A Tastly Texas Feast

Appetizer: When was the last time you had some bar-b-que?

Last weekend. My husband loves to bar-b-que. He is now working on coming up with some signature sauces... yummy!

Soup: How many pairs of cowboy boots do you own?

None at the moment. Until about a year ago I had one or two pair all the time. My favorites were gray Dingos.

Salad: Finish this sentence: Mommas, don't let your babies __________.

Mommas, don't let your babies forget that they'll always be your babies.

Main Course: Name a song that makes you think of Texas.

Hmmmm. Three come to mind. Luckenbach, Texas-Willie and Waylon, God Blessed Texas-Little Texas, and All My Ex's Live in Texas-George Strait




Dessert: Cowboy hats - Black or White?


Despite the good guy/bad guy thing, definitely black!

Breakfast Feast

Appetizer

When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
January 8th. My next appointment was scheduled for right after the wreck and I just haven't been back since.

Soup

Name one thing you miss about being a child.
The lack of responsibilities. There were basic ones - do your homework, make your bed, pick up after yourself - but all the big responsibilities/decisions were taken care of by my parents.

Salad

Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
Butter, but olive oil comes in a close second.









Main Course

If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
Probably Spanish. I remember a very little bit of it from school but would love to be able to speak another language fluently. For me, I think Spanish would be most useful here and while traveling.

Dessert

Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
...on vacation traveling throughout the northwestern United States. (See Thursday Thirteen below)

Treats!

Appetizer

What is the weather like today where you live?
Overcast and a chance of thunderstorms - same as yesterday - same as tomorrow. Where is summer?

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?
Honestly, right now I'd say about a four. I want to do my job well and am interested in learning what I have to to do that but there are a lot more important things in my life at this point. I've been a nine (probably never a ten) before. I've achieved success in this area of my life in the past. I've moved up the ladder and won awards in more than one occupational field. I guess I just don't feel the need to prove myself to myself or anyone else at this point but, since I have to work, I'm content with the position I have and the field I'm in.

Salad

What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?
Yes. In various rooms there are curtains, blinds, Roman shades and there are the fake shutters on the outside

Main Course

Name something that instantly cheers you up.
My grandbabies! Obviously. Chocolate is usually good too.

Dessert

How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?
Usually just once. I hit the snooze then lie back down to say my morning prayers. Sadly, I have to hit the snooze because way to often I doze back off.

Yummy!

Appetizer

If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?

Europe. There are so many of the countries I'd like to visit: Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Ireland, Belgium, Austria,Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, France, the U.K. My heritage is French, Dutch, and Irish so I'd really like to visit those areas.

Soup

Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?

Internet Explorer

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?

I'd say about a five. We took a vacation every year when I was a child and we always visited someplace historical during that trip. Though as teens my sister and I were much more interested in getting to the beach, I am glad now that we always included a visit to someplace like Edison's or Flagler's homes on those trips.

Main Course



Finish this sentence: Love is… Wow - so many things come to mind. The first two would be-

Love is always having to say you're sorry. (Erich Segal had it all wrong.)
Love is a choice not a feeling.





Dessert

Have you ever been in or near a tornado?

Yes, near one a few times. The most interesting were the one while in a pop-up camper (eek!), the one while at the drive-in watching The Poseidon Adventure (the original, and yes, with that and the drive-in I am definitely showing my age), and the several that went around Deer Creek concert arena while I was sitting in the lawn at a Don Henley concert.

Just a Snack

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
A realist. Generally, I think I'm an optimist. However, in dealing with specific situations or making a big decision I often use the "worst case scenario" theory. If I acknowledge the worst thing that could possibly happen it gives me perspective on what to do.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
Definetly BLUE.

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?
Define Manicure/pedicure. I file my nails when they need it and occassionally paint them. I paint my toenails once a week. As far as the full treatment with lotions and oils and all that - not for years.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?
Nope!

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?
In my office.

FRESH FROM THE OVEN

Appetizer

What is the nearest big city to your home?


Indianapolis









Soup

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?

I'd say a nine. I'm very protective of people who confide in me. I also like surprises so if it is a secret about a gift or surprise party my lips are zipped.






Salad

Describe your hair (color, texture, length).

Ugh! Clairol pale blond, very thin, very fine and about shoulder length.

Main Course

What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?

Sometimes courteous, occasionally aggressive when provoked, but never slow - usually fast. I'm also a very defensive driver. Although since the wreck and with the price of gas my driving has changed some.

Dessert

When was the last time you had a really bad week?


The last week of February-first week of March right after the wreck definitely qualifies. See my entry on April 3rd for more information on the wreck!

Today's Tasty Treat

Appetizer

When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?
Almost always - smiles are contagious!

Soup

Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?
Carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl - we have it all, flooring wise that is.




Salad

Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.
Dieters debate damage dessert does.

Main Course

Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?
Yes. A lady I worked with adopted a baby girl from Haiti. Also, when we went to work in an orphanage in Kahzakstan two of our team members decided to adopted daughters from there.

Dessert

Name 2 blue things.
Bluberries and blue jeans (almost sounds like the name of a country song, doesn't it?)

HUNGRY?

Appetizer

Name something you would categorize as weird.
People - everyone is a little weird in some way once you get to know them.

Soup

What color was the last piece of food you ate?
Yellow and purple. A way-bad-for-me biscuit with sort-of-good-for-me blackberry all fruit jelly/jam.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?
Two and nine! If I'm in the mood to be alone it's a nine. If I'm bored and want to do something it's a two.

Main Course

Fill in the blank: I will definitely vote for someone in the presidential primary & general elections. I know, that's weak but I'm not 100% sure yet and I don't feel strongly enough about any of the choices to defend my position.

Dessert

Describe your sleeping habits.
I am a side sleeper and I prefer to have a pillow or wad of covers under my top leg. I usually wake up about five minutes before the alarm goes off - probably because I hate the sound of an alarm clock.

Time to Eat!

Appetizer
Name a color you find soothing.
Pastels - specifically a soft aqua.

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.
I don't remember the first time in drivers ed., I do remember driving with my Dad and him being very patient.

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?


Denim - that would by my New York & Co. jeans!








Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?


Undoubtedly, unquestionably,
undeniably the Eagles!!!












Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?
That would be "E".

A Hearty Meal

The chef is off today so some others offered to fill in as guest chefs. I think stonegirl is serving up a pretty hearty meal.

Appetizer

What is your favorite vacation spot in the United States?
Any one I haven't been to yet. There are so many beautiful places to see and I have been fortunate enough to visit many of them. Circumstances have made my goal to see all 50 states before I turn 50 impossible but if I bump it up to before I'm 60, I might make it. Maui is beautiful. Alaska is breath taking. Florida has a variety of places I'd go back to and, for a long weekend, I love cities like St. Louis or Chicago. I could go on. The only place I've been so far that I'd never go back to is Atlantic City, N.J.

Soup
If someone else (friend, co-worker, family) brings up a religious or political topic, how likely are you to join the conversation, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = not likely, 10=very likely).
9! I usually can't help myself. There are a few instances where I would keep my mouth shut, but not many. I have always been pretty opinionated.

Salad
What song do you listen to when you feel very sad?
It depends on what I'm sad about and who I'm sad for, myself or someone else. The ones that come to mind are Desperado and Learn to be Still by the Eagles, The Song Remembers When by Trisha Yearwood and Whatever You Say by Martina McBride.

Main Course
Someone you really admire is coming over for a home-cooked dinner. What do you serve him/her?
Probably lasagna or something else Italian. I love to cook Italian food and almost everyone loves to eat it.

Dessert
If the only form of transportation left in the world is by animal (horse, mule, camel, etc), where would you live?
Maui - a multitude of climates in a very condensed area. It also fulfills every girls dream of horseback riding along the beach at sunrise or sunset.

Isn't It Delicious.....

Appetizer

Invent a new flower; give it a name and describe it. Royselip - A cross between a rose and tulip that is a rich royal blue. The stem would be like a tulip (no thorns) and the top like a rose.

Soup

Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice. Martina McBride - strong voice, unbelievable range.

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car? Okay, well, my car looks pretty bad right now (see yesterday's Thursday Thirteen), but typically it's about and six or seven. I live/work out of my car a lot of the time so I like to keep it clean and organized on the inside. I usually try to choose a color of car that doesn't show dirt too much because I'm not nearly as good at keeping the outside clean.

Main Course

How do you feel about poetry? I like it. I used to write some poetry when I was much younger. I even won a contest and got one poem published but I think good poetry requires inspiration which, for me at least, requires time and mobility to be in inspiring places. I don't really enjoy reading poetry but I do like hearing it read.

Dessert

What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of? Grandbaby Jaiyda of course - two days ago!

Time to Eat

Appetizer
What does the color dark green make you think of?

Dark green makes me think of money.

Soup
How many cousins do you have?

I counted and I have 26 (I think) first cousins. My second cousins are closer to my age and there are a whole bunch of them!

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

Nine. At one time a guy I was dating told me I was the most honest person he knew - sometimes brutally honest - but always honest.

Main Course
Name something that is truly free.

Jesus's saving love is the only thing I know of that is truly free.

Dessert
Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

Some people really inspire new growth.

Now Serving

Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

Definitely the country! I love the outdoors and nature. We currently live on five acres that was all woods until we cleared part for the house, driveway, etc. I do enjoy being in the city too so I always want to live within an hour or so of a big city - but I wouldn't want to live there.

Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?

Grandbaby Jaiyda, of course!

Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard my friend, Linda, got an email from Clinton Kelly from What Not To Wear! Really!

Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?

My first thought, currently, would be OnStar!!! It really does work just like on the commercials! Until a month ago my answer would probably have been Enviga, Mt. Dew, or New York & Co. jeans.

Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?

Viactiv chocolate multi-vitamin.

Munchies

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?
Probably a 5. I don't think I have pretty handwriting by any means but it is legible which shows an improvement that has happened over the years.

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?
Showers- definitely! In a bath I just feel like I'm sitting in my own dirt - ick! I will, occassionally, take a bubble bath or a whirlpool bath just to relax.

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?
Define watched. We like NASCAR so we started watching Talladega Nights. It was so bad, however, that we turned it off about 15 minutes in to it.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.
Enviga - my ultimate caffeine fix. I get the Mt. Dew caffeine but with the added benefits of green tea antioxidants and 20% of the RDA of calcium. The only way it really affects my life is the expense because it is pretty pricey and the search to find it. Only a few stores carry it and the ones that do run out quickly.






Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?
Piano - althought, with St. Patty's day coming up, I should mention that I also like bagpipes.

Double Feasted

Since I was unable to do last weeks feast and am so glad to be back feasting, I'm doing two this week.

Feast One Hundred & Eighty One-March 7, 2008

Appetizer If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

Oprah

Soup On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

Four- although it depends a lot on who I'm talking to.

Salad Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

New Life Ministries www.newlife.com

Main Course What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

Pizza

Dessert Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

Yes, even though I had my flu shot. - - -


Feast One Hundred & Eighty One-February 29th, 2008 •

Appetizer Who was the last person you hugged?

Jackie - my daughter-in-law's mother - she and her husband were leaving after visiting and bringing us dinner because of the wreck.

Soup Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

Use Witch Hazel for an astringent. It is inexpensive but is the main ingredient is some of the most expensive brands.

Salad What does the color yellow make you think of?

Sunshine and daffodils

Main Course If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

I would LOVE to make my living as a photographer and I would photograph nature and scenes all over the world!

Dessert What was the longest book you ever read?

As in number of pages or as in "will this book ever end"? Pages would be Gone With the Wind (I think I finally finished it). "Will it ever end" would be my anthropology textbook in college. I didn't think the class would ever end either.

Time to Eat!

Appetizer Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

No, I'm not a practical joker.

Soup What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

The ones in the dining room are red, white, and blue
to match the decor of the room. The ones in the kitchen
are commercial stainless steel with handles
like these.

Salad Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

Hopefully Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall. That will mean that I have covered every state on this side of the Mississippi in my quest to see all 50 states before I'm 50.

Main Course What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

Various "flavors" from Bath and Body Works. I prefer the ones that smell like foods rather than flowers.

Dessert Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

Name: End of the Fast

Ingredients: Brownie mix with semi-sweet and white chocolate chips and maraschino cherries baked inside. Cut brownies into squares and top with French vanilla ice cream covered in warm caramel and hot fudge sauce. Top with toasted almonds and broken pretzels.

Appetizer Name one thing that is unique about you. My fingerprint, of course. I'm having a tough time answering this one. I know that each person as a whole is completely unique but, other than my fingerprint, I can't think of any one seperate thing that is totally unique to me.

Soup Fill in the blank: My favorite thing to do is travel but I like reading too.

Salad What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings? The bedroom is cherry (my favorite) stained to a dark burgundy traditional cherry color. Most of the rest of the house is oak stained to a spice/brierwood color.

Main Course Who do you talk to most often on the phone? My daughters- I talk to one of them almost every day.

Dessert What level of responsibility do you have in your job? On a scale of 1 -10 with ten being total responsibility it's about an eight. I am completely responsible for my own accounts in every area except billing/collection. I do have great backup support from the showroom manager and other designer/salespeople.

Feastless Friday (but not fasting)

The official Friday's Feast site is suffering from some technical difficulties. Therefore, I've decided to create a little feast of my own. My favorite restaurant choices in each category follow. Think in terms of a progressive dinner party.

WARNING! Indulging in the video may make you hungry but it is calorie free here in bloggyland.

• Stuffed mushrooms from Red Lobster
• Pasta e fagoli soup from Olive Garden
• Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing from Sullivan's Steak House
• Grilled salmon from Oceanaire Seafood Room
• One of 100 (literally) sundaes from Ivanhoes.

The Dinner Bell is Ringing

Appetizer What is your favorite kind of cereal?

Cheerios - no question about it.

Soup When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

About ten days ago I purchased a new rug for the foyer.

Salad What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

I had to really think on this one. I liked the one with the cows playing Marco Polo in the fog. The one where the guy's wife has put silk sheets on the bed and he comes running in, slides clear across the bed and out the window is funny too. I don't see a lot pf commercials since "The King of the Remote" usually flips stations while they're on.

Main Course Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

The Oregano Owl - An "open all night" Italian restaurant.

Dessert Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't danced since my son's wedding. I love to dance. I wish there were more opportunities to do it.

Dinner Time

Appetizer How many times per day do you usually laugh?

I laugh quite a bit. It's okay to laugh and joke around where I work which is great. Other places I've worked thought you couldn't be productive if you were laughing/happy. My husband has a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh and then there are the dogs who are always doing something amusing.

Soup What do your sunglasses look like?

Now my regular glasses tint with the sunlight but when I wore contacts all the time I had lots of sunglasses. I'd lose or break them regularly so I'd buy several pairs at the dollar store. Before that I had my favorite pair which I kept for an extremely long time for me. They had red lenses and I just loved them. They distorted the color of things slightly and made everything look brighter and happier. They really were my "Rose Colored Glasses".

Salad You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?

This is an easy one. I'd go to Washington state. I really want to take this trip by train leaving from Chicago. It would also allow me to mark off several of the states I'm missing on my goal to see all 50 states before I turn 50. (Pretty sure I'm going to have to modify that to 60)

Main Course Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.

I like that it is a mid-size city without all the big city traffic but with easy, within an hour access to the big city events, culture, and restaurants. I also like that it is flanked by several small towns with all the small town charms and festivals.

Dessert If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?

Pink! I'm not really a big pink person but I think the sky is beautiful when there is a bright pink to orange and pink sunset. Besides, they've proven that pink is calming and a little more calm in this world couldn't hurt.