If ever you find yourself babysitting while packing...

Afternoon cuddle ritual

Is this ridiculous or what? Greta has to cuddle with Josh on the couch when he gets home every afternoon for about 30 minutes. Our poor children are going to have to be aggresive to get a spot on the couch when that day comes.

Oddities from Atlanta

While browsing through my camera at all the pictures I took during our many trips to Atlanta, I came across a couple I thought I would share.

Picture #1: This is a gas station we stopped at across from a rather extensive Cemetery. This guy apparently didn't make the cut. I would haunt them, wouldn't you!?

Picture #2 If you ever are so lucky as to find yourself homeless and house hunting,

as we were, you may come across landlords who give you the combination to a lock box. This is a padlock type contraption they hang over the front door that has a special combo that releases the key to the house. We were shocked that so many people used these, allowing us to peruse through their houses unshaparoned. But with that libery comes surprises.

Dead bird in the shower! May he rest in peace. Poor birdie. The house was cute, incidentally, just wouldn't fit any of our furniture.

Picture #3 And this is the most super fabulous church in all of Atlanta, but Josh says he doesn't want to be Episcopal.

Snake Snacks

I think the lack of scale in this picture is very flattering for Clay-She looks like a mighty python!

The miniature equivalent to Python eats small deer-Garter snake eats large toad.

Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad

Click the picture to enlarge so you can read it

(and that splotch at the bottom is olive oil, oops)

This is a page right out of my recipe book. I got this recipe from the taste of Home magazines-per Aunt Sylvia. I made it just once, but it was delicious.

My alterations:
I doubled cucumber
Added a little extra balsamic, of course!
Used 5 roma tomatoes instead
And splenda instead of sugar-to taste.

Frozen Apples-Great Summer Doggy Treat!

Just grab one out of the freezer after a hot day outside.

Apple portion should be relative to dog size!

Greta gets a whole one.

Uncle Josh and Kinley

(Click picture to enlarge)

Kinley came over to visit last night, with her parents, and she found a comfy spot with Uncle Josh made her self at home.

Katelyn's Chicken Salad

I just recently started liking cold meat salads-tuna, chicken, etc. So, after I looked up various recipes for chicken salad, I decided to make my own. I despise celery, for one, and also wanted it to stay low carb-so no raisins or grapes. I love cucumbers and pepper AND garlic, so those are the main ingredients. All the ingredients are approximate; keep that in mind also. It was an experimental recipe, but turned out great. Even the husband had 2nds.

Katelyn's Chicken Salad
1 Rotisserie chicken
1 cup mayo
1/2 cucumber
2 tsp garlic pepper
dash of lemon juice
3 shakes chopped onion flakes

Pull all the meat off the chicken, removing fatty parts and most of the skin. I chopped up some skin for a little flavor, but not much. Chop chicken to desired size. I added and mixed a little mayo at a time, so as not to get too much (yuck), and ended up with about a cup, I think. Dice cucumber (gives the celery crunch without the appauling flavor) and fold in with remaining ingredients. Then chill! I will be eating it on a bed of spinach leaves and sliced cucumbers. Yummy.

(Side note: If you use the rotisserie chicken, be careful not to add salt until after you taste it, because they are pretty salty already. I added no salt.)

Not Homeless!

We finally found it. Fourth time's a charm. Upon our one month house hunting anniversary, we found victory! We found a three bedroom, one bath house near East Lake in Atlanta. About 15-20 minutes from downtown. All hardwood, gas stove, central heat/air, fenced in yard, cute neighborhood. Though we are going to have to catch up on our landscaping. The neighbors are making our house look shabby. All that's left is to pack up our entire life and roll it on over there. Packing party July 4th weekend! If you come on the 4th, you get the bonus of watching the neighbors fireworks as you get eaten by mosquitoes, while loading boxes in the truck. Woo hoo! HOUSE SLIDESHOW.

Homemade Magnetic Bookmarks

These dandy little things are very easy to make. they require the following:

1. Any type of magnet with sticky-back (and I ended up using glue anyway)

2. x-acto knife or scissors

3. ribbon or fancy paper of your choice

4. "dries clear" glue of your choice

With paper, you cut paper strip the exact width of magnet, because it will get fringy if it hangs over. Cut the length of the paper so that you can set the two magnet pieces about a quarter of an inch apart. That way, when you fold it over the page(s) it has room to bend. The paper only lasts so many folds. That's why I switched to ribbon. With the ribbon, I just folded under the ends and stuck it to the magnets with tacky glue. The End.

Supplies

Aye, see?

Tada!


Ooo, lala.