Hallelujah! I Won!!

Yes!  Despite a trip from Georgia to Florida for an entire week, I finished my novel for National Novel Writing Month last night.  More importantly, I am just a smidgen away from finishing the entire story for the first time through.  Then, it's goodbye "Crazy" and hello "Pizzeria on Mars", my next writing project.

Wordless Wednesday - Another Turtle in Our Backyard

I love the coloring on this one. 

Wordless Wednesday - Sea World Show

Shamu - The Great Orca Slave Whale?!??

A few weeks ago, PETA sued Sea World claimed that the killer whales were "slaves" under our Bill of Rights.  While I fully believe in the ethical treatment of animals, PETA is their own worst enemy when they do stunts like this.  

New Thanksgivings Tradition

A few years ago our school board wisely chose to give the kids a week off for Thanksgiving.  We visited my parents during the week long break, and discovered that November is the perfect time to go to Florida!  The weather is nicer, the beaches have room on them, and overall it was one of the most relaxing vacations ever.

After that wonderful vacation, my parents have extended us a standing invitation to visit them in Florida for the Thanksgiving break.  Over the years, we have added events to the schedule, such as an annual visit to the beach.  This year, though, we're starting a new Thanksgiving tradition:  cooking!!

Okay, okay, I know that most people cook on Thanksgiving.  But this year everyone will be contributing at least one dish to the dinner table.  My son will be making mashed potatoes.  My daughter signed up to make a pumpkin pie.  My husband is contributing a loaf of that wonderful zucchini bread for dinner and Hungarian coffee cake for breakfast.  My dad is even getting in on the act, making a corn casserole.  Mom and I will be getting the remaining dishes done.

I know that this might seem a little silly, but I like having Thanksgiving traditions that involve everyone.  This particular tradition encourages the kids to learn how to cook, how to plan meals, and how to cooperate when figuring out meal assignments.  This tradition also means that there won't be just one person in the kitchen slaving over the dinner.  Everyone participating means the workload is spread out.

I will let you know how well this tradition works out.

Recipe: Inez's Zucchini Bread

Inez Patterson is my husband's Mom.  She was a character, from all accounts, who worked hard at being both a good person and a great mother.  Inez cooked dinners at home virtually every day, and my dear husband introduces us to various dishes from his childhood from time to time.  Last Saturday, he went to the kitchen with our daughter and whipped up a favorite of his - zucchini bread.  I was at the writing conference, and I came home to a wonderfully smelling house with even more wonderfully tasting bread.  I loved it so much, I decided to share the recipe.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we do.

 Inez's Zucchini Bread Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 2 c. Flour
• 2 tsp. Baking powder
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
• 3 tsp. Cinnamon
• 3 Eggs
• 1 c. Vegetable Oil
• 2/3 c. Sugar
• 2 c. Grated zucchini (from 2 medium-sized zucchinis)
• 2 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 c. Raisins
• 1 c. Chopped Walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, Fahrenheit.
2. Grease a 13"x9"x2" dish or a loaf pan.
3. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
4. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture.
5. Add everything else in and mix together.  Do not overmix.
6. Pour mixture into the dish or loaf pan.
7. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the center springs back.

"Home Security" by Steve Frenkel

Steve Frenkel is a local artist here in Georgia.  I met him years ago, and I immediately fell in love with his art.  I love the colors that Steve uses, as well as the manner in which he presents ideas.  This particular painting is my all-time favorite one.  I love how a person is so overcome with fear that they install ludicrous defense mechanisms around their house, from a dinosaur to an airplane.  If you want to see more of Steve's work, go to his stream at Flickr.

Mystery Symphony from the Mystery Guitar Man

A while ago, I watched a video in which the Mystery Guitar Man (MGM) asked his fans to send in videos of them playing various instruments.  He asked that you play one note at a time, with a short break between notes. He said that he would create a video of a well known song, but MGM refused to let us know what song was in advance.  Over 1,400 people responded, and MGM created this - the Mystery Symphony!!

Enjoy!