1.14.2012
1.13.2012
1.08.2012
New Year, New limp.
Happy New Year, y’all!! I hope everyone had a great time ringing in the new year.
So far, 2012 has brought us two sick dogs. When we got home from Atlanta, the day after New Year’s, Ryan picked Ace up from the kennel and learned there had been an outbreak of Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is basically the common cold in humans, but it can turn severe in some rare cases. We were told that there would be an incubation period, but that the cough would probably surface within a week, AND it did. Ace is now coughing like an old man through the night and will be visiting the vet this evening to get some antibiotics.
Not to be outdone, Chico has developed some sort of sickness that cannot be officially diagnosed at this point. He hasn’t been acting like himself since Friday night. He doesn’t want to eat, hasn’t been demanding attention and in addition to being just plain pitiful, he has developed a limp in his back, left leg. I like to call it his “crazy leg”. One minute, he is hobbling on three legs (the crazy leg is either tucked into his belly or sticking straight back, completely stretched) and the next minute, there is no sign of a leg injury and he is jumping and running normally. We were so worried that we actually took him to the Emergency Vet yesterday morning. Prognosis? Healthy as can be, thank goodness, but we are still watching him and his crazy leg pretty closely.
Despite all that, we were able to spend some time outside on Saturday. It was 70 degrees and just gorgeous. C’mon Spring!
So far, 2012 has brought us two sick dogs. When we got home from Atlanta, the day after New Year’s, Ryan picked Ace up from the kennel and learned there had been an outbreak of Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is basically the common cold in humans, but it can turn severe in some rare cases. We were told that there would be an incubation period, but that the cough would probably surface within a week, AND it did. Ace is now coughing like an old man through the night and will be visiting the vet this evening to get some antibiotics.
Not to be outdone, Chico has developed some sort of sickness that cannot be officially diagnosed at this point. He hasn’t been acting like himself since Friday night. He doesn’t want to eat, hasn’t been demanding attention and in addition to being just plain pitiful, he has developed a limp in his back, left leg. I like to call it his “crazy leg”. One minute, he is hobbling on three legs (the crazy leg is either tucked into his belly or sticking straight back, completely stretched) and the next minute, there is no sign of a leg injury and he is jumping and running normally. We were so worried that we actually took him to the Emergency Vet yesterday morning. Prognosis? Healthy as can be, thank goodness, but we are still watching him and his crazy leg pretty closely.
Despite all that, we were able to spend some time outside on Saturday. It was 70 degrees and just gorgeous. C’mon Spring!
12.29.2011
2011 Goals-Reviewed.
I thought I would take the time to review my 2011 goals to see what kind of follow through I had this year. For the most part, I’m pretty happy with the results, but I do plan on trying to improve the quality and achievement of my goals in 2012.
Here are the 2011 Goals.
1. Resurrect our backyard deck that has been mutilated since the Daytona 500 in February 2010. Note-do not remedy a boring race with alcohol and home improvement projects.
• This definitely did not get done. We did manage to get nice grass growing in both the front and back yard though.
2. Plan NY & Bama trips. I need to see and spend time with my Nana and Grandpa and will possibly try to make that trip in the spring. (if it’s not still snowing-gasp.) We would also like to make a trip to Ryan’s dad’s lake house over the summer.
• Done & Done!! We went to NY in May and Alabama for the 4th of July.
3. Start referring to Hank as "Big Sexy". He is striking enough to call for such labeling.
• Unfortunately, this never really caught on fire like I thought it would.
4. Read more. I plan on backing off from the memoires, autobiographies, and published essays that I’ve been reading and getting back to reading more fiction. I’m planning on starting with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I didn’t choose this one based on the title alone, although it probably would have been enough for me.
• I did a lot of reading this year! I read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, Water For Elephants and You Had Me at Woof, just to name a few.
5. Write more. It’s therapeutic to communicate and I’m beginning to prefer blogging as my medium. Words in print are far more permanent and concrete than those that are spoken. I like to think about what I want to say and how I want to say it in order to accurately document my life at any given time. For instance, I can look back at this in a few years and wonder, why the hell did I ever want to call Hank, “Big Sexy??”
• I would say I accomplished this for the most part, but I’d like to take it a step further in 2012 and take a couple of writing classes.
6. Prepare for and run a 5k in the spring. This one’s for fluff. I’m capable of doing this now, but still need to find a race to participate in.
• I did two of these! The Waxhaw Town and Country Run in the spring and The GingerSnap 5k in December.
7. Plant a garden. I’m thinking small at first. Tomatoes, cukes, onions, lettuce, green beans, etc. Luckily Doreen is a Master Gardener (for real, she’s certified) and will be able to help me manage growing in red clay.
• I didn’t even come close to doing this. We had so many other needs in our yard, that it seemed a little crazy to spend the time and money on a veggie garden. I probably won’t even attempt it in 2012 because we have some landscaping issues to address that will take priority over the garden.
8. Save for a new camera. I’ll only be saving this year because I won’t allow myself to buy anything until I complete the next goal.
• Done! I did this a little backwards though. I’ll explain when reviewing the next goal.
9. Learn the ins and outs of my camera and expand my overall knowledge base of photography. I love photography and want to be better at it.
• I did this, but I bought the new camera (totally going against what I said) and then learned the ins and outs of it, instead of learning on my existing camera before buying a new one. Classic Liz move, but I got the job done.
I hope to post my 2012 goals sometime in the first week of January!
-liz
Here are the 2011 Goals.
1. Resurrect our backyard deck that has been mutilated since the Daytona 500 in February 2010. Note-do not remedy a boring race with alcohol and home improvement projects.
• This definitely did not get done. We did manage to get nice grass growing in both the front and back yard though.
• Done & Done!! We went to NY in May and Alabama for the 4th of July.
3. Start referring to Hank as "Big Sexy". He is striking enough to call for such labeling.
• Unfortunately, this never really caught on fire like I thought it would.
• I did a lot of reading this year! I read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, Water For Elephants and You Had Me at Woof, just to name a few.
• I would say I accomplished this for the most part, but I’d like to take it a step further in 2012 and take a couple of writing classes.
• I did two of these! The Waxhaw Town and Country Run in the spring and The GingerSnap 5k in December.
7. Plant a garden. I’m thinking small at first. Tomatoes, cukes, onions, lettuce, green beans, etc. Luckily Doreen is a Master Gardener (for real, she’s certified) and will be able to help me manage growing in red clay.
• I didn’t even come close to doing this. We had so many other needs in our yard, that it seemed a little crazy to spend the time and money on a veggie garden. I probably won’t even attempt it in 2012 because we have some landscaping issues to address that will take priority over the garden.
• Done! I did this a little backwards though. I’ll explain when reviewing the next goal.
• I did this, but I bought the new camera (totally going against what I said) and then learned the ins and outs of it, instead of learning on my existing camera before buying a new one. Classic Liz move, but I got the job done.
I hope to post my 2012 goals sometime in the first week of January!
-liz
12.21.2011
B.T.S.~Part II Questions 31-60
All right, so questions 30-60 are pretty boring. I mean, I am all for self-discovery, but I don’t want to be put to sleep while doing it.
31. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
That I’m getting old. I’ve been in denial for a while so this is a recent discovery for me.
32. What do you sometimes pretend to understand that you really do not?
Organized Religion, Politics, Smart Cars and 4 cylinder Mustangs.
33. In one sentence, what do you wish for your future self?
I wish that I will always feel content and at peace with myself.
34. What worries you most about the future?
How I will cope when something happens to Chico.
35. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
Being around my family and my horse.
36. What’s something from the past that you don’t miss at all?
Being young and stupid, the life I used to live.
37. What recently reminded you of how fast time flies?
Being in NY over mother’s day. Some things seemed smaller and older than I remembered and others seemed bigger and more beautiful. It’s funny how age and time can change your perspective.
38. What is the biggest challenge you face right now?
Finding the balance between doing what I want to do and what I have to do.
39. In one word, how would you describe your personality?
Warm.
40. What never fails to frustrate you?
Hypocricy and the reindeer antlers that people put on their cars at Christmastime.
41. What are you known for by your friends and family?
Being a lightweight and having a big mouth?
42. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
It bothers me when my living room is out of order when I go to bed at night. I straighten the pillows on the couch before I go to bed and if I don’t, I can’t sleep because I keep thinking about how it’s going to add to everything else I have to do in the morning. UNLESS, I have been drinking and it’s a Friday night, then I could care less. Cray cray.
43. What’s a common misconception people have about you?
I’m not really sure what people think of me so I don’t know how to answer this one.
44. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Putting themselves before their children or having kids without thinking about it.
45. What’s a belief you hold with which many people disagree?
I don’t know. I’m a pretty neutral person so it’s hard to say. I believe in Gay marriage and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that would disagree with that. Get over it though. Support love and don’t hate.
46. What’s something that’s harder for you than it is for most people?
Leaving my dog.
47. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Respect, similar interests and goals, fun.
48. If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?
For a good bit, I guess. Weird question.
49. When you think of “home,” what specifically do you think of?
North Carolina.
50. What’s the most valuable thing you own?
I would say my home even though I bought before the market tanked. Its value goes beyond the $ sign.
51. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what would you miss most?
The South and everything in it.
52. What would make you smile right now?
Chico and Ryan fighting for my attention, a McDonalds hot fudge sundae, a bottle of wine and being at home.
53. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Curl up with Chico & Ryan.
54. What do you wish did not exist in your life?
Not sure. I’m pretty tolerant and I’ve gotten pretty good at either removing or dealing with things I don’t like in my life.
55. What should you avoid to improve your life?
The wrong people. I need to surround myself with people who lift me up and make me better.
56. What is something you would hate to go without for a day?
Chico, Ryan, my iphone.
57. What’s the biggest lie you once believed was true?
Santa Clause. I was on track to be a life-long believer before my mom and sister had to break the news out of embarrassment for me.
58. What’s something bad that happened to you that made you stronger?
Geez. Cue the Kanye. Life happened. And then you shake yourself off and get on with it.
59. What’s something nobody could ever steal from you?
My resilience.
60. What’s something you disliked when you were younger that you truly enjoy today?
Being isolated and spinach.
-liz
31. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
That I’m getting old. I’ve been in denial for a while so this is a recent discovery for me.
32. What do you sometimes pretend to understand that you really do not?
Organized Religion, Politics, Smart Cars and 4 cylinder Mustangs.
33. In one sentence, what do you wish for your future self?
I wish that I will always feel content and at peace with myself.
34. What worries you most about the future?
How I will cope when something happens to Chico.
35. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
Being around my family and my horse.
36. What’s something from the past that you don’t miss at all?
Being young and stupid, the life I used to live.
37. What recently reminded you of how fast time flies?
Being in NY over mother’s day. Some things seemed smaller and older than I remembered and others seemed bigger and more beautiful. It’s funny how age and time can change your perspective.
38. What is the biggest challenge you face right now?
Finding the balance between doing what I want to do and what I have to do.
39. In one word, how would you describe your personality?
Warm.
40. What never fails to frustrate you?
Hypocricy and the reindeer antlers that people put on their cars at Christmastime.
41. What are you known for by your friends and family?
Being a lightweight and having a big mouth?
42. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
It bothers me when my living room is out of order when I go to bed at night. I straighten the pillows on the couch before I go to bed and if I don’t, I can’t sleep because I keep thinking about how it’s going to add to everything else I have to do in the morning. UNLESS, I have been drinking and it’s a Friday night, then I could care less. Cray cray.
43. What’s a common misconception people have about you?
I’m not really sure what people think of me so I don’t know how to answer this one.
44. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Putting themselves before their children or having kids without thinking about it.
45. What’s a belief you hold with which many people disagree?
I don’t know. I’m a pretty neutral person so it’s hard to say. I believe in Gay marriage and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that would disagree with that. Get over it though. Support love and don’t hate.
46. What’s something that’s harder for you than it is for most people?
Leaving my dog.
47. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Respect, similar interests and goals, fun.
48. If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?
For a good bit, I guess. Weird question.
49. When you think of “home,” what specifically do you think of?
North Carolina.
50. What’s the most valuable thing you own?
I would say my home even though I bought before the market tanked. Its value goes beyond the $ sign.
51. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what would you miss most?
The South and everything in it.
52. What would make you smile right now?
Chico and Ryan fighting for my attention, a McDonalds hot fudge sundae, a bottle of wine and being at home.
53. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Curl up with Chico & Ryan.
54. What do you wish did not exist in your life?
Not sure. I’m pretty tolerant and I’ve gotten pretty good at either removing or dealing with things I don’t like in my life.
55. What should you avoid to improve your life?
The wrong people. I need to surround myself with people who lift me up and make me better.
56. What is something you would hate to go without for a day?
Chico, Ryan, my iphone.
57. What’s the biggest lie you once believed was true?
Santa Clause. I was on track to be a life-long believer before my mom and sister had to break the news out of embarrassment for me.
58. What’s something bad that happened to you that made you stronger?
Geez. Cue the Kanye. Life happened. And then you shake yourself off and get on with it.
59. What’s something nobody could ever steal from you?
My resilience.
60. What’s something you disliked when you were younger that you truly enjoy today?
Being isolated and spinach.
-liz
12.19.2011
The Weekend.
We played with the boys, like usual.
Ace just rested, mostly. No, I did not stage this photo. This is exactly how I found him...
There was dancing.....
And then some meditation.....
We took a little road trip to Mt. Gilead, NC to do some exploring....
And this is what I found in the gas station bathroom in Mt. Gilead......
Lastly, I got this fabulous t-shirt from my little sister as part of my Christmas present. She also sent me a variety of Adirondack meats and cheeses that I can't wait to take down along with the homemade sweet pickles, dill pickles, and pickled green beans that I got from my momma.
Hope y'all had a great weekend!
-liz
Ace just rested, mostly. No, I did not stage this photo. This is exactly how I found him...
There was dancing.....
And then some meditation.....
We took a little road trip to Mt. Gilead, NC to do some exploring....
And this is what I found in the gas station bathroom in Mt. Gilead......
Hope y'all had a great weekend!
-liz
12.18.2011
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole.
Here goes my first attempt at food blogging. I needed a break from the "what's the meaning of my life" questions and I thought a little baking post would be at least mildly interesting.
This is a recipe from Paula Deen, so prepare to put on a few pounds by just looking at the ingredients.
Ingredients
8 medium baking potatoes, about 4 pounds
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 pint sour cream
2 cups ( ½ pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided use)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup chopped chives, for garnish
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Pierce potatoes and place on baking pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft.
Peel and mash potatoes in large bowl with potato masher or back of fork. Add cream cheese, butter, sour cream and 1 cup of cheddar. Stir well. Add garlic, salt and pepper, and stir again.
Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place potato mixture in dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate casserole until ready to bake.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F, remove plastic wrap and bake casserole 30 to 35 minutes until hot. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar over casserole and return to oven for about 5 minutes, until cheese melts. Garnish with chopped chives and crumbled bacon before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
-liz
This is a recipe from Paula Deen, so prepare to put on a few pounds by just looking at the ingredients.
Ingredients
8 medium baking potatoes, about 4 pounds
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 pint sour cream
2 cups ( ½ pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided use)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup chopped chives, for garnish
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Pierce potatoes and place on baking pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft.
Peel and mash potatoes in large bowl with potato masher or back of fork. Add cream cheese, butter, sour cream and 1 cup of cheddar. Stir well. Add garlic, salt and pepper, and stir again.
Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place potato mixture in dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate casserole until ready to bake.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F, remove plastic wrap and bake casserole 30 to 35 minutes until hot. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar over casserole and return to oven for about 5 minutes, until cheese melts. Garnish with chopped chives and crumbled bacon before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
-liz
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