Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top O' the Morning, Lads & Lasses.
I think we've got the St. Patty's Day Spirit Award nailed this year! Colcannon or Corn Beef and Cabbage, anyone?

Call Me Betty

I know you're wondering what I did with our bumper crop of produce. So far, I made this:

Chocolate Banana Crunch Bread
Oh wait, you need to see a close up of the chocolately, crunchy goodness. See the little melted chocolate morsels in there. (If you can't, sorry, but that's the best I can do with my camera phone.)

And I also made this:

Cilantro-less Fresh Salsa
If only we had a bumper crop of cilantro to jazz it up. I smell a WalMart run! Oh, Nathan....

**Author's Note: 3 Hours after this initial post, Nathan did indeed make a Walmart run for cilantro and a few sordid items. The Salsa is no longer cilantro-less, but indeed cilantro-ful.

Spring Break '09

Welcome to the Trading Post. My name is Kate. I'm filling in for the shop keeper. Currently he is unavailable. How may I help you?
What's that? You want 2 packs of Misty Light 120 Menthols in a box? And a six pack of Busch? Sure, no problem. What's that you say? Lottery scratch-offs are your bailout plan?

Oh, so sorry you didn't win. Let me just take those losing tickets off your hand. Second Chance Lottery, here I come. You know, "Play it Again, the Fun's Not Done".Who knows, maybe I'll hit the jackpot on your bad luck and wasted dollar.

Trading Post Produce

Nathan started a new produce program at the Post. Sales are pretty good so far, but we have a bumper crop of tomatoes, bananas, potatoes and cabbage. In between customers, I've been scouring the internet for some creative ways to use up the extra cabbage, bananas and tomatoes.

Any suggestions or favorite recipes?

Curious Case of Jon & Kate

After watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 this week and seeing their new compound for the last 3 or 4 weeks now, curiosity got the best of me. A google search later, not only did I find info on their 6000 SF, 13 acre, $1.3 million mansion, but also nasty rumors that their marriage is on the rocks. I don't know these people. I don't have deep care or concern for them. But they have chosen to put their unique family on tv for us to "peek into their windows" so to speak. I've enjoyed watching the chaos in the Gosselin house but seeing their new digs and knowing that they don't really have jobs and are taking lots of extravagant vacations lately, well the fun in watching them has become lost on me. They seem to be losing the "reality" of their reality show, I'm becoming a little disillusioned. It was fun when they were real people and seemed to be dealing with real problems. But now, being in the public eye, they have found a cash cow. Speaking engagements, book deals, tv contracts, and sponsorships have afforded them a lifestyle that isn't so normal anymore. They aren't a regular family, but TV stars. With it comes scrutiny. Which brings us to my shocking google search finds.  Rumor has it Jon was seen at some local bars engaging in questionable behavior with college age girls. Reports say he was buying drinks, dirty dancing, beer pong-ing and saying that he was probably going to get a divorce. Rumors, rumors, rumors. Jon and Kate released a carefully worded statement defending their family and marriage and commenting on how sad it is that taking simple photos with fans can be misconstrued. Who knows what really happens in their home and marriage. Either way, it's a sad state of affairs. A television show has trumped the reality of the life of this family. If his behavior is true, shame on him. But if it was truly a case of a friendly snap shot with fans being used out of context in such a hurtful way, well, shame on us. Voyeurs beware!

Check out their new place & the scandalous reports...

American Idol was surprisingly good last night.  My favorites of the night were Matt Giraud and Alexis Grace. Adam gave a great performance as well.  Matt reminds me so much of Justin Timberlake who was hilarious on Jimmy Fallon doing impressions of John Mayer and Michael McDonald (my favorite).  Enjoy.

February Recap

I've had the bloggy blahs lately. I just feel like there hasn't been much happening in my life. Just the usual day to day stuff while I wait for Summer to get here. But there were a few February moments captured in photos. So here they are to tide you over until I am feeling more in the blogging spirit.

SNOW DAYS! Mo likes the snow, but obviously he was ready to come inside. Mean mama made him wait long enough to snap this pictures of the flurries in his fur.

Pretty Kitty Molly with my Valentine's Day flowers from Nathan. We got to spend a nice night out on the town in Knoxville together and he was so thoughtful to have roses waiting for me. I took them back home where the lasted longer than expected. I was kind of sad when I had to throw them away. A nice reminder of my sweetheart. Molly was very into them...

very into eating them! She looks so sweet and innocent, doesn't she? But looks can be deceiving.

We had an impromptu celebration of Dad's birthday (February 10) on Grandpa's Birthday (February 8). It was a bitter sweet realization. We really miss his sweet smile and spirit. Can I just say how much I love my dad. To know Bill Bedi is to love Bill Bedi!

Here's Molly the escape artist. Lately, she dashes out at if the door is cracked too long waiting for the dogs to come in. She then runs down the steps, immediately lays down, stretches out, and rolls around on the sidewalk. She's a weirdo (and fits right in our motley crew of furballs).

So that's it for now. Maybe March Madness will inspire more blogging. This blog entry has been dedicated to Stacie.