[MELODY525]

CEEJAY~ GOOD TO SEE YOU!! SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH FOR THE FAMILY. I HAVE NEVER TRIED A LAPTOP. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

HAPPY~ THANKS FOR THE PHOTOBUCKET AND FOR THE RECIPE IDEAS. ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE IN CASE I REALLY DECIDE TO COOK
SORRY ABOUT THE RABBITS....YOU NOT ONLY HAVE SQUIRRELS BUT RACCOONS TOO!!! HOW IS THE ARM?? I READ ABOUT THE ROCKFISH LAST NIGHT. AND SHE HAD BABIES TOO....HOW SAD IS THAT! MANKIND IS NOT HAPPY UNLESS THEY ARE KILLING OR DOMINATING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. SIGH SO LET'S GET ON THE WAGON....THE EASTER BUNNY EXPRESS!! NEXT STOP WILL BE SUMMERVILLE!

CARLA~GLAD HAPPY TOLD YOU BECAUSE I USUALLY CROSS BANDS WIDTHS AND THEN DELETE THEM LATER ON WHEN WE MOVE TO ANOTHER PAGE! I REALLY BETTER LEARN HOW TO GET PICS HERE MYSELF! YES I COULD SEE US FIGHTING OVER THE CHOCCY BUNNIES OR ANYTHING ELSE CHOCLATE!!! I THINK THE CHICKS ARE KNOCKING SENSE INTO EACH OTHER...WE CAN ALL TAKE TURNS

SHAD~ HAPPY GYMMING.....BUT I GUESS YOU ARE TUCKERED OUT AND ALREADY TUCKED INTO YOUR BED BY NOW. SWEET DREAMS THE ROOSTER WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT CARED LET ALONE 3!!! HOPE THE MEMBERSHIP WORKS OUT. I AM SURPRISED YOU HAVEN'T MADE A GYM OUT OF THE DS'S ROOM BY NOW!!! ENJOY THE TIME OFF! I REALLY MUST TRY THE IMAGE THING HERE AGAIN. SEE IF I CAN GET A REAL PICTURE HERE WITHOUT "STEALING" IT!!!

I AM FREEZING MY BUTT OFF. IT WAS 30* THIS MORNING WHEN A SMOKE ALARM WENT OFF AND THE LOBBY WHERE I RESET IT WAS FREEZING!!! THE PANEL IS OUT BY THE DOORBELLS....BETWEEN 2 SETS OF DOORS BUT COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YESTERDAY I COOKED MY TURKEY CHILI, STEAMED RICE, HARD-BOILED EGGS AND MADE SOME VEGGIES AND TOSSED A SALAD. TODAY I'LL STEAM THE VEGGIES FOR TOMORROW AND MORE FOR MYSELF.
THEN TOMORROW WE ONLY HAVE TO COOK THE HAM. JEN IS DOING THE TATERS AND VEGGIES FOR RICHIE.
THE GOOD NEWS...LAST WEEK I WEIGHED IN AT 187 AND TODAY I WAS 183. STARTED DRINKING MY WATER AGAIN, FOLLOWED BOB GREENE AND SOME OF HIS IDEAS......BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I CUT OUT THE BREAD AND BEGAN MEASURING AGAIN. CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THE PLUMBING AS CLOGGED UP AS IT WAS. FEELING MUCH BETTER AND HAVING A VERY QUIET AND RESTFUL WEEKEND.
HAVE A GREAT DAY....HAPPY SATURDAY!!!!

[happy2bme]

The Perfect Oatmeal

If you're using REGULAR quick cooking oatmeal - 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water
If you're using STEEL CUT OATS - 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water

Put the liquids in the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Don't let it come to a fast boil or you'll scald the milk

Add the oatmeal

Turn the heat down low to a simmer

Toss in:

• a heaping tablespoon of crystalized ginger, diced (I had to leave this out because I didn't have any on hand)
• tablespoon of vanilla extract
• healthy sprinkling of cinnamon
• small splash of maple syrup
• a handful of raisins

Simmer this mixture for as long as you'd cook the oatmeal itself - - check the instructions on the box - ie. 5 minutes for quick cooking oats, 30 minutes for steel cut oats. Stir often as this cooks thicker then using just water and you don't want it to stick to the bottom of the pot.

Makes 2, one cup servings.

Since I was making steel cut oats and cooking them for 30 minutes, I added the raisins in 5 minutes before the oatmeal was done.
Once cooked you can add other chopped, fresh fruit to you liking. I tossed in some chopped walnuts.

DH found this recipe and I was kind of sceptical. Was pleasantly surprised tho. It has a touch of sweetness from the maple syrup and vanilla but is not overly sweet.

Ooops - I realized I made a mistake - listed vanilla twice and forgot to put the cinnamon in

[happy2bme]

Brrr, it's a cold one here. Dipped down below freezing last night. Only in the low 40's today and windy. Everyone will be shivering in their Easter finery tomorrow.

It's my routine when I'm ready to go to bed to make sure the doors are locked. Last night I flipped on the porch light. We have a small table on the porch and a cat bed on it (left over from when our cat sleeps out during the summer). Lo and behold, there's poor Mr. Feral Cat all cuddled up and snoozing to beat the band! He was all curled up with his face tucked into the side of the bed and he didn't even notice me flip the light on. DH came down about 2 hours later because he heard some noises in the house and he said the cat was still there. Poor old guy. We see him occasionally on and off now. Just when you think he's gone for good he shows up. I was leaving him some food at night but DH said not to as it was attracting raccoons and other night roaming cats that would scare away our kitty. She's in the house at night when it's cold out but lives outside once it gets warm - her choice.

Have to put together my meal plan and do the shopping today. Everything will be closed tomorrow in this heavily Baptist town for Easter services. DH has a ham recipe he wants to try out. Guess I'll pop the potatos in the oven today for potato salad. Have to go through the extra refrigerator and do some tossing and make a list of what has to be used up.

I sure could use a week off to catch up. Why is it that adults don't get a Spring Break/Easter Holiday?

Better get hopping myself

Happy Easter Everyone!

[happy2bme]

Oh Mel - congrats on the pounds down. Save some chili and rice for me. I think you may have given me a menu idea. Thanks!

It's a pity you had to give up the gym membership Shad. You were very good about going - when you could. Hope they make you a sweet enough deal to make it worth your while to stay on.

To those of you who have snow on your bunnies - stay warm and cozy!

Dryer just went off - got to run now. Enjoy your weekend.

[ceejay52]

Happy--I've been eating oatmeal at home but cook it in the microwave. I use cinnamon or brown sugar. This way I'll have a variety.

It's going to get busy later. We are going to a Catholic Easter Vigil. We are not Catholic's but my nephew has recently been converted to being Catholic.
His girlfriend is Catholic. I love Easter.

Holly was talking about having snow on the ground. Springfield had snow flurries yesterday and the temperature dove to 23 degree's last night. It's supposed to get down to 15 tonight. It's sunny but cold.

My leg is better. The bruising is showing up more, and there is still some swelling.

One of my nephews will be coming to his mom's tomorrow afternoon and will get to see th other tonight. I just have to remember that they are older and have their own lives to lead.

Happy Easter. I may not be back on line until Tuesday.

[Shad]

Morning all,
Looks like another lovely day in Paradise - although somewhat cool at the moment. Nothing like Holly's snow of course. If it ever got that cold here, the powers that be would declare a disaster area while doing a happy Snow would mean water you see. It's forgotten how to rain over here.

Happy, I have some instant oats at the Townsville place. I thought I would try out that recipe, unitl I read through it. I am not going out to buy Maple syrup just for it. So unless I can come up with something else to fit the bill, I won't be trying it.

Holly, hope the treasure hunt goes well. Problem with snow is that it leaves trails and they can see where you have been. Or do you actually have bunny or chicken footprints?

Hiya Mel. Haven't made a gym out of the DS's room yet because I'm never here to enjoy it! If some of the machines were portable I swear I would but they are too big and heavy for portability. We'll see what the gym manager says when I get to talk to him/ her. Most places I go to have a gym somewhere - some big some small, most geared towards men and the young. So things are stacked against me from the start. But something will happen soon enough and the decision will be made. Whatever, I don't feel like paying over $500 for a year to use the gym for 3 or 4 months of that year. If my next job means living at home - that's good, even great, but if I am out the back of Parabadoo (oh no hope not (go look it up, I'm not telling you)) then the gym membership is worse than useless.
Good going on the weight loss - or is this the 'help' in the bathroom talking? Whatever, I hope those pounds never find their way back again.
Please turn up the heat somewhat for when I get there. How can we go for walks and runs when it's freezing. Same goes for the Canadians. Snow in small doses please and only on the hills (distant hills at that).

Happy - Poor Mr Feral Cat. He must be getting food from somewhere or he would not be around at all. But he must be reasonably happy to find a place with a bed all made up and ready for him. Hope the noises DH heard were just house noises and not intruders - feral or otherwise.
We don't get weekends off because we are the responsible adults - doncha know! Weekends off are like free lunches - no such thing. You just get to work twice as hard to catch up with the chores etc.

Ceejay, glad the leg is getting better. Haematomas have that habit. They hurt like mad at first, the bruising looks like you have gone 2 rounds with Mike Tyson and yet once the initial pain is gone everything is fine - just looks ugly.

Right well, I'd better get going. I want to go outside and do a little gardening before it gets too hot. Then I'd better stop procrastinating and start thinking about those durned taxes for the family trust. The ATO may well be sorry they asked since all the trust has done so far is shell out on Govt fees and some computer gear and bank fees. They may have to refund!

Miss Puss wants out, but not without Mum! It's like having a furry shadow.

[happy2bme]

What no maple syrup Shad? The Canadians will be horrified Actually - now that I think of it, you probably don't come by it too easily in the tropics. I have a small bottle of the real stuff on hand for the 2 or 3 times a year that I get a taste for French Toast or pancakes. Don't like DH's pancake syrup - Mrs. Butterworth's.

If you can't try it, that's ok. I'll just put it on the menu for when you come and visit.

And yes, I hear you on no rest for the weekends. Seems like there's always 3 or 4 things that needed attending to that didn't get done. None of which involved resting, napping, reading or relaxing

[Shad]

Oh we can get it....or what purports to be Maple syrup. Never having had the real stuff I don't know whether I'd like it or not. I've had it when testing out the dear nephews pancakes at McD's years back and seem to remember I tried some a month or so back. But is it the real stuff??? Tasted like the old fashioned chicory coffee we used to get.

Gotta move on. Going to dinner with the DS2, DB2, DN and DN (niece and nephew) and no doubt the DN's DB/F unless things have changed since I last saw them all.

[Hollyhock]

I did the treasure hunt ( indoors) with clues for the kids. They had 6 presents to find. They loved it. DS is playing his Billy Talent cd and DD her Mini Pops CD. He has his new jeans on and DD has her runners on. They were sooooooo excited.

I am enjoying my coffee.

[MELODY525]

SHAD~ PARABADOO IS A 2 BUILDING AND 1 GARAGE TOWN??? THAT WAS THE BEST I COULD FIND ON IT. IT'S A MINING TOWN? WHERE DO THE MINERS LIVE? HOPE A GYM MAKES THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE. 1/2 A CLIENT IS BETTER THAN NONE! HOPE THE DINNER WENT WELL. TRYING TO TALK MOTHER NATURE INTO SENDING SOME WRMTH FOR YOUR ARRIVAL. I THINK SHE IS WAITING FOR THE LAST MINUTE.
YES THE WEIGHT IS THE RESULTS OF THE DEPOSIT IN THE LOO AND ALSO THE WATER FLUSHING. AMAZING HOW THAT CAN ADD UP TO SO MUCH.
HAPPY MONDAY!

HAPPY~ POOR OLD MR FERAL CAT. THANK GOD SUMMER IS COMING. GOOD THING THE DH THOUGHT ABOUT THE FOOD. COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY MESSY FIGHT OVER IT ALSO. GEEZ....YOU NEVER KNOW. I CAN JUST SEE EVERYONE STANDING OUTSIDE CHURCH AFTER SERVICE TRYING TO BE FRIENDLY AND FREEZING THEIR BUTTS OFF!! JOHN AND I WERE TALKING THE OTHER DAY ABOUT HOW WE ALL HAD NEW SUITS AND DRESSES AND HATS AND GLOVES AND A DAINTY LITTLE POCKETBOOK. EVEN WHEN WE WERE POOR NEW CLOTHES SEEMED TO APPEAR AT EASTER. HOPE THE HAM TURNS OUT WELL. WE ARE DOING THE TRADITIONAL BROWN SUGAR GLAZE WITH PINEAPPLE AND CHERRIES AND CLOVES.

CEEJAY~ YES KIDS DO GROW UP. I HAVE TO KEEP REMINDING MYSELF OF THAT WITH JEN HAVE A GREAT TIME. I HAVE HEARD THAT EASTER MASS IS VERY BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING. HOPE IT IS FOR YOU ALSO.


I HAD BETTER GET GOING. JEN PAINTED WINDOWS LAST NIGHT. HER EYE IS MUCH BETTER AND SHE FELT UP TO IT. SHE HATES DISAPPOINTING THE SENIORS ALSO. WONDER WHO SHE TAKES AFTER? BUT SHE IS JUST "SELFISH" ENOUGH NOT TO BE EXACTLY LIKE MOM!
I HAVE A SHOWER TO TAKE AND A HAM TO READY.....SO LUCKY YOU THIS IS SHORT!
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY EASTER AND A GREAT DAY!!

[Ruthxxx]

, my friends. Sorry I can't get in here more but I do lurk a lot!

[Roseblush]

Hope everyone is well and enjoying some wonderful moment or good food and great company. Just like with any holiday to be around children is the sweetest that life can offer. I had my BF do an easter egg hunt for his grandson yesterday and it was somuch fun. I hid eggs for my boys clear up til they left home for college if you can believe it.... even for some of their older friends.
Carla you are so sweet to send that to me yesterday while you are away I appreciate it so very much and it really seems like something that is so doable for me. Even some of the ingredients are just what I like.I am down another 4.5lbs since I returned from my mom's surgery. So much of that is just due to the fact that my relationship to food is so altered since being in that Heart Hospital and seeing the results of our eating habits as a whole society. It has just been so great for me to see all of you eating so much better and doing whey shake and steel cut oats and more fruit and vegetables.... it is terrific. It is such a journey for all of us and be reminded of how long we have been part of this thread and forming friendships and encouraging one another is so outstanding....... Thanks to all you ladies who give us a place to come to everyday....yeah for 3FC.
Gotta go get ready for church and then hiking this afternoon. Blessings to all and thoughts of Peace and Joy and relief to those in the world with less.....
Peace,
Nae

[happy2bme]

Good morning and a Happy Easter to you all,

Sure is a cold one. Affected many a sunrise service all across the country. (Not that I myself was getting up before sunrise mind you - we'll save that for tomorrow when I have a 7am meeting. )

Wishing you all peace and joy and a sense of renewal. Take a deep breath, stretch your arms out wide and cast out the old schmutz. Time to turn things around!

My dear Grandmother had a firm and fast rule that you did no housework on certain big holidays like Christmas and Easter. I can still picture her in my mind - so I tried very hard to get as much housework as I could done yesterday. Today will be cooking and helping DH a bit line up the trim on the wallpaper.

We picked up our painting yesterday. Hung it in the living room. It's not bad though I depise the green color of the Cadillac in the driveway - he took artistic license to paint a color that would fit into the picture - I contend that even a white Caddy would have looked better. While we were in the gallery my absolute favorite painting of his was in there. The very first one I saw of his work. The one that has been sold out for years and is only available when someone decides to sell from their own collection. The one I could not bring myself to pay $800 for. The one that was sitting on the gallery wall with a sold sign for the price of $3,660. Just as well tho - I really like the painting and would have never sold it just for the sake of making a profit. At least now I know it's truly out of my reach.

Mel, it's funny you talk about the new spring clothes. I was telling DH yesterday that I don't have an Easter Bonnet. I do have a new soft pink suit jacket that looks wonderful and makes me feel so good wearing it. And it's funny, because of the perfect shade of pink that it is, if feels so like springtime. Almost makes me wish I could wear white shoes now too Reminded me of being a kid with a new Easter dress and hat and if I was lucky, a "new" - handme down from my much taller cousin - pastel coat. And those patent leather maryjane shoes that were so hard to buckle. Oh man, I just remembered too - Easter was the time that all the girl cousins would be lined up at the table and my Aunt who was not the most gentle would give us all Toni home perms so we could be "fuzzy chicks" for Easter. She'd roll the rods up really tight - especially around the temple where your head is really sensitive. Gosh the memories

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and a tasty dinner. For the first time there are no chocolate eggs or bunnies in my house. Somewhere in a drawer is an old box of Jelly Belly Jelly beans but I won't go searching them out. I'll be eating a deviled egg or two instead.

Enjoy your day

[Madcat]

Just a hop-by entry to wish all my chicks a Happy Easter. I'm off to drive to my Mom's place for the afternoon... Dh has the flu or some sort of bug and thus has a hot date with the couch and the TV remote, but I am doing the family thing even though I don't feel terrific myself.

Have a lovely holiday and step away from the chocolate Easter Eggs!!!

[Shad]

No chocolate in this house Madcat. I stepped away from it years back.

Not much else in this house either. Not sure what I will have for lunch - might not even have anything at all. We all went out to dinner last night and I had a pasta dish - well everyone had a pasta dish, it was a pasta restaurant - and I don't feel hungry at all this morning. When I have finished here, I will go out and do some garden work (it's lovely and cool out there) to see if I can work up any sort of an appetite. Should really go for a run but I'm having a problem with a foot and don't want to make it worse and I have a big sinus headache as well. So much for the cider I drunk last night - maybe this is a hangover.

Holly - glad the kids enjoyed their Easter hunt. These are the little things they remember when grown up and gone from home.

Mel - don't eat too much of that ham. It's salty and you will retain fluid. Good to hear that Jen has a conscience for those around her but doesn't let them rule her.
There isn't much else to Parabadoo. It truly is the middle of nowhere. I think it is over 400k in any direction to the nearest supermarket. Long way to go if you forget something!!!

Rose and Ruth - so nice of you to drop in . Hope Easter is good to you and yours.

Happy - yuk those perms. I never had one but I can smell the chemicals from here. Mum used to get them too. We could smell it for days.
Don't work too hard today.

Madcat - drive safely and enjoy your Easter at the folks place.

I think it is time for a shower and some action. Either that or take this headache back to bed.