar & corn syrup in small, heavy, saucepan over MEDIUM heat & cook, stirring occasionally. Once butter has melted bring it to a boil. Add condensed milk & continue to boil for 5 minutes. Continuing to stir to prevent scorching. Remove from heat & stir in the vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>BASIC CARAMEL SAUCE</u></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: orange;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TO PUT TOGETHER THE POPCORN BALLS:</span></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I poured the sauce over approximately 10 cups of popped corn. Stir GENTLY until covered & once it's cool enough to touch, butter your hands & roll into balls (whatever size you desire). Place the balls on a buttered sheet of wax paper until cooled. This is what it will look like once it's stirred together well. The freshness of these scratch methods really come thru... they are simply delicious, if I say so myself (which I just did)! </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since I was making them for my grandsons friends I decided to make them a bit smaller than usual & inserted small sticks. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I put them in some cute Halloween cupcake liners & small plastic bags. Here is the end result. They are gonna be so excited to pass out to all their classmates tomorrow! I'm also so very thankful to have a beautiful daughter-in-law who lets me be a Super Doda to my heart's content!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to donning my Witchie-Poo costume tomorrow night during the harvest moon & going over to pass out candy at my son & daughter-in-law's house while they bring the kids trick-or-treating. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I hope you all have a wonderful time & enjoy this fun holiday! </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></span></span></div>
<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-51959558241657876082012-10-18T09:08:00.003-05:002012-10-18T09:10:59.888-05:00MY SECOND HALF<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you read the title to this post, you may think I'm referencing my wonderful husband of 32 years. Although it is hard to know where I end & he begins after all these years, what I am actually referencing is the second half century of my life. While I don't anticipate living to see 100, I'm gonna shoot for it anyway. What's the worse that can happen? I don't think I even WANT to live to be a 100. Not unless they come up with some much better anti-aging medication and a way to halt gravity. Once you start looking at yourself in the mirror naked after age 40, 2 words come to mind: "GRAVITY WORKS!". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm turning 50 next month. Wow! Where HAS the time gone? Seems like I just got here. While I'm not very excited at the thought of becoming a 50 something, I'm also not upset about it either. The wisdom of life really does make you appreciate things more once you get older. My main issue with the entire idea of it is that I don't really "feel" old! People say 50 isn't old.... but really? It's pretty old. That being said, I fully intend to embrace my 50's. I look forward to enjoying my next half century of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Many folks do a bucket list of things they want to do before they die. Things like jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or climbing Mount Everest. My list may not seem quite as extreme as that. It's not so much a bucket list of things to do as a list of changes I'd like to implement in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First & foremost, I'm going to fully embrace the fact that I am not, nor have I ever been, a morning person. My body just doesn't function well in the morning. As my sweet husband will attest, I am somewhat of a Grumpy Gill in the morning. I own it. Not only do I not wake up ready to seize the day with gusto, I just plain wake up thinking how much I don't want to get up. My brain and mood are in a negative place in the early hours, but my body also doesn't work well in the morning. I have joint issues and they all seem to seize up during the night. Sometimes it feels like the Tin Man. I need to "oil the hinges" to get going. So, after many years of raising kids and working that forced me to get up early and get moving, I've finally arrived at a point where I am in control of my own schedule. No kids to feed, no 9-5 office hours. Therefore, I recently made the executive life decision that I will NO LONGER agree to or obligate myself to be anywhere before 9 AM. In fact, I had some appointments that I made several months ago that I've already called to reschedule for later in the day. Done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the other decisions I've made is that I plan to wake up more mornings prepared to laugh a lot that day. It sort of goes hand in hand with the first one. It gives me more motivation to get my day started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm going to be working on my "Second Half List" more in the upcoming weeks. I only have roughly six weeks left of being a forty-something & I hope to have a comprehensive list of great things by my birthday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On another note, my sweet hubby is bringing me on a great birthday trip to one of my favorite places to visit, New York City! I LOVE that place. It makes me feel so alive. The energy is palpable and I can't wait to be there during the holidays. We plan to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, take in some great shows and do some shopping! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hope you all laugh a lot today. I plan to!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cindy</span>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-87795828717543476312012-07-26T20:10:00.002-05:002012-07-26T20:24:22.611-05:00Chicken Nuggets, Trick-or-Treat & Disney Porn?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two things that amaze me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Firstly, it never ceases to amaze me how some issues get BLOWN-UP in the media. Aren't there enough problems in the world without making up dumb things to worry about? This is America people! We are ALL free to believe whatever we want. For purposes of this story, I'll call the current morality crisis the "Chicken People" crisis & the people involved the "Chicken Peeps". I use the term "crisis" loosely. I don't really think there is one. I, personally, think the flames are being fanned by a competitor or a media outlet. <u>IF</u> the Chicken Peeps were denying service or employment to gay people...THAT WOULD BE A STORY! That would be a reason to boycott. The fact that the owner doesn't like gay marriage or gay people... who cares? I don't know him & will never meet him. If I took the time to research every business owner's personal beliefs, I'd probably stop shopping anywhere! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Secondly, it also amazes me that some groups have such double standards. The same groups picketing for Muslim groups to have the right to open a mosque near Ground Zero are against Christian groups taking a stand on ANYTHING. The same groups who climb trees to protect a spotted owl's life think it's perfectly acceptable to kill an unborn child? Tell me how that makes sense? To me, life is life. Respect it or not. But that's another subject entirely. Getting back to the topic at hand, let me quickly tell you my beliefs. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm not religious. I am, however, very spiritual. I love Jesus & He loves me. I believe everyone has the right, in this country, to practice their beliefs without interference or bullying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ironically, this crazy situation reminds me of others that I can recall in my adult lifetime. Funnily enough, some of them stirred into a frenzy by the very people standing to "defend" the Chicken Peeps. Here are just a couple of examples:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">THE <span style="color: #e69138;">DEVIL</span> HOLIDAY - Back in the 80's many church leaders suddenly decided that Halloween was a "devil holiday" & tried to shame their congregations into not participating. I, at the time, even felt guilty & made my kids stop trick or treating for a few years. Not because I felt convicted about participating in this fun holiday, filled with wonderful family memories for me, but because I felt bullied by my peers. <span style="color: orange;"> Thankfully I realized how ludicrous the whole notion was & let my kids enjoy their childhood treats, as I did.</span></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;">EVIL DISNEY ANIMATORS - Let's never forget the supposedly embedded, secret messages in Disney animated features. Somebody, apparently with lots of time on their hands, slowed the films down & accused Disney animators of putting hidden messages in them. Example: The Genie in Aladdin supposedly is heard telling "teenagers to take off their clothes"? Really? Why would somebody go to all the trouble to say that? How dumb. But it was top news for a while & I personally know a few families who cancelled their trips to Disney World because of it! There are probably still some folks that believe it. How gullible we can all be sometimes. </span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course for there to be a morality crisis, there has to be leaders. We all know somebody who always seems to be on the front lines of the latest morality crisis & leading the charge of the controversy front & center, on Facebook or other social media. I sometimes wonder if those self-same people would have been present when the National Guard were trying to protect those sweet little black children walking into an all-white schoolhouse in Alabama in the 60's which side they would be standing on? Would they be standing toe-to-toe yelling hate messages straight out of the bible?... or would they be giving those precious children of God smiles & encouraging words? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life can be so confusing sometimes. We are all crammed onto this little planet & we'll always have one crisis or another. We'll always have hate, bullies & those who just like to stir the pot. I'm so thankful that there is a GOD & that He loves us. With that fact, comes hope. Let's all remember that God told us above all, to LOVE..... on that note, here are some things I LOVE: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frKX7tKQoAo/UBHlbZxpyeI/AAAAAAAAAa4/35KxVjBcMKI/s1600/But+the+Greatest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frKX7tKQoAo/UBHlbZxpyeI/AAAAAAAAAa4/35KxVjBcMKI/s320/But+the+Greatest.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I LOVE JESUS (and btw..HE loves me too)..... </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I LOVE ChickfilA (not because of any cause--but because they got some slammin' chicken & biscuits :) </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I LOVE gay people (my son is gay & he's one of the best human
beings on this planet & he has NO maniacal plans to take over the
world..he's just trying to live his life with love & laughter)... </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I LOVE Halloween & trick-or-treat & silly costumes (some of my favorite childhood memories)... </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">
I LOVE dogs, cats, owls & most animals (don't like lizards but I
don't wish them dead just want them to stay clear of me lol)...</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I
LOVE old people & little people (and I don't mean "little" little
people"..I mean children...but that doesn't mean I don't like "little" little
people. I just don't know any.... </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> I LOVE people who LOVE others, even if they don't agree with them about every single thing (sort of like Jesus)...</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
If you don't like what I LOVE... it's okay..I LOVE You anyway..but if
you don't want to be my friend any more.. just hit the big old DELETE
button... I may not notice but I'll love you anyway :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you love? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Take good care,</span></div>
<div class="UIShareStage_Summary" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy </span></div>
<div class="UIShareStage_Summary">
<br /></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-79264712074824648412012-07-15T09:15:00.003-05:002012-07-15T09:28:28.670-05:00A Poem<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
I love to write. I've always loved to read & write. Some of my favorite memories as a child are spent with my nose stuck in a book. I was a shy little girl and the living, breathing definition of a "book worm". I grew up in a great old house with plenty of nooks & secret places to read. One of my momma's favorite stories is the time I fell asleep while reading behind a loveseat in the parlor. We had 10' windows that you could literally walk through and my sisters & I used to take the very long drapes and make ourselves a little "tent" with the drapery panel over the loveseats. It was the perfect place to hide & enjoy the cool breeze. One summer day I crawled underneath the loveseat with a "tent" to read & apparently I fell asleep <i>(which was my 2nd favorite thing to do, behind reading</i>). My momma was working & my daddy was home. She called him to check in & he thought she'd taken me to work. My momma flew into a panic when she realized I'd been missing. Apparently it caused quite a stir. They were tearing apart the neighborhood looking for me & all the while I was fast asleep tucked out of site beneath the love seat. My poor daddy was so happy to see me he almost crushed me to death with his hugs! </div>
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I also loved to visit the Jackson Library. The librarians were the Turnipseed sisters, Ms. Dot & Ms. Nell. They looked so much alike I would forget which was which. In fact, I think Ms. Dot was actually the librarian but Ms. Nell would fill in for her sometimes, but I'm not really positive. I can still remember the musty smell of that old building & the I LOVED the particular smell of cracking open one of the many books I checked out every summer. </div>
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My love of reading has fueled my love of writing. I have at least 4 books in various stages of completion. I may never finish any of them, but I think it's the actual writing that I enjoy so I'm okay with that. My son, Garrett, is also a writer at heart and he's quite good at it. Since I read to my boys almost every night & treasure books I like to think it's a love I've passed on to them all. Nowadays I get the extreme privilege of reading to my grandsons. Their mom (my daughter-in-law) is also a book lover so who knows? The next great American writer may be named Shotwell! </div>
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I also love poetry. I've been thinking and reading a lot about heaven lately. I was outside the other day making shapes out of clouds & this came to me. As a Christian, I have NO fear of death. In fact, I know when it's my time I have some lovely things to look forward too. This is my attempt at sharing how I think it'll feel to leave my earthly body & enter God's Kingdom:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A ship’s silence pushing forth into depths unknown</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> A soul breaks
free, adrift to Glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bathed in golden light and joy unspoken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Suspended aloft in peace overwhelming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All doubt cast aside beyond mind’s understanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Fullness of knowledge dissolving all fear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cindy Shotwell </span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cindy </span></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-10281831510782437672012-07-06T12:49:00.003-05:002012-07-06T16:22:58.573-05:00To Heaven & Back<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I rarely find a book that I feel strongly enough about to share with others. Of course, I love my fiction. As any of my friends will tell you, I'm a huge fan of John Irving & Larry McMurtry, among others. Of late, however, I've been on a non-fiction kick. My summer reading up 'til now has consisted of reading journals & diaries from the Civil War, WWII & western frontier eras. All of these are written by women. I LOVE to know what other women were thinking as they faced adversities & different social situations. What always surprises me is that people are basically the same now as they've always been. Human nature is a constant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That being said, I recently stumbled upon another non-fiction book that literally has changed my life & the way I think. That doesn't happen very often. Overall I consider myself to be a pretty opened minded person; however, I have very well thought-out opinions and belief systems. This book didn't so much as change those as it did give me a different perspective on life & death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am a professing Christian. <i> (Notice I didn't mention a particular religion. I believe God CAN use ALL religions to reach different personalities.)</i> Admittedly, some of my beliefs may be considered sort of "out there" by some. I have had many encounters with God throughout my life & have a healthy sense of my soul & spiritual things. Maybe that's why I was so open to this particular book. That being said, I've worked out in the world enough to also have a healthy dose of skepticism. This book, I believe, is "the real deal".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a little book called <i><u>To Heaven and Back. </u></i> It's written by Dr. Mary Neal. Dr. Neal is an orthopedic surgeon. This probably is why her writing style is very concise and clear. It reads sometimes more like a narrative than a story. But, that's also precisely why it's so easy to read. The story covers both her death experience after a boating accident over 10 years ago & also the loss of her son. The thoughts & feelings she shares are both moving & real. I rarely cry when reading books; however, this book moved me to tears, twice. First, at the beauty of her descriptions of heaven and heavenly beings who accompanied her on her journey. Secondly, at the rawness of emotion that was evident after the death of her son & her later revelations about his life. As a mom of sons, it's my greatest fear to lose them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This book both affirmed some beliefs that I already have and also made me look at some things in a different perspective. It also stirred my spirit and prodded me to do the things that I know God wants me to do with my life & stop procrastinating so much. It's a great reminder that we are all too busy with "busy" things when we should be trying to find out who we are and what we're here for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've included the link to the book below. Enjoy & God Bless you!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.drmaryneal.com/" target="_blank">To Heaven and Back</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cindy </span></div>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-77680047337858216562012-06-09T11:40:00.002-05:002012-06-09T16:47:52.480-05:00Summer Squash, Memories & LSU Baseball.....<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend is going to be a relaxing weekend. The first one in a long time. Tomorrow we gather at church to see some old friends & then enjoy a 2nd Sunday lunch at my mommas filled with great home cooking & too many sweet little barefoot cousins running around the yard to count. This is the good stuff people! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today my goal is to not leave home! I was on the road so much this week. One day this week I actually crossed over the Mississippi river 8 different times on 3 different bridges in one day!! (In all honesty though, I was busy talking on the phone one time & accidentally found myself in the wrong lane; so, one of those crossings was unnecessary- lol). At any rate, I'm ready for some chill time. I plan to read a new book, cook a great lunch & enjoy watching the LSU Tigers play baseball with the hubby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To that end, one of my oldest/dearest friends, Susan Cox, generously provided me with some great vegetables out of their garden yesterday. I threw together a lunch of fresh veggies. Sauteed yellow squash, stuffed fresh bell peppers & sliced cucumbers w/tomatoes. YUMMY! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I LOVE, LOVE fresh summer vegetables. I don't currently have a summer garden but I wish I did. I love being able to walk out & pick lunch or dinner fresh out of the ground. Hopefully we will plant a late summer garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other thing we're enjoying on this Louisiana summer day is watching LSU baseball. It NEVER gets boring! What exciting games as the Tigers fight to get to Omaha. We are so blessed to have such great LSU baseball & football traditions. GEAUX TIGERS!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Uncle Red" - Red Arnold RIP</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These 2 things, fresh vegetables & baseball, have been making me think so much today about my sweet Uncle Red. We lost him this year. It's strange how sometimes a memory will sneak up on you. I remembered a few days ago how he sat with my sisters & I at the "big house" while my parents attended my PawPaw Nettles' funeral. He sat with me on the front porch swing trying to comfort me. He was a big man & could be gruff, but I always felt he had a soft spot for me. When I visited him at the hospital a few days before he passed away, he never lost that sweet smile & hearty laugh. He loved, loved working out in his garden. He also loved baseball. He spent many hours of his life coaching or watching the game. Some of my favorite memories growing up was spending Friday nights watching Dixie Youth baseball games at "Old College". Uncle Red would fill his car to overflowing with kids & head up to the games. Around Jackson, in that day, this was where the entire town was every Friday night during the summer. Uncle Red LOVED coaching his boys. He taught me everything I know about baseball & football. He even tried to coach me in softball. He was so patient. He coached fast-pitch softball for years & I can see him now shaking his head & yelling "Cindy Gail pay attention!". He wanted, so badly, for me to be the player that my older sister, Cecilia, was. But that just wasn't me. Cecilia is a natural athlete and she loved to play. I'd much rather be reading a book!! haha He knew it, but he tried anyway. He yelled his head off at everyone, except me. He just shook his head & smiled. Later in life he spent his time following his grandsons' many baseball games. His oldest grandson, Michael, said at his funeral that he never missed a game. I sure miss you Uncle Red & I know you'd be right there by Bob sitting at Alex Box if you were here. But I also know that now you have the best seat in the house!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, enough rambling for me today. I hope you all enjoy your weekend as much as we are down here in south Louisiana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-22368456812441253652012-06-03T20:41:00.001-05:002012-06-03T20:41:07.495-05:00Noche Caliente<div style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Noche Caliente normally describes a June Saturday night in south Louisiana. This week, if you were lucky enough, you could have spent it at Alex Box Stadium watching LSU's baseball team win a great game. Or, like us, you could spend the evening hosting a couple's wedding shower with great friends, old & new. We used a Mexican theme & served frozen margaritas, Mexican beer, along with a table full of awesome Mexican food! I don't have a lot of the pictures yet, but below are some of the decorations I prepared using empty cans & a few inexpensive flowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One of my besties, Pam, drove in from Dallas and she & I (along with my tireless husband) worked from 6 AM Saturday until the last guests left around 10:30 PM. Of course, the younger hosts & hostesses also worked hard as well but Pam & I are getting too old for this stuff. We vowed that next time we'll rent a venue & write a check! But over the years, after hosting many, many showers, I've learned that it's sort of like childbirth. After time passes you seem to forget the pain & just remember the good stuff! And last night the good stuff was flowing aplenty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The bride is a close childhood friend of both Pam's daughter, Brittany, & my son, Garrett. They have been dear friends since preschool & the mother of the bride, Marcia, is one of our besties as well. <i>(Not to mention that her siblings are like my own yungins.)</i> So whatcha gonna do? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To our great surprise, we had a beautiful evening without too much heat. It's been topping 100 degrees around these parts, but a small cool front blew in Thursday keeping the temperature in the 80's! It made for a very comfortable outdoor patio party. The groom's family drove in from New Orleans & we met lots of new friends! They are good people & we enjoyed some great beverages, spicy food & lots of laughter. The guys watched LSU's victory on the outside </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">television. The bride & groom were roasted with "The Almost Newlywed Game" and the guests enjoyed watching them squirm. They received some great couple's gifts and, all in all, it was a huge success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That being said.... I'm NEVER doing it again (<i>or at least not until Pam's daughter, Jordan, gets married. She's the baby of the bunch so maybe then I can hang up my hostess apron?</i>). Oh who am I kidding? I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Giving wedding showers, Louisiana style, is a great Southern tradition of allowing the bride&groom's families to meet before the wedding and helping provide the couple with what they need to begin their new life together. I wouldn't give it up for anything! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until then, I'm heading in for a hot soak in the tub, a cold Corona & hopefully I can stay awake long enough to watch LSU knock off Oregon State. GEAUX TIGERS!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-55299923896634862632012-05-28T16:46:00.002-05:002012-05-28T17:01:14.571-05:00Perfect Brownie Cookies<div style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sooooo...this is why I cannot stay home & watch John Wayne movies all day. It gives me the munchies like nobody's business. Chocolate, of course, being my drug of choice. I signed onto pinterest & plugged in "chocolate" and voila...chocolate brownies appeared! After taking a quick inventory of my pantry I realized I had all the fixings. The rest, as they say, is history. So long diet & helloooooo Mr. Brownie Cookie delight... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is the recipe in case you find yourself unable to get these off of your mind. I will say that I added pecans & I would only bake for 8-9 minutes. They come out with the PERFECT shiny, flaky top. Enjoy! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd3ayvrKq_E/T8PxYYGHT2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/L-H0ghexizo/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd3ayvrKq_E/T8PxYYGHT2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/L-H0ghexizo/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6231878098556848" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brownie Cookies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ cup butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 cups (18 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 ½ cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ teaspoon baking powder</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 ½ cups sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Combine
butter, unsweetened chocolate, and 1 ½ cups chocolate chips in a large
heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter
and chocolate melt; let cool. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, set aside. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beat
eggs, sugar and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer.
Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture, beating well. Then add the
chocolate mixture and beat well. Stir in remaning 1 ½ cups chocolate
chips.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scoop
dough onto baking sheets 1 inch apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 10
minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool
completely. </span><br />
<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-28284767237404124802012-05-20T17:17:00.001-05:002012-05-20T17:17:22.475-05:00Poppa Day & the Daybed<div style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
My grandsons call me "Do-da" & they call my husband, "Poppa Day". Originally intended to be "Doda & Day", my husband felt like he just needed a "P" word somewhere in there and since their other grandfather is "PawPaw", he came up with "Poppa Day", which I love. It's been such a joy to be grandparents. As my momma always said, "<i>If I'd have known how great my grand-kids were, I'd have had them first!"</i>. No truer words were ever spoken. </div>
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That being said, this story is really more about the grandfather than the grandsons. Poppa Day is a wonderful grandparent for many reasons. After being married to him for 30+ years, I admire him more with each passing year. </div>
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His parents divorced when he was only 6 years old. Poppa Day pretty much grew up without a dad around to teach him the little things like changing the oil or shooting a gun. These are things he made certain that he taught his own boys. His dad, a USAF officer, lived in Japan for many of his growing up years and simply wasn't around to teach him the things many young boys take for granted. This is pretty remarkable, especially given the fact that there is simply ALMOST NOTHING he cannot do! He can build anything, fix anything and is the living definition of a "jack of all trades". </div>
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I credit his beautiful mother for instilling the work ethic that he has, but sometimes I just cannot account for the skill he has in many areas of his life. He is literally a SELF TAUGHT MAN. Even with his vocation, he taught himself a trade and used it to work himself up from the bottom to one of the top positions at his workplace. </div>
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This is an example of something he made for me recently. I mentioned that I would love a daybed on my screen porch to read or relax in. He lovingly brought back to life a pair of old doors that he'd hauled around for years which he'd removed from my grandparents house that we purchased back in the 90's. He called all three of our sons to come help a little, even if it was just to sand or paint a small portion of it, so that he could say it was from all my boys. Here is a picture of it in an earlier stage:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojFO0Sh0sss/T7lpnhYR5QI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Emhf9jZFudo/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojFO0Sh0sss/T7lpnhYR5QI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Emhf9jZFudo/s320/door.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He never ceases to me amaze me. Part of his extreme awesomeness is being able to make something I envision simply come to life with his own hands. This is just one example of that. Here is the finished product:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggMy73a3yho/T7lp8tUx4wI/AAAAAAAAAY8/JRIEVo5mm-U/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggMy73a3yho/T7lp8tUx4wI/AAAAAAAAAY8/JRIEVo5mm-U/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daybed made with old doors from my grandparents' home.</td></tr>
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It's EXACTLY as I'd envisioned! This very sturdy daybed is an heirloom which I will treasure for the rest of my life. I can see myself resting on it with my grandchildren, reading them a book or just talking. But more than the furniture, what a treasure Poppa Day is to me! </div>
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Lest I sound too boastful, let me say that he's not perfect. Even our grandsons, Eddie & Noah, know that sometimes Poppa Day can get a bit crabby. Especially after 7:00 PM when he's "nested" into his special recliner. They giggle when I call him "Poppa Cranky Pants". But it's funny about kids, the things that may annoy adults never seem to bother them. They just accept us for who we are, warts & all. They don't let his crankiness bother them one little bit. They love their Poppa Day unconditionally, just like he loves them back. </div>
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I will be proud when Eddie & Noah realize that their Poppa Day is pretty much a real life super-hero in many ways. He's a self-made, self-taught man that they can be very proud to call their grandfather. </div>
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I'm thankful that God allowed our paths to cross oh so may years ago. In a way we sort of grew up together & I'm so proud of the Poppa Day he has become. </div>
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Well, guess that's enough rambling from me today. </div>
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Take good care,</div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cindy </span></div>
<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-19724547940475535052012-05-02T21:04:00.003-05:002012-05-02T21:04:43.290-05:00JUDGE NOT...well you know the rest...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-iWVfHzmIg/T6Hm1JYQvNI/AAAAAAAAAYo/U6-dPseJ0Pc/s1600/DONT+JUDGE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-iWVfHzmIg/T6Hm1JYQvNI/AAAAAAAAAYo/U6-dPseJ0Pc/s1600/DONT+JUDGE" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why is it that we (as in us, as in people, as in Christians, as in all faiths) JUDGE some sins more harshly than others? In fact, why do we (as in us, as in people, as in Christians, as in all faiths) JUDGE at all...doesn't God tell us to judge not lest we be judged? hmmmmm food for thought</span></span>...</div>
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take good care,</div>
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Cindy</div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-53810525647871606482012-04-23T22:22:00.000-05:002012-04-23T22:26:13.594-05:00There's no dogs like granddogs....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8bdyyBXvAo/T5YQDf6aCLI/AAAAAAAAAYc/gPA_IV_FhWY/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8bdyyBXvAo/T5YQDf6aCLI/AAAAAAAAAYc/gPA_IV_FhWY/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet my grand-dog, Opie. He's my son, Garrett's, 45 pound bundle of energy. When Garrett first told me he'd adopted a dog, I was very happy for him to have a companion & watch dog (although I'm not sure how vicious Opie would be with an intruder, unless leaping up and gumming them would be considered a defensive move). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As any other mom can attest, we worry about our kids from the moment they are conceived. We DO worry less when they grow up about day-to-day things simply because we don't know exactly where they are & what they are doing 24/7. But we NEVER stop worrying completely. That being said, when our kids grow up & we can "check off the boxes" we get a little more comfortable:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Graduate high school-CHECK</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Graduate college-good job-CHECK</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Find a Mate-CHECK, CHECK. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Garrett had 2 out of 3, but at that point in his life I knew he hadn't found his lifetime mate. Although he had some really close, lifelong friends, I just couldn't completely check off that final box. So, when he got Opie it did make me feel a little better. What better companion than a dog? They're loyal, protective & true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My one main concern, however, was that he'd need grandparent dog-sitters every time he wanted to travel (which is a LOT). He is somewhat of a vagabond and has friends all over the country & in Europe. Someone only needs to say "go" and he's ready. However, a 45 pound dog isn't exactly something you can pack into your carry-on. If you know me, you'd know that would be NO PROBLEM for me. I'd have every dog in my house in the bed with me at night....but my husband, Gary, is somewhat of a curmudgeon and he has a strict NO BIG DOG in house policy. Opie lives inside at Garrett's house & I was concerned about how he'd do crated in the garage with our big dog, Gus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Turns out, all of this worrying was for nothing because Gary is Opie's biggest fan. Opie is one of God's happy-go-lucky creatures who is content whatever he's doing. He's very obedient & has a very sweet disposition. In fact, one of our favorite things to do when we are keeping him is to sit out in the backyard just to watch him run around. It's almost as if he has a song playing in his head at all times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just one more thing in this life I'm thankful for. Grand-dogs, who knew? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-12535573139657600842012-03-23T20:54:00.001-05:002012-03-23T22:00:04.846-05:00NO FORKS REQUIRED!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans has long been Mr. B's Bistro. It's owned by one of the famous Brennan family members & is well known for it's wonderful creole creations. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qB3hJRzWlT8/T20YbpDz00I/AAAAAAAAAUM/y-7fsUwx4Ds/s1600/mrbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qB3hJRzWlT8/T20YbpDz00I/AAAAAAAAAUM/y-7fsUwx4Ds/s320/mrbb.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mrbsbistro.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mrbsbistro.com/</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mr. B's Bistro, New Orleans, LA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite dish there has always been the BBQ shrimp. If you're not familiar with BBQ shrimp, the name is misleading. There is nothing "BBQ" about it. It's basically jumbo shrimp sauteed in a wonderful, creamy "gravy" type sauce filled with delicious creole seasonings. The headless shrimp are cooked in their jackets & you eat this dish with your hands. Not only are the shrimp delish, but the BEST part of the dish is "sopping" the sauce with wonderful, crispy french bread! As we say down here, C'est si bon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. B's actually shares some of it's famous recipes on it's website. I finally got around to cooking it at home. I was NOT disappointed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to share this wonderful, easy to make recipe. It literally takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish & the BEST part about it is NO FORKS REQUIRED!! Just make sure to load up on paper towels! The shrimp are served with the jackets on, sitting in the sauce. </span><br />
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New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp</h3>
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Don’t break out your grill for this dish. Here in New Orleans,
barbecued shrimp means sautéed shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter
sauce. We serve these shrimp with heads and tails on, so you need to
dig in to enjoy. I highly recommend a bib. </div>
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We are famous for our barbecued shrimp, and with reason.
The biggest trick to making this taste like ours is to not hold back
on the butter. The three sticks called for are enough to scare you into
cholesterol shock, but are key to the flavor and consistency of the
sauce. Another tip to keep in mind: to emulsify the sauce, be sure to
add a little butter at a time while stirring rapidly. And don’t
overcook the shrimp or they’ll become tough and hard to peel.</div>
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<ul class="recipe_ingedients" style="color: #660000; text-align: center;">
<li><b>16 jumbo shrimp (12 per pound, about 1 1/2 pounds), with heads and unpeeled
</b></li>
<li><b>1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
</b></li>
<li><b>2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
</b></li>
<li><b>2 teaspoons ground black pepper
</b></li>
<li><b>2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
</b></li>
<li><b>2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
</b></li>
<li><b>1 teaspoon minced garlic
</b></li>
<li><b>1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
</b></li>
<li><b>French bread as accompaniment
</b></li>
</ul>
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In a large skillet combine shrimp, Worcestershire, lemon
juice, black peppers, Creole seasoning, and garlic and cook over
moderately high heat until shrimp turn pink, about 1 minute on each
side. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in butter, a few cubes at a
time, stirring constantly and adding more only when butter is melted.
Remove skillet from heat. Place shrimp in a bowl and pour sauce over
top. Serve with French bread for dipping. </div>
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<b><u>Yield: 4 appetizers or 2 entrees</u></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tonyseafood.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tonyseafood.com/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, find some fresh jumbo shrimp. I'm blessed to live in south Louisiana where fresh, gulf shrimp is easy to find. One of the places that makes me the happiest, is a Baton Rouge landmark called Tony's Seafood. Tony's is a one-stop shop for all things seafood. A family owned business since 1959, it not only carries every type of the freshest, local seafood, but it also has a wonderful deli. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It sells seafood from "LIVE" to "FRIED"! It was my first stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought 4 lbs of fresh gulf JUMBO shrimp. Not because I need 4 lbs for this recipe, but because I NEVER leave Tony's without a little extra for later! <span style="font-size: small;">(Hint: Many times the XL shrimp are almost as large as the Jumbo & usually around $2 per pound cheaper. I usually mix it 1/2 XL & 1/2 Jumbo, unless there is a significant difference in size.)</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I gathered the rest of the ingredients together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IF you have a black iron skillet, this is a GREAT way to cook this recipe. I doubled the recipe so I used 2 skillets. It cooks the shrimp more evenly if they each can sit on the bottom of the skillet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me forewarn you, this is a dish that would make Paula Deen proud! It's loaded with REAL butter. Make sure to use unsalted & don't skimp on this part. The butter is what gives this dish such a rich flavor. Read the instructions on adding the butter slowly in the recipe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, be careful NOT to overcook the shrimp. It only takes about 1 minute to cook. Flip over as soon as they "pink up". Here is a picture of what they will look like. I've flipped 1/2 the pan. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side not flipped yet. Right side flipped over. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The result is this wonderfully delightful creole dish. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj7jrMY3eg4/T20eXjpnDaI/AAAAAAAAAXc/lE-B-p0J2iQ/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj7jrMY3eg4/T20eXjpnDaI/AAAAAAAAAXc/lE-B-p0J2iQ/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Last nite, we enjoyed breaking bread with our middle son, Garrett & his friend Ian. We shared great food, lively conversation & some fresh french bread from Wayne's Bakery, another local treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cut each slice of bread at an angle on one end to stand in each bowl! It stars soaking up the sauce & makes a beautiful presentation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy this dish with some great beer. We paired it with one of our favorite local brews, Abita Amber. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my sweet hubby, Gary, enjoying his dinner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> C'est si bon!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
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</div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-52607007756170116472012-03-23T13:18:00.000-05:002012-03-23T13:18:45.528-05:00Hello Sunshine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've decided lately that I must suffer from the syndrome where you get depressed if you don't have enough light. Guess I could never live in Seattle or any other rainy climate. It's been a gloomy/rainy few weeks down here in South Louisiana but today the SUN IS SHINING!! Boy, how we appreciate the beautiful weather after not having it for a while. I guess that's a metaphor for life as a whole. We take so much for granted until we no longer have it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a picture from my front door this morning. My sweet puppy, Lucy, is enjoying the sunshine too! She's lying in the grass, sunning herself. Maybe our four-legged souls suffer from the same maladies as their 2 legged friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I sure am thankful for the sunshine. Thanks be to GOD for providing such a beautiful place for us to live & WELCOME SPRING!!!!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-48000309351212684112012-03-05T21:35:00.001-06:002012-03-06T12:55:06.971-06:00Easy Like Sunday Morning.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of my favorite things to do ALONE, besides going to the movies, is to stay overnight at a nice hotel. I don't mean when I'm working & crashing at a Holiday Inn Express, but a leisure trip at a beautiful place. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I
don't know why, but it just feels like a luxury to me.
Maybe it's because I raised 3 kids and had 20 years of not having one
hot minute to myself without some little boy's fingers wiggling under
the bathroom door whilst I was trying to get a quick soak in the tub; OR, maybe it's because I can stretch out in a king size bed by
myself and keep the television on all night (<i>2 things that my husband has a tiny issue with at home</i>). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Either way, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">this weekend I needed to go to New Orleans to watch my son, Garrett, run a 1/2 marathon. Gary was on call all weekend, so it was all about me (<i>and Garrett of course</i>). <i>So I'm gonna skip over the part where I got a speeding ticket whilst driving over the Causeway & go straight to the good stuff. </i> My go-to hotel in the Big Easy is Le Pavillon. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Pavillon on Poydras. Here's the website: <a href="http://www.lepavillon.com/" target="_blank">Le Pavillon</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a New Orleans landmark. It was built in 1903 and is chock-full of crystal chandeliers, antiques, and other beautiful treasures that throw you back into the Gilded Age. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From the moment I first stepped into the beautiful lobby years ago, it's been my favorite place to stay. It has a quiet elegance & sweet spirit about it. It just "feels right". I've stayed at lots of places in New Orleans over the years, from the Ritz to some of the smaller boutique hotels, but the road always leads me back to Le Pavillon. One of the unique traditions at Le Pavillon is the homemade peanut butter & jelly sandwiches that are served down in the lobby from 10-12 PM every night. Everyone lines up, sometimes in their pj's, & gets a midnight snack! The rooftop pool is beautiful too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At any rate, I had a wonderful weekend with my son & enjoyed some "me time". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Garrett & his friend, Maggie, both ran a 1/2 marathon that wound through downtown New Orleans and ended up at City Park. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, in a beautiful city. I was so proud of Garrett. He beat his best time! There were 32,000 runners in this marathon. It was a sight to see. I WISH I would be the type to actually RUN the marathon, but alas, it was all I could do to hustle my sista-bootay over to the 8 mile mark across town & get there in time to cheer Garrett on. A 13 mile run would LITERALLY be my death. But I'm grateful that Garrett has incorporated his love for running into his lifestyle. (Thanks to his high school cross-country coaches, Sharon Kline & John Allen Phares. You both truly made a difference in his life & instilled great life-long habits!)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett in red bandana at mile 8! (Maggie in purple shirt)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, no sooner did I cheer them on at 8 miles, when I had to hustle back across town to catch the shuttle to City Park for the finish (geesh..the things us moms do for our kids--no matter the age)! I haven't missed any of Garrett's runs since 8th grade & I don't intend to start now! Plus, just the fact that he runs 13 miles ON PURPOSE is enough motivation for me to do 2 things I HATE: get up at the butt-crack of dawn & run/walk very fast to get places on time. I wish I had a runner's body. I truly do. It's inspiring to see all of these runners; but, like I've told my friends, if you EVER see me running, please CALL 9-1-1!! SOMEBODY is chasing my a**!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That being said, the next best thing is cheering on my son. After the race, Garrett's friend, Ian, introduced us to a new WONDERFUL place to have brunch. The Ruby Slipper Cafe' is known for it's delish brunch offerings & yummy mimosas!! <i>(Which I can personally vouch for!) </i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqdP6XaPAuw/T1V99G7X3aI/AAAAAAAAATQ/jsmbNOeayU4/s1600/rubyslipps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqdP6XaPAuw/T1V99G7X3aI/AAAAAAAAATQ/jsmbNOeayU4/s1600/rubyslipps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.therubyslippercafe.net/" target="_blank">The Ruby Slipper Cafe</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ian is finishing up his master's degree and hoping to get into med school this fall & lives in NO. Having a local helps you find those wonderful little hidden treasures tucked all around New Orleans. On Cortez, near City Park, it's certainly not somewhere you'd just be "passing" by. It's definitely a destination location. Apparently there is always a wait. It's a very small place. You have to sign yourself in on a clipboard hanging on the front door and approximately an hour later, they'll call your name. My advice, get yourself a bloody Mary or 1 (or 2) of their famous mimosas & have yourself a seat outside. Believe me, it's worth the wait! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son, Garrett in blue, and Ian in red.. on our 2nd double mimosa lol. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everything I saw looked great & it was a tough decision. Ultimately, I had the shrimp & grits with a fluffy buttermilk biscuit on the side. It was TO DIE FOR. Being a native Louisiana girl, I've had my fair share of both shrimp & grits, and the tasty sauce in this dish had a wonderful, spicy flavor that was a perfect combination. I can't wait to go back!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvhBanO_G2A/T1WAVlbftNI/AAAAAAAAATo/6W4tV2sZwYU/s1600/shrimpgrits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvhBanO_G2A/T1WAVlbftNI/AAAAAAAAATo/6W4tV2sZwYU/s320/shrimpgrits.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp & Grits from The Ruby Slipper Cafe', Cortez Street, New Orleans, LA</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the brunch, we all decided to grab a nap before meeting again for dinner. Ian & Garrett dropped me off at my castle (aka: Le Pavillon) and went home to Ian's place in the artsy part of town on Magazine Street. We would later meet up at The Rum House on Magazine for a great dinner filled with great conversation & lots of laughs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One other treat I LOVE to give to myself is room service & breakfast in bed. I work <u>VERY</u> hard every day..so why not? Although Le Pavillon serves one of New Orleans' best breakfasts downstairs in The Crystal Room, (<i>i</i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>f
you ever find yourself here, make sure to get the Bananas Foster
Waffles at the Crystal Room...they will make you want to "slap yo
momma"!</i>) </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I chose to stay in & order their sure-to-please, authentic french toast breakfast. It's made with REAL french bread, and is so light, yet crispy. Strawberries on the side with a diet coke and I was in breakfast heaven. The fact that I ate in the bed WITH my pj's on didn't hurt either. lol</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well as all fairy tales inevitably do, this one too had to come to an end. After all, it's Monday morning again & soon enough an e-mail from a client snaps me back into reality. Reluctantly, I stuffed my junk back into my suitcase and rolled back into the REAL world. I managed to cram a good 8 hours of work into today & will be back at it again tomorrow..... until next time I can sneak off into another self-created fairy tale filled with king sized beds, delicious food, great company & hopefully finishing with breakfast in bed. It may take a while before the opportunity presents itself again, but I trust it will. Until then, I'll try to confine myself to MY half of the bed tonight & turn off the television at a decent hour so my sweet hubby can get his SNORE on. Oh well, if EVERY day was a fairy tale, we wouldn't appreciate them when they actually happened. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Take good care,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cindy</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-89297737095411968502012-02-25T23:17:00.000-06:002012-02-26T18:36:12.751-06:00An Ava Jane in Wonderland Adventure<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJvsSBNpAoA/T0m-qMDVe5I/AAAAAAAAASg/brw5CWWpWxI/s1600/Image+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJvsSBNpAoA/T0m-qMDVe5I/AAAAAAAAASg/brw5CWWpWxI/s320/Image+17.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava Jane's Art Barn, Brookhaven, MS </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I told my daughter-in-law, Em, that I was taking a girl's trip to Brookhaven, Mississippi she asked, "<i>Why?"</i>. lol She was born & raised in that area and her family home is there. It's just home to her & she didn't know of anything worth driving there for a girl's trip. I just laughed & told her that my friend, Amanda, had invited me and some of her other friends up to Ava Jane's Art Barn. She had never heard of it. It's amazing how we all have gems in our own backyard yet we always walk over to the neighbors instead. I can't tell you how many times folks mention to me in my work travels about coming down to visit <i>this</i> plantation or <i>that </i>garden which is only a short drive away from me. Sadly many times I've never visited those destinations. Anyway, I digress as usual...back to the point....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thedinnerbell.net/" target="_blank">The Dinner Bell, McComb MS</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We started the day out with a wonderful lunch stop at The Dinner Bell in McComb, MS. This restaurant has been at it's current location since 1959. I remember going there as a child. My parents used to bring us out to lunch usually once a month or so on Sundays. It's a very unique experience. It serves classic southern home cooking on large community tables. Each table seats about 20 folks and has a huge lazy susan, always heavily laden with family style servings of a never-ending assortment of delicious southern food such as fried chicken, rice & gravy, butter beans, cornbread, their signature fried eggplant or one of my favorites, fried green tomatoes. The menu varies depending on which day of the week you show up. As Amanda says,<i> "If you don't leave miserable, it's your own fault!</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"</i>. Well let me say that I was sufficiently miserable as I stuffed that last bite of banana pudding into my face.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food laden lazy susan at The Dinner Bell in McComb, Mississippi.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After feasting, we headed out "the back way" to Amanda's sisters home. After loading up Nancy, we headed outside of town into what seemed like the middle of nowhere. We </span><span style="font-size: large;">literally drove down a country road, down a country road, down a....oh well, you get the picture!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Just as I started hearing the theme from Deliverance running through my brain </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(<a href="http://www.destgulch.com/movies/deliver/dueling.mid" target="_blank">this is the way my brain works--dueling banjos)</a></i></span> <span style="font-size: large;">we finally turned into a driveway & I caught
a glimpse of a beautiful little red barn tucked in front a tall grove
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1R-7Iy0z-k/T0m2TAMf-iI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/i6HlJhBkxjU/s1600/deliverance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1R-7Iy0z-k/T0m2TAMf-iI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/i6HlJhBkxjU/s320/deliverance.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really didn't know what to expect. Amanda has been talking about "Ava Jane's" for so long, but I really wasn't sure exactly <i>WHAT</i> it was. Amanda & I have been friends long enough that I trusted her for a great experience. That trust was well founded...boy were we in for quite a pleasant surprise. I knew at once this was a special place. A quiet peace fills the air, which I suspect has a direct connection to Ava Jane herself. The entire space is filled with beautiful, creatively placed plants, whimsical art projects & various curiosities. A feast for the imagination, there are so many things jammed into every little nook & cranny that my eyes danced from one thing to another overloading my inspiration input button, and this was only outside!! Once inside of the barn, it began all over again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ava Jane Newell is the owner/operator of this little slice of creative heaven. Ava Jane says she wasn't an artist at a young age, but gradually developed her self-taught skills as she grew older. A true late bloomer, her obvious talent and creativity fills the space. She is a mother, grandmother, artist, teacher & all around beautiful lady. Her husband has nurtured her love of all things art by building her barn and helping out with various "projects" over the years. (She says he's responsible for the lovely terraced brick pathway that leads down to the seating area & has great ideas himself.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was the best type of girl's trip. Not shopping until we dropped, but a very relaxing day spent both meeting new friends & enjoying old ones. We toured Ava Jane's treasure trove of creative projects & gardening. We enjoyed coffee & a wonderful cake provided by Nancy out on the brick patio. We talked family, art & politics and even though we all have separate ideas, we felt a bond as southern women, wives & mothers. It's one of those times when I'm so thankful to be from the south. The hospitality, love & understanding that we extend to one another is beyond measure. </span></div>
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<tr style="color: purple;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpoHdwExMrE/T0m-7eD4g-I/AAAAAAAAASo/z3kKDY6pNys/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpoHdwExMrE/T0m-7eD4g-I/AAAAAAAAASo/z3kKDY6pNys/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amanda, Charlene, Cindy & Karen (just realized that Nancy made herself disappear when a camera came out!) Of course, Ava Jane was the photographer. She made us all feel so welcome & special!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to share just a small taste of the endless variety of art and creative expression that lies about this rabbit hole called "Ava Jane's Art Barn". In just a few moments, your brain begins salivating creative juices. Of course, photos never quite capture the true essence of a piece, but hopefully you'll get inspired. For more information on Ava Jane's Art Barn classes or purchasing anything or commissioning anything, please contact Ava Jane Newell @ PH: 601-835-2356. She also teaches children's classes. Also, please "like" her FB page, Ava Jane's Art Barn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now for the good stuff, enjoy!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old bicycle covered in various textiles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clever way to line border a garden with old wine bottles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand tiled shower. LOVE IT!</td></tr>
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<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MY favorite piece of whimsy..I LOVE heads.. I don't know why..guess I can't quite get my own head screwed on straight (teehee).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUfply4gAws/T0m7_qKm-JI/AAAAAAAAARI/HbLd3R5t-FI/s1600/Image+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUfply4gAws/T0m7_qKm-JI/AAAAAAAAARI/HbLd3R5t-FI/s320/Image+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A blue man with natural "hair" gives a splash of color.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love these whimsical pieces. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Children's Chairs...many of Ava Jane's Cats can be seen jumping from one to another. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Km85WMk0U/T0m9Sut9goI/AAAAAAAAARw/Xih4b62dCxE/s1600/Image+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Km85WMk0U/T0m9Sut9goI/AAAAAAAAARw/Xih4b62dCxE/s320/Image+24.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If I ever come back as a cat, I want to live at </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ava Jane's.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It's cat heaven!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand painted old chair. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Child's Chair covered in Mardi Gras Beads!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">I'm a deer hunter, but I've never seen a deer with antlers quite like these!! </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Thanks to Amanda, Nancy & Ava Jane for making this such a special day for us all!</div>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-68320893309358036472012-02-06T19:32:00.004-06:002012-02-06T19:34:05.400-06:00Beadboard & Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I've been wanting this mirror for a year now. One of my favorite peeps in the whole-wide world, my friend Wendi, has one of those hubbys who can build anything. He's done a few items for me, but pretty much only works on this kinda stuff when he wants some extra cash. So, after months of brow beating him, he finally built this beautiful sunshine mirror for my back screen porch. He used some bead board that he salvaged from an old courthouse I used to work at so it has extra special meaning for me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dontcha just love it when a plan comes together! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cindy </span></span></div>Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222476133356464426.post-20399478152795293222012-01-21T12:13:00.001-06:002012-01-21T12:19:32.904-06:00Gone to the Dogs....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet my girls..... Trixie & Lucy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've always had dogs, mostly labs. My husband, Gary, and I raised three sons. We made a conscious decision to raise our boys out in the country. Over the years, along with our sons, we also raised a whole tribe of assorted large, outside dogs. Most of them were rescued or inherited from one place or another. Anyone who knows me can tell you I pretty much prefer dogs over people. I have a heart for animal rescue. These beautiful four-legged souls depend on us to be their voices, their hands & their advocates. In return, they give us unconditional love, loyalty & devotion. But it wasn't until my kids were almost grown that we added some sweet little inside dogs to our family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trixie is 13 years old and was "rescued" from a friend's newly divorced daughter who was overwhelmed by 2 small children. The kids were doing their best to stretch this sweet little wiener dog from 1 ft to 3 ft. My husband, Gary, had always had a "no dogs in the house" rule. For some reason, even though I'd grown up with a sweet little dog sleeping at my feet every night, I went along with it. Probably because I was too busy raising 3 human boys at the time. But all that changed the day I got a frantic call from my long time friend. She was in tears. Between dealing with her devastated daughter, who just lost her marriage, as well as taking care of 2 small grandchildren, she was overwhelmed. I heard myself telling her to bring Trixie on over. At first, I told Gary that she was just staying "for a short time" to help out my friend & to save the dog from being physically harmed. He grumbled a bit but somehow sensed I wasn't budging. (After all these years, he knows how to pick his battles.) After a few weeks turned into a few months he finally caught on. My evil plan had worked!! (insert evil laughter here) By that time he had fallen in love with Trixie. She was a snuggle buddy in his recliner every night. He pretended to be grumpy about it but when he thought I wasn't listening, I could hear him baby talking to her. LOL Trixie is the sweetest dog I've ever met. She LOVES to be loved on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our second addition came only 3 years ago. I got a call from a friend who knew a breeder who had a "last of the litter" mini-dachshund that was born with a broken tail. The breeder was trying to decide whether to euthanize the puppy as "defective". If she didn't euthanize her, she was planning to use her as a "breeder" dog. I knew that meant she would spend her life in a small play-pen giving birth to litter after litter of puppies. She was leaning toward not keeping her because potential buyers didn't like to see defective mothers. Defective? Her tail was just broken! I know there are responsible breeders out there, but this was yet another reason I will never, ever, buy from a breeder. It was the day before Christmas Eve & I knew time was of the essence. I took off work & drove into the middle of nowhere. It was over an hours drive to an area I probably couldn't even get back to if I tried. I swooped in and even paid the breeder to take the sweetest little black & tan puppy off her hands. Yes, her tail looked like the "flag-up" on a mailbox, but her life was precious! I named her Lucy after my sweet mother-in-law. When I drove back home that afternoon, I figured I'd just brace myself for the storm to come. (I think after 30 years I've learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.) Once again, the grumbling ensued, but Lucy was the cutest little puppy you ever saw and it only took Gary about 2 days to fall in love with her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward 3 years later and to hear him talk, these are <i>HIS </i>baby girls.. haha He even tries to plan our vacations around pet friendly places. He brings them out every morning and evening and LOVES them unconditionally. Heck, I'm not sure if it was between me or them, that he would choose me!! Trixie & Lucy are 2 of the most spoiled princesses in the neighborhood!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gary & are very involved in animal rescue and a local no-kill shelter, as are many of my friends. I LOVE dog people. I've picked up hungry dogs on the side of the road. I've chased frightened dogs down the highway. Of course my stories are tame compared to one of my sweetest friends, Charlene. She has a passion for animal rescue that makes me so proud of her. Some of her stories are equally hilarious/borderline illegal! But ALL in the best interest of a sweet dog. Personally, I will NEVER pay for a specific breed of dog again. RESCUE IS MY BREED OF CHOICE. I can't imagine life without my "girls". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're thinking about an animal, contact your local shelter. Rescue dogs make the BEST pets ever!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take good care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></div>
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<br />Cindy Shotwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07001639782877964419noreply@blogger.com0