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Nov. 30th, 2009

  • 9:50 AM
birthday cake
It's my sweet Bippy's birthday today! I love him so!

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Nov. 18th, 2009

  • 9:11 AM
True Blood Sookie
Our little trip to Gburg was wonderful! Our cabin was gorgeous, the hot tub was so relaxing, we did have a jacuzzi mishap (Josh thought bubbles would be a great idea!), we cooked together, went out to eat together, shopped, read, cuddled, played pool and darts... it was just pretty much perfect. Wish we were still there! Here are a few pics... more on my flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbarrington/

Ahh, I look rough here, but we were enjoying post-dinner coffee on the porch swing, so I like this pic anyway, because it was a happy moment!
coffee on the porch - retouched

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added 'boost' and 'vibrance' in picnikcropped and added 'lomo-ish',  adjusted fade.

Dream House!

  • Nov. 6th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
medicated/motivated

This house is for sale in my neighborhood - it's on Riverside, where the rich folk live (obviously not my side of the hood)! Definitely a dream house, one I've ALWAYS loved. 8 bedrooms! Guess what? Josh and I have started playing the lottery for this baby! Last night I dreamed I won 750,000 dollars... I know what I'd do with it if I did!

http://www.realtracs.com/MediaDisplay.aspx?PropertyClass=RES&DMQL=(AreaID%3d%7c1%2c2%2c3%2c4%2c5%2c6%2c7%2c8)%2c(StreetName%3d*riverside*)%2c(Subdivision%3d*old%2520hickory%2520village*)%2c(City%3d*old%2520hickory*)%2c(ListingStatusID%3d1)%2c(OfficeListIsActive%3d1)%2c(OfficeListIsIDX%3d1)%2c(IsListedOnInternet%3d1)&AreaID=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&MlsNum=1128692&Digest=HIplm9eK5klb4P6dKhkINA

picnik.com

  • Oct. 28th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
True Blood Sookie

I am by no means an expert at this, or even good at it, but this just made me proud of myself. I like it. And it's how *I* see this beautiful city.

before (cell phone pic)
ryman

after (cropped and played with on picnik.com)
ryman2

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Oct. 22nd, 2009

  • 10:33 AM
True Blood Sookie

picnik.com


Try not to have to much fun.

Most of the fun stuff on there is free (as in, you don't need to sign up for anything).

vampire us
Moldy Bip
Zombie us

Oct. 20th, 2009

  • 11:06 AM
breast cancer awareness month

This ain’t right and could only happen in/around Nashville .

 

Justice in Nashville, TN (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Williamson County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible..

 

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him.

 

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

 

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Tennessee Titans Football Team, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

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Falling back in love with Food Network

  • Oct. 17th, 2009 at 12:49 PM
yum-o
Grilled pork and fontina sandwiches...

  • 2 (8-ounce) 1-inch thick, boneless pork loin chops
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 (1 pound) loaf ciabatta or rustic bread, ends trimmed, cut in 1/2 horizontally
  • 4 romaine lettuce leaves, halved lengthwise
  • 4 ounces fontina cheese, cut into (1/4-inch thick) slices

Directions

Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Drizzle the pork chops on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle both sides with the herbs de Provence and grill for 10 minutes. Turn the chops over and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 160 degrees F. Transfer the chops to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes. Slice each chop into 6 (1/4-inch thick) slices.

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To assemble the sandwiches: Lay the bottom half of the bread on a work surface and spread with 1/2 of the mayonnaise mixture. Add the lettuce leaves, arrange the cheese slices on the lettuce and top with the pork slices. Spread the top half of the bread with the remaining mayonnaise mixture and cover the sandwiches. Slice the loaf into 4 pieces and serve.



MIni Chocolate Meringue Cupcakes...

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

  • 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
  • 1/4 cup cake flour
  • 3 large egg whites, at room temperature

Topping:

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Special equipment: a (24-count) mini-muffin pan, 18 to 20 (1.25-inch diameter) paper mini-muffin cup liners, recommended: Wilton

For the cupcakes: arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 24-count mini-muffin pan with 1.25-inch diameter paper liners and set aside.

In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg yolks, vegetable oil, 1/3 cup of the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, at high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in the melted chocolate chips and stir until smooth (mixture will be thick).

In a separate bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. With the machine running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Stir 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture. Using a spatula, fold the remaining egg white mixture. In batches, sift the flour over the batter and fold it in using a spatula. Fill each paper liner to the top with batter and bake for 12 minutes until puffed. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted chocolate chips and oil. Stir until smooth.

Using a fork, drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cupcakes. Allow the topping to harden for at least 1 1/2 hours at room temperature before serving. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.



Well....

  • Oct. 15th, 2009 at 9:55 AM
vday Paperclip

Where to begin? I have no idea!

Suffice it to say, I'm engaged. Engaged! I knew it was coming, but I wasn't sure when exactly it was coming. We're going to Gatlinburg in November for a weekend (!) and I thought he may do it there. I just told him that when it happened, to a) make sure I had batteries in my camera, and b) make sure I had makeup on.

Weeks ago, he had asked me what kind of rings I liked, I showed him a few, and he really loved one that was a bezel setting. He picked out the diamond a week or two ago, and then had picked out a band he was going to get on Tuesday... he wanted to change how deep the stone was in the bezel setting, because I would most likely have to have a curved band otherwise. They couldn't do it the way he wanted, so at the last minute, he went with a completely different setting, designing it himself by combining two other rings he liked. I had no idea what he had chosen. All my coworkers did, though, because he emailed a pic of it to Daeon, and then the other girls saw it, and no one would tell me anything!

I have to say, though, Daeon is my inspiration in all this. She and her wonderful husband Ben were engaged within 6 weeks of meeting, and married within 7 months! They are well-matched, ridiculously happy, and also the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl now. She knows as well as anyone that when you find the right one, there is no such thing as 'too soon'. Although to some people this might all seem a little nuts, she has been my biggest supporter... she's seen me through other heartbreaks, and she sees the happiness and contentment I have now. When she met Josh, one of the first things she said to him was "I prayed for you for her." She gets it. So many people get it. So many are supportive and want us to get married ASAP (we're waiting til next September, fyi). It more than makes up for the people who may not understand.

Anyway, back to the ring. I had a feeling that once he had it in his possession, he wasn't going to be able to wait that long. And I was right. He had barely walked in my door last night when he said "If I asked you right now, would you still say yes?" Of course I said I would, but I reminded him there were no batteries in my camera and I wasn't wearing makeup (hell, it was 8:30, I was in my pjs)! He told me it didn't matter, that I was still the most beautiful thing in the world. He then told me he had looked for me his whole life, and now that he had found me, he did not want to spend a day without me... many more sweet words followed (which I am going to spare you all!) and then the bended knee proposal was there before me. Of course I said yes and we hugged and kissed and laughed ... and the ring was still in the box in his backpack!  At last he brought it out and opened it ... and I nearly passed out. I do believe my hand involuntarily flew over my heart, almost as though I was a true southern woman with an onset of 'the vapors'.

It's gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

And I'm happy. Absolutely happy.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on him. We met at a coffee place (Bongo Java?) and he got there before I did. It was the day before my birthday. I was walking up the sidewalk when I saw him sitting at a table outside. I did not want to get my hopes up. After all, what if we didn't like each other in person? We had been talking for weeks (nearly a month, I believe) and seemed to have a great connection, and I didn't want to break that spell of 'perfect... so far.' But there is no denying that the moment I saw him, as much as I didn't want to admit it to myself at the time, a calmness settled over my heart. And if hearts are capable of smiling, it did that, too! The calmness, the smiling... they have not stopped. They will never stop. Within two weeks of that I could no longer pretend that I didn't want him, that I didn't want this. I did. I do. I always will. Because, you see, I've looked for him my whole life, too.*

Heck yes! by you.

perfect! by you.


*(and I tried to convince myself I had found him in others... but you know, when it's the right person, you don't have to convince yourself. It just IS.)



EDITED TO ADD: My ring and band....

rings by you.

Boy did gooooood.

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Oct. 12th, 2009

  • 8:40 AM
True Blood Sookie

Something seems fishy about this to me....


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33251920/ns/us_news-life?GT1=43001


Hope you all had a great weekend!

Josh helped me get all of my halloween stuff out of the garage, so now the place is pretty much decorated! These guys are sitting in the porch swing to greet you...

Happy Halloween! by you.

I made a GREAT, simple dinner on Friday - boneless pork chops in the crockpot with french onion soup (a recipe one of my coworker's swears by - and she was right, it was great), roasted potatoes with herbs de provence, and peas. It was delicious!

Josh had written down part of a recipe - well, just the ingredients - from a magazine, so we kind of ran with it for dinner last night. This is all we had to work with...

8 oz lump crab meat
4 tbsp low fat mayo (we found just over 2 tbsp was plenty)
1/2 c. pomegranate seeds
Lemon juice
Chives (which he then stated he didn't like, so I substituted fresh dill)

I asked what we served it on... his response? "Bread, I think. I only wrote down the ingredients, I didn't read the recipe."

So, here's what we did... rubbed some olive oil on sliced artisan bread, stuck it in oven to get golden. When it came out, I rubbed a halved clove of garlic over it and sprinkled it lightly with salt. Mixed the above (crab meat, etc) ingredients together in a fiesta bowl and popped it in the oven to warm (fiesta is oven-safe!), roasted some asparagus for a side dish.

Once the crab mixture was warmed through, we put it on the bread and hit it with a bit more lemon juice and ate it open-face sandwich style.

Never in my life would I have thought of mixing pomegranate seeds with seafood! But it was delicious... the crab mixture itself was creamy, and then you'd get a bit of tartness from the pomegranate - it was delicious, and a quick meal - I recommend it!

Tonight is my first monday night off (the first of many workless Monday nights ahead, let's hope!) in months (aside from Labor Day)! I get to go home after working one job! Can you believe it?? I can watch Intervention!!

Now that my evenings are free, it's high time to tackle my bedroom.... IT needs an intervention!

Truly Outrageous!

  • Sep. 25th, 2009 at 3:27 PM
batty

Remember Jem and the Holograms? I am thinking I may go as Jem for Halloween!



Pink Passion Glitter Diva Wig
Leg Avenue Light Pink Spandex Fishnet Pantyhose

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Crazy!

  • Sep. 23rd, 2009 at 1:08 PM
LORDY!

So I totally can't believe that Mackenzie Phillips had a 10 year CONSENSUAL incetuous relationship with her DAD (John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas). My mind is blown. BLOWN. And I love a good memoir, so I had to put her book on my Amazon list!

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ANAL!

  • Aug. 7th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
True Blood Sookie

From awkwardfamilyphotos.com


Awkward Family Story: The Thanksgiving Letter

July 1st, 2009

From: MarneyHJB—Dinner wineThe Mike Byron Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.
The Bob Byron Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).
The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).
The Michelle Bobble Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel - please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife
The June Davis Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay
The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

(kindly submitted by Kara at http://californiakara.blogspot.com)


 

Laundry Room Inspiration

  • Aug. 7th, 2009 at 10:45 AM
True Blood Sookie

http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/wedding-week-ii-think-inside-the-box/

For future reference!

I also have this poster, which I plan to frame and hang in laundry room as well!

Glory Glory Hallelujah!

  • Aug. 7th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
THANK YOU (jason stackhouse)
The apartment is EMPTY AT LAST! It's over! Never to return! Slightly bittersweet, though. Just... a lot happened there, and it was the first place I lived here in TN without BK. Certainly won't miss the neighbors or area or anything, though.

Such a load off of my shoulders, and my stress level is way, way, way, way down... now I just have to work in the yard, clean the house, oh, and UNPACK IT ALL this weekend. :)

But tonight... tonight I go to bed EARLY and tomorrow morning I SLEEP IN. Then, I'll get down to business.

Big special thanks to Jamie and her ability to pack shit in that bug like no one's business!

25!!!!

  • Jul. 17th, 2009 at 8:42 AM
shut your whore mouth

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET PIRATE HOOKER!!


LOVE YOU!
xoxoxo
-CRAZY LEGS

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Add it!

  • May. 12th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
True Blood Sookie

I've been threatening to do it, and I did it. I finally made a blog where I can capture all the funny things Miriam says.

[info]miriam_said 


Add it!

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