Did You Want My Opinion?

Quotable Sunday: Family

2009-09-27T00:00:00.001-06:00

Family is important to me, and one of the many reasons I love this quote:

Families are like old quilts.

Although they tend to unravel at time

each can be stitched back together with
love.

Quotable Sunday is Hosted By Toni at A Daily Dose of Toni. Click over for more Great quotes, or to participate!

What is that Smell?

2009-09-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been somewhere –minding your own business, when all of the sudden your senses are assaulted? More specifically, your sense of smell… The assault washes over you, to the point that you can almost see the green cloud of ‘stench’ rolling over head. It’s then, that you realize, the person intended for their fragrance of choice to be pleasant. They have no idea that they are offensive. Worse yet, they are not able to smell themselves as they would like, so they continue to re-apply the ‘offensive’ odor –at regular intervals, their high priced perfume or cologne fading into a musty chemical base.

I know that I tend to be more sensitive to smells than the average Bear –because of this, I try to be understanding. But, I must know… what does one say? What would you do? Have you ever experienced such a thing? Where does one retreat –without being rude?

This Can't Be Happening...

2009-09-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

I have ran out of things to be opinionated about. Seriously? Can this be happening? It most definitely will be short lived. So revel in the silence..while it lasts!

Real Men Put their Hand over Their Heart...

2009-09-21T00:00:00.001-06:00

I'm a very passionate person. It's undeniable. Some say I'm opinionated. I am. But, I like to think about it as passionate. That's my word for it. But I digress....

I usually spend my Sunday evenings alone. Yesterday, however, was different. As the husband was home. Which meant Sunday Football could be found blaring from every t.v. we own. I'm not much for sports, but I am very about my hubby and having him home, so I was willing to compromise.

I sat back and decided to just revel in the fact that he was home, and it didn't matter what we watched. As the Dallas vs. New York game began, I was mesmerized by the incredibly large flag and the size of the crowd paying respect as our nations anthem was sung.

The amazement however, was short lived as the cameras panned to the players. Which players, I know not. What caught my attention was the fact that so many of them appeared disinterested. Their hands everywhere BUT over their heart and one player in particular was actually making motions with his hands, as if to say "hurry up".

Now, I respect the fact that they are working. This is there lively hood. Every game matters. But seriously? They can't pay respect to this country? Images of them on our televisions are the only fatherly examples some of this nations children will ever see. Not to mention the fact that they are able to suit up every week, and be the idols they are BECAUSE we live in this free country.

So boys (because I can't, with respect compare you to men), suit up, be a man. Real men show respect to this country. Giving thanks for our freedoms by turnings our hearts, EYES and minds to the flag, the song being played, and what all of it respresents.

She Called Me Yummy

2009-09-20T16:18:00.005-06:00

It is no secret that I have an addiction or two or three..or four. One of the many is my addiction to this store:
They truly have something for everybody, myself included. Which is why I continue going back. I've got my staples. The scents I am drawn to. And their soaps....I won't wash my hands with anything else, at least not at home.

Just yesterday, I took my hot little coupons and marched in to my local store. I promised myself I wouldn't over indulge. Those promises broken, when I ran into one of their newest scents:

It smells deliciously yummy. I know this because a friend told me -as I sat next to her during worship today. I dare you to try it.

Click on the link above to get your coupons. But hurry fast...one of them ends TODAY!

Menu Plannin', Betty Style

2009-09-18T00:00:00.001-06:00

I found it necessary to find an effective way to plan my evening meals. I remember watching a local talk show that boasted a system that well, seemed do-able. So off I went. Tweekin’ it here and there, until it was my own.

All in all, it seems to work well. Well enough that I thought I would share it here. What do you think? You don’t have to use it. Just nod your head in agreement, I won’t know the difference anyways.

So here goes:

You will need:
a healthy stack of 3x5 cards
something to keep your cards in
a calendar

Print each of your ‘staple’ recipes on the 3x5 cards. One recipe per card.

Lay them out, while referencing your calendar and decide which meals you want to have on which days. Voila. A menu for days, weeks, or months in advance.

It was originally suggested that you write the date on the actual card (with the recipe) and, simply toss the card after you had used it. I personally don’t have the time (or energy –THANK YOU VERY MUCH) to create new cards every two weeks. So I reuse my cards. Simply placing them in the order they are to be used. I usually will take a blank card, writing the dates and what the meals are for that date/time, and place it in the front of my menu cards. That way if they get dropped or shuffled, it’s not a big deal.

Also, if you are like me and sometimes (read: OFTEN), have help in the kitchen… Which means, a little assistance in what to pair with our main dish is sometimes needed. The last time I updated my cards, I included side dish ideas AND the recipe. It looks similar to this:

Meal: Meat Loaf
Side Dish: Garlic Potatoes
Vegetable: Green Beans
Recipe :

1 envelope onion soup mix
2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 C bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/3 C ketchup
3/4 C water (if needed)

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.

Bake 350°F for about one hour in 9x13 pan, or about 40 minutes in muffin tins for individual servings.

This ensures that everything is in one easy to find places...recipe and all. For us 'all things, Kitchen challenged'. This also makes it easy for me to make my grocery list. I simply thumb through the cards, making note of the items I need to complete the recipes.

*Be sure to include the appropriate amount of cards that read:
DINNER OUT or PIZZA NIGHT (Whichever applies)

How do you make sure your family gets fed?

My Day Job vs My Passion

2009-09-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

I have many passions. I like to read. I like to draw. I like to craft. I like to take photos. My day job is neither of those. Therefore, my day job does NOT equal my passion. What would it be like to work, while enjoying your passion? I may never know. Maybe someday. Not today. I guess I could always change my passions to meet my day job.

Maybe I will try that. Hi..I’m Betty Sue and my passions are working away from home, driving family sized motor vehicles (read: shuttling children to and fro), frolicking in soap suds and basting turkeys. Yeah. Lets go with that.

What about you? What are you passions?

Who's Your Robin?

2009-09-14T00:00:00.002-06:00

Everybody has a sidekick. Batman had Robin. Johnny Carson had Ed McMahon, Shrek has Donkey. In my neck of the woods, my first born has his little brother…. Even I have a sidekick (or two). Sometimes it’s my kids. Other times, it’s the hubby.

When I leave the house, it’s this trusty companion:

In a more realistic realm, it’s these guys:

Now if I just had a cool little stand to keep them in check….

Who’s your sidekick?

Quotable Sunday-Prayer

2009-09-13T00:20:00.004-06:00

It is Quotable Sunday in these here parts, and I found this quote not only powerful, but applicable and appropriate (for so very many reasons).

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go.... -Abraham Lincoln

There is so much more I could say, but it would only detract from the powerful message of this well known quote.

Quotable Sunday is Hosted By Toni at A Daily Dose of Toni. Click over for more Great quotes, or to participate!

My Mother is on Facebook

2009-09-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Okay, not really. But, my father is. Does that count? It’s just weird to admit that my parent is on *cough* Facebook *cough*. A site originally geared to compete with myspace. Who’s laughing now? I’m pretty sure Myspace is. Although, I guess it could be Facebook (laughing, that is) as the last article I read indicated their user rates were higher. But that couldn’t possibly be because my father and your mother are on there? Could it? I’m just sayin’.

I know I am not the only one with a parent on there. A co-worker has admitted that her mother is on -what her mother lovingly calls- “SpaceBook” (read: Facebook). Does your mother (or father) Facebook?

September 11, 2001

2009-09-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

The day history as we know it changed forever. An event, a moment in time, that will fill the history books or our children for years to come. I am truly grateful to live in the land of the free. Blessed by the sacrifices of those that have fought to make me free, eternally in debt to those that have lost their lives, and hopeful for the safe return of those that continue to fight for my freedoms. I will never forget where I was, what I was doing, or how I felt on this tragic day in time. May as Americans we unite, if only for today, in sacred and solemn remembrance of those that were taken from us as result of 9-11 and and the sacrifices that have been made by many in the days that have followed.

My Opinionated Mission Statement

2009-09-10T00:00:00.002-06:00

First of all, what is a Mission Statement. According to Wikipedia:

[it] is a brief written statement of the purpose of a company or organization. Ideally, a mission statement guides the actions of the organization, spells out its overall goal, provides a sense of direction, and guides decision making for all levels of management.

I'm kind of like an organization. Right? I am the head of the household I run. It occurred to me that maybe I might just be in need of a mission statement on this, my blog. So *clearing throat* here goes:

The ‘Did You Want My Opinion?’ Blog is a collaborative initiative….

Heck, who am I kidding. I am opinionated. I will share my opinion with you. Whether you asked for it, or not. More often than not, I’ve got a story or two to go with my opinions. But don’t be intimidated, that doesn’t mean you can’t be opinionated too. Just because I have an opinion, doesn’t mean it’s always right.

Questions?

Not Just Yet....

2009-09-09T06:00:00.004-06:00

Summers not quite over. Not in my kitchen, it's not!! Although, is there really a season for yummy lemon bars?

Lemon Bars
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons lemon zest
1 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch square baking pan.

Combine flour, baking soda, spices and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

Add in the lemon juice and zest. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Stir in raisins. Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.

Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly colored on top. Cool in pan on wire rack. May be drizzled with a simple confectioners' sugar icing. Cut into large or small bars.

ENJOY!

Do you want to share a recipe with the rest of us? Please do! There's never enough recipes. Just email me with RECIPE in the subject line! I will feature your recipes, instead of mine. Rumor has it, I'm not that great of a cook anyhow! Happy Cooking..and Eating!

Laundry: Does it ever end?

2009-09-08T00:00:00.003-06:00

It's Tuesday in these here parts. And I feel like tellin' ya like it is. Reviewing the products I love to use (and, occasionally, the ones I don't).

Today, I've got laundry on my mind. Mounds and mounds of laundry. To put it simply: I love this product! Love it! Love it! Love it!

I was hesitant at first. I had visions of 'chunks' of the bar finding their way into my loads of laundry or worse yet, a chalky, greasy residue, as the bar has the same consitency as a bar of soap. All of my worries were melted away after the first load of laundry dried. No more static cling coming from my laundry room. It's easy to use and takes some of the work out of doing laundry. Not that putting a dryer sheet in the dryer is a lot of work, but remembering to do so, can be!

If you would like to try the Bounce Dryer bar for yourself, send me an email. I've got two coupons for the first two people to request them! Because, long live the mounds of laundry.

*click here to see more information, directly from the makers of Bounce.

Sigh Labor Day!

2009-09-07T13:20:00.004-06:00

A day to catch up on the cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Refreshing, isn't it?

*origins of Labor Day

Meet Betty Sue

2009-09-06T17:45:00.006-06:00

I am anything but the vintage looking gal I appear to be. I've got a voice, and an opinion, and I'm not afraid to share either one. In a perfect world, I cook, I clean, and I tend to the children. In reality, I do everything I can to make the tasks at hand easier, while muddling through the day to day.