tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477264385495484152024-03-05T04:39:31.311-06:00My Sears Catalog LifeThe Good Life . . . guaranteed.Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-60645959120947415782015-03-22T22:25:00.002-05:002015-03-25T15:35:09.533-05:00It's an honest question<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
The Pater Familias (down there in the ages of ages,<br />
Amen)<br />
was a traditionalist, so it is told;</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
first, meting out with Lawful precision</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and grudging exactitude</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
a holocaust to the local Baal,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
appeasing some ancient superstition;</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and after</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
he went out and built his cities</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and though some turned to ruin and dust</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
or were flooded out of existence</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
he laid in the foundation </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
for us </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
with hard work and toil.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Building up city after city in a new country,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
in another age,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
with comely temples</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and practical dwellings,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
right up until, </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
until his house fell in on his head.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
<br />
Fifty-five generations hence,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
went out and </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
into harlots,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
toiling upon an unforgiving Earth. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Raising up the requisite altars </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
with even more miserable results.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Each generation having raised up a would-be hero</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
(a real nutter by any realist’s estimation),</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
who cried us out of one country into the promise of rest.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Still and all,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Our People knew the score-</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
we bore the mark right on our bones.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
We built the booths,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
raised the altars,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
turned up the earth</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and wept bitter tears back in.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
So when this young upstart </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
gave up the ghost,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
called my bluff,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
wept on Your breast,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
received in Your embrace-</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
How could I not turn it back on You?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Listen! You’ve done it all wrong!</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
I was first and I gave You Your due.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
and what hell did it get me, anyway?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Not so much as one single roast kid for my pleasure.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
I can’t give up now.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
I can’t be fooled.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
I’ll take my certain toil over this mytho-mystical rest.</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
You keep your peace; take it with You when You go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-2821260816722800132013-10-10T00:26:00.005-05:002013-10-10T00:26:46.552-05:00MarshmallowsMarshmallows are easy and fun to make and require just a few ingredients that can hang around your cabinets more or less indefinitely. I first made these confections in 2003, when I hosted my very first Christmas party. We had an ornament exchange. I made brie en croute, a rustic pate from chicken livers, cream and cognac, real eggnog, and Modjeskas. <br />
<br />
What is a modjeska? It is a wonderful caramel wrapped marshmallow named for the Polish Shakespearean actress, Helena Modjeska. She was so captivating that Willa Cather, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Susan Sontag all wrote about her. Helena's goddaughter Ethel Barrymore is Drew Barrymore's great aunt.<br />
<br />
At one point during the party, an old mentor pulled me aside to express how dull it must be to be a homemaker. Having nothing else to say, I unwrapped the candies as he spoke in increasing bewilderment and alarm regarding the state of affairs of my life (wed to a gainfully employed, doting husband with two children and one on the way). When he paused to take a breath I popped the candy into his mouth. I don't remember much about what passed next, but I do remember this guest ate every single candy in the cut glass bowl on the buffet table after his first taste.<br />
<br />
This is a fun recipe to do with children. It's science and a craft project rolled into one. To celebrate a decade of my making these treats, I wanted to give you my recipe for Modjeskas.<br />
<br />
Modjeskas take two recipes, requiring about 30 minutes apiece. The marshmallows need time to cure so we will start with those first.<br />
<br />
<b>The Marshmallows</b><br />
<br />
In the bowl of a stand mixer (fitted with a balloon whisk):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1/2 cup of cold water + <span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">3 tablespoons of gelatin</span><span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">Do not mix. Allow the gelatin to bloom.</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">In a large sauce pan:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[21]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">3/4 cups of light corn syrup + 2 cups sugar + 1/2 cup of</span> water</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[21]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;"></span><span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[24]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">Put together in a large sauce pan. Do not stir. Turn on medium high heat and cook until 238℉-240℉ on a candy thermometer. </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[24]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;"></span><span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[27]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">With your mixer running on low, carefully pour in the sugar syrup. Let it run for a minute and then gradually raise the speed of the mixer until it is on high.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[27]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">1 tablespoon of your best vanilla</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-reactid=".r[ohw5].[1][4][1]{comment590635117666632_1748361}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[27]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">Beat the marshmallow until the bowl is barely warm to the touchand the marshmallow is shiny. Pour into a oiled Pyrex dish. Let stand for at least 3 hours. Cut into squares and dust with confectioner's sugar. Store in an airtight container. They will keep for about 3 days.</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><b>The Caramel</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In a large heavy bottom pot place:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2 cups of sugar + 1 cup of light corn syrup </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Without stirring, boil the sugar and syrup until it reaches 254<span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">℉ on a candy thermometer. </span></blockquote>
Add:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2 sticks of unsalted sweet butter</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Keep the syrup boiling as you stir in the butter until it is completely melted.</blockquote>
Add a little bit at a time:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2 cups + 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Keep the syrup at a rolling boil and just keep stirring. </blockquote>
Add:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
a pinch of baking soda + 1 tablespoon of good vanilla</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The syrup will foam mightily at the point. Keep the syrup boiling until it reaches 237<span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">℉ on a candy thermometer. Pour into a buttered pan without scraping the sides of the pot.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Allow to cool until you can handle it. Cut it into 1 inch squares and wrap around marshmallows. Wrap the individual candies in parchment or wax paper.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
These are a crowd pleaser. Your family will love them and they make wonderful lagniappes and gifts for anyone who happens by. Please enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-34813184078705581132013-05-09T15:20:00.001-05:002013-05-09T16:14:20.275-05:00Bright Week Chocolate Filled BriocheChrist IS Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!<br />
<br />
I made these chocolate filled brioche rolls. We always put up a typical <a href="http://www.christthesaviourhbg.org/images/Misc%20Web%20Images/2013%20Flyers/Pascha_Basket.jpg">Russyn Pascha Basket</a> and this year, I made sure to put in plenty of butter for our Bright Week use. It's my favorite thing, a little reminder that we're celebrating Jesus's Resurrection after three days in the tomb. So for example that's not just buttered toast, now it's the Toast of the Feast of the Resurrection!<br />
<br />
There is a slightly more complicated way and an easy way to make these rolls, I will leave it up to you to decide how you want to proceed. I like to go slow when I bake. So the steps take five minutes or so at a time across a couple or three days. If you make kefir, this is a great way to use it, especially if it over-ferments. If you don't make kefir use buttermilk, sour milk, yogurt (not low fat), whey, or even the store bought kefir. Use what you have and don't worry about it. If you don't have sourdough starter banging around on your counter, the simplest thing to for this recipe would be to fake it with some yeast, flour, and water (¼ tsp. yeast, ⅔ cup flour, ⅓ cup water) and to leave on the counter overnight or all day before you mix the dough.<br />
<br />
Another think I like is accuracy, so I use my scale a lot when I bake, but you don't have to. I have included volumetric measurements for your convenience. Last tip: bread raising is best when you can keep it loosely covered. Shower caps are awesome for that. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmDMD0tBslDBCHGmU0ELHvMeUMOk_bilkcpmq6mG_nYLEBDczmy2u7a3J0vNsePxTb0O-JoV1bBkbcezMUWGbuD8HsK_m-aBfQNojtaN8lNIOstZTq0okH_w_p-coih_wrz8vNCTPKQ/s1600/182778_517697221627089_1151363330_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmDMD0tBslDBCHGmU0ELHvMeUMOk_bilkcpmq6mG_nYLEBDczmy2u7a3J0vNsePxTb0O-JoV1bBkbcezMUWGbuD8HsK_m-aBfQNojtaN8lNIOstZTq0okH_w_p-coih_wrz8vNCTPKQ/s320/182778_517697221627089_1151363330_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">buns in the oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the Sponge:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">7 ounces (1 cup) active (i.e. revived and ready) sourdough starter </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(or fake it with </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">¼ tsp. yeast, ⅔ cup flour, ⅓ cup water left overnight or 8 hours)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">8 ounces (1 cup) kefir or sour milk, room temperature</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">4.5 ounces (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(if you fake it add a ½ teaspoon instant yeast)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">For the Dough</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">13.5 ounces (3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">1.5 ounces (3 tablespoons) granulated sugar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">1 1/2 teaspoons salt</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">2 teaspoons instant yeast</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">3 large eggs, room temperature</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">6 ounces (3/4 cup) soft butter</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">1 tablespoon vanilla extract</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the Filling:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7 ounces good dark chocolate, chopped</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the Shining Crust:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One egg blended with </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons of water</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mix the sponge and set it aside for 2-4 hours until doubled.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">To the sponge add the remainder of the ingredients for the dough and mix on low in the bowl of your mixer. once all the ingredients are incorporated let the mixer knead the dough for 5 minutes on medium speed (or mix by hand and knead the dough for 15 minutes). The dough should be soft, a little sticky, but should all stay together. Roll into a large ball and put in a clean bowl. Cover and put in the fridge overnight.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">The next day: take the dough out of the fridge and let it stand on the counter for 2 hours or so (not more than 4 hours). Roll out ½ inch thick in a rectangle. leaving a 1 inch margin all the way around, sprinkle the rectangle with the chocolate. From the long side roll the dough into a long log. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">For buns: Butter a regular muffin pan every other hole (so six per pan). Take 1 inch slices of rolled dough and put them in the muffin pan. Cover loosely and let rise 1 hour or until doubled. Using a pastry brush, brush egg yolk all over the tops of the dough. Bake at 375ºF for 25-30 minutes. Check with an instant read thermometer to make sure they are done (with an internal temperature of 200ºF). Mine were done after 25 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4y-rXluSdgBxr6xBGydsKiwUDhM8WY0qKkv6paM6kEtC04p_IilZc9Ckd8twdazt19h8TTZJsj2AhgrFqMQcPplGKOz0JA2kHTfKznYXboyBDF8wLM__72jjY-3-RwHo2Z7KSqK7aA/s1600/270976_517704308293047_214002385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4y-rXluSdgBxr6xBGydsKiwUDhM8WY0qKkv6paM6kEtC04p_IilZc9Ckd8twdazt19h8TTZJsj2AhgrFqMQcPplGKOz0JA2kHTfKznYXboyBDF8wLM__72jjY-3-RwHo2Z7KSqK7aA/s320/270976_517704308293047_214002385_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">intant read thermometers are your friend when you bake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">For a loaf: This recipe will make 2 loaves. Butter a loaf pan. Place the roll in the pan and cover. Let rise for 2 hours or until doubled. Brush with the egg wash. Bake at 350ºF for 35-45 minutes. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check with an instant read thermometer to make sure they are done (with an internal temperature of 200ºF). Mine was done after 42 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remove to a cooling rack. Share. Eat. Enjoy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-17101627099435977572013-05-06T14:23:00.000-05:002013-05-06T14:23:19.321-05:00So we found some frog eggs in a big puddle that some ducks splash in. Ducks are good foragers and scavengers and will eat just about anything they find. Frogs, tadpoles, and most certainly frog caviar are on the most choice of duck menus. So the next day we returned with a container and a net to scoop them up and we brought them home.<br />
<br />
We have been monitoring their growth daily and surprisingly they have been very easy to raise. They hatched after just a couple of day, slipping free of their slimy bonds, looking like dormant little black rectangles. Day-by-day they have grown, their various stages and structures surprisingly evident to the naked eye. We transferred them to an aquarium and as of today they have a distinct head, external gill, and tail. They hold onto vegetation with a sucker. <br />
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Training the little children to keep their fingers and other objects out of the tank is a slight challenge, but they are handling it well so far.<br />
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<br />Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-61718470817419835222013-04-09T22:07:00.003-05:002013-04-09T22:07:53.277-05:00Clucky BusinessI wish I had taken my camera out to take pictures of our growing little menagerie. The chickens are a constant source of entertainment. I have stood and watched them without another thought in mind except to observe their constant comings and goings. For me, they are a joy. <br />
<br />
We live in a place where fences are considered rude and suspicious (it's a weird little place this town). And for most of the last eight seasons we have managed without one. With regard to Las Gallinas is that their coop is out in the open for all to see. This has led to some wonderful and less than wonderful events. First the wonderful: I speak with some neighbor or two every day now. Before the ladies arrived in their stylish coop, I cannot remember the last time I spoke with my neighbors in passing. This has as much to do with me as it does with them. I admit it. I was hiding out. Now that I am the only person amongst 800 souls rearing hens, it will take some schmoozing to unruffle those neighborhood feathers.<br />
<br />
We actually have a regular Lenten act of kindness. Okay, it isn't perfect because it is a little self-serving, but we started. We like it doing it and we will continue. What is it? Well, I take some children and a full basket of eggs door-to-door and we share our bounty of cackleberries. I am able to discuss the legal aspects of chicken keeping along with meeting new people and hearing their stories. Sometimes I will have a 5 minute exchange, sometimes it is 30 minutes. It is wonderful to hear who raised birds of their own growing up and who was chased by their rooster. One neighbor told me a story about how when she and her husband lived in a Pittsburgh apartment they ordered 10 geese for Easter from a hatchery. She would raise them until they feathered out and then donate them to a local man who raised the birds for meat and eggs (that's a pretty sweet deal for him). Anyway, that year the hatchery first sent out 24 straight run day old chicks, which they wouldn't allow her to return. They followed this with 10 ducklings and 10 goslings. She said their were birds in the bathtub, on the balcony, and in the living room. And then at 4 weeks, it turned out her straight run chicks were actually all ROOSTERS and they all started to crow. I can't even imagine. Eventually, she donated everyone to a local petting zoo. And not surprisingly, she has not ordered any birds since.<br />
<br />
The not so wonderful thing is that we have one neighbor who has resorted to calling anyone and everyone about the chickens. Her complaining has been fairly frustrating and shrill, but what are you going to do? Not everyone loves you all the time. <br />
<br />
Pictures next time and more news. More stories if I get them. I know this was boring. Thanks for hanging in there.<br />
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-43082721189493172412013-03-24T21:56:00.004-05:002013-03-24T21:56:56.765-05:00Catching Up In two years a lot can change. It did and did not.<br />
<br />
We are still here at the Little House on the Hill. Johnstown is still culturally a challenging place to live. Friends have described it as, 'the grey valley' (it is), and also as 'a valley full of Eeyore's' (stunningly accurate observation, Scot).<br />
<br />
Anyway, it occurs to me that this prospective vocation of Mr. Flavius will see plenty of grey valleys and too many Eeyores worth counting. Working for the church isn't all incense and rose windows. If I am not prepared to accept that then I would be quite naive. Johnstown has a had several hard and challenging lessons, but the area has some silver linings.<br />
<br />
The ACROD got a new bishop. Bishop Gregory is a warm man with a heart for the church and her people. New to the CR bunch is more rigorous fasting. Don't ask me why I am excited about asceticism and bland diets, but it gets me all choked up to see fasting ratatouille recipes in the Cathedral bulletin. <br />
<br />
I was pregnant in December and January. We don't know why, but the baby died. We did not know that he had died, but I had had some clues that all was not well with this pregnancy. I wasn't tired particularly. I had no morning sickness. These are pretty bad signs as far as pregnancies go. For some reason, new life cannot come into this world absent a state of near narcolepsy and near <i>hyperemesis gravidarum. </i>I need to quit discussing potential medical events with my father. Last time I joked about breaking my leg, <a href="http://motherworks.blogspot.com/2010/12/when-it-happened.html#more">I did</a>. A day or two before the miscarriage began, I told him I wasn't entirely certain this pregnancy was going to "stick." Though, at the time it wasn't a sad thought, just a possibility on a list of possibilities that never really seemed plausible despite at my utterance. <br />
<br />
It took about a a day and a half. And the first half, I would have fleeting thoughts that I was in labor, but that didn't seem real, so I dismissed it until I saw the blood. And then it wasn't one or two, but three trips to the Emergency Room before I was admitted, but I was in shock having lost too much blood, and in a dangerous way. "You need emergency surgery," they said. And then the priest came and anointed me with oil from the vigil lamp of St. John Maxomovitch. And the doctor came back and said, "Your hemorrhage has stopped. You can go." <i>Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be well from your suffering. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
For forty days, I drowned in grief and depression. Then repentance and the memorial and relief. The pall passed, I did not die with my son, I did not drown utterly in my depression, I was not abandoned though maybe at times I wanted to be. There are still tears, but there is also joy. The memorial was a bitter-sweet celebration. And we did celebrate. In prayer and with feasting. And I was able to say, Christ is risen and have JOY. Nothing could have been more shocking or more natural. Funny, how these things happen. God is great. <br />
<br />
In other news, we have added a few creatures to Little House on the Hill Homestead. A couple of American Blue Rabbit does have joined the family and as of yesterday a small flock five of Rhode Island Red hens. The plan is to breed the rabbits in May. American Blue Rabbits are the rarest of the American breeds and included in the <a href="http://www.albc-usa.org/">American Livestock Breed Conservancy</a> program. They were recently upgraded to Threatened which is good. They are primarily a meat and fur breed, but have very sweet dispositions and are very good mothers. They are a large breed rabbit, which for our tumble bumble family is a good thing. I am loving having the girls. I am having rabbit dinner dreams.<br />
<br />
The hens, of course, just do their chicken thing. I am super happy to say they are doing great, laying an egg each a day (which is really something). I bought started pullets (for an unbelievable $5 apiece. Thank you, Lord) and as luck would have it they just started laying this week. Of course, I just checked on them and the birdbrains are all roosted under the coop like a bunch of idiots. It is, of course, snowing. At some point they will figure out it is warm and dry IN the coop.<br />
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We've had a bunch of birthdays. We've made some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creek-View-Farm/157925254259028">friends</a>. We have had heartache and doubt. We have cursed this place, each other, the discernment process. I am pretty homesick these days. I miss our parish and our family and all our friends. But, most importantly, we are still here, Dammit. <i>Virtuti Moena Cedant.</i> The family motto isn't wasted on this bunch. Just taking things one day at a time.Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-82491290810085551672013-03-21T22:37:00.001-05:002013-03-22T21:22:02.467-05:00Ramblings and NopalitosHi. <br />
I'm back. Sort of. We'll see.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's talk about the eating part of Lent. Lent is not actually about food, but for all practical purposes it may sometimes seem like it is about food. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but if you are an Orthodox Christian you will understand what I mean.<br />
<br />
Now if we were fasting perfectly, we would be eating (or not eating in some instances) small simple meals of essentially nutmeats and dried fruits or raw fruits or vegetables and bread and praying and acting in love towards our neighbors. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; line-height: 18px;">Evagrius said that one of the Fathers used to say, “Eat a little without irregularity; if charity is joined to this, it leads the monk rapidly to the threshold of <em>apatheia </em>[<em>apatheia</em> is defined as “the state of being unmoved by passion; this involves control of the passions rather than their destruction.”] (#6, p. 64) <i>See? Not about food.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The problem is I am not a desert mother. And neither are my kids. Worse, I am not even shooting for desert parenthood status. I'm just trying to make it to bedtime.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Without crowing about it, we try to keep the fast, even with the kids. I do keep milk in the fridge, but we keep the meals fast-worthy. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">When we lived in Texas, my favorite lenten addition was cactus or nopales. Of course, Johnstown, Pennsylvania has little in the way of Latin American immigrants and therefore no cactus leaves. Or so I thought. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">You see, one day I visited our local Big Bird Supermarket and used the self-checkout. All I needed was some celery, but alas it lacked the appropriate UPC code (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">94070</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">). So I scrolled through the directory and lo! there they were. <a href="http://www.friedas.com/cactus-pads/"><i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i>.</a>. Now, the rule at the local Big Bird is: if it is on their list, they can get it. And that is true, but first you have to convince some one that you actually want it, that you are willing to buy the entire box. Second, that you really want it and that you are willing to pay for the whole, entire box. Annnnnnd finally that you really want it and you are willing to buy the whole, entire, 10+ pound box. At retail. THE WHOLE THING. JUST GIMME THE BOX!! JUST ORDER IT AND I WILL BUY IT! AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!!!!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Excuse me. Sorry. It was an ordeal, but I never really understood why.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Anyway, I've been chatting up these South of the Border treats quite a bit on The Social Network and it occurred to me that unless you have some sort of Latino connection, preparing this suckers might be a thorny situation. Heh.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><b><u>How to Pick 'Em</u></b></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1lU3JHYG7vTKYoIRBEXCoCNJsIVHGlJnhO6X7LpMPiAvlA6QBuQlKyNN-iXavI7tRaOz2NeDjl7xFXQMkJ8Raf8DsCFkTmp0LaOEf4dW-985t6AaWgP5LXEQ3XNhIfxgDY-meuLVOA/s1600/nopales-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1lU3JHYG7vTKYoIRBEXCoCNJsIVHGlJnhO6X7LpMPiAvlA6QBuQlKyNN-iXavI7tRaOz2NeDjl7xFXQMkJ8Raf8DsCFkTmp0LaOEf4dW-985t6AaWgP5LXEQ3XNhIfxgDY-meuLVOA/s200/nopales-011.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">So if you have seen these babies hanging around your local fruit-stand this is what to look for: young pads, the size of your hand or smaller. They should look green (like lettuce), firm, crisp, and succulent (since </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 21px;"><i style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Optunia</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"> are after all succulents). The fewer the spines the better. And believe it or not, there are spineless varieties. Rejoice if you find them. Cactus leaves will keep in the fridge about a week.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqOBz5u-_blEJY7isRUtFvWS6Ovq6wGyYcGj_9zs0UhJBW8jIPdByGE4-hdevEhZtKifkfd_NVNaikjySYCFPiJCtnVp6xFBZ3tTWVp4tBnN8ZBlnm04v8ulijnrD6psf8nsqQTZ4mQ/s1600/6a00d8341c630a53ef0168e7dce8db970c-600wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqOBz5u-_blEJY7isRUtFvWS6Ovq6wGyYcGj_9zs0UhJBW8jIPdByGE4-hdevEhZtKifkfd_NVNaikjySYCFPiJCtnVp6xFBZ3tTWVp4tBnN8ZBlnm04v8ulijnrD6psf8nsqQTZ4mQ/s200/6a00d8341c630a53ef0168e7dce8db970c-600wi.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqOBz5u-_blEJY7isRUtFvWS6Ovq6wGyYcGj_9zs0UhJBW8jIPdByGE4-hdevEhZtKifkfd_NVNaikjySYCFPiJCtnVp6xFBZ3tTWVp4tBnN8ZBlnm04v8ulijnrD6psf8nsqQTZ4mQ/s1600/6a00d8341c630a53ef0168e7dce8db970c-600wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvIlxkpE5LF2CL41c5UHhytB_mygy_0HAP_T8UCekC-KGAriNYFm53XyyCxwkcTH_WsWMcEMQ7DujW6bUxsQQuYw6maUEUG5996P0qUYM7guI3vma5We1tRK20AxfIu1yDFZAxENQbw/s1600/nopales_thumb%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvIlxkpE5LF2CL41c5UHhytB_mygy_0HAP_T8UCekC-KGAriNYFm53XyyCxwkcTH_WsWMcEMQ7DujW6bUxsQQuYw6maUEUG5996P0qUYM7guI3vma5We1tRK20AxfIu1yDFZAxENQbw/s200/nopales_thumb%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Obviously you do not want a mouth full of spines. Or a hand full of spines for that matter. It hurts like the dickens, for starters, and it takes days to get those near invisible red spines out of your fingers. I use a razor sharp paring knife and a quart size freezer bag as my glove. This way I can quickly clean and cut each pad down to size. It helps if they are cold. So 'glove' your holding hand with the baggie taking the knife trim the edges of all their spines. Then holding the pad flat to the cutting board, scrape or slice off those spines with your super sharp paring knife. Trim the stem end. Rinse and repeat with the rest of the leaves. When you have completed your task slice the leaves into ½" squares (nopalitos) or you can leave them whole as your recipe requires. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><b><u>How to Cook Them</u></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Depending on the recipe you choose there are several options: parboil, sauté, roast, or grill. For Lenten, oil free preparations, parboiling is best. Slice a little onion, crush a garlic clove, add the nopalitos, cover with water and boil for about 3 or 4 minutes. DO NOT OVERCOOK IT. It will be a slimy mess. My favorite preparation with parboiled napoles is Nopales Salad. Nothing could be more simple. Dice some tomatoes, a little onion and garlic, either some jalepeño or dried red chile flakes, and some cilantro. What can you put this on? What can't you put it on? Today I sautéed boiled potatoes and beans with some of this delightful <i>ensalada</i> and served these as tacos. Over some steamed squash (particularly <a href="http://www.friedas.com/chayote-squash/">this guy</a>). Garnish soups with it or some vegan enchiladas. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">¡Buen provecho!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still not convinced? They taste like zippy-tangy green beans. <br />
Live a little, amigo! Try it; you'll like it. </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-91405019024010985212011-09-05T20:25:00.000-05:002011-09-05T20:25:10.520-05:00Happy Labor Day!<br />
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"Look at your hands," he said.</div>
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He told us of the times past when our forebears, many of whom were newly emigrated to this land or were the first generation born of immigrant parents, worked the farms, steel mills, in textiles, on rigs, criss crossing this country working hard to provide from their family too proud to take a government handout. He spoke of his father-in-law, who built his family's home. He kept a meticulous log of all his efforts. On each and every week he wrote this entry: </div>
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SUNDAY</div>
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NO WORK</div>
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"No matter what happened or did not happen during that week- Sunday was the Lord's day."</div>
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Our grandparents kept the Sabbath holy by not working. If you read the Little House Books, you know that this was not some habit brought over by pious Catholic and Orthodox immigrants. This was the way it was. No work, no play. Go to church, pray, read your bible.</div>
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"What have we permitted? How could we allow this to happen?" he exclaimed.</div>
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It is not hard to see the signs of work, no matter how short your journey to church is. Clothes swaying in the wind and the perfume of clothes drying in the dryer, bubbles floating on the breeze from a car being washed up the street, the sound of whirring lawn mowers and trimmers, not to mention people who go to jobs on Sunday. How many people who work all week use their one day off to clean house or host guests or cook a huge Sunday dinner? What are we doing?</div>
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"Look at your hands, " he said again. "These are the hands that do God's work." Be they the hands of a mother or a engineer or a carpenter, these hands do God's work and God rested on the Sabbath. Did you know that the neither the Amish or Orthodox Jewish women do any work on the Sabbath (granted these are different days). All of the housekeeping, food preparation, laundry, everything that can be done is done the day before so that as much as possible these woman can spend their time in the worship and in prayer and resting in the Lord. </div>
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With seven children this is something I am really bad about doing. I can always find work. Yesterday I hung two loads of laundry on the line before church and cooked a massive lunch after. I am more often than not more tired on Sunday than I am at the end of a long week. Even though we call it a family day, we often spend a fair amount of time doing chores instead of communing together. It is time to stop-- to take the rest the Lord commanded for every week, not just one day a year. </div>
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All of this talk about work reminded me of a funny story about my good friend, Mandy's, great-grandmother. After her granddaughter married and had her first child, three generation of the family's women came together to see the new baby. A young Marynell began to tell her grandmother of the wonderful gift from her husband, a new washer and dryer set. She explained that she could finish all the laundry in just a couple hours. Her grandmother was stunned by this information. She sat silently for a second and then finally asked, "But what will you do all day?"</div>
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Yes, it is true that I will work today as I have worked every other day for more than a decade, but it is also true that it is time to reclaim the original labor day. It is time to rest on the Lord's Sabbath.</div>
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-30960888331833858322011-09-01T11:11:00.000-05:002011-09-01T12:25:57.650-05:00Big Bottom Girls Make the Rockin' World Go 'Roundand the same is true for Johnstown apparently.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84g9Yq7ztCJvaa7j-u2LHSwVOAwUCSrljLIMD3TVdxz097NqEFNASLUIu6naJaDaXWCaRn-ly0S215ckVO9IKjS7xNdov5YxWZiwSOTp75IbaW-if2Hj4nZB5AEOCUh6NFDdPVznMpg/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84g9Yq7ztCJvaa7j-u2LHSwVOAwUCSrljLIMD3TVdxz097NqEFNASLUIu6naJaDaXWCaRn-ly0S215ckVO9IKjS7xNdov5YxWZiwSOTp75IbaW-if2Hj4nZB5AEOCUh6NFDdPVznMpg/s200/IMG_1698.JPG" width="149" /></a>Johnstown, and its inhabitants as I have said have there very own breed of charm. For instance, down South, church ladies and other strangers will readily compliment a new baby. If, for instance, the baby has a particularly prominent feature like big eyes or chubby thighs, it is not unusual for one to hear exclaimed, "those eyes!" Or, "look at those thighs! What a cutie!"<br />
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This is what you hear in Johnstown, PA. <br />
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"Look at that baby! Looks like she has a chew in each cheek!"<br />
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Down South, a man upon seeing a girl he admires might chance a low whistle or a wink or a smile and tip of his hat. In Johnstown, they aren't shy about giving compliments. For instance, on my way to Downtown Johnstown's landmark eatery <a href="http://www.coneyislandjohnstownpa.com/history.html">Coney Island Lunch</a>, I was told by a passerby, "Hey, you'd make the perfect, plus-sized model, lady."<br />
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Let's just say, I laughed out loud for a good ten minutes.<br />
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What a weird, great, little place.Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-24718661750482949612011-08-29T21:09:00.001-05:002011-08-29T21:09:23.243-05:00Seven Quick Takes:<br />
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<li>The eldest five children begin school the day after tomorrow. Mr. Flavius and I are sicker than dogs. I am feeling a little out matched with all there is to do before I shuffle them out the door into a new routine. Spending most of the mornings stuffed into bed coughing and feeling miserable doesn't help.</li>
<li>My sister-in-law is making the journey to visit us. This will be our first guest. In 12 years of homeownership, we've only had 2 overnight stays. We have four sets of guest between now and Christmas (that I know about). I am very much looking forward to her visit, but I am on a strict all work and no play schedule between now and her visit in a week and a half.</li>
<li>House blessing. Still working on making a path so that Fr. Nick can bless and sprinkle away with abandon without breaking his neck.</li>
<li>On Friday, the kids and I went garage saling. Johnstown has great sales. I guess this is one of the secret upsides to a greying community. We found several good pen knives, a very good pair of Korean War era binoculars from Japan, some fabulous costume jewelry, and some beautiful perfume bottles that I did not buy, but wanted to very much. Driving through the twists and turns we came upon a huge Chicken of the Woods mushroom growing on a maple tree along side a driveway. The man very generously gave us the behemoth and many pears. It's going in an omelet first chance I get.</li>
<li>Mr. Flavius began classes today. No one died. I think that I will be okay while he is away. I've had my doubts, but really it will be fine.</li>
<li>I am scouting jars for putting up strawberry and violet leaves for healing herbal teas for this winter. Also, we have been offered as many Concord grapes as we can pick. I cannot decide if I should put up juice or make jelly or what all I could possibly do with such a generous gift. I'm sure the children will assist me in the endeavor. Also, these are the last few weeks for local tomatoes and cucumbers and it really is time to start the sauerkraut too.... So much to do!</li>
<li>I am coming up with my Autumnal List of things to break up the monotony of everyday homemaking. So far soap making, sausage making, crocheting, and canning autumn fruits figure high on the list. We hope to add a fence, a coop, and a bee hive to the yard by next Spring. Lots to do and keep busy.</li>
</ol>
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<br />Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-17234363523726583402011-08-27T23:18:00.002-05:002011-08-27T23:18:32.129-05:00A Joyous Feast!<br />
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<a href="http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2006/images/uspeniye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2006/images/uspeniye.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos:</span></b></div>
<dl style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dance with joy, O peoples!</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clap your hands with gladness!</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gather today with fervor and jubilation;</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sing with exultation.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Mother of God is about to rise in glory,</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ascending from earth to heaven.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We ceaselessly praise her in song as truly Theotokos.</span></blockquote>
</dl>
<dl style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today the universe dances with joy at your glorious memorial,</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And cries out to you, O Mother of God:</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Rejoice, O Virgin, pride of Christians!"</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</dl>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="" name="See_also" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #002bb8; text-decoration: none;"></a></span>Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-90321904057858426272011-08-27T22:36:00.000-05:002011-08-27T22:36:06.893-05:00The Real Reason We Are Here<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/17ZPbiJFDnc" width="420"></iframe>Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-14737993866632297262011-08-24T22:24:00.002-05:002011-08-24T23:19:14.549-05:00Earthquake JottingsI cannot speak for the rest of the blog, but this cracked me up. From <a href="http://doylez.com/">doylez.com</a>:<br />
<br />
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<div class="post-headline" style="font-family: sans-serif, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<h2 style="font-size: 1.85em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
earthquake on the east coast</h2>
</div>
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<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="219" src="http://doylez.com/img/east-coast-earthquake-1.png" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" width="400" /></div>
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<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="270" src="http://doylez.com/img/east-coast-earthquake-2.png" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" width="400" /></div>
<div style="display: block; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="271" src="http://doylez.com/img/east-coast-earthquake-3.png" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" width="400" /></div>
<div style="display: block; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
it’s funny to us how the east coast folks responded to a magnitude 5.8 earthquake the other day, since us californians probably wouldn’t even notice such a temblor while going about our daily lives. but some east coast folks got a little ticked that we are making fun of them and one of them responded with this:</div>
<div style="display: block; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="325" src="http://doylez.com/img/dont-forget-snow-days.jpg" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" width="400" /></div>
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touché</div>
</div>
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-27390843714824188902011-08-24T17:02:00.001-05:002011-08-24T17:02:57.023-05:00The State of Customer Service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/death-by-stroke-580x413.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/death-by-stroke-580x413.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
The state of customer service varies in Johnstown in much the same way that it does everywhere based on the business, gender, age, etc. of the person you are dealing with. It can be as individual as the individual you are dealing with. So thus far, I have been pleasantly pleased by my day-to-day dealings with Yankees.<br />
<br />
That said, there is always the exception that proves the rule. You see, we have no official parking at our new house. I have been hoping to remedy this situation sooner than later, but I am not having a lot of luck. We have been trying to get an estimate for a carport from one contractor in particular since June. As it is now August and I still do not have an estimate for what I've asked for, you might understand why I am a bit frustrated. Today, the contractor's secretary and I had a conversation during which I began to hope that I might just stroke out rather than continue. Needless to say, I am still looking for a contractor for my "simple" job. Pray for me and anyone else that might cross my path, please. Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-26416607752696264102011-08-23T21:51:00.000-05:002011-08-24T00:20:25.060-05:00We Had An Earthquake.SO, Mr. Flavius has a favorite story he likes to tell about me.<br />
<br />
Once upon a time in a land far, far away the Motherworks-Flavius household visited the Southern Flavius's. A riotously good time was had by all and everyone played until they were very tired and prone to being naughty. <br />
<br />
All of the grownups in the land were also tired and to avoid being too grumpy sent the children away to their chambers for some peace and quiet. Only the children were very naughty and and very noisy. They stomped and the shouted and they dropped heavy things from high places until the whole house shook with their calamitous racket. <br />
Mr. Flavius, knowing the sensitive disposition of the the Southern Flavius's (having never actually having raised any children themselves) hurried and hushed the children until all was peaceful again. But only a short time later, a new sound like an angry, fire breathing monster filled the entire house. So loud was the sound of this infernal respiration that it seemed to come from everywhere at once. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I was stuck nursing a new baby and could not go see what was the matter. So I raised my voice to make certain that all the noisy children could here me over this new and terrible sound and I said in my loudest mothering tone I could muster, "CHILDREN! WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING? IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A DRAGON UP THERE!"<br />
<br />
And that is when Mrs. Southern Flavius said, "It's me. I'm ironing."<br />
<br />
The alternative title for this little vignette is, "How We Know Mommy Does Not Iron."<br />
<br />
SO, today we were leaving the house to go run some errands, when Mr. Flavius came running out the door. <br />
<br />
"What are the children doing? It shook the whole house!"<br />
<br />
"Nothing. What? Why?"<br />
<br />
"<u>the whole house shook.</u>"<br />
<br />
Apparently, we had an earthquake. Only I hadn't eaten since this morning and I was feeling pretty shaky already so I missed our great adventure. Anyway, as our neighbor said, if it's not in the news just check Facebook first. Sure enough status updates across the Mid Atlantic and lower New England reported the unexpected <i>terremoto </i>from Virginia<i>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Always something new happening here in Johnstown. Never a dull moment.Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-70550668964963247592011-08-21T22:41:00.004-05:002011-08-21T22:41:37.163-05:00Salvo Magazine- Salvo 13<br />
<div class="title" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 2em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>AMAZING article. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="title" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 2em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">
<a href="http://www.salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo13/13hilton.php">SLAVE MASTER</a></div>
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How Pornography Drugs & Changes Your Brain</div>
<div class="author" style="color: #333300; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-top: 2px;">
by Donald L. Hilton, Jr.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="text" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
While some have avoided using the term “addiction” in the context of natural compulsions such as uncontrolled sexuality, overeating, or gambling, let us consider current scientific evidence regarding the brain and addiction.</div>
<div class="text" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
This article will seek to answer two questions: (1) Biologically, is the brain affected by pornography and other sexual addictions? (2) If so, and if such addictions are widespread, can they have a societal effect as well?</div>
<div class="text" style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">h/t <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1637099399">Fr. Andrew</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1637099399"> Stephen </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1637099399">D</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://roadsfromemmaus.org/">amick</a></span></div>
Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-91490919476632551792011-08-19T21:34:00.004-05:002011-08-19T21:34:50.234-05:00What Difference A Year Makes<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ic18VLF5xUk/TkwKpbY9zEI/AAAAAAAAcX4/t2KJ_8dRlZU/s512/IMG_1729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ic18VLF5xUk/TkwKpbY9zEI/AAAAAAAAcX4/t2KJ_8dRlZU/s320/IMG_1729.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YnABJMVsIaY/TXw2ULivxqI/AAAAAAAAaFE/PeoXrZXjSPc/s512/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" id=":current_picnik_image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUx7BT5805Z3aYy_KQQXsVXXcje0_lGbcx8YSMcSf2fP5AfH-mUZSWCbUK_tbXRYNGiY7kEWHWF4BTIlmMD_s0lgUspEY0VSef7v3yd34O9E0pdXsEaKMEm-ONi3yBIfN0ohrO-X6Hg/s1600/15914867756_pLP99.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6f1aJq0W9M/TkwJKa4QQuI/AAAAAAAAcVk/W7xs5yfDgF4/s512/IMG_1687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6f1aJq0W9M/TkwJKa4QQuI/AAAAAAAAcVk/W7xs5yfDgF4/s320/IMG_1687.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2011<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-82948263475753002792011-08-19T12:38:00.003-05:002011-08-19T12:40:36.841-05:00Mere Comments from Touchstone Magazine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<i><a href="http://merecomments.typepad.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mere Comments from Touchstone Magazine</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> consistently produces relevant Christian commentary on popular culture. Give them a read if you haven't already. </span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I broke my ankle, I spent too much of my time watching all five seasons of The Wire. It is not the holiest of activities. The series centers in on one gang in a drug infested neighborhood Baltimore and the police charged with trying to stop them. The lines blur more often than not, with the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' swapping places. Over the course of the five seasons, the story focused on all perspectives from the gang and detectives to the children and schools, the politicians and the media. Lots of violence and debauchery. Frankly, it was more depressing than I can even talk about. At the heart of all the corruption, was the family or rather the total absence of the family. Without the presence of the family, the vacuum left behind begged for something that none of the willing contenders could measure up to. The family is a working unit of love and cooperation. Anything short of that is just that too little to fill the void and ultimately doomed to fail. It isn't simply some cute little coincidence that the family is the best metaphor for the Trinity, it is the truth. What this world needs is more families, more children in those families, more people in the pews, and more religious and clergy. Let's get busy, folks, and make it happen. Otherwise, what are we hoping for when Christ returns? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rise Up, O Men of God</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">by William Murchison</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The New York Times, </span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">August 16, 2011:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> "The number of Americans with children who live together without marrying has increased twelvefold since 1970, according to a report released Tuesday. The report states that children now are more llikely to have unmarried parents than divorced ones."</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Time for the Church to clear its collective head and find its collective voice, wouldn't one say?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I, for one, would.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The religious doctrine of marriage -- never mind the civil one -- has beeen kicked down the stairs by a culture intent on enshrining personal choice as the essential element in all relationships. Choice, of course, is an element in romantic love, but in Christian marriage it comes with strings attached, chiefly those pledges of fidelity and commitment. The idea that in marriage one hands over personal desire to the custody and keeping of another is profoundly un-modern.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Expatiation on the disastrous consequences of uprooting commitment and fidelity from the marriage undertaking isn't the present point. The need I would advertise is for the churches to rise from the bottom of the cultural staircase, where they have too long lain, and resume teaching a full-throated, ontological doctrine of marriage and family, derivable from what was once understood as the sovereign will and purpose of God.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "God"? What a concept with which to belabor the 21st century! Which is a big chunk of the problem, isn't it? A modern Church squeamish when it comes to faithful representation of its Master's unmodern wishes gets the expected payback. So do the rest of us, alas.</span></span>Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-60005136500437547112011-08-19T00:07:00.002-05:002011-08-19T00:08:49.237-05:00Blessed Feast of the Transfiguration<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g3olOaKmRBm-ODBanoAKyyX0YBXVcweEJedhwHD2LzDSQNNUbmYtsXP0z_bJ3L1cu1NOW-Hg3mfohvnwv27pdS7tvXd40L6fcl-Y8RcGciTKUgZPfYvfU7SLdL0lmgwE98bXUtcnCog/s1600/transfiguration+icon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g3olOaKmRBm-ODBanoAKyyX0YBXVcweEJedhwHD2LzDSQNNUbmYtsXP0z_bJ3L1cu1NOW-Hg3mfohvnwv27pdS7tvXd40L6fcl-Y8RcGciTKUgZPfYvfU7SLdL0lmgwE98bXUtcnCog/s400/transfiguration+icon.jpeg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You were transfigured on </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Mount, </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christ God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ins</span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ar as </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">y could comprehend. </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">through </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> intercessions </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the </span></i></span></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">otokos. </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Giver </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> light, glory to You.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You were transfigured upon </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> mount, </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">O Christ our God, and Your disciples, </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ins</span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ar as </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">y could bear, beheld Your glory. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thus, when </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">y see You crucified, </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></i></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">y may understand Your voluntary passion, </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and proclaim to </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> world that </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You are truly </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> effulgence </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Fa</span></i></span></span><span class="highlightedSearchTerm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">r.</span></i></span></span></div>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-3400086030023150972011-08-17T22:30:00.001-05:002011-08-17T22:30:13.974-05:00Fasting Old Calendar Style<br />
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We here in Johnstown are on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar">Old Calendar</a>. So our Dormition Fast just began this week. That said, we, Orthodox fast about 250 days out of the year, so another recipe won't hurt. This soup is completely fastworthy, delicious, and hearty enough to make a nice supper on a cool night with some bread. All of my children, including picky D., ate everything. Its taste profile is similar to my all time favorite soup, Mulligatawny. It a great way to use up that garden abundance that seems to be coming on strong right now.</div>
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<b>"Cream" of Garden Vegetable Soup</b></div>
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some chopped zucchini</div>
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some squash</div>
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a few tomatoes</div>
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one chopped onion</div>
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two grated carrots</div>
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leftover pinto beans pureed or mashed potatoes</div>
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a hunk of Earth Balance</div>
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a quart of water </div>
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a dash of salt</div>
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a few twists of pepper</div>
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some fresh nutmeg</div>
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a pinch clove</div>
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toasted and ground yellow mustard seed</div>
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a splash of apple cider vinegar</div>
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steamed rice</div>
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Sweat the onions and squashes together in the Earth Balance. Add the tomatoes and the grated carrots and saute everything until it softens. Puree in a blender. Add water and beans or potatoes. Add seasoning, apple cider vinegar, and simmer for 20 minutes or so. Serve topped with steamed rice.</div>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-45363392250834759842011-08-17T06:48:00.001-05:002011-08-17T06:50:57.953-05:00So you know how it is, part iiWhen you post things in the middle of the night after a really long day you are liable to leave out a few important details. Like, but did you ever get the milk? Did you indeed have to walk to a filling station? Did you ever get out of the wilderness or are you currently writing this from inside the belly of a black bear?<br />
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About that...<br />
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The thing about mountain roads in Pennsylvania is the tend to be narrow, twisty, and have crazy switch backs, turn offs and random signs like these:<br />
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To be honest, depending on the time of day, these signs freak me the freak out. Between the children in the back doing their rowdy thing and the Roads That Demand Your Full Attention, I do not need anything crazy to leap out at me, thankyouverymuch. </div>
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The craziest drivers of all on these treacherous tiny roads are FedEx drivers. They drive well over the speed limit on every road, especially if it's raining, tailgating the whole way just so you can see their superior handling while you crawl across the mountain in your ice cream truck come people mover.<br />
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Once I realized that I was incapable of interpreting mountain man directions (<i>go to the T and go through it, the when you get to the top turn right... the road might curve, I don't quite remember, but you'll know what to do when you get there...</i> it sounds so simple, but if all the roads curve, none of them really ever 'tee' either...), I just want off the damn mountain. By now, Good Mommy is gone and Bat Poop Crazy Mommy is at the wheel. The children, sensing my weakness, launch themselves out of their seat belts once and begin playing the screaming game. You know, the one where if you and your little sister both scream loud enough and at the same pitch you can achieve some sort of bizarre sonic resonance that can break the sanity of any nearby adult? Yeah, that. The other game they were playing was to see if they could make the van shake. While we were driving. On a mountain. In the rain. If you ever doubt the ability of two people you love more than your own life to take your nerves and shred them like so many incriminating Arthur Anderson files you don't have 4 and 6 year old girls.<br />
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That's when I discover that No Signal only applies to the phone and not the Map. Seeing a road just behind my blinking location, I decide, "<i>to hell with this</i>," it's time to practice our three-point turns in blind curves while driving the largest passenger vehicle made by Chevrolet. Why not? I've got a back-up camera. For those of you needing a refresher course, here is how PennDOT recommends making a three-point turn:<br />
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To make a three-point turn:</h4>
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<li>Signal with your right directional, then pull over to the right and stop. Signal with your left directional, then check carefully for approaching traffic.</li>
<li><img alt="Three point turn" class="right" height="79" src="http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/threept.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; float: right; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="152" />Turn left, cross the road so you come to a stop while facing the left curb or edge of the road.</li>
<li>Check again for traffic. Turn your steering wheel as far to the right as possible, then back up to the right curb or edge of the road.</li>
<li>Stop, check again for other traffic, then pull away from the curb.</li>
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About half the side roads in Westmoreland County, run down hill at a grade that most roller coaster engineers would likely consider unsafe. So in real life this is how you make a three-point turn:<br />
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<li>In a hairpin turn, find Hidden Driveway and using your <a href="http://www.specialoperations.com/Domestic/CIA/SAS/Default.html">Advanced Driver Training</a>, apply brakes while simultaneously signaling and making a hard right turn. Come to a skidding halt. Signal with your left directional. You are now tail up, back-up camera to the treetops, looking down a slope that makes base jumping look safe. Using only your totally inadequate side mirrors: check for traffic, while revving your engine in Reverse.</li>
<li>Floor it. Cross the road, slamming on the brakes, so that your life flashes before your eyes, as you narrowly avoid going off the mountain.</li>
<li>Saying your prayers and crying a little, check for traffic again. Rapidly, turn your steering wheel as far to the right as possible, reverse over the edge of the road onto the non-existant shoulder inches away from a sheer drop off.</li>
<li>Tell those kids that they had better buckle up, throw it into Drive and tear away from the road like a pack of demons are on your tail.</li>
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And that is how you do it. To really have an authentic experience, you should do your best to almost get teed by one of the completely insane FedEx truck drivers traipsing the mountains in one of their Oh-So-Superior Dodge Sprinters between step 2 and step 3. If you do it right, your kids have no idea why all the hair on your head is standing on end and they will think you are "way totally overreacting Mommy" to their continued lack of tethering to the vehicle because you know, you are still alive. [If you are praying for me right now, thank you. As prayers are outside of time, I really needed them back there. Thanks for helping get through it. As far as, the future is concerned? I still covet them.]<br />
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The whole time I am doing this, I have this crazy thing Mr. Flavius said stuck in my head. I keep hearing it over and over again: You know what is a bad idea? [he sings] <i>Jesus, take the wheel... you know, Jesus didn't drive. You probably don't want him to take the wheel without at least Driver's Ed course...</i><br />
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These were almost my last thoughts, folks. <i>Ayeyiyi</i>.</div>
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I was looking for Willpen Road. Willpen is a township somewhere down the mountain near the Last Gas Station You'll Ever See in This Wilderness, but for whatever reason I could not see the turn for the road. There are plenty of reasons for this, like it isn't actually there or I was too crazed with adrenaline to have attention to details like other roads, but whatever the case, the first road I came upon (a telling thin gray line on the map) seemed to connect. When you are about out of gas and there is no one to hear your screams when the zombies emerge from the woods to eat your brains, you will make this turn:</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=Hamill+School+Rd,+Fairfield,+Westmoreland,+Pennsylvania+15658&aq=&sll=40.436985,-79.092293&sspn=0.021852,0.045319&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&geocode=FS75ZgIdn7NH-w&split=0&hq=&hnear=Hamill+School+Rd,+Fairfield,+Westmoreland,+Pennsylvania+15658&ll=40.302894,-79.187041&spn=0.043781,0.090637&t=h&z=14&iwloc=ddw1&layer=c&cbll=40.318576,-79.18326&panoid=ljWzK7-mfxN8aB5iWXxDqA&cbp=12,62.32,,0,0&output=svembed" width="425"></iframe></div>
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<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=Hamill+School+Rd,+Fairfield,+Westmoreland,+Pennsylvania+15658&aq=&sll=40.436985,-79.092293&sspn=0.021852,0.045319&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&geocode=FS75ZgIdn7NH-w&split=0&hq=&hnear=Hamill+School+Rd,+Fairfield,+Westmoreland,+Pennsylvania+15658&ll=40.302894,-79.187041&spn=0.043781,0.090637&t=h&z=14&iwloc=ddw1&layer=c&cbll=40.318576,-79.18326&panoid=ljWzK7-mfxN8aB5iWXxDqA&cbp=12,62.32,,0,0" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Compared to my last adventure, Hamil School Road was a cake walk. Thankfully, the road deposits you within sight of The Only Filling Station. Much whooping and hollering and joyous sounds were made upon seeing this little Jerusalem in the Boonies. We celebrated with $40 worth of junk food from Sheetz. Filling up, I noticed that Cash for Clunkers did not seem to make much of an impact in Westmoreland County as our car was the newest model by 25 years or so. </div>
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After filling up the tank and then topping off like crazy, just to be safe, I was more commited than ever to finding this store. The store owner had called me back during my wild journey, but I had not received it. <br />
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His voice message begins: "<i>Hi, there. It seems we have gotten disconnected. If so, you are now driving around the wilderness and I wish you luck on getting back down here to </i>[civilization]. <i>When you get to town, go three-quarters around the square to W. Main Street. We're on the left. Call me back when you get this."</i></div>
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I hit redial. No answer. I probably called him 10 times, but no one ever answered. When I got to town, I followed his directions, but there was no Delightful Raw Milk and Whole Food Emporium on W. Main Street. For 20 minutes I crawed up the street one way and then the other, examining every shop and address. I went up side streets and down alleys. Finally, I gave up and went into Agway. </div>
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"Well, darlin' you got your directions wrong. That place is on E. Main Street."</div>
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Sure, okay. Maybe I heard it wrong? Nope. I played that message 4 times. WEST MAIN.</div>
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Everyone makes mistakes, that's fine. </div>
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Once we had the correct address and correct street name, finding the Delightful Raw Milk and Whole Food Emporium was no big deal. And they were still open. And they had milk. And they were very nice. They gave all the children pints of raw milk for the road (I know, I know, what smells better than tumpt out pints of raw milk in your Van de Excitement? Nothing, that's what. But, hey, it's the thought that counts and I was very grateful, all the same.)</div>
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I said, "I just wanted to let you know, in your directions, you said West Main Street."</div>
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"Yeah."</div>
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"Well, this is East Main Street."</div>
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"Oh, yeah?"</div>
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"Yes."</div>
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"Oh, that's interesting."</div>
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I'll say. <br />
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Look, they are very, very nice people, but let's just say they are about like I would be or maybe even a little worse than me if I ran a business (but only because I would know where my shop was). The second visit I made was much less exciting and only took 28 minutes to arrive (as opposed to the 2¼ hours it took the first time), but even then it was not uneventful as my damnit-I-know-there's-money-in-there debit card was declined and they sent me home with everything. All I can say is that, their computer must have been having issues because thankfully the ATM recognized the card as valid, working, and with plenty of mulla.<br />
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Since then I have finally located a store in Johnstown that sells real milk. Of course, they have no listed number, because what fun would that be? <br />
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I hope you are having a great week. I'll keep you posted on our adventures. <br />
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You know, so long as I survive.<br />
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-11149176524049870272011-08-15T23:36:00.001-05:002011-08-15T23:44:33.818-05:00So you know how it isWith children everyday is a new exciting adventure. There you are just trying to hold the line and adventure shows up on your doorstep. In Johnstown, new experiences and excitement are around every corner. Every single corner. Everyday. All day long. Something new and exciting just waiting to get you.<br />
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Pennsylvania is full of trees. Hence the name: Penn's Woods. It is a great thing about Western PA. Also, the mountains. I am really enjoying the mountains. Sometimes a too much of a great thing can just be too damn much.<br />
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The first time I tried to find a store that sold raw milk, I set out early enough with enough gas and fairly easy directions: turn right, drive 19 miles, turn left, arrive at destination. Three-quarters of the way there I double check my directions. Well, what do you know? I am 21 miles off course. <br />
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What? <br />
Recalculating. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhjD0pOryj6chfoPVZIlG8CkTO5ERWfN0k116xJhAjaJn6u-MM1fVrG-XjuVnbKHfDb4JXFITOCEbV0RlmPV9PXsWAEpkRA6yF01KGzXy31-X4omEqw_2enJVVsrXp19hmtq5SucDGQ/s1600/KnuppRd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhjD0pOryj6chfoPVZIlG8CkTO5ERWfN0k116xJhAjaJn6u-MM1fVrG-XjuVnbKHfDb4JXFITOCEbV0RlmPV9PXsWAEpkRA6yF01KGzXy31-X4omEqw_2enJVVsrXp19hmtq5SucDGQ/s320/KnuppRd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is looking down not straight.</td></tr>
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Wrong turns in Pennsylvania have seriously bad consequences. My first surprise, there are roads on GPS that a) are single lane; b) made of dirt and gravel; c) go straight down a mountain. Straight down is usually the wrong way down. What followed was sheer insanity. Do not attempt to drive down a freshly rained on gravel road in a two-wheel drive, 15 passenger van. Why? Because your children might turn into idiots and decide to go row hopping, while you, in the grip of hysteria, drive down said road. And while they are jumping for joy in the back seat as you slide and shimmy over every single turn and bump in the road, your heart will threaten you with the worst thing you can imagine in that moment: the phone call to your husband when you are stuck, but not dead or injured enough to make him just glad y'all are okay.<br />
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Did I mention that when I left I had a little more than a quarter tank of gas? As it turns out, that is not enough gas in a place that takes 24 minutes to travel 7 miles. <br />
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I did make it down the mountain into a valley where I found the beginning of a paved road. It is the most sweet smelling place I have ever been. The only sound besides the song birds, was a breeze high up in the tree tops. Wow. It's enough to make you want to make you want to go <a href="http://eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com/">Off Grid</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now add 20 years and lose a few teeth<br /> and you get the picture.</td></tr>
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So here's the thing about using Google Maps. Usually it's pretty good. There is one feature that allows the user to more accurately pin point one's address by actually placing a pin on the map and calling that address whatever you want to call it. Then the whole wide web will know this is where X really is. Except in this case, X turned out not to be the only whole food health store this side of Pittsburgh. X turned out to be some guy's house out in the wilderness of Westmoreland County (whose residents are comprised mainly of extras from the movie Road House). <br />
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I dropped my phone and damaged the antennae a while back so if mobile phone coverage is spotty at best then I have nothing at best. I called the number listed and discovered another great thing about Western PA. The people love to talk. These are some really friendly folk. But again, too much a great thing and your are up a creek. In this case, the man my life depended on was a real story teller. He starts out: "there are 7 turns that you need to make to get here. It's so funny you calling me from Pendleton Road that's where my farm is. . ." The ellipsis in this case is a 6 minute story about the three other poor souls that called him from the same spot. Meanwhile I am under an eighth of a tank of gas and still driving. During our 12 minute phone call, he got through step 2 of the 7 before the phone cut out and said 'No Signal.' <br />
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I kept driving. I have not passed a single person in miles, I have not seen a gas station since I checked my directions and discovered how off course I had become. I am now strongly considering what it is going to be like walking, in flip flops, on mountain roads with an infant, a toddler, a four year old, and six year old, all of whom follow directions like people their age follow directions. Somewhere along the way, I figured out that even if the phone does not have signal the Map can locate your position. I did at one point talk to two guys, who informed me that the only gas station was 7 miles away and I was headed in the wrong direction. Their directions were more concise, but equally confusing. Another fun fact, it really is true that if you don't bathe long enough other people can smell you in your car from their car on the other side of the road. Up until that moment, I thought that was simply something I made up to scare my boys into taking bathes. I was wrong.<br />
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Anyway, either people cannot give good directions in Westmoreland County or I cannot follow them for the life of me. It was after that I discovered that I was the purple blinky dot on the Map on my phone where upon for the second time that day, I drove straight down the mountain, with kids cackling with giddy hysteria, while I gripped the steering wheel and prayed and cursed under my breathe the whole way. Making a 30 minute journey to the gas station fewer than 10. What's the fastest way down the mountain? Straight down . . . <br />
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Poor Mr. Flavius, seeing the above picture on Facebook with the caption, "What the hell, GPS?" started a prayer circle, that ended with thanks be to God and suggestions all around to tie up that wife of his upon my return . . . and that was just a trip to get milk. Now imagine if I was trying to do something really wild? Like go looking for one of these:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/States/Illinois/VoloBog/FleshyChickenOfTheWoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/States/Illinois/VoloBog/FleshyChickenOfTheWoods.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next time on A Sears Catalog Life: <br />
Chicken of the Woods</td></tr>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-8102073712537810302011-08-09T22:30:00.002-05:002011-08-09T22:30:24.112-05:00It Did Not Hit Me Until Today. . .<br />
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Me: Hi, I looked everywhere, but I don't see any tortillas. Do you sell tortillas?</div>
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Grocery Store Clerk: Uh, yeah, you mean like those shell things? They're in the refrigerator case next to the milk.</div>
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Apparently, I moved to Pennsylvania, where Tex-Mex goes to die.</div>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-34813809217948507582011-08-01T16:03:00.008-05:002011-08-01T18:02:32.959-05:00Ohdeedoh, I Curse You!That's right-- fie on Thee, cute, DIY, decorating <a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/">website</a> with your trendsetting ideas and crafty tutorials- fie on Thee.<br />
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Take one family with an overdeveloped sense of ability and an underdeveloped sense of actual DIY-ity, add one old house owned by a different, middling DIY-er and crazy will ensue. <br />
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N. is our AAA, #1, dog walker extraordinaire, but then we sent him to camp. So our poor pooch became forlorn and lonely while his favorite boy was away. Mr. Flavius took over the dog walking duties and Ajax seemed to be doing okay, but with a little extra mope in his giddy up. Little did we know, while we were sleeping he was sneaking upstairs to the Boy Sanctuary and doing his business in their room. Imagine my surprise ( shock, horror, disgust, <i>insert adjective here</i>) when the boys came home and announced that their room had become less than sanitary (they left it clean, so there was no reason for this mama to make the great trek <i>arriba). </i><br />
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N. and D. went to work oxycleaning to the max, but to no avail. Really, how awful? Could their be a worse homecoming? Considering all the unpacking we did all week, this was a blow to Progress.<br />
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So yesterday after church, Mr Flavius and I tackled the yuckiest room ever and removed all the carpet. The thing is, we chose this house because it was move-in ready. <i>Id est</i>: I do not need another talent in my wheelhouse to make this place habitable and presentable, or at least not this week. Should a rolled up carpet full of tacks and staples go scraping down the hall wallpaper, that could change my skill set considerably. That's when we decided there was another option: defenestration. <br />
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So there we were, Mr. Flavius hanging onto a rolled swath of old, icky carpet leaning farther than could possibly be safe out the third story window, while I alternately laughed hysterically and covered my eyes (have I told you about my inappropriate laughter?). Then I thought better of it and tried find purchase on him in the event of an untimely, rapid exit out said window. Then, my hero, pitched the carpet He-Man style out and over the porch roof. <br />
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<i>Helloooo, neighbors! We're from Texas and we're crazy. . .</i><br />
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I really do have to wonder what my neighbors made of the scene when large rolls of rose followed by thread bare and stained grey carpet was being flung out the third floor windows. Then there was a thing, which I did not know existed, but am positive I know exactly what the mystery pad under the second layer of carpet. It is a horsehair carpet pad. An ancient, dusty and disintegrating, horsehair pad at that. Gross, gross, gross.<br />
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There were dust plumes that made my skin crawl. Despite my mega runny nose, I refused to wipe it for fear of what this involuntary fount might be protecting me from. Mr. Flavius commented that I had managed to trick him into two days of heavy labor (Saturday night, I casually suggested we move some boxes of books, which turned into a box moving extravaganza). Needless to say, we struggled on for four hours, but we prevailed. Staple and tacks removed, floors scrubbed of any and all gook, dust, and dirt, a rug laid, furniture arranged, and beds made.<br />
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And it all started with this picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwyJV0o_v8G0s03lGbxqemljULFqa1gTfoVkC-hDwuCIYyBcyGJtRHpCjTlJowzohlBB3mNyhb4Cs04gmfEZspg8bDKjq98nBnqJ9RGOvb39Q9ppI596vFZ4zcK-rcVMeGRC22mmyxQ/s1600/Stenciled-Floors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwyJV0o_v8G0s03lGbxqemljULFqa1gTfoVkC-hDwuCIYyBcyGJtRHpCjTlJowzohlBB3mNyhb4Cs04gmfEZspg8bDKjq98nBnqJ9RGOvb39Q9ppI596vFZ4zcK-rcVMeGRC22mmyxQ/s320/Stenciled-Floors.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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How cute is this? Dangit. They got me <a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/before-after/before-after-an-old-door-becomes-a-twin-bed-my-repurposed-life-151839">again</a>.</div>
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<br />Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847726438549548415.post-6899515955957661562011-07-27T22:33:00.000-05:002011-07-27T22:33:05.220-05:00Camp Nazareth and Preserving the Harvest...We sent away half our children and we still have double the national average! Our eldest three children are off at camp enjoying a break from chores and sibling herding. We are feverishly attempting to get Little House in order ahead of their return. I love seeing these pictures of them while they are away. I miss them bunches. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcQ5BPl8JQIKw2O7jgApcbAMLGD-IaDcp8phqQZluntErwK3r3bq5WVTuliriyXA2EA8Kfvpfb-ZjW9sYXyJ7EJg3nDUbTkv2tLQL9BvIe0jmodnOrIa4TFHSkoiSiGTMSDqswkyK_g/s1600/5972617347_e6044c0869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcQ5BPl8JQIKw2O7jgApcbAMLGD-IaDcp8phqQZluntErwK3r3bq5WVTuliriyXA2EA8Kfvpfb-ZjW9sYXyJ7EJg3nDUbTkv2tLQL9BvIe0jmodnOrIa4TFHSkoiSiGTMSDqswkyK_g/s320/5972617347_e6044c0869.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sts. Cyril and Methodius</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNebmog_3FvvwM7uXybGCorAUH6HY9CZbJfBhOXQMaRBrilgZ2SrW2HoOeNrfRLab_OLN8KTmpWhYo-Snk7d0iXQt1bc8OKEov4_OjGDuMlLpSeOoE0FEhNMSWHGoBxsa70KloRYuQKw/s1600/5973146614_c3bf0e216b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNebmog_3FvvwM7uXybGCorAUH6HY9CZbJfBhOXQMaRBrilgZ2SrW2HoOeNrfRLab_OLN8KTmpWhYo-Snk7d0iXQt1bc8OKEov4_OjGDuMlLpSeOoE0FEhNMSWHGoBxsa70KloRYuQKw/s320/5973146614_c3bf0e216b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M. getting acquainted with new friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW_SZWgPuLQtp4eqYxrwMOjnOaUShXW8Kn2fGMlNdgr6y_kv-5aLDwdofTEZ8Meu00wZL7D8a9GWifzvB_ob_nQWBkiRGJMnj7mV33Su3mxOIlXeN0uOmPuzbEhKB3nGnRlIsMdJwjw/s1600/Camp_DA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW_SZWgPuLQtp4eqYxrwMOjnOaUShXW8Kn2fGMlNdgr6y_kv-5aLDwdofTEZ8Meu00wZL7D8a9GWifzvB_ob_nQWBkiRGJMnj7mV33Su3mxOIlXeN0uOmPuzbEhKB3nGnRlIsMdJwjw/s320/Camp_DA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys are hiding from the camera. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtHQ_rfhiRfAxvhrfcAgvBW3ezKls5TjmPXGuJixfLHQ7SnUecHPy2Ef47LnMxTTWLbHQIjKYxTSIdoQBIyx0eAo_h97qoIywh6nu4ocqD6lJLQRq0I74bEalDmcyA32RhzO33g_bTg/s1600/Camp_N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtHQ_rfhiRfAxvhrfcAgvBW3ezKls5TjmPXGuJixfLHQ7SnUecHPy2Ef47LnMxTTWLbHQIjKYxTSIdoQBIyx0eAo_h97qoIywh6nu4ocqD6lJLQRq0I74bEalDmcyA32RhzO33g_bTg/s320/Camp_N.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRjR_OjO1J7HbFTKe_I0kHzgHdJbHHNJU2lmbHcK126kcT77VrDSMa9xk6nLJj2JzXsngYDj83_5KayEFCF7d_wEGYEmHWknlapucojZGRvNCWFnw14gxNQuWPljU51DKoXB9rHi3Lw/s1600/5978052860_44209a2a77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRjR_OjO1J7HbFTKe_I0kHzgHdJbHHNJU2lmbHcK126kcT77VrDSMa9xk6nLJj2JzXsngYDj83_5KayEFCF7d_wEGYEmHWknlapucojZGRvNCWFnw14gxNQuWPljU51DKoXB9rHi3Lw/s320/5978052860_44209a2a77.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N. getting ready for a swim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimouaTbuZOywzEP7ApBPyNJFNkKwhOXv8xq-1VB9n9N-ZnzME69I8EU0hzaEZnK0MTI9PhEDJ4gyU_ylxf77fQTYUM9TEA7YcFWExbLi_jTOF8mcccDSr5gA5TecXyGmpgFGtJYVzpEg/s1600/Camp_D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimouaTbuZOywzEP7ApBPyNJFNkKwhOXv8xq-1VB9n9N-ZnzME69I8EU0hzaEZnK0MTI9PhEDJ4gyU_ylxf77fQTYUM9TEA7YcFWExbLi_jTOF8mcccDSr5gA5TecXyGmpgFGtJYVzpEg/s320/Camp_D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Waldo?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKwxHCeXl7EYIDR9anIBKzrRVX2CHAFwLIOGU3CMb7CgEDj5G_IirgKCQAQinGS09A6VHxlYiEoN91_-SN6NHasnZsMfKiw1Rsh6SjVY1vfNks03ww5wJ4cA-uJIF3pJ_Lu_YTo4Vew/s1600/5980894621_f917106f18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKwxHCeXl7EYIDR9anIBKzrRVX2CHAFwLIOGU3CMb7CgEDj5G_IirgKCQAQinGS09A6VHxlYiEoN91_-SN6NHasnZsMfKiw1Rsh6SjVY1vfNks03ww5wJ4cA-uJIF3pJ_Lu_YTo4Vew/s320/5980894621_f917106f18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D. and N. together at last. N. is trying out a new camera face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpHgsiCfVRFswa9kS2XKxGQQjFWRa5duoFXqJJOyILIlf_PnS8seDDxeLDMUCpA7BHqc7BdffN19ebIPo03V1AVOYQZCWzNDVjo8bJhJ2rw-FuIuioM380YHHfaovaKGzKhMFVO1tkA/s1600/Camp_DD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpHgsiCfVRFswa9kS2XKxGQQjFWRa5duoFXqJJOyILIlf_PnS8seDDxeLDMUCpA7BHqc7BdffN19ebIPo03V1AVOYQZCWzNDVjo8bJhJ2rw-FuIuioM380YHHfaovaKGzKhMFVO1tkA/s320/Camp_DD.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Where's Waldo.</td></tr>
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PS> We love our new neighborhood. Our neighbors are so lovely. Our neighbor, Mr. Leo, has been sharing his harvest of enormous zucchini, cucumber, and summer squash. I am in survivalist mode, right now, which basically means not much cooking. Rather than see these gifts spoil, I have started putting up the harvest as it comes in. </div>
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If you have been receiving generous harvest gifts from your neighbors or you have more zucchini than you planned on try this method of preserving: the freezer!</div>
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This is a two step method.</div>
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Step 1: Wash, quarter, and slice your squash or zucchini into 1 inch slices.</div>
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Step 2: Place on a cookie sheet in the freezer.</div>
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That's it. Put the frozen chunks in a freezer bag at your convenience. You can also freeze tomatoes whole. When you run them under cold water later their skins just peel off. No blanching necessary.</div>
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Svetlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272646356413479534noreply@blogger.com3