What's Been Cooking

Finally, a night alone to catch up on a few things on my "To Do" list. The kids are with friends and Lon is at a wedding rehearsal.  He will be doing the whole production tomorrow - photos and the video..with help, of course.  He'll be so focused on getting ready for the event tomorrow that he won't even notice that I'm hogging the computer.  I've got to do as much blogging as I can because after the wedding, he will be glued to the computer editing and being his own worst critic.

Read more and see some yumminess below...

Movie Monday: Australia

“I sing you to me.”  It’s my new favorite phrase after watching the movie “Australia.”  The movie centers around a blossoming love story between a man and woman; man and cattle; and a forbidden love for our Aboriginal narrator, Nullah. There are so many facets to this story, but you will instantly fall in love this little boy. He steals the show.

“Australia” tells the story of a young, wealthy English woman who leaves her massive estate in England and heads down under to find out what’s going on with her family’s cattle business. The Ashleys seems to be running out of money, despite the fact that Lady Sarah Ashley’s husband spends almost all of his time on their property, Faraway Downs. 
Read more and see movie trailer...

Sunday Inspirations: Lasting Memories From a Conversation on Grades

This is an old diary entry that I wrote a couple of years ago when I was thinking about starting the blog.  I originally posted it this past January , but then I took it down.  I'm not sure why.  But I think it's more relevant now for three reasons: Father's Day, end of school and Sunday Inspirations.  Lon is a great father.  He's not perfect, but he puts his whole heart into making sure his children are always learning something.  Dealing with Kingston's failing grades his first round of the third grade was difficult for him. 
The post below is about a conversation we had on the way home from work one day during our carpooling days. I had been at my current job for about six months, and even though we were on the downside of a very difficult time; the effects were still present.  Seeing the kids' grades suffer, made me regret not quitting my previous job sooner than I did.  But Lon stepped in and helped give Kingston the confidence he needed to get back on track.  So a big Happy Father's Day to my husband and all the wonderful daddies out there.  You definitely make a difference in your child's life; therefore making the world a better place.   
Oh, by the way, there's an update to the post at bottom of the page.
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A funny thing happened on the way home from work the other day.  My daughter, Austin, called to tell me and her dad that she had a surprise for us when we got home.  We knew it was report card day, so I asked if that was the surprise.  She laughed and said no.  I told her we couldn’t wait to hear all about it.

See what happened when you read on... 

Tuesday Editorial: Are You a Yes Ma'am/No Ma'amer?

Depending on your answer, it could have an effect on how your children will perceive authority. I was listening to Steve Harvey this morning on my way to work. I turned on the radio in the middle of the conversation about respecting our elders. I think it was the topic for the question of the day, which was "Do you teach your children to say 'yes, ma'am' or 'yes, sir'?"  The caller said that she was not teaching her children to say it because she thought it originated from slavery. She said she wasn’t sure, but they could “educate” her if she was wrong. She said that she teaches them to say yes or no to anyone, especially their elders; however they are not required to add ma'am or sir.  Read more below...

OK, OK, OK!! I'M BACK!!!

I'm shaking it off and doing my Muhammad Ali moves (if you have a picture in your head of me doing my Ali moves - stop laughing!!)  I'm ready to get back in the swing of things.  It's been a very busy couple of weeks. I haven't had a chance to sit down and post anything. I'm on overload with information and all the activities from the last 14 days. Read more and see photos below....

Aroma Wednesday: Penne Pasta w/Turkey Italian Sausage!

Aroma Wednesday is back!  I've got a good one for you this week. It's a wonderful and welcomed change from spaghetti, mac n' cheese and American chop suey (Beefaroni).  It's fast...it's easy and it's so good that.... I don't have a name for it...  It's just a good pasta dish that if prepped in advance could be ready to eat in about 20 minutes.  
Read more below...

The Golden Girls of Australia

When I tell people where I'm from, they usually look puzzled; and it never fails that the next question they ask is "Cleveland, Ohio?"  My next line already on the tip of my tongue, I say "No. Cleveland, Mississippi."  I then go into a detailed geographical spiel complete with my right hand motioning over the left side of my head to signify Northwest Mississippi.  If the puzzled look continues I pull out more popular pronouns like the Delta or Memphis, Tennessee, and that's when they finally get it.  
Read more and see photos...