You Are a Pond

You are modest, pleasant, and reliable. You are content and confident. You are harmonious and caring. You truly like other people for who they are. You are a very genuine, humble person. Because of this, you're very approachable. You are soft-spoken and a bit sensitive. Your mild personality is a refreshing change for people.

I stole this particular blogthing test from my partner-in-crime, Gina Ardito because I felt the need to disect the results for the world to see.

Modest and reliable - YES.

Pleasant? - I can name a few people that might not agree (let's ask the lawbreaker from yesterday's post, bet he wouldn't call me "pleasant")

Content and confident - Yup. (Well, most of the time.)

Truly like other people for who they are? Um. Does trying to accept people - even if I'm trying to sway them to my way of thinking - count here?

Approachable? I'd say yes - but I know some people that might not agree with this either. But since this is my blog...heck, let's go for broke and say YES!

Soft-spoken? Mild personality? - HAHAHAHAHAHA

I have to admit that usually these blogthing tests are pretty acurate for me - this was a shocker. Although, I had high hopes when I was a pond and nothing with crashing waves...I'm most definitely NOT a water girl.

Your turn...how spot on is this test for you?

Now that summer is officially here, the kids are off from school and I'm spending more time away from my computer (stop laughing...it CAN happen!)

A few days ago, walking my daughter and her friend down the block I passed one of these:

Have you seen one?  Does it say "optional stop" on it?

Funny, the signs in my neighborhood don't. And I was under the impression that even if your english was limited - you could still figure out what to do when faced with such a sign - I mean you had to prove this in a driving test, right? Most of us didn't get our driving license in a crackerjack box.

Now with my daughter and her friend on one side of the street and myself on the other - a man in a black suv blows the stop sign - doesn't even slow down. Being the big-mouth that I am, I yelled out to him, "you missed the stop sign!"

He stops and backs up.  A conversation ensues (I'm being polite - it was really a screaming match ) - Here is the condensed version...

LAWBREAKER: "I saw it"

ME: "And you didn't think to stop?"

LAWBREAKER: "No one cares. I didn't hurt anyone"

ME: "Um, first, it's the law! Second, this is a residential neighborhood with lots of kids - see them? (I point to my daughter and her friend trying to walk away and pretend they don't know me.) It's says STOP for a reason!"

LAWBREAKER: "I don't have to stop if no one is around"

ME: "What about me? What about those kids?"

LAWBREAKER: "Haven't you ever made a mistake? And stop signs don't really matter!"

ME: "I've made mistakes, difference here is you obviously don't give a shit."

At this point I step to the back of his vehicle to memorize his license plate so that when I see him again, I can make sure I point out the lawbreaker to anyone who cares! (Anyone want it - let me know...I wrote it down when I got home.)

I think I need some kind of badge to flash at people like this - something to scare the pants of them (not literally cause he was old and honestly, I wouldn't want to see THAT with no pants!)

So tell me, do you think stop signs are optional? Or maybe just conditional on if you might get caught or not? What about morals? According to this ass you only need to worry about getting caught - as long as no one sees you breaking a law - it's okay? Is it?  I'm seeing red, and it's not the stop sign.

It's strawberry time! I'm fortunate enough to live in region where fresh fruits and vegetables come from local farms. And let me tell you, there is NOTHING like spending a day at the farm and picking your own fruit - and for me the added benefit to this scenario is that I didn't have to remember to water the plants, I didn't have to remember to fertilize and I didn't have to figure out why my plants died and my neighbors thrived!

If you read Monday's post (scroll down if you didn't  ) you know I did a booksigning this past weekend at a local vineyard...to say we passed more than one "pick-your-own-strawberries" sign would be a gross understatement, and since the local strawberry festival is going on, you can only imagine the myriad of recipes strawberries have been made into this week.

While I hold out hope of getting the family to the farm this weekend for some pick-you-own-bucket-o-fun...I'll post a recipe I've made before and look forward to making again next week with my farm-fresh goodies.

What you'll need:

2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Combine these in a medium bowl, make a well in the center.

1/4 cup milk, 2 tbs vegetable oil, 2 eggs - lightly beaten. Combine these, add to the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

1 cup chopped strawberries, 1 tbs flour. Dredge strawberries in flour, gently fold into batter.

Spoon batter into a loaf pan greased and floured. Bake at 350 for 53 to 58 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes, remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Enjoy the treat! Have any great strawberry recipes for me?

Today's post is not about my Dad, but about the man I married. While most Dad's were relaxing with a beer in one hand and cigars in the other, my husband stayed home with the kids yesterday - without me.

He cooked one hell of a breakfast of homefries and eggs (I'm not the best breakfast cook, so this was definitely to the benefit of the entire family!) and then off I went for the rest of the day.

I'm sure he had a beer or two, and I know at least one cigar was smoked...but he also made dinner when I got home.

Want to know why?  This wonderfully unselfish man gave up his day of rest and relaxation for charity. Yes, you read that right.  Yesterday was my romance writing group's very first booksigning event in support of Suffolk Literacy and our small group of 8 local romance authors, sat in the lobby of Pindar Vineyards for a total of 2 hours and raised $381 for charity!

Happy Father's Day to my honey, I've been blessed (and so have our kids!)

The honor this week goes to my son! Friday night my son walked into a crowded auditorium in his cap and gown...no longer my little boy - but a grown man.

Class Salutatorian, he was one of the first to enter and I was fortunate enough to get a picture even through my tears of pride and joy! Our family took up the whole row, and everyone one of us was choked up.

The ceremony progessed and then my son took the stage, received his Salutatorian plaque, and gave a speech that left me in awe of my son's talent. He began with a quote from Winston Churchill (since my son is a WWII military buff, this was no surprise.)

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential"

Proud moment for us? You bet. As I sat in the audience and watched my young man, my heart beating wildly in my chest, I thought back to all the tough hurdles we've overcome with him. You see, my son - the Salutatorian - has Aspergers. His speech reflected some of his struggles of being bullied for being different and of how he's picked himself up from the ashes of adversity several times and found his inner strength to succeed. His speech was remarkable! (Thank goodness the speech was printed in the program, because I missed some of it blowing my nose!)

I don't think I've ever seen his face so bright with hope and accomplishment - he's worked hard at not just his grades, but his personal struggles and this day was well deserved.

And yesterday we partied! 65 people filled our home to the brim to congratulate our graduate...Step forward my young man - follow your dreams, your heart and know your family is so damn proud of you!

Today's Man Monday comes from the world of comedy. What makes Vin qualify for this week's top spot? He's not of the drop-dead gorgeous variety, but there is just something about his smile, don't you think? (Or does that even qualify as a smile? Maybe it's just a smirk?)

Maybe it's just because he's 6 foot 5? (Damn)

It could be the puppy-dog eyes or the casual attitude.

Born in 1970, he landed a few roles in the early 90's, but it was Jon Favreau's Swingers and Steven Spielberg's Lost World: Jurassic Park that would catapult his rising star.

Wedding Crashers and Dodgeball cement his "everyman" comedic persona.

It's been reported (in the tabloids, so I have no idea how much truth there is to any of this...) that he does not like cell phones, does not own one and when given one on the set of his current movie - he loses it. Hmmm, I find that so interesting in today's "in touch" society. Old fashioned even.

I think if I had to vote on the actor I'd most likely just want to hang with over a beer (that would of course imply that I drink beer, which I don't...but let's not get technical.) - It would be Vince.

 Yeah, I think it's the look.

 I hear you Vince...drop some of that sanity my way when you find it, okay?

Happy Monday.

Sitting here this morning trying decide what recipe to put up on the "Food Friday" blog post for today and as usual my thoughts kept turning to something (anything) chocolate.

This is a recipe I haven't made in a very long time, it's from the "Pampered Chef, Season's Best, Spring/Summer 1998" collection.

Double Chocolate Mocha Trifle

1 pkg. (18.25 oz) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make brownies)

1 3/4 cups cold milk

2 pkgs. (3.4 oz each) white chocolate instant pudding & pie filling

1/4 cup warm water

4 teaspoons instant coffee granules

2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping

3 toffee cars (1.5 oz each) coarsley chopped

Prepare brownies in a 9 x 13 pan as directed for cake-like brownies.  Cool completely.  In a large bowl whisk pudding mix into milk until mixture begins to thicken. Dissolve coffee granules in the warm water; add to the pudding mixture, mixing well. Fold in whipped topping.

Cut the brownies into 1-inch squares. Chop toffee bars.  In a trifle bowl or glass bowl, layer 1/3 brownie squares, top with 1/3 pudding mixture and 1/3 of chopped toffee. Repeat layers.

Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Approximately 470 caleries and 23 grams of fat per serving, based on 12 servings.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

 Yay, it's Wednesday!  The day I get to bitch and moan about things that aren't quite right in my corner of the world.

Would you believe I now have a second butt-head neighbor to content with? First we had the dog, and now we have the house-van on blocks parked in the street directly across from my front door. Front tires off, brakes wrapped in a blanket, it's been like that for 3 freakin' weeks. Do people not get the idea of an eyesore?

Would you believe for our Memorial Day barbecue I asked hubby to grill me up a veggie burger? I kid you not. While the rest of the grill was covered with good old beef burgers, one little corner of the grill belonged to me and my lone mushroom veggie burger. Hubby's a peach though, he gave me an odd look - but he said not a word.

Would you believe I didn't have a problem with Kris Allen winning the American Idol, but I HATED the season finale of 24? I think both Adam and Kris are two talented guys and both will go far, but let's talk Jack. I've always liked Tony (Carlos Bernard) and it drove me absolutely nuts that they had him flip-flopping like my weekend pancakes all season long. The Olivia storyline was boring. One positive point to the season was Kim. Thankfully the writers finally gave Kim a reason to be sucking oxygen and actually found myself routing for her. I tried to suspend my disbelief when Jack could once again save the day, time after time, only to pass-out from his "illness" as soon as the danger passed. Okay, I'm all for suspense... But then we had to fade out just when we think Rene is going to go Jack on the Allen guy. WTF - just when I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, the season is over?

I say next year they give Chloe the gun.

Your turn...what wouldn't I believe?

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 It's that time of year again. The weather is nicer, the kids are almost off for summer vacation and your regular schedule is going right out the window on the warm flower-scented breezes.

Not that I'm complaining about the warm weather, because in all honesty, I hate the cold. What I am complaining about is my latest feelings of my well-organized world falling apart. (Stop laughing...I have my own little system and it works..hahaha.)

For me, June is the month of graduations, concerts, end-of-the-school-year parties and weekend barbecues. Which means less time getting my manuscript written, edited and out the door.

Today I stopped over for a visit to Zen and was inspired (as usual!) I've also been doing some reading up on to-do-lists and prioritizing. And with all the techno-gadgets I have in my possession, this should be a snap for me.

One of Zen's latest lists, 55 ways to re-energize, really hit home for me. Getting up earlier and sticking to it. Eating breakfast, and being optimistic and even wearing bright colors to work top the list. But it was his mention of endulging in a piece of chocolate that made my heart sing! And speaking of singing - singing out loud with your co-workers, one foot-stomping tune - is suppose to be a great pick-me-up for the mid-day blues. (I happen to know someone who was asked NOT to sing in her cubicle, so this might not be for everyone. LOL)

Then I found, WishfulThinking  -where I downloaded a free pdf e-book on "time management for creative people." From there, I've decided to try a few of the techniques, like getting up early and using that time for my own productivity (since this seems to be a common idea) - and not things like email and blogging (I know, I'm just as shocked as you are! Can it be done?)

To-do-lists, getting up early, no blogging until I've worked on my manuscript...let the betting begin.

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