Delicious Veggie Stew

I found this recipe online and it was great. I did change it a little bit because I didn’t have any garbanzo beans so I threw in a ½ cup of lentils but I don’t think it changed the calorie count much. I also didn’t have butternut squash so I just used yellow squash. I also left out the eggplant because it was so expensive. It must have been good though because my hubby ate two helpings of it!

Very VERY Veggie Stew

PER SERVING (about 1 cup): 100 calories, 1g fat, 296mg sodium, 20g carbs, 6g fiber, 7g sugars, 4g protein -- POINTS® value 1*

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1 cup canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
One 6-oz. can tomato paste
1 eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tomato, coarsely chopped
2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
1 cup coarsely chopped carrot
1 cup cubed butternut squash
1 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. dried basil
1/3 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt, or more to taste
1/8 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda)

Directions:
Place all the veggies and the garbanzo beans in your crock pot.
In a medium bowl, combine broth, tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, basil, cinnamon, salt, paprika, ginger, and sweetener. Mix well and pour evenly over the contents of the crock pot. Gently stir to allow the sauce to coat the veggies.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. (OR cover and cook on low for 7 - 8 hours.) If you like, add additional salt to taste. Enjoy!

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

Successful Teaching Awarded as a Top 50 Innovator in Education

(See the press release below! I’m so honored! Thank you ecollegefinder.)

April 12th, 2010, Philadelphia, PA – Successful Teaching has recently been honored to receive eCollegeFinder.org’s Education Innovator Award.  The Education Innovator Award recognizes the top 50 Internet-based resources that contribute to the advancement of learning into new and innovative formats.  By promoting the emerging trends in education, Successful Teaching facilitates such change by building on traditional techniques while embracing new tools for sharing information and encouraging the desire to learn. 

Successful Teaching epitomizes the role of an educational pioneer, as it engages students, educators and parents alike, and highlights the myriad of educational opportunities available today.  The Education Innovator Award recognizes Successful Teaching’s exploration of new educational methods, as this willingness to embrace new learning formats truly embodies the innovator spirit.  To view more about the award, visit the eCollegeFinder Education Innovator Award page.

About eCollegeFinder.org

Getting ahead in today's competitive job market requires you to advance your education and knowledge. eCollegeFinder.org helps students find the right online degrees, offering a wide range of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees as well as specialized certificates and diplomas from the top accredited online colleges and universities.

Carnival Day 6 Jamaica

We arrived in Ocho Rios, Jamaica around 8am. Our tour ($75 per person) began at 8:15 which was the Ultimate Beach Break at Dolphin Cove and Dunn’s River Falls. First we went to the falls. They rented water shoes if you didn’t have any but we had our rubber clogs. Then we rented a locker for $8 and when you returned the lock you got $3 back. I was able to fit my whole backpack in it and there were still lots of room if I needed it. Finally we made a human chain and climbed up the 950 foot waterfall. It was a wonderful adventure and I’m glad that we did it.

Then we went to Dolphin Cove where there was unlimited rum punch and food along with sharks and dolphins and complimentary beach chairs. But the wind was blowing and the waves were strong so we decided not to stay on the beach. We walked along the jungle trail and I took a picture with an iguana. There were also lots of golden silk spiders and webs around. It also began to rain on and off so we got on the shuttle and went to the shopping area. We were able to get our Hard Rock Café magnet. Then we walked back to the ship and had lunch on the ship.

We rested until it was time to leave the port and then get ready for formal night at dinner. We also went to the show.

I enjoyed Jamaica and I’m glad we walked up the falls but my legs and arms are sore tonight. I guess I’m just not as young as I thought I was.

Carnival Liberty Day 5 Grand Cayman

We took the tender to Grand Cayman around 9:00 and took a cab to Seven Mile Beach. The beach was wonderful and the water was clear. The cab ride cost $4 per person and wasn’t far from the ship. We found a sandy spot to drop my pack and towels and spent a lot of time in the water. It was very breezy so I didn’t notice the heat which was unfortunate since I got burnt! I don’t remember ever getting this badly burned so I will be sitting in the shade for the rest of the cruise. Around 1:00 we walked along the beach and the road back to the ship and it was only about a 35 minute walk.

When we got back to the ship we had lunch and then showered and rested before the Past Guest reception. The reception was really nice and we walked around the ship until dinner. After dinner we went to the magic show of Puck.

Tomorrow we arrive in Jamaica and I’m really excited because I’ve never been there before.

Carnival Liberty Day 4 At Sea

I got up early this morning and played on the computer. Then around 8am, Aysu (dining room hostess) talked to me for about 30 minutes. She is married to a waiter in the dining room so I heard a little about her life.

Today was a very lazy day. After breakfast in the dining room we walked around the track for an hour. Then I sat out on the deck and knitted until lunch time. After lunch sat on the deck for a little while but then went back to the cabin to rest until dinner. Dinner was nice and the waiters sang and danced for us.

After dinner we walked around and then went back to the cabin to watch the Time Traveler’s Wife. I got a little sunburned today so my skin was pretty hot. I hope it turns to tan by tomorrow when we reach Grand Cayman.

Carnival Liberty Day 3 Cozumel

We arrived in Cozumel around 8am but it was very cloudy and looked like rain. We had thought about going to Chankanaab Park which was a $10 taxi ride (for 1-4 people) and then the entrance fee was $10 per person but we changed our mind and decided to go downtown. Instead of paying the $7 taxi ride, we walked the 4 miles into town. It was a pleasant walk since it was overcast and cool. We got to town around 11:00 and looked in a lot of shops. We found a little bar called Ambar where the beers were $1 each so we had a four beers plus nachos and cheese which came to $9. Then we walked around some more until we got hot and went back to Ambar to have a couple of more beers. Then we started to walk back to the ship  but it got really hot. We ended up walking down 2 dead end roads so we turned back to town and had a couple of beers at this place but they were $1.50 each so we back to Ambar for our dollar beers. After a few, the waiter (who looked just like Buddy Hackett) came out with two shots of blue tequila and said they were on the house! We enjoyed talking with the people there while we drank our beer. Since it was getting late, we ended up taking a cab back to the ship and getting back in time for dinner.

For dinner I had wild mushroom cream soup, filet mignon , and apple pie with ice cream. It was so tasty! After dinner we changed and went up on the deck to watch us leave the port. We were supposed to leave at 10pm but two people were still missing from the ship. About 10:15 we saw a car come in and drive to the ship letting the people out so we were finally able to leave.

After we left the port we ended up having pizza and ice cream before finally going to bed around 11:30pm.

It was a wonderful day (even if I ended up with a blister on my foot).

Carnival Liberty Days 1 and 2

Day 1 Embarkation

We had a wonderful embarkation in Miami. I think we were so surprised because we dreaded coming to this port. In the past, it has always been chaotic and unorganized but this time was totally different! From the time we were dropped off, it only took us 15 minutes to board the ship and get in line for lunch. I’m extremely pleased with this! At lunch we met another couple that we met on the Glory last September!

Our cabin is at the front of the ship right under the bridge. We have a nice porthole seeing the deck out front. I think it is a nice cabin but Don thinks it is smaller than the inside cabins we have had. I think he just doesn’t like change.

We stood out on the deck and watched them switch an anchor which was an exciting drama. It involved a couple of forklifts and one of them looked like a hummer forklift. Then the huge chain got caught on one of the dock cleats so that was more drama. One man told us that the anchor split last week at Half Moon Cay so they had to get a new one.

After the muster drill we met with the other people from cruisecritics.com at the aft lido bar. We met a lot of nice people and even had a quiz to take. I came in second and won some wind chimes!

We had dinner in the silver dining room and Elvis was our maître’d. The other two couples were Renee and Scotty from Ohio and Kathy and Bryce from Nashville. It was a pleasant evening.

After dinner we watched the country line dancing lessons and then walked around the ship. Before going back to our cabin, Don ate a pastrami sandwich and I ate another piece of Black Forest gateau (chocolate cake with bing cherries). It was wonderful!

Day 2 At Sea

It was a wonderful day! I ate an omelet at 7:30am and then when I woke Don up at 9am, we went to the dining room for breakfast. I had some French toast and bacon while Don had eggs benedict. After breakfast we attended the talk about shore excursions and before long, it was lunch time. After lunch we walked around the ship and just relaxed. By 4pm, we had to get ready for formal night.

The Captain’s celebration was at 5pm and we got to meet the hotel director Pier, and the head of guest relations. When the captain walked by, he did a double take because he recognized us. He spent a lot of time talking with us until he had to leave and mingle with other guests.

At dinner we had two new couples join us – Vern and Lorinda from Nova Scotia and Dale and Chris from upstate NY. They were really nice. Scotty and Renee must have gotten moved to be with their group of 9 at the later seating that they wanted. Dinner was prime rib and lobster which was fantastic. Dessert was Cherries Jubilee.

After dinner we went to the show which I always enjoy and then at 10:45 was the adult comedy show by Phat Kat. I was surprised how packed the room was! It was a funny show and I’m glad I stayed awake for it! Finally by midnight we were back in our cabin.

Sunny Florida

We are here visiting my parents in Florida and the weather has been absolutely wonderful. The days fly by so quickly with running errands and visiting. Then my father has been cooking us dinner and making Chinese meals that I love so much.

After dinner we spend the evening playing a card game called Scat. The object is to get 31 points or 3 of a kind. Everyone starts out with 4 chips. You get as close to 31 as you can and then you knock on the table. Everyone has one last chance to get points. The lowest one loses a chip. If someone has 31 points or 3 of a kind (called scat), everyone loses a chip. When you lose all chips, you are out of the game and it is played until the last one with chips is the winner. It is so much fun to play and we get to visit while we play.

We leave in two days for our cruise. I’m so upset that my stupid rash is back. Last week the doctor put me on prednisone and gave me a prescription for some cream which I had hoped would clear it up. I finished the prednisone on Saturday and yesterday the rash returned. I hope it doesn’t get back while we are on the cruise.

Today we are heading to Ft. Lauderdale to do some shopping at the outlet mall. It should be a fun day!

Chips and Dip

Weekly blog prompt: Monday is National Chip and Dip Day. What is your favorite and why?

My favorite chips are Fritos! I think I like them because they seem saltier than chips and I love salt! I love the smell and the taste too. I like to eat these with my hot cheese dip that I make. This dip is so fast and easy but oh, so fattening!

I mix 8 oz. of cream cheese, 1 c. of jalapeno slices and some juice, 1 c of corn in a bowl. Cover and put it in the microwave until melted. Stir it well.

Now I’m hungry and wanting to go find some Fritos!

Original image: 'Tuna Sandwich'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38142119@N00/3330626716 by: Cliff Hutson

Geocaching Fun

Yesterday we did trail maintenance with our Turtles hiking group along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The weather was perfect because it was a sunny and warm day. As we worked, we got to visit with some fellow hikers we haven’t seen in a long time. Due to illness and age, some of them aren’t able to do the long hard hikes anymore but this activity is just perfect for them to participate. After we finished we ate lunch at Williams Hardware Café.

While we worked though, I talked with a fellow hiker about geocaching. He has almost 2000 found on his profile so I was eager to pick his brain for tips. Thrilled to help me, we used our GPS to find a cache along the trail we were working on. I was able to learn a lot and it boosted my confidence a lot. After lunch, my hubby and I decided to try to find some more at Paris Mountain State Park. The first one we had trouble with and gave up. After finding the second one, we decided to go back and the first one another try. I’m glad we did because we found it!

I don’t take anything from the cache but I enjoy logging in and then coming back home to get on Geocaching.com in order to log it as found. I can see how this can get addictive!

Learning Another Language

Blog Prompt: What is the best reason for learning another language?

I think the best reason for learning another language is that it broadens my horizon. It helps me be less egocentric and realize that there are other cultures out there besides my own. With an awareness other cultures, it opens up the door for seeing other ideas and perspectives that may be different from my own. Yet, I have also noticed a lot of similarities too. Many words in different languages have the same base which helps me understand the words easier. I may not know a particular language but if I can connect to word in another language that I know, it helps me understand it easier. Since we do a lot of traveling, this really helps communication and getting around go a lot smoother. So far, I’ve learned French (8 years including high school and college), some Spanish, some Italian, and some Chinese.

I also think learning another language helps exercise the brain. Memorizing new vocabulary keeps the brain sharper. I read somewhere that learning a language can help people ward off dementia but I’m not sure about that. I like brain exercises and I like the challenge so I will continue to learn as much as I can.

Original image: 'Welcoming'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56013895@N00/122872445 by: fly

Rental House Woes

(Warning – whining alert!)

Just when I thought things were looking up with the rental houses, the other shoe has dropped. I was so excited that we have a tenant in our last empty house. The heat pump has been installed and they are finishing up the wiring in the garage this week. All we have to do is turn in receipts to the insurance company and fight about getting reimbursed and then we would be done! Hooray!

Then today we get a call from the contractor. (Can you tell this is heading downhill?) He lets us know that they had to move the hot water heater from in front of the breaker box because years ago when it was installed, there were no building codes to follow. Now we have to have the electric inspected during the heat pump installation but it won’t pass code until we move the hot water heater. When they moved the hot water heater, apparently it was so old that it was rusted (can you see where this is going now?). You guessed it! It now leaks.

We now have to buy a new water heater. This is beginning to remind me of the movie The Money Pit.

We go to Lowes and price hot water heaters. I push the “help” button and wait for someone to arrive that will impart great wisdom about hot water heaters.

Instead this girl arrives talking on her cell phone. Unfortunately we were inconveniencing her and she tells the person on the phone that she has to get back to work. I really hated to interrupt her phone call at her place of business to ask her for help, which she is getting paid to do but I do.

But the actual thing that pushed me over the edge was when I asked her questions about tankless hot water heaters and her answer was to ask me a question. She asked me if I had done my research or gone online to figure out how tankless hot water heaters work because that is what I needed to do.

My husband said he saw my “claws” come out and he actually took a step back because he suddenly became afraid, very afraid!

But my manners took over and I calmly asked her to look up information on her computer and insisted on her doing her job. Even though I had no intention of buying anything from her or this store because she was useless! When I felt like I had wasted enough of her time and kept her from returning to her earlier phone call, I finally left her alone and left with a huge smile on my face.

Maybe I’m not cut out to be a landlord. Maybe I should be in charge of customer service at building supplies stores.

Original image: 'Strangling statues'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48266396@N00/254910627 by: David Sim

Lost and Found

Have you ever hid anything so well that you couldn't find it when you went to look for it? Did you ever find it again?

One time I lost the remote/key to my Prius. It is one of those things you must have in order to start the car. My hubby and I looked all over the house, in every room but couldn’t find them. I can’t lock the car if it is in the car so we know it wasn’t in the car. Since I was the last one to drive the car and hadn’t gone back out since, we knew it had to be somewhere on our property. I walked out to the car and checked the path to the house door but nothing. I emptied my purse and book bag on my bed. Then I took out every jacket I owned to check the pockets. After about 3 hours we gave up and put our house back in order. Later that evening, I walked back in the bedroom and there on the floor in the middle of the rug was the remote. My hubby hadn’t been in there since we stopped looking and I didn’t put it there. We figure our ghost was up to its sneaky tricks again. Once we stopped looking for it, it wasn’t fun anymore so he put it where I could find it. We never did have any other explanation for what happened.

Original image: 'New Car'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21484712@N00/3673390863 by: Caitlin Regan

Memorable Move

Blog Prompt: Have you ever moved? What was most memorable about it? If you never have what do you think would make it memorable?

The most memorable move I remember was right before I got married. My fiancée and I lived across each other in an apartment complex and were moving to a rental house when we married the next week. He had a lot of furniture and stuff at a storage building that was going to be moved to our new house. My assistant, her husband and three teenage boys came in their truck to help us move on a Sunday afternoon. We used the security code to open the gate in order to get into the storage building property and loaded up the truck. Then when we got ready to leave, we punched in the security code to open the gate again and nothing happened. We were locked inside the property. Apparently no one told us that after 5pm, the gate can’t be opened until Monday morning. We ended up calling 911 and the police tried to contact the owners but was unable to do that. My assistant’s husband said he had the tools to dismantle the gate if the policeman could be a witness that we weren’t stealing anything. When he got the gate opened, we unloaded all of our belongings on the outside of the gate and then he put the gate back together again. My assistant and I had to sit with all the stuff while the guys made two or three trips moving it all to our house. What an experience!

On a side note:

I finished my reindeer hat and it is hideous. It looks great in the picture but I won’t dare put it on my hubby’s head to show you what it looks like when it is on his head. The pattern is very pretty but on his head, it looks like a dunce’s cap or something from a Harry Potter movie. I’ve whined about it on Plurk and Ravelry already but there is nothing to do but chalk it up to a learning experience. Next time I try a pattern, I will look at the other projects already finished and read the comments that they leave before I decide to try it. I also see why it is important to leave comments on my own projects.

Original image: 'untitled'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31703752@N04/3984755784

Frozen Food

Blog Prompt: March is National Frozen Food Month. Do you freeze your own or buy already frozen food?

The only thing I freeze is usually meat before I cook it. I like to buy packages of meat that are on sale and usually that is more than the two of us can eat. In the past, my hubby would not eat anything frozen so I solved that problem by not telling him about it. I don’t usually freeze any meals because I’ve been able to cook enough for the two of us without any leftovers. My hubby hates leftovers and will not eat them at all.

Original image: 'Frozen Peas'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56507475@N00/283749768

Panic

Blog Prompt: Panic Day. Have you ever had a panic attack? If so how did you control it?

When I was a freshman in college, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was a straight A student in high school and things came easy to me.

But when I attended this small private college in South Carolina, I felt like a fish out of water. All of the other students around me seemed so much smarter than me and I felt like the dunce of the school. By studying hours and hours every day and night, I was able to keep up with the others but it was hard work. School work at college was so very different than high school. I wasn’t used to studying this hard just to maintain good grades. When I failed my first test, I was crushed! Luckily the professor took pity on me and let me retake it. The reason that I failed was not because I didn’t study but because I froze from fear and couldn’t remember a single thing! This fear continued the whole first semester.

By the time final exams came, I was not eating regularly (I hated the campus food) or sleeping well. I started to have major panic attacks and had to carry a paper bag with me to help my hyperventilating. In fact, I lost 30 lbs. and was under 100 lbs. so I was put on probation (I think they were afraid that I had anorexia.) I couldn’t return after Christmas unless I weighed over 100 lbs. and was eating right. I also had to learn relaxation techniques to stop the panic. So, to get through final exams, the school made me drink peanut butter chocolate milkshakes three times a day and practice deep breathing as well as walking for exercise. These really helped me tremendously.

When I came back to school in January, I weighed over 100 lbs. and was doing much better mentally. I also think I was homesick since it was my first time ever being away from home and 800 miles was a long way. The school actually gave me a special card for my dinners to be made at the student center grill just for me. I think this caring attitude at school helped me get through my first year too.

Original image: 'don't panic!'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20771223@N00/15529699 by: Jon Moe

Faces

Blog Prompt: What physical feature on a person do you first react to?

Faces are important to me. That is what I look at when I have a conversation with others. I can tell by their smiles or grimaces how they are feeling. I can look in their eyes and tell if they are sincere. I can also see if they are angry, sarcastic, unhappy, or miserable. All of this can be determined by looking at people’s faces. I think that is why I hate using the phone. Phone conversations can be misconstrued or cause lots of confusion because I can’t see their faces. I have enjoyed using Skype now because I can see other people’s faces when I talk to them. The problem with that is not everyone I know uses Skype, which is a shame because it is a free program for your computer. Of course not everyone I know uses a computer either. So, I will continue to have face to face conversations as much as possible.

Original image: 'world mosaic: a tribute to flickr portraits'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72905923@N00/1514977212

My Name

Blog Prompt: Who chose your name? Were you named after someone else?

My parents chose my name. I’m not really sure why they chose my name other than at the last minute, they liked the name Patricia. I heard the story about how my name was supposed to be Gail but then it was changed. Patricia means noble and I like the thought of being noble. My middle name is Ruth and Ruth was my grandmother’s name. Growing up, I thought Ruth was an old fashioned name but now I like it. I like the thought of it being in the bible and that it seems like a strong name. My sister has been telling me some stories about my grandmother that I never knew and it makes me wish that I had known my grandmother better before she passed away. The stories are good though and I feel closer to her just from hearing about her.

Original image: 'red velvet cupcake madness!'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35468136000@N01/99894244 by: Klara

Dreaming

Blog Prompt: At what age are you too old to pursue your dreams? Or are you ever to old?

I think you are never too old to dream. Dreaming is part of living. I love having dreams and having them come true. Then I pursue new dreams. This pursuit is what makes life interesting. Sometimes it takes longer to make some dreams come true than others but I’m learning that it is fun to work at it. Sometimes the pursuit is almost as much fun as the dreaming. I wish I had known this when I was younger. I wish someone had told me this when I was younger. But then again, maybe someone did and I didn’t listen. But now I know and I’m making a list of things I want to learn or do and slowly, I’m marking the dreams off as they come true. I hope I continue to dream and pursue my dreams until the day I die.

Original image: 'A young boy dreams big dreams of what lies beyond'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10271343@N00/2628104710 by: Ken Bosma

Old Stuff

Blog Prompt: Today is "Old Stuff Day." How can you expound on this?

I love old stuff (which you could tell if you ever came to visit my house!). Beside my hubby and me which qualifies as old stuff now that both of us are over 50 years old, we have tons of old stuff in our house. Our playroom is decorated with lots of “old stuff” that we find at yard sales, flea markets, and antique stores. “Old stuff” fascinates me! Sometimes I like to look at these things and wonder what they could say if they could talk. What kind of history have they experienced? What were times like when they were “new stuff?” “Old stuff” symbolizes wisdom, experience, and memories of good times. Even when times were hard, there were good times that can be remembered. “Old Stuff” should be saved and honored and remembered.

Original image: 'Mizener's Flea Market (Formerly Circle M) / Waterdown / Flamborough, Ontario / July, 2007'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21861018@N00/3036736172 by: Bill Barber

The Prayer Shawl

For about a year, I have been knitting and donating prayer shawls to our Loving Threads group at church. I’ve really enjoyed knitting these and many people have even donated yarn to me for this project. Some of the yarn has been pretty bright and colorful so my shawls have been bright and colorful.

When I was a teenager, I remember having a ski jacket that was purple, pink, orange and yellow. It was so bright that it always put me in a good mood. I don’t know why but I suddenly had this urge to make a shawl with these bright colors. I usually go through my yarn stash and wait for certain color combinations to jump out at me and urge me to make into a shawl. For some reason, as much as I tried not to pick these colors, they kept standing out among the others. Even though people looked at me with raised eyebrows, I just felt compelled to make this shawl. In fact, at times, I even wondered if this shawl wasn’t just a little too bright but I continued until it was complete. My husband told me that we could only hope that maybe someone with cataracts got it and it wouldn’t be too overwhelming.

When I turned it in, everyone agreed that it was pretty bright. I didn’t find out until later that our group leader was a little worried about who would want this bright shawl.

This past Sunday when we met again, the leader told me the story about the shawl. Apparently a woman came and asked for a prayer shawl to give to a young girl just diagnosed with cancer. They went to the box where the shawls are and there on the top was my bright shawl. Immediately the woman saw it and said that was the perfect one. That was the shawl that would brighten this young girl’s life.

Maybe sometimes we need to trust that there is a reason in life for us doing certain things. Maybe that is how God sends messages to us. I see now that God knew this girl would need this shawl and knew that I was the one who needed to make it. I hope it brings her hope and comfort as well as brightness in her life.

And the next time, this feeling hits me, I hope that I have the courage to stick with it, no matter what others say! Someone may need what I need to make.

Jeans

Blog Prompt - Today is Levi Strauss' birthday. Do you wear jeans a lot or do you have a hard time finding that perfect pair of jeans. If you have found the perfect jeans, pass on the brand name!!

Since I retired, I live in my jeans. I love blue jeans because they are so comfortable. I can wear them with my heels, clogs, tennis shoes, sandals, or flip flops. I can tuck my shirts in or wear them outside. I can put on a sweater or blazer with them. They are so versatile that I can’t imagine wearing much else. I don’t wear a brand name because they are usually more than I want to pay for a pair of jeans and they don’t usually fit me like I want. Many of them are too long or too tight or too ugly on my body. But the best ones I’ve found have been the ones I get at Wal-Mart. They are the right price and the right size for me so I’m happy.

Original image: 'the blues'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71815015@N00/2824472748 by: Susanne Koch

Carnivals

Blog Prompt - Today is Carnival Day. Do you love or hate to go to carnivals?

I love carnivals! Of course I didn’t go to them until after I was married and had children. I am fascinated by all the lights and the excitement in the air. I love the smells of all the different foods as their aromas drift by my nose. I love the laughter in the air from all the children who are also thrilled with all the sights and sounds. I love to hear the booth operators calling to people passing by in order to entice them to visit their booths. I love the sound of the bell as young men hit a spot with a hammer to show how strong they are. I love to watch young couples as they walk with hearts in their eyes. I love to taste the hot dogs and the cotton candy and the popcorn. I love to observe the ride handlers and see how they dress and what they look like. I try to imagine what life is like traveling with a carnival. Yes, as you can tell, I love carnivals!

Original image: 'Dusk'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48600090482@N01/42095586 by: Julie Falk

Ravelympics

I finished my Selbu Modern Hat which was a free pattern on Ravelry. It was my first fair isle project and I’m so proud of the way it turned out. In fact, I did a better job than I expected to do. It really gave me confidence for doing more things like this in the future.

I knitted the hat to enter into the Ravelympics which means casting on when the Olympics started and finish before the Olympics ended. Since I did I earned my medal and here it is!

Currency Day

Blog Prompt - Today is Currency Day. It was introduced to the US in 1862 by President Lincoln. Do you carry much cash around with you or do you prefer to use a credit or debit card?

I hate to carry cash and I love my credit card. My husband is always fussing at me because I don’t carry cash with me so I have a stash of emergency cash that I hide but I never use. Then when he asks me if I have cash with me, I am able to tell him that I do. It is so much easier for me to pull out my credit card and use it. Then once a month I pay off the entire balance so we don’t pay any interest. I use my card for everything including gas and groceries so I know how much to set aside in our budget to pay the bill. We don’t buy many extra things so our budget amount is usually the same each month. By using my credit card, I don’t have to worry about loose change or digging out cash. On the opposite side, my husband never uses his credit card and only uses cash.

Original image: 'Dreams...'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68422830@N00/120499365 by: Noah Coffey

Dog Treats

Blog Prompt - Today is International Dog Biscuit Day. If you have a dog, do you give them treats and if so, what kind?

I don’t have a dog now because we travel so much but I used to have a dog. His name was Caesar and he was a chow. Boy, did he love to chew things. When he was a puppy, I used to worry that I would wake up and find all the wood furniture in the house chewed up into toothpicks. We would give him big dog biscuits and he loved them. He would also eat table scraps without any problems. But what he really loved were pig’s ears that we would get at the pet store. They wouldn’t last long but he loved them Original

image: 'HomeMade ♥ Cream Cheese & Honey Biscuits ♥ For Dog'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39171970@N00/491449642 by: Tamisa S..

Be Humble

Blog Prompt - Today is Be Humble Day. What is most humbling in your life.

This was a great prompt because it has me thinking pretty hard. I’m not sure that there is just one thing in my life that humbles me but there are many things that make up my life that truly humbles me. When I think about the many good things in my life, I wonder why I deserve all these things. My life is filled with love and laughter. All this love and laughter comes from my family and friends (real and online) who surround me with this warmth. Without this, I would become cold, bitter, and die like a piece of dried up fruit. When times get rough, I remind myself that I am loved and I will get through the tough times. When times are great, I remind myself to give thanks for these moments. I guess the most humbling thing in my life is actually my life and I’m truly thankful that I am alive.

Original image: 'Venustas'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81036698@N00/2819149938 by: Andrew Beebe

Toothpicks

Blog Prompt - The toothpick was patented in 1872. Besides the obvious use of the toothpick, is there something else you use this invention for?

I have used toothpicks for:

· Testing baked items to see if they are done

· Serving appetizers

· Wedges when fixing something

· Cleaning out small places

· Holder for string when I was beading something

· Applying glue to small places

· Manipulatives to teach math skill

· Science projects

Original image: 'Mondadientes / Escarbadientes / Palillos'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17513020@N00/392671743 by: Julián Rodriguez Orihuela

Random Act of Kindness Day

Blog Prompt - Today is Random Act of Kindness Day. Did you do something kind for someone today?

Since it is too early for just today, I will tell you something I did the other day. I had made a snowflake headband in a class and I really liked it. Then I met with some friends and I decided to give it to one of them. This friend is always doing for other people and is such a caring and giving person that I wanted to do something for her. She is always complimenting me on the prayer shawls that I knit and I thought it would be special to give her something that I had made. She was surprised and really seemed to like it too.

As I go about today, I will look for opportunities to be kind to someone. I really like to practice random acts of kindness whenever I can and not just today.

Original image: 'Random Acts'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8628862@N05/2300235407 by: John

Fleece

Blog Prompt - Today is the day Nylon was patented in 1937. Is there a material that you love and could never live without or hate and wish it was never invented?

I love fleece! I have two fleece lap blankets. One of them I take with me camping so I can wrap in it at night around the fire. I have a couple of fleece jackets that are warm and soft. I even have a pair of fleece pants that I wear around the house or at night when we are camping. I just love the feel of fleece and how it keeps me warm!

Original image: 'Check out the paw ...'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92949075@N00/3170837522 by: Alison

A Day Off From Work

Blog Prompt - Today is Presidents Day and a holiday for most. Tell me what you would do on a day off from work.

Since I am retired, every day is a day off from work. Yet, I have certain routines that I have developed for specific days of the week. I do a certain household chore on a certain day instead of trying to do them all at one time. This has really worked for me. I also like to go weekly grocery shopping on Monday mornings since I have the menu for the week planned out. In the mornings I like to walk on the treadmill for an hour and then spend a couple of hours reading the blogs in my Google Reader and responding to emails. I also have certain days where I work on blog posts for my Successful Teaching blog. When the weather clears up and gets warmer, I plan to spend a couple of hours in the morning working in my gardens. It feels like I am busier now that I’ve retired than when I worked!

So, if I had a day off from “work”, I would visit with friends and knit during our visit. Of course, the visit would involve lots of food too!

Original image: 'Whilst Most Daleks Are Out Conquering The Universe, Someone Has To Stay Behind To Do The Housework'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/95492938@N00/360684955
by: Alan

Year of the Tiger

Happy Chinese New Years!

Inventors Day

Blog Prompt - Today is Inventors Day. Is there an invention out there that you know you could sell?

I would invent a machine that would exercise my muscles while I sleep that would burn off enough calories so that I could lose weight. I could plug in the amount of weight I want to lose and while I sleep, my muscles would be working away. Yet, I would wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, not sore, and energized. I think if I invented that, I would have no trouble getting people to buy it!

On a different note, I went to a knitting workshop last weekend and learned how to do fair isle. This is my first attempt and I think the snowflake headband came out pretty good. I will be working on a hat for myself tomorrow for the Ravelympics on Ravelry.

Original image: 'I lose water weight during the week and gain back over the weekend'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10856561@N00/1921693664 by: Victoria

Umbrellas

Blog Prompt - Today is Umbrella Day. Do you have that special umbrella that you would like to tell us about?

I think umbrellas are beautiful but I hate using umbrellas. Let’s just say that I’m umbrella-challenged. All of the umbrellas I’ve ever had usually end up broken. If I decide it is raining hard enough to use one, by the time I get it out and open it up, I’m usually soaked anyway. A strong wind will inevitably turn it inside out and breaks it. If it isn’t broken, when I put it in the car, it gets everything wet. So, needless to say, I don’t have a special umbrella. In fact, I think most umbrellas quake in their covers when I get near them.

Original image: 'rain man'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23749336@N03/2322435576 by: enrico

Living with the Ingalls

Blog Prompt - Laura Ingalls Wilder's was born on this day in 1867. Do you think you would've enjoyed living in that era of time?

I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would not enjoy living during those times. I love to travel and can’t imagine traveling the country in that covered wagon. I also love my washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, computer, treadmill, and hot tub which didn’t exist during that era. I also think the quality of life was very hard in those days and people died at a much earlier age than now. Teachers had a hard life too and had to heat up and clean up the one room school house. Now that I write this, it makes me even more thankful that I live in today’s world.

Original image: 'Rodeo Trail Ride 2008'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16057786@N00/2304140183 by: Gary Hunt

Computer Clean Up

Blog Prompt - Today is clean out your computer day. Do you need to clean out some files and straighten up a bit?

I have lots of scrapbooking files that are taking lots of room on my computer. I don’t like to move it to the external hard drive until I have tagged them in Picasa. Unfortunately these files have piled up and it is so overwhelming when I look at it and then I just move on. I keep telling myself that I will come back to it later. I keep my picture files pretty well organized and moved to the external hard drive. Other than those files, the rest of my computer files are pretty neat.

Original image: 'Literary cat'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37996600126@N01/32454407 by: Suzi Duke

Buddy Holly

Blog Prompt - Today the Music Died - On this day in 1959, the plane crash claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot, Roger Peterson. Do you know their music and if so, what song would you sing right now?

My two favorite Buddy Holly songs are Peggy Sue and That’ll Be the Day. Even though the plane crash happened before I was born, I grew up hearing these songs. I also love listening to oldies radio stations and these are usually played on them. Now I’ll be singing them all day long!

Original image: 'Recordz'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35377857@N07/4275862715 by: David GALLARD

Winter

Blog Prompt - Today is Ground Hog Day. How has the weather treated you lately and are you ready for 6 more weeks of it?

It has been really cold here this year. Last year it wasn’t this cold. The other day there was a snow/ice storm and in the upper part of the county had snow while my area had lots of ice. I would rather have snow than ice. Thank goodness, it only took two days for most of the ice to melt.

Bird Feeding

Blog Prompt - February is National Bird Feeding Month. Do you feed the birds and if so, tell us about it.

I love to feed the birds in my back yard. I have several bird feeders and bird baths. It is so relaxing to watch the birds come to my water garden to eat the bugs and drink the water. I remember when my girls were little and we would go to Furman University’s lake to feed the swans. As young girl in Girl Scouts, we coated pine cones with peanut butter and bird seed to feed the birds.

Original Image by Pat Hensley