Real friend

A real friend is one who walks in when rest of world walks out.

Prepare for Life

The best way is to prepare for life is to live.

Postings

Whitney – I thank you for being so faithful with your daily posting. Somewhere along the way – I stopped posting the monthly birthdays.

tell me something good that happened today?

I was on facebook earlier today, and Whitney started chatting with me.  Her greeting was:  “tell me something good that happened today?”  I went on to tell her that today was our last day of VBS, and that over the course of the week, Rea has learned to say and sign the Lord’s prayer.  It’s a much simplified version of course, but still I think a great accomplishment for a 4 year old.  Whitney wants to see Rea sign it the next time we’re in Crossett.  We didn’t get to chat for long, but Whitney’s question has lingered with me all afternoon.  Isn’t it a wonderful way to start a conversation?  I love it!  So, I thought I would pass it along to all of you.  Now, I know this will involve you guys actually having to write a comment back, but I have faith in you….I know you can do it! 

Tell me something good that happened to you today?

Life’s Discouragements

Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.

Granny’s Hands

I know I’ve been absolutely terrible at keeping up my contribution on the Martin Box. I feel bad, I do. But I’m barely keeping my own blog going as it is. I’m just really busy! Anyway, there was one thing in particular that I wanted to share with everyone. I’m taking an online art class for my art credit. My latest discussion question was this: “If you had the money, time, and skill to create a great work of art, what would you create and what purpose would it serve and why? Describe your work in detail.” I shared my response with my mom and she thought it would be a good idea for me to share it with all of y’all. So here’s what I said:

I’ve never really thought about what kind of art I would create if I had the time or the money. I’m not a big art person. The only reason I could see myself creating a work of art would be to, as the book says, “record and commemorate experiences”. It took me a long time to think of what I would want to create. After awhile I came up with the idea of honoring my grandmother’s memory by creating a free-standing sculpture of her hands. My grandmother was an amazing woman. She had eleven children and raised eight of them on her own. She worked numerous jobs and countless over time hours to provide her family with the bare minimum. A few years back a cousin of mine, who is a professional photographer, began taking pictures of my grandmother’s hands. These photos are a big deal among our family. A few examples: Granny’s hands signing her name, Granny’s hands holding a bible, Granny’s hands crocheting, etc. Granny’s hands became a symbol of love and devotion to our family. Her calluses and scars from years of self sacrifice for us became a reminder of the love that binds our close knit family together. So I would want to create a sculpture of my Granny’s hands. I would want to pay close attention to the texture of the sculpture, both the actual and implied texture. I would want it to be smooth to the touch. But firm, to represent the strength of Granny’s hands. I would also want the implied texture to show the wrinkles and lines in her skin, developed by years of hard use. The sculpture would be both of her hands, sort of cupped together as if she were going to hold something. The two hands give the sculpture symmetrical balance and a sense of unity. I would also use distortion scale to make the hands bigger than normal. (I want it to be large enough that a person could climb inside and be cradled in Granny’s hands.) But I would pay very close attention to make the hands appropriately proportioned and as accurate a rendition as possible. This sculpture would be an expression of the strength and beauty of my grandmother’s hands. It would also capture their physical appearance and symbolism. That’s what I would do if I had the skills, time, and money to create a great work of art.

Paula’s Recipe of the Month: March 2009
Raspberry Tea

I love Raspberry Tea.  I’ve always gotten really excited to find it on a menu when eating out…until now.  This recipe tastes just like the raspberry tea I’ve come to know and love.  Now I can make it at home!  As usual, I’ve modified the recipe to fit my tastes, you’ll find my tweaks in blue.

Ingredients:

• 8-1/4 cups water, divided
• 2/3 cup sugar  (I used 1 cup of sugar because I prefer my tea on the sweeter side)
• 5 individual tea bags  (I used 1 family size tea bag)
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened raspberries  (I used 1 bag of frozen raspberries)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Steep for 5-8 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add 4 cups water.
In another saucepan, bring raspberries and remaining water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Strain and discard pulp. Add raspberry juice to the tea mixture. Serve in chilled glasses over ice. Yield: about 2 quarts.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Wishes – Paula.

Your day should be spent doing only what you want to do. RIGHT!

Enjoy your day.

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Paula’s Recipe of the Month: January 2009
Hodge Podge

Don’t let the title of this recipe scare you away: Hodge Podge is basically a vegetable beef soup.  I got this recipe from a friend of mine.  It’s so easy, but so good.  It’s one of our favorite soups.  One added bonus is you can easily double the recipe and freeze half for later.

Hodge Podge

• 1 lb. hamburger meat, browned/seasoned and drained
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cans Minestrone soup
• 2 cans water (using Minestrone soup can)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (I use the Italian diced tomatoes)
• 1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
• 1/2 can rotel (or if you like your food a little spicy…1 can rotel)

Brown and season the hamburger meat.  Pour all ingredients into a crock pot or stock pot and simmer on low.

Paula’s Tips:

The recipe as written will fit in a crock pot, but if you want to double it, you’ll need to use a large stock pot.

If you haven’t already discovered the new Premium Saltine Mini Crackers, you have to try them.  They are perfect for tossing into your soups.  Plus for those with little kids, they are perfect for making peanut butter crackers.

Jessica’s Art Work

This is Jessica. I don’t have my own account on here, so I’m using Katherine’s. I wanted to share my art work with everyone. Go to www.artsonia.com. There will be a place to the left that allows you to search for specific artist. Type in Jessica6337 in the Find Artist box. Sign my guest book so I’ll get credit for you being there and then you can view my art. I hope you enjoy it! And Paula, will you please set me up my own account. I won’t be able to get on very much, but I don’t want to have to use Katherine’s account every time.