FiveGreatKiddos

Swamp People

2012-01-28T11:30:00.001-08:00

I make absolutely no apologies and I'm not embarrassed to say that I love the show Swamp People. Have you ever watched it? I could spend an entire day watching that show.

It's about a wonderful group of good ol' cajun boys and gals that make their living off of fishing the swamps of Louisiana. Almost all of them are professional gator hunters, however, there are a couple who just like to live off of the swamp and enjoy life.

The common bond between these people, I think, is more that they are very "family oriented" than the gator hunting even though that's what the show is about.

This is the Edwards Family (Junior (ball cap) and Willie (blond hair) are the gator hunters)

Troy Landry (my favorite) and his team Liz Cavalier and Troy's son Jacob Landry. I couldn't find a photo with all of them in it.

Bruce Mitchell (he hunts alone with the exception of his sidekick "Tyler" his dog. Tyler loves Zebra cakes. Bruce sports a pair of cut off overall-shorts sans knickers and an American flag bandana.

Tommy Chauvin and Joe LaFont (tension always mounts between these two because they are both captains, or want to be). Joe is actually Tommy's step father.

Glen and Mitchell Guist. These two boys are a hoot to listen to and watch. They look like a couple of backwoods hillybillies and truth be told they are, but they are so family oriented and seem like the kindest people. They aren't really big gator hunters, but would probably shoot one if it meant feeding their family.

Jay Paul and R.J. Molinere (my son's favorite team). They are also big family oriented men, but seem a little more modern with their hunting methods.

If you haven't seen the show, watch it. Tell me what you think.

I Don't Get It

2012-01-25T11:46:00.001-08:00

Can someone please explain Pinterest to me? I "requested" an invite, got my invite and then signed up and then couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do with it or how I was supposed to do it, so I deactivated it. I just don't get it really.

Valentine's Slump

2012-01-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

What do you do for Valentine's Day for your family?

I would like to do something cute, fun and original. I'm not really into the store bought card and roses thing. Don't get me wrong, I would never turn down roses, but they are not my favorite flower anyway. I'm not a Valentine Scrooge, I just like it to be different and original, something more than a mass produced card and a box of conversation hearts. I want my family to know they mean the world to me and having a special day to show and tell them how much I love them is always fun.

Now I know that if you share your ideas with me, it wouldn't be MY original work, but I also know that I am not a very "artsy" or creative person, so most of the fun and thinking out of the box ideas I get come from other people's ideas or suggestions. It doesn't have to be elaborate, although it can be and it can't be super expensive because that just defeats the purpose, in my mind anyway.

I like the idea of a cute little bracelette, necklace, or a nice pair of earrings for my girls, but my boys are a little tougher. What can you do for boys, or men that would be individual and special? Anyone have any good ideas they would like to share? PLEASE

Eating Super Green

2012-01-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

Kale, Carrot and Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale, stemmed and finely chopped

2 cups grated carrot

1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice

2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

1/2 teaspoon reduced sodium soy sauce

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow kale to soften.

I first saw this recipe on a friend's blog (3 Peanuts) along with 2 other recipes (Thai Chicken with Basil Stir Fry and Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry) that I will be trying shortly. I made the kale salad for lunch and it was fabulous. The only thing I would do differently is add an entire avocado instead of a half and I would add a dash more soy sauce. I'm not a fan of soy sauce, but it really is needed to season the kale and cut a little of the bitterness. I would also have a tin of mints handy after eating this. Man alive, does it ever leave onion breath. Additionally, check your smile after eating this. There's nothing more off putting than greenery stuck in the teeth.

This recipe originated from Whole Foods Market

FYI: To toast sesame seeds, just place them in a nonstick pan over medium heat until they start to turn slightly brown. Watch them closely, they will burn easily. Do not add oil or cooking spray to the pan.

This is an attempt at eating better and ridding my body of all the toxic junk I've taken in over the holidays. Unfortunately, I haven't done as well at eliminating the Diet Coke. I'm having a bigger issue with that one. If there is ever any doubt that pop is habit forming then try skipping it for a day or two. The result is not pleasant. I caved and split a Diet Coke with my son. I had to get rid of the headache. I'm working on it.

Frisbee Help Wanted

2012-01-17T12:57:00.001-08:00

Hey Y'all. I'm in need of frisbees and plenty of them. I'm trying to organize a large activity and I really don't want to go out and purchase the ammount of frisbees that I need.

If you, your family members,coworkers, your friends, etc... have any extra frisbees laying around that you would like to get rid of, I would love to have them. They can be mailed in a manilla envelope. I will pay the shipping if you like. The only thing I do ask is that they be the standard size, plastic frisbee. I don't care one way or the other about logos or colors.

OUCH!

2012-01-15T12:33:00.001-08:00

Broncos-Patriots (10-45). Obviously not one of our better games, but win or lose, I still love those Broncos and can't say enough about Tebow. He's a wonderful athlete and a great example for kids to look up to. I would have loved to see them go to the Super Bowl.

Lovin' My Broncos

2012-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

The whole family stayed home from church today. Three of us (me included) were/are sick with our first colds of the year, one with stomach problems and 3 tag alongs.

Jason took Boolie to see the Cirque de Soliel Michael Jackson show last night and Boolie said he wanted to get up and dance and sing so badly and even cried at one point....I think that means he liked it. However, they got home late and that made for a 7:00 am wake up call for church not only difficult, but not doable since several of us woke up sick.

We ended up watching the Broncos play the Steelers and boy was it an epic nail biter. Tebow throws and long bomb to #88, Thomas, for an 80 yard TD and the Broncos win in OT 29 to 23.

My son Jack said he was glad the game was over because I was giving him a headache from all the yelling. Suffice it to say that only a few of us around here are serious about our football...the rest, not so much.

New Year New Goals

2012-01-01T15:28:00.001-08:00

I try not to make any new year resolutions because I have never kept ANY resolutions I've ever made, but I do have a list of things I'd like to improve on and learn this year.

Here are a few of the ones I came up with and/or wanted to work on.

I'd like to learn more about US History. Have you ever looked at the US Citizenship test? Take a look at it and see how many of the questions you can answer.

I desperately need to give this up. So far I've gone three days without. I know this sounds trivial and stupid, but I usually drink about 2 or 3 a day, so I'm doing pretty good. Caffeine is an ugly thing, it really does not do anything good for the body.

I've always wanted to learn how to fly fish and this is the year. I found an Orvis store that teaches for free (can't beat that). Of course they sell some mighty fine fly fishing rods and trips to go along with the free lessons.

I'm not going to make any unreasonable exercise goals, or any specific weight loss goals and y'all know how I feel about diets (hate em), but I want to do more to be healthy. If that means a change in what I eat (or drink... see above), to getting out and walking, or to parking near the back of the parking lot so that I force myself to walk a few extra steps, then that's what it is.

I want to plan out a real professional garden this year. I did so well last year and now that I know I can do it, it's time to get serious.

Along with all of the above...always LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH more. How about you? Have you made any resolutions or New Year's Goals?

Be The Change

2011-12-28T08:24:00.001-08:00

Some time ago I thought about doing something different and meaningful on Christmas Eve and hoped it would become a tradition for my family.

This year we got up early, made 40 sack lunches (sandwich, chips, coke, cookie) and took them all downtown and passed them out to the homeless people and/or someone in need of a meal.

I wasn't sure what to expect or how it would go and at one point, I thought to myself, "Susan, in the long history of bad ideas, this might just top the list.", but when we handed out the first lunch or two, that feeling soon disappeared. It was all I could do to keep from tearing up while walking down 16th Street, downtown Denver. People looked at us in disbelief. They were so appreciative and thankful.

I wanted to take some photos downtown, but felt that would have been inappropriate and taken the wrong way. We met so many wonderful people and one man in particular stopped us and asked us our name. He told us his name was Ben and that there was a reason we met that day.

As many lunches as we handed out, there were still people in need. We did what we could that day, but definitely decided that this would become a family tradition. Not because I want to feel like a benefactress, not because I want my children to know how blessed they are and not because it seems like the Christian thing to do, I did this because I want to be the kind of change I want to see in others. I don't want people to be shocked to find compassion, empathy and love for one another in this world. Sharing a meal is a simple thing to do.

I challenge each of you to do the same. Believe me, there are plenty of people in need in this world and you don't have to travel too far to find them.

I want to be the change I would like to see in humanity.

No pictures of me here. It was early and I was still in my PJs. Not a sight anyone wants to see. One thing I will do differently next year is to invest in a nice big wagon and make more lunches.

To keep it real and to give credit where credit is due.....the idea to do this came from my friend Angie at Living Aloha Blog. She and her husband did this as well as took food to the animal shelters.

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T16:17:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all peace, joy and "Hope" this Christmas and coming year.

Hello and Goodbye

2011-11-08T08:03:00.001-08:00

This has been lurking around the corner for awhile now. My heart isn't in it (blogging) anymore and I just don't have any interest in being on this computer more than I have to be.

Life is rushing by and I'm missing it by sitting at this computer.

Best wishes to you all. Be back later.