Fireflies and Lightning Storms, a first and a favorite

Our first night in Tennessee was graced with bunches and bunches of little glowing fireflies dancing around us in the trees and gullies surrounding the house.  As we settled back for the night, storm clouds began rolling in, thunder rumbling and lightning streaking across the sky.  It has been so very long since we've seen lightning and heard thunder, and we really enjoyed it.  

Every night since our arrival (save tonight) we've walked around the loop and looked at the fireflies dancing and flitting through the night as the deer advance on their own regular route of travel.  

And so it becomes, that one of my firsts (seeing fireflies), has also become one of my favorites (much like said lightning storms).  

*Image copyright manglobe 2004

Little Black Bear

I just came to the realization that I never posted pics from our last trip to Anchorage - when Sean saw his first black bear!  On our way through Skilak area we saw this little guy on the left side of the highway, and on our way back home later that day, it was on the other side of the road in the same area....  So, we stopped to take a couple pics.  

On the way TO Anchorage, Honey saw it and just wanted to play, but on the way back, she saw it again, and tried to tell little black bear just who was boss.  So, little black bear ran off.  :|  But we did manage to get a couple shots....  

Maybe we'll see you again someday....  

Holy Peanut Butter Cookies, Batman!

SO, tonight I baked a quadruple batch of PB cookies, and all I can say is, "holy moly!"  (No, I do not know what a moly is....so if you do, please let me know....)  ;)  I only write about this particular cookie baking instance, because due to the amount of peanut butter involved in this gargantuan batch of cookies, the evening got a little comical....

I almost lost my spoon to the pull of the PB....I seriously couldn't get it out for the longest time!

After I was able to get my spoon back (phew!), I went on with my usual cookie-bakiness....

(this is my favorite PB cookie making tool....)  ;)

...aaaand here's how we use it!

(Jimmy Buffet music not required, but definitely more fun!  Almost as fun as watching Spirit while baking, that's my usual tradition.  Which may explain why tonight's baking was vastly weirder....)

Heeeere's the first batch:

Hey....wait a second....these ones are square!  Look at these monstrosities!  Blasted methods of mass production....

Lemme try that again....

That's more like it!  Circular peanut butter cookies are definitely less ominous....  ehhhxxxxcept that now they look like unassuming cow pies.  *sigh*  They're still tasty (hey - it's peanut butter!)  ;)  

You CAN'T be Serious....

So, our fourth anniversary is approaching, and I was online looking at the traditional anniversary gift list.  Apparently, the fourth anniversary is celebrated with fruit and flowers.  Okay.  My curiosity was peaked as I scrolled down the page for some ideas, and saw a list of adverstisements at the bottom....  You can give the love of your life a truly aMAzing arrangement of flowers to let him know that HE is the ONE for you and that you love EVERYTHING about him....  Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Beer Mug of Blooms™

Oh, dang it - I *JUST* remembered....  Sean's allergic to beer.  Guess I'll have to keep searching....  ;P  heehee....

**Don't get me wrong, my friends, I like a good beer now and then too, but come on....BEER flowers??  I guess nothin' says lovin' like yer beer mug o' blooms....

Not so much....

I had another set of injections in my back on Thursday, so needless to say, I'm not feeling up to much of anything....  :(  First set went so well that the doc actually said "Sweet!"  Second set, he had to dig around for a while before he could find the right spot in my spine....  Ahhh....good times....  

I do have to admit, despite that, that I have a great doc that will not just give up or put the shot any old place he can find - he wants to make things better and do it right, so thanks Dr.!  

More (unmedicated) blogging to come later....

It'll suck you in....

I've begun reading a book - only just, mind you, but so far - it's pretty darn good....  I have this thing for horses.  I *also* have a thing for kids - especially kids with autism.  I've worked with several of them over the last few years and there is one thing that has been consistent with EACH one - they capture my heart.  So there's this book - The Horse Boy.  Don't want to divulge too much, but just want to say that you take a child that doesn't communicate well with other humans and put him with a creature so wonderful, and healing in so many respects, and you have the makings of a great book.  Not to mention - it's a true story of a family's journey in learning about autism.  

I also used to work at a therapeutic riding ranch in CA - *SO* many amazing stories from there - will fill you in tomorrow perhaps....

But for now, horse lovers and kid lovers - check it out....  It's pretty darn good.

How do you like them apples?

I was told, not too long ago, that processed foods are not so great on the body, especially for someone dealing with chronic pain.  You see, I injured my back in a car accident 10 years ago, and despite a very successful surgery, I've been weaker than I once was.  A few years ago, I injured my back again - this time my thoracic spine (SO - don't EVER feel the need to separate two male teens that are twice your size when they are duking it out).  ANYway, one of my many physical therapists (an aquatherapist, actually), made me promise to not eat processed foods for six months - informing me of all the bad things in processed food that act as inflammatory agents.  I must confess, I didn't make it six months.  But this new information awoke within me a desire to eat better, not just for me and my health, but for my husband and our future family as well.  As with any goal, it is easier met with higher motivation when you have a partner that spurns you on.  My partner, my husband, my best friend seems to have been born with a deep aversion to all foods healthy.  I actually asked him earlier "if I start making healthier food - and that's all you can eat, you'll eat it, right?"  His response was less than encouraging.  "I don't know....I guess."  Hmmm....  So it is here that I embark on this journey to eating healthier, with my partner in tow, showing him that there ARE healthy options out there that are *gasp* tasty and filling.  And perhaps....just perhaps....I'll get him to pick up an apple (or some other wonderful whole food) when he wants a snack, instead of resorting to something that is processed beyond any amount of sanity.  Wish us luck....  Signing off....