We are flying to San Diego today by way of southwest airlines. After we took off, they announced that we could surf the web using their Wi-Fi. I totally had to try it. Updating my blog at 41,000 feet is something I have never done before… and probably won’t do again. I hate flying. But Southwest is making this flying shit really fun for me. Internet, puke bag, Bailey’s Irish Cream to calm my nerves of Jell-O, Air flow vent sent to the “hurricane force winds” setting… did I mention the Irish Cream? Oh good.
Thank you Southwest airlines for making my flight a lovely flight. I am enjoying this very much. I’ve drank, I’ve messed around on Facebook, I’ve crocheted… the only other thing I haven’t done at 41,000 feet is… WOAH! AWESOME VIEW!
I better go, this is so beautiful! Clouds! I am so ordering more liquor.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Enjoying a Weekend in the Country!
We are house sitting in the country, about 10 miles outside of Libby, this weekend. I really love it out here. My friend has land out here as well and we are both talking about buying trailer homes and moving out to her property. That would be AWESOME! Now, those of you who know me and my experience living in BFE in Tennessee are probably thinking "What are you thinking? How will this be any different?" So let me so you the difference!
In Tennessee we lived 10 miles from anywhere...
In Montana we will be 10 miles from the town that is 90 miles from anywhere. See... way better.
In Tennessee, we have 8 acres of land with a creek.
In Montana, we will have 2 acres of land that is right near a huge bit of land that has a creek.
In Tennessee, the land had almost no trees at the top, then sloped down to the most beautiful piece of property you have ever seen. It had a lot of trees, a mossy path, a lot of blackberry bushes, a small meadow... everything that would make it a dream piece of property that was breathtaking!
Here in Montana... well, it has trees! And it's next to the road. And, um, it has trees? Did I mention the trees?
In Tennessee, I spent about 8-9 months out of the year indoors. It was too hot and humid to go outside. I enjoyed the month of winter, the week of spring and the 2 weeks of fall. But beyond that, I was resigned myself to the fact that I was trapped indoors for the rest of my life. Depressing.
In Montana, the weather is perfect for me. Okay, sure, August and September (and sometimes October) just sucks for heat. But I can go outside 8-9 months out of the year. Yes, it is mostly at night or dressed like a freak to keep from breaking out in a rash. But, the point is, I CAN GO OUTSIDE!
This next is the most important part.
In Tennessee, I had very few neighbors, hardly any friends, no support network and I was lonely. I was isolated and alienated. I had no one to turn to when I needed it the most. Leslie was my ONLY true support network that I could depend on all the time. She was my heart sister, she was family to me, my best friend... and the only person I felt was truly my friend 100% of the time. When she died, my world ended. My best friend, my heart sister, the only person that was like family to me in that very lonely state... was gone. I was left alone and sad with nothing. No friends, no family around, no support and no best friend. I really, truly was alone and I never really felt like Tennessee was home. It was just a place I lived and an experience I endured.
In Montana, I would be living on a property with my best friend as my neighbor. Her mom would be a quick walk away. My family would be a 20 minute drive away. My friends would be 20 minutes away. My HOME would still be here, in Libby. My support network would still be here for me. I would not feel like I was lonely. I have so much here that I would not give up for anything.
The most important things in my life are not money, or if I have the most toys. I don't want to be rich if it means I have money and no friends. I would much rather live with no money and a lot of friends and support. I want to be happy and feel life and that is more to me than any amount of money.
I don't give a crap about the Jones' or keeping up with them. I just want to be a Latham. Happy, funny, full of life, surrounded by love and family... isn't that worth more than a dream property that is lonely? I think so.
In Tennessee we lived 10 miles from anywhere...
In Montana we will be 10 miles from the town that is 90 miles from anywhere. See... way better.
In Tennessee, we have 8 acres of land with a creek.
In Montana, we will have 2 acres of land that is right near a huge bit of land that has a creek.
In Tennessee, the land had almost no trees at the top, then sloped down to the most beautiful piece of property you have ever seen. It had a lot of trees, a mossy path, a lot of blackberry bushes, a small meadow... everything that would make it a dream piece of property that was breathtaking!
Here in Montana... well, it has trees! And it's next to the road. And, um, it has trees? Did I mention the trees?
In Tennessee, I spent about 8-9 months out of the year indoors. It was too hot and humid to go outside. I enjoyed the month of winter, the week of spring and the 2 weeks of fall. But beyond that, I was resigned myself to the fact that I was trapped indoors for the rest of my life. Depressing.
In Montana, the weather is perfect for me. Okay, sure, August and September (and sometimes October) just sucks for heat. But I can go outside 8-9 months out of the year. Yes, it is mostly at night or dressed like a freak to keep from breaking out in a rash. But, the point is, I CAN GO OUTSIDE!
This next is the most important part.
In Tennessee, I had very few neighbors, hardly any friends, no support network and I was lonely. I was isolated and alienated. I had no one to turn to when I needed it the most. Leslie was my ONLY true support network that I could depend on all the time. She was my heart sister, she was family to me, my best friend... and the only person I felt was truly my friend 100% of the time. When she died, my world ended. My best friend, my heart sister, the only person that was like family to me in that very lonely state... was gone. I was left alone and sad with nothing. No friends, no family around, no support and no best friend. I really, truly was alone and I never really felt like Tennessee was home. It was just a place I lived and an experience I endured.
In Montana, I would be living on a property with my best friend as my neighbor. Her mom would be a quick walk away. My family would be a 20 minute drive away. My friends would be 20 minutes away. My HOME would still be here, in Libby. My support network would still be here for me. I would not feel like I was lonely. I have so much here that I would not give up for anything.
The most important things in my life are not money, or if I have the most toys. I don't want to be rich if it means I have money and no friends. I would much rather live with no money and a lot of friends and support. I want to be happy and feel life and that is more to me than any amount of money.
I don't give a crap about the Jones' or keeping up with them. I just want to be a Latham. Happy, funny, full of life, surrounded by love and family... isn't that worth more than a dream property that is lonely? I think so.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Happy 8th Birthday to The Baker's Acres!
Wow, I didn't realize how long this blog has been up and running. Eight years ago, I was sitting at home in Tennessee on bed rest after my hysterectomy. I was bored, antsy and trying very hard to keep my butt firmly planted in my living room chair. I found something about blogging and checked out blogger.com... at that time it was blogspot.com.
I have been posting on and off for 8 years ever since then. Wow. I can hardly believe it. EIGHT YEARS! My blog is EIGHT YEARS OLD!
I just had to share that with all of you :)
I have been posting on and off for 8 years ever since then. Wow. I can hardly believe it. EIGHT YEARS! My blog is EIGHT YEARS OLD!
I just had to share that with all of you :)
Melting Pot Cabbage Soup
My friend, Nikky, showed me how to make an incredible cabbage soup. I love it because you can switch it up easily to make a different soup each time. Here is the basis to it and then the recipe that I made.
Melting Pot Cabbage Soup
Start by chopping about a pound or two of meat into "stew" sized chunks. Ground meat works well too. Cook in a skillet with a bit of broth, water or cooking wine until cooked through.
Add chopped veggies to the cooking meat. I like to add onions and garlic. We've also added squash, eggplant, carrots, broccoli, celery or any other vegetables you like. Saute until almost tender.
Add two cans of cream of something soup or about 4 cups of spaghetti sauce. We've also added tomato sauce instead.
In a stock pot chop a head of cabbage into bite size pieces. I like to mix red and green cabbage but either one is okay. Add broth or water to it, just enough to cover the cabbage, and cook until tender.
Add the meat mixture to the cabbage mix and stir thoroughly. Add any seasoning you want. I like to add a bit of basil, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning. About two tablespoons for each seasoning is good for me.
When it is done simmering, you can add cheese, sour cream or cream cheese to add to it, or just eat it as it is.
One pot lasts us a couple days. I portion out the Melting Pot Cabbage Soup into ziplock containers so I can take some for lunch.
Here is the recipe I used to make it:
In the skillet
Chicken, 1-1/2 pounds cubed.
1 large red onion, diced (I would have done more but I couldn't open my eyes)
1 bag peas and carrots
1 jar Prego brand spaghetti sauce mushroom flavor
About 1/2 cup of Marsala cooking wine.
In the stock pot
1/2 head of green cabbage
1/2 head of red cabbage
Mushroom broth, 1 box, Imagine brand
Enough water to fill the pot enough to cover the cabbage.
Then I added more cabbage until it heaped over the top of the pot.
I cooked it down some and then added
1/4 cup basil (The cap fell off while I was shaking it)
1 TBSP each: pepper, garlic powder and onion powder
2 TBSP Italian seasoning... I think... I might have added tarragon. I can't remember.
I added the meat skillet mix to the stock pot slowly, stirring it in with every couple of ladle scoops. Once mixed, I let it sit and simmer for an hour or so (I was busy). Then portioned it out in my ziplock containers for work (3 containers, 1 for each day) and we ate the rest over 2 days.
If you try a variety of this dish that you like, let me know! I am always looking for new ideas.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you think!
For more recipes, click here.
Melting Pot Cabbage Soup
Start by chopping about a pound or two of meat into "stew" sized chunks. Ground meat works well too. Cook in a skillet with a bit of broth, water or cooking wine until cooked through.
Add chopped veggies to the cooking meat. I like to add onions and garlic. We've also added squash, eggplant, carrots, broccoli, celery or any other vegetables you like. Saute until almost tender.
Add two cans of cream of something soup or about 4 cups of spaghetti sauce. We've also added tomato sauce instead.
In a stock pot chop a head of cabbage into bite size pieces. I like to mix red and green cabbage but either one is okay. Add broth or water to it, just enough to cover the cabbage, and cook until tender.
Add the meat mixture to the cabbage mix and stir thoroughly. Add any seasoning you want. I like to add a bit of basil, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning. About two tablespoons for each seasoning is good for me.
When it is done simmering, you can add cheese, sour cream or cream cheese to add to it, or just eat it as it is.
One pot lasts us a couple days. I portion out the Melting Pot Cabbage Soup into ziplock containers so I can take some for lunch.
Here is the recipe I used to make it:
In the skillet
Chicken, 1-1/2 pounds cubed.
1 large red onion, diced (I would have done more but I couldn't open my eyes)
1 bag peas and carrots
1 jar Prego brand spaghetti sauce mushroom flavor
About 1/2 cup of Marsala cooking wine.
In the stock pot
1/2 head of green cabbage
1/2 head of red cabbage
Mushroom broth, 1 box, Imagine brand
Enough water to fill the pot enough to cover the cabbage.
Then I added more cabbage until it heaped over the top of the pot.
I cooked it down some and then added
1/4 cup basil (The cap fell off while I was shaking it)
1 TBSP each: pepper, garlic powder and onion powder
2 TBSP Italian seasoning... I think... I might have added tarragon. I can't remember.
I added the meat skillet mix to the stock pot slowly, stirring it in with every couple of ladle scoops. Once mixed, I let it sit and simmer for an hour or so (I was busy). Then portioned it out in my ziplock containers for work (3 containers, 1 for each day) and we ate the rest over 2 days.
If you try a variety of this dish that you like, let me know! I am always looking for new ideas.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you think!
For more recipes, click here.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Rumors... Living Vicariously Through Lies.
My workplace is full of rumors. It is like living in a Junior High School only more vicious. I do not need to watch soap operas; the rumors at work are hilarious and entertaining enough. The batch this week has been very interesting to listen to and made me think about when I lived in Tennessee and had a bunch of rumors spread about me. I, apparently, have a very interesting life that I didn’t know about.
According to the rumors there, I am a witch and I cast spells on my residents to make them sleep. If I did, my residents would be asleep all night not up wandering the halls. I also held séances out back behind the nursing home under a full moon and I was searching for virgins. Trust me, if I was searching for virgins, I wouldn’t be looking for them at that place. Some of the rumors were true. Moreover, I sure the hell wouldn’t be holding séances under a full moon! Everyone would be able to see you… it would be under a new moon where it would be dark and harder to see. Common sense, people. Seriously.
The ones here are not as outlandish but they are still hilarious. Did you know I am rich? Me either. However, according to the source, I am rich because of my writing and I do not really need to work. I wish that were true. However, my writing is just a hobby and does not pay much and I am anything but rich. Right now, I have $32 in the bank. If that makes me rich, cool. It is not going very far though.
Then there is the one where I have a lesbian lover. Here name is Nikky. We are secret lesbian lovers. Jealous yet? Don’t be. Nikky is my best friend and like a sister to me. We spend a lot of time together but we are NOT lesbian lovers. I guess it does not help that we go everywhere together and I happen to have open-mouth-insert-foot moments a lot, like the time she did laundry at my house and left some of her clothes behind. We were outside on break one day and I said all enthusiastically, “Hey! You left your thongs at my house!” Oh, I could have died of embarrassment when I realized how that sounded.
This last week we went on a road trip to Washington and stayed in a hotel two nights. Our boss forgot to take her off the schedule. I got a call at 5:30 in the morning from one of our friends saying, “Wake up Nikky! She has to call in. Cindy put her on the schedule.” I hopped out of bed and handed her the phone. When we got back into town, our friend was telling Nikky that they were all sitting outside trying to figure out how to get a hold of Nikky since she wasn’t answering her phone (she turned it down). Ang said “Call Dotchi, have her roll over and smack Nikky in the face.” Thanks guys. Thanks. Love you too.
The rumors that came out this week did not involve Nikky and me this time. Apparently, everyone at work is sleeping with everyone else in various places throughout the town. One guy and his wife went to marriage counseling over it. Another was found making out with someone else at the bar. This is the same person that slept with a gang that came through town and spray painted their logo all over town. It is all confusing to follow but entertaining to hear, especially when you know the truth about some of them.
Where do people come up with this shit? Seriously? Do people sit around at night drinking and concocting stories about fellow coworkers? Where do you do this? I want a stiff drink. I am a writer; I can help create some interesting rumors. However, I will warn you, someone is going to abducted and anally probed.
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