Have Ya'll Been Feeling Ick?

I don't know maybe it is just this weather: 80s one day and the next chilly, windy, down to the 40s.  Today, I am sipping lots of peppermint tea for my sore throat and achy head. 

Our hens have fun hiding their eggs from us and look for places that are hard to reach and out of sight of predatory birds. 

Saenz gets a kick out our one of our production reds. She bascially buries herself completely before laying and hollars at any hen or boy who dares to interrupt her at work. Each evening, we go on an egg hunt while putting the ladies in their coops.  It is a nice way to end our work day outside.

This happy young man is really enjoying the computer Grumpy Gramps sent to our family.  Later in the year, when hubby has time perhaps he will build Cubby Bear a desk that is his size. Then Cubby will have a work station all his own.  Last night he was so thrilled with learning how to set up his software and played counting games -- he just was beaming as ya'll can see.

Thanks Grumpy Gramps!

This is my first jar of refrigerator pickled serrano peppers. Cubby Bear and I picked the bush clean since, a large cold front is moving down into our area next week.  We had fun making the brine, cleaning the peppers, adding the spices and other items to fill the jar for cold storage.  We are anxious to see if hubby will like them later this year.  Thanks Lady Bloggers, whom I follow for the idea on this learning event.

With hubby working on second shift, the kids and I usually have meatless dinners.  I don't know what it is about Texan men folk, they basically insist on flesh at every meal; at least in my experience.  So until hubby is back on days.  We go meatless, this is a really quick rice pudding (without raisins) recipe I found on a Ricelands box. I modified it for the boy's taste. It's a simple dish we all like and it uses up some of the eggs we find.

Southern Rice Pudding:

1 c rice                               

4 c milk, *divided

2 tbsp butter

1 c sugar (I add 1/4c more)

1 tbsp vanilla extract

4 eggs

1/4 tsp cinnamon, and dash of nutmeg

Soak rice in 2c milk and vanilla for 2 hours at room temp.  Add remaining milk to rice and cook over low heat for 30 mins until rice is tender.  Set aside to cool

Preheat oven to 350F

Combine softened butter with sugar.  Beat eggs until forthy, add sugar mixture , spice, rice and mix well.  Pour into a greased baking pan.   I used 13" x  9" or rounds.  Bake for 45 mins.

Tonight, I am going to make a egg dish called Goldenrod Egg, mom used to make. She learned the recipe in high school home economics back in the 1960s.  You know it's good if Southern cooks taught it in schools. It's basically a white sauce gravy with chopped boiled egg served over toast.  YUMMY!

Here is a link to a recipe but, I usually just do my own version.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/goldenrod-egg/Detail.aspx

Anyway peeps, stay warm and dry.  Off to take a nap (wishful thinking) or book diving.

Points of View

Yesterday,  I noticed something that kind of got me upset.  Only one channel here broadcast the bestowment of the Medal of Honor to the first living recipiant since 1970s a Vietnam War veteran. 


The ceremony was beautiful; the honoree was humble with his wife by his side and, all others were in awe.  Then I look around the internet, newspapers, and other outlets -- almost complete silence.  This hero served valiantly: saved lives under hostile fire, rescued his comrades, kept another from falling hostage, and got wounded. 


So, I got to wondering about the lack of notice of such an important event at least to me.  Perhaps others do not find my point of view into this event meaningful. 

Much like this beautiful face, we only know what we experience first hand or through others.  We are born with an innate sense of trust and joy. Usually we look no further than our immediate surroundings or comfort zone and as we age grow more cynical.

Seldom do we choose to face our fears,

Or to take comfort in those who love and support us.

It takes a special kind of  person to open up to the world and commit oneselves to a way of life few experience like military service. It takes courage to change your point of view, to explore new worlds, live in danger on the combat field, or to 'sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world,' (Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass).

It also takes a special person to look at the world through another's eyes and see their point of view even if doing so makes you uncomfortable.  My salute and upmost respect to SSG Giunta, his wife, peers, family, and friends.  Because of young men and women such as he is; one day just maybe our sons will be willing to follow in his footsteps for all of us.

Medal Of Honor Recipiant SSG Salvatore Giunta

It was a humbling citation and ceremony.  I wrote about this award being vetted and approved back in September.  Such an honorable and brave man along with those who serve with him. 


http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/giunta/

http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/11/ssg-giunta-medal-of-honor-presentation-on-the-pentagon-channel/

http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2010/09/living-medal-of-honor-recipient-spc.html

The entire ceremony should be posted here after editing on the White House website:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/search/site/Medal%20of%20Honor

A small snippet from the article:

""Sgt. Giunta told the Pentagon Channel, “I didn’t run on to do anything heroic, I ran on to go fight next to my brother, to go fight next to my friend who I already served one tour in Afghanistan with who we live in the same barracks building for the last four years.”


Sgt. Giunta was nominated for the Medal of Honor, and the President of the United States called him to congratulate him on this award and to invite him to the formal White House ceremony. That ceremony will take place today, November 16, 2010.""


May we keep them all in our hearts and prayers.

Rites of Passage: Boys Becoming Men

I have been thinking lately about how much our sons are growing up.  Just yesterday, Saenz and Zephyr were a small babe in my arms with their toothless smiles lapping up my undivided attention.

Flash forward to our now pre-teen on the burgeoning precipice of teenage angst, secret worlds, and his own language.  I do so much miss listening to him talk to imaginary friends and him inviting me in to play in his world.  

On Sunday, hubby taught Saenz how to shave his peach fuzz mustache because the hairs were darkening to match his hair color. This set me to thinking: is it time for father and son to take a trip as a rite of passage like hunting.  For the two to bond over scratching, a camp fire, and mugs of iced rootbeers? No matter what, I can not rightly teach him about masculine things or feelings.  We have long ago had our discussion on the biology of sex so, this is not what I am thinking.

Should there be a rite of passage for Saenz marking the year when his body is entering manhood?  Would he benefit from such an event so, his mind and emotional being knows he is begining the change?  Do boys need their father or a man in their life to explain things to them?  In other cultures, there are many ways a boy's milestones are marked and he is welcome into the secret world of MAN -- usually with the spilling of blood.

(LOL, I am not thinking of anything traumatic.)

And as I ponder these thoughts, I realized this afternoon, Zephyr too is changing so fast.  I no longer need the sippy cups in the cupboard and will pack them away. 

SIGH... Just feathering my nest -- it's too soooooooooon!

63 The Number On Our Thermostat This Morning

HOLEY MOLEY BATMAN,  I guess we had no clue the weather was supposed to dip down as it was going to..........brrrrrrrrrr!  We have been uber busy with hubby being home for the Veteran's Day weekend.

(Can you see his hands on the steering wheel?)

Hubby had to complete an annual check up and this year he went to Otto Kaiser in Kennedy; that took more than half of Friday.  So Lisa, stayed home with the boys and they played video games and cleaned up the house which was a wonder gift.  Thank You Missy!

On Saturday, we took a road trip to the San Antonio Zoo.  Hubby wanted to see for himself how the zoo has been almost totally refurbished.  In the last two decades, the zoo was basically an eye sore compared to other zoos we have taken the family to visit.  NOT ANYMORE!

The zoo now has a Komodo dragon exhibit which is large.  The lighting makes him appear red in color but, he is not. 

 The juvenile was quiet interested in following my movements around his enclosure. Can you feel his intelligence?

Here it looks like he wants a kiss goodbye! LOL

Do you see the butterfly's probiscus?  I think it is really cool to watch this amazing creatures.  The zoo has a butterfly house which, you do have to pay an additional $1.50 to enter per person but, so worth it in my opinion.  Zephyr adores them as much as I do this time Lisa went in with us.  I will be getting the boys a butterfly growing kit as a science project.

So far, Zephyr is able to identifly swallowtails, bamboo, and now Blue Morpho (above).   

These two were drinking from the same flower.

We found this little green anole sharing the butterfly house. 

 (At least, I think it was an anole)

The fellow is a TOMISTOMA or a false gharial and comes from Malaysia, Indonesia.  The exhibit sign says this creature was born in captivity which is a major advance for a zoo.  KUDOS!

Now, I have no idea what species this lizard is.  Do ya'll know?  The exhibit was crowded with teenagers and I took this picture over their heads.  Then I beat feet out because they were so loud. Poor guy looks like he is sucking heat from the vent though or is also trying to get away from the noise. 

There is a Discovery Center for small children to play and explore.  It is nice and has many activities for children five and under.  As Zephyr was fishing; Lisa and I watched this Alligator Gar follow us because we were sitting on the floor in front of his tank.  I think the gar is hungry; I wonder if they would prefer tartar sauce and lemon? :O)

The Discovery center has a prairie dog exhibit childen can crawl through and be close to these little diggers.  

RED RIVER HOGS Sunning themselves.

This wart hog boar was quiet the protestor, I am guessing he wanted to share the tunnel.  His tusk grinding sounded like a motor boat engine.

This is the Landlord or Lunch tunnel exhibit leading to the answer for yesterdays question.  NAME THIS SURFACE.

You were looking at Hippo Hiney through glass and close up!

NAME THIS SURFACE IF YOU DARE :O)

I will be back to see how your educated guesses go! LOL
We have been busy since, hubby has been off since Veterans Day.  I will add more pictures tomorrow of our adventures.

Bush on Oprah -- Loved His Interview

Yesterday, I will admit to watching Mr. Bush on Oprah to promote his memior Decision Points. 


The interview with Mr. Bush was very telling in my opinion.  He is ready to face the criticism over the job he did as President (POTUS).  Personally, after serving in the military under his command; I never thought he was smart enough -- alone to wreck the havoc he did.  Nope that honor belongs to Karl Rove and Don Rumsfeld plus the other heavy pockets in their political machine.  I still think Mr. Bush was not totally clueless.  I do believe he was either ill-informed or just placed himself too far above the common people to find out the truth. 

Mr. Bush was quite funny and personable during the show and, in my opinion it was one of the best interviews he has given.  He showed his human side instead of the cocky fly-boy arrogance that used to chap my arse raw.  I will also say here, his is the first book I have paid for up front before its release.  I started it last night and I will tell you; I kept checking the signature page to ensure he had in fact written the book alone.  He has done a pretty damned fine job of writing and so far I am impressed with his style.  I will leave you with a few of the quotes I pulled from the book.

On his parents and his mistakes:

"Eventually their patient love affected me.  When you know you have unconditional love, there is no point in rebellion and no need to fear failure.  I was free to follow my instincts, enjoy my life, and love my parents as much as they loved me."

On the muck racking of others concerning his POTUS job performance:

"But his self-righteous attitude was a fore taste of the vitriol that would emanate from many college professors during my presidency."

On faith:

"If you haven't doubted, you porbably haven't thought very had about what you believe."

----------------------
Special Note here:  I do respect him for not muck raking Mr. Obama over the coals.  Mr. Bush did learn from his past and this I find admirable and rather charming.  JMHO