A Summer Recipe

This post is linking up with Fringe Girl from the Domestic Fringe.  She is getting in touch with her inner Martha, and is hosting a summer recipe carnival. After reading up and taking notes on my delicious recipe, (and leaving a comment, of course) click on the link and head over to her site for some more great recipes. And remember, if the recipes don't turn out right, it's probably your fault and not ours.

So here's my recipe:

Start with Oscar Mayer beef franks. (Brand is important to this recipe.)

Unwrap package and place franks on the grill. (I would say hot dogs, but I'm trying to have a little class here.)

Turn franks to desired shade of brown. (Or black, if that's your preference.)

Place the hot franks in buns and decorate with relish, ketchup and mustard. It's important to put the relish on first, and you can use sweet relish or dill. Next comes the ketchup and then a thin line of mustard. (It's a thin line because I personally don't care for mustard. But the frank doesn't look right without it.) Top with chopped onions if you desire.

Serve on a paper plate (saves washing dishes) with chips and baked beans. Bush's has great baked beans. You can throw in a little brown sugar and molasses so that you can claim them as your own.

Wash down with your favorite tea or soft drink. Again, plastic cups are preferred.

What?

You weren't seriously expecting a recipe from me, were you?

Okay. If Fringe Girl does this carnival again, I'll give you an honest to goodness recipe. But it will have to be for dessert. In the meantime, I'm going to go read the instructions on the back of the brownie mix again.

Here's to summer!

A Taste of Feet and My Purpose in Life

It's been a while since I opened mouth inserted foot. But when I do it, I do it right. I was told this weekend that we're having a get together for the teens and their parents from church this week. Like any dutiful pastor's wife, I asked what I should bring. My hostess said they were grilling and I should bring hamburger and hot dog buns.

After an exhausting Sunday, wrapped up with a Vacation Bible School meeting (2 weeks, people! I'm really feeling the pressure!) my friend and I were exhaustedly discussing our upcoming week.

She:  I still have to get things together for Tuesday.

Me:  I have buns! (Said brightly, happy to have already done my part.)

I didn't even realize what I said until her husband cracked up.

In other news, one of the ladies at church told me she felt old because today was promotion Sunday, and now she had a child in the youth group at church.

Me:  You think that's bad? I now only have one child that isn't in the youth group!

My friend was literally shocked.

Me:  Makes me seem older, doesn't it?

She:  Yes.

Me:  Makes you feel better, doesn't it?

She:  Yes. I'm sorry, but it does.

We laughed together while I acknowledged that I do feel like God's will for my life is to make other people glad they're not me. Hey, we've all got our purpose. Glad I'm good for something.

So how was your weekend?

Show Your Patriotism!

Today is National Donut Day. Bet you didn't see that one coming, but it's true. I feel that it would best show my patriotism by honoring this National holiday. I will eat a donut. Will you join me in this patriotic endeavor?

And as long as we're on the subject of donuts, are you a connoisseur of donuts? Do you turn your nose up at Walmart's fresh baked donuts? Are you a Dunkin Donuts only kind of girl? Or Guy? What's your pleasure?

As for me, I'll eat any donut that doesn't eat me first. I prefer Dunkin Donuts' Boston Creme, but I'll go with whatever I can get. Except for a jelly donut. That's a total waste of good donut dough.

And if you're eating a donut, do you have to have coffee or milk? Or some other beverage? Enquiring (and obviously bored) minds want to know!

Whaddya Know?

Heart Valves Crayons Parachutes Telephones Enamel Transparent tape Antiseptics Deodorant Pantyhose Rubbing Alcohol Carpets Epoxy paint Oil filters Upholstery Hearing Aids Car sound insulation Cassettes Motorcycle helmets Pillows Shower doors Shoes Electrical tape Safety glass Awnings Salad bowl Rubber cement Nylon rope Ice buckets Fertilizers Hair coloring Toilet seats Denture adhesive Loudspeakers Movie film Fishing boots Candles Water pipes Car enamel Shower curtains Credit cards Aspirin Golf balls Detergents Sunglasses Glue Fishing rods Linoleum Plastic wood Soft contact lenses Trash bags Hand lotion Shampoo Shaving cream Footballs Paint brushes Balloons Fan belts Umbrellas Paint Rollers Luggage Antifreeze Model cars Floor wax Sports car bodies Tires Dishwashing liquids Unbreakable dishes Toothbrushes Toothpaste Combs Tents Hair curlers Lipstick Ice cube trays Electric blankets Tennis rackets Drinking cups House paint Rollerskates wheels Guitar strings Ammonia Eyeglasses Ice chests Life jackets TV cabinets Car battery cases Insect repellent Refrigerants Typewriter ribbons Cold cream Glycerin Plywood adhesive Cameras Anesthetics Artificial turf Artificial Limbs Bandages Dentures Mops Beach Umbrellas Ballpoint pens Boats Nail polish Golf bags Caulking Tape recorders Curtains Vitamin capsules Dashboards Putty Percolators Skis Insecticides Fishing lures Perfumes Shoe polish Petroleum jelly Faucet washers Food preservatives Antihistamines Cortisone Dyes LP records Solvents Roofing This is a list of products that are made with oil.

So how much do you think that oil spill in the Gulf is going to affect you? I thought it would raise gas prices. But it looks like it could raise a lot more.

Part of the problem with stopping the gushing oil is that it is so deep--over 5,000 feet. The reason they were drilling that far out is because environmentalists lobbied for laws making it illegal to drill in shallower water in the Gulf, claiming it would be bad for the environment.

So how do we feel now? Better? Or worse?

Frantically Scrambling

Hello, blogging friends. and Blog-reading friends. And friends that just happen to be web surfing. And ... Well, whoever you are, hello.

Have you missed me?

I have all kinds of wonderfully different reasons why I have only posted once in the last seven days. Would you like to hear them? Of course you would.

1. I had nothing to say. (Sorry, I couldn't even write that with a straight face. And I know you won't be able to read it without laughing!)

2. My left index finger fell off and I couldn't type the letters, g, r, t, f, v, or b. By the time I composed a post that contained none of those letters, I got my replacement finger in the mail.

3. We had two plunger incidents at the house this past week. Need I say more?

4. I ate Oscar Mayer beef hot dogs for the first time, and I've been composing a poem in their honor. I'm almost done.

5. I have a tree in my backyard.

6. I have seven males in my house. Need I say more?

7. I've been focusing on cowboy stuff for our VBS, and cowboys don't use computers.

8. It took me three days to get pictures of my kittens to show you. Seriously. It did take three days. Those things are never still unless they're sleeping. And usually if they're sleeping, I'm sleeping too.

Aren't they just too cute for words? 

And they pose. The white one is a male and we named him Ronon Dex, after a character on Stargate Atlantis. The calico has a brown streak that looks like it's drizzled all over her, so we named her Mocha Drizzle. So we have Dex and Drizzle.

Drizzle tends to be a bit of a camera hog.

And Dex was really too tired to pose properly.

Okay, enough pictures. One more and I would have to rename this blog Crazy Cat Lady, and that's just a sad thought. 

Back to my reasons for not blogging:

9. Lid, from 2nd Cup of Coffee has suspended Random Dozen for the month of June. Not only am I devastated, but now I have to think up my own topics for blog posts on Wednesdays. I'm not sure I can handle the pressure.

10. I have seven males in my house. Did I mention that? They're time consuming, and none of them can find anything without help. Even if it's right in front of them.

I know most of you probably didn't even realize I was gone, but humor me and pretend you did. My ego is fragile.

How has your week gone?

Whoops!

I fell off the blogosphere, but it's okay. I'm up!

Indiana had a doctor's appointment the day before yesterday. He's now cleared to drive and he can take off his collar.

Of course, he's been driving for almost a week, and the collar is already off more than it's on. He rejoiced to have his freedom back, although I pointed out he's been taking that freedom already. But now it's freedom with the doctor's permission.

The doctor is stunned at how quickly Terry's recovering. The nurse also said it was amazing how well he was doing after only four weeks. I am not amazed at all because I know my Indiana.

In truth, I also know we serve an amazing God. And I thank Him for healing my husband so quickly.

We also added to the family yesterday. We got two new kittens. They were strays found by a friend of mine. They are so tiny and so cute. I would love to show pictures, but ever since I brought them home they have been hiding under my bed. There are so many shoes under there, it's hard to find the cats. But hopefully I will post pictures on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

A Random Party

You know the routine: Read. Laugh. Comment. Click. Repeat.

1. Would you rather host a party or simply attend a party?

Let's see. Hosting a party:  you do the cleaning and the planning and the prep work and fuss at your husband because he isn't helping and then fuss at him because he is helping, but not the way you want him to, and fix the food and plan the events and worry whether everyone's having a good time and clean up when everyone goes home and fuss at your husband because he isn't helping, and then fuss at him because he is helping, but not the way you want him to.

Attending a party:  you go and enjoy yourself. Leave when you feel like it, and then critique everything and everyone on the way home and explain how you could have thrown a better party. (Not that I've ever done that.)

Ummmm, I'm not sure.

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
Probably the surprise party I threw for my husband's fortieth birthday. I threw it six months after he turned forty. He never saw it coming.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
I know I'll have a mansion in Heaven someday. I just hope mine comes with a maid.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
Perhaps ... the sun?

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
What really works best is if you don't bring a gift at all. Then you volunteer to list the gifts and givers as the guest of honor is opening the presents. Write your own name down and give yourself credit for something. 


Not that I've ever done that.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Does that mean someone cleans my house for free, but they wouldn't cook my meals for free? And is that having all your meals cooked for a week or is that all your meals cooked forever? I always like to read the fine print before I agree to something.

7. What song describes your mood today?
He'll Carry Me.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
My husband.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Totally dependent on my mood.

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
When was the last time I spoke to one of my teenage sons?

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
Food is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop. (So sad, but true.)

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
The satisfaction of a job well done is the best motivation. Unless, of course, you're a dog. Then the best motivation is a big juicy bone.


What? You expected something inspirational? I save those for Friday's posts.