gun control

Gun Control

In light of the recent events in CT I thought I should share with you the my thoughts on gun control. For those of you who do not know my back story my little sister Sara was killed her best friend's boyfriend with a hand gun. She was only 15 years old.

My mother had a knock on the door on a Sunday evening. It was a state trooper. He told her that her daughter had been in an accident and she needed to go to the hospital. She called me and I beat her there. They would not tell us everything until everyone  was there in the family room. I had my dad on the phone long distance in South Dakota. We were all speculating that it was a car accident and couldn't understand why we couldn't see her. Then the Dr came and told us told us she had been shot. Through the head. I felt as though I had been punched in the gut. All the air had been sucked out of the room and I couldn't breath. My dad was yelling in my ear "What was happening?". It was the worst thing I had ever had to tell someone. They said at the moment she was alive but she was brain dead.

Her killer had been messing around with the gun and dropped the clip out. He jokingly told her he was going to kill her and pointed the gun in her direction. He then pulled the trigger. The only thing he forgot to do was empty the chamber. The bullet had entered her forehead and exited out the back taking parts of her brain with it. When the ambulance arrived she was dead. They revived her two more time in route the the hospital.

We were allowed to go in there two by two and say our goodbyes. She did not look like herself. She had tubes going coming and going all over her body. The side of her forehead where the bullet had gone in was swollen up to the size of a softball. They are tried to arrange her hair so that you couldn't see the mess of what was the back of her head. There was blood trickling out of her nose. I asked the nurse if she could hear us. He just nodded. I know now that she was no longer there but I think he was afraid to speak to us. I squeezed her hand and told her that I loved her and too hang it there.

Her killer was only 17. After suffering that living nightmare you would think I would hate guns.  That you would think that I would support every gun control measure that even whispered my way.

I. do. not.

I think that no matter how strong you make the laws the bad people are still going to get a hold of them. My sister's killer bought his off the black market for $35.00. They were in a gang and thought they needed to protect themselves. If he, a 17 year old child with stupid intentions, was able to buy a gun don't you think that a harden criminal would be able to get around the law and get one too? The end result would just be upright, moral citizens unable to defend themselves if necessary.

We donated Sara's organs to people who needed them. She helped 27 people that night. That young man's life ended in a way also. He was charged as an adult with manslaughter and was supposed to serve 7 years. His life will never be the same.

I think the best defense against senseless tragedies like the one in CT is community involvement. Even if you might live in a large city there are still options. Everything can be broken down into smaller parts. You can have neighborhood associations, clubs, drives, or mentoring programs. If someone notices something is amiss with someone we can get them help sooner. Before things like this happen.

The American people have become too apathetic. They think they can let someone else take care of the problem. We can't let this continue. You can't live next door to someone for years and never even know their name. You can help feed and clothe the poor. You can help a senior by taking them to the store. You have to be more involved in your children's lives. You bet your bottom dollar I know what my children are up to. I know their friends, and the friends parents and where they are! There are endless possibilites as to how you can plug in.

Jesus said love your neighbor. It's as simple as that.

 

This is so neat I had to share!

 

December

 

 

It's 72 outside on this lovely DECEMBER day. It's great for doing all kinds of outdoor stuff. Look! even my clematis is still blooming. But my dog has decided he needs to start shedding again. I think I am ready for a bit of snow. Mind you, I said a just a bit.

Tradition

 

Before you start to read this blog you must start playing this clip from Fiddler on the roof. Not just because I love the musical but because this song is wonderful.

 

Every year during the holidays we have something we call Spider salad. No, there are no spiders in the salad. What happened after my dad and step mom Connie got married they had everyone over at their house for Thanksgiving that year. The meal was ready and everyone went to sit down and we started to say grace. I happen to glance up and I see a huge spider hanging down from the ceiling over this gorgeous bowl of cranberry salad so I let out a scream. My dad came over and killed it but ever since then we have spider salad at thanksgiving.

 

 

It's pretty easy to make:

1 bag of cranberries chopped.

4 large apples

2 cups of sugar (not pictured)

1 bag of mini marshmallows

16oz cool whip

 

Chop up the apples and cranberries and let them soak in the sugar over night.

Drain off liquids in the morning.

 

Mix in the marshmallows and walnuts.

 

Isn't it pretty

 

Then fold on the cool whip.

Yum!

I think part of what makes the holidays special is the things you do only during that time. If you don't have any then start one! Spider salad just started with a scream but now Thanksgiving would not be the same without it.

Fall.

 

Fall is such a great time to take pictures. The colors are spectacular. The light just right.

...and subjects are more willing to be photographed.

Aren't they stinking cute!

Green Chile Kitchen

 

 

My hubby and I tried out a new restaurant here in Yukon.

It made our taste buds very happy. The food is all fresh. The say on their menu they try to use organic produce when they can. You can really taste the difference.

I had the carne adovada. The meat had a subtle seasoning of cinnamon. Surprising but very yummy.

Allen had the smothered Mexican burrito. I think he growled when I tried to sneak a bite.

The salsa was to die for. They just kept it coming. We both tried a margarita. They told us they squeeze fresh limes to make their own sweet and sour mix. I have never been anywhere that does that and the taste was wonderful!

 

The only bad thing was that they open at 5 which is when we showed up. They had to seat everyone at once so it made the service a bit slow. I think it was worth it though.

 

If you are interested here is their web site.

http://greenchilekitchen.com/gckrt66/

 

 

When I was in the shower this morning (my husband always laughs at me because of my deep shower thoughts) I was thinking how excited I was about going to see opening night of Breaking Dawn 2. I am going to take my daughters and my brother-in-law. If you haven’t ever gone to an opening night viewing I highly recommend it. It’s just the neatest experience. You have all these people who show up hours before to get a good seat. You kind of develop a camaraderie with the people you are next to in line. It’s like a mini family. You all have the same goal, getting a great seat, are a devoted fan and are on pins and needles waiting to get in to see the movie. You share stories of the first experiences with the characters as you slowly make you ways to the doors. When you finally get to take your seat they make you sit thru what seems like hour of trailers. Then finally, the moment is here. The opening music starts and the whole audience breaks into cheers.

 

 

I started to think isn’t it sad that we are all not like that on Sunday morning. Why can’t we all be breathlessly waiting to stampede into those pews? It must have been like that for those people who were alive during Jesus’s time. Waiting hours just to get glimpse of him. Even though he is not now physically present he is there in spirit. And that spirit can spread faster that a wildfire on of hot August day. All it needs is you to fan the flames. I encourage each of you to look deep inside and listen to how God is calling you to reach out and spread those embers around. There are a lot of ways to ways to do this possibly through music, working with youth or children, outreach ministries, or serving on committees. If you just aren’t sure, many church offer spiritual gifts classes to help you discover what your talents might be. I know my church is getting ready to offer one.

We can all be like those movie goers, eagerly waiting for the film to start. There is no reason we all shouldn’t be on our feet cheering as soon as the organ plays the opening notes.

Halloween treat

 

 

Isn't that so cute! My boss made these for us on Halloween. She just scooped out the inside of an orange, cut a face and added sherbet. She cut a hole in the top and stuck in a twizzler. You freeze until ready to serve. She put a dab of sherbet on the bottom before she stuck it in her container so when it froze they would not slide around. Genius!

Pulled BBQ chicken sandwich

 

I hadn't planned on posting this but it was so stinkin' good I had to. I don't have the step by step pics but I think you can figure it out.  I used a bag of frozen chicken breast. BBQ sauce and water. You place the chicken in your crock pot with equal parts BBQ sauce and water until the chicken is covered. Let is simmer all day while you are at work on high.

Yes, I do buy my BBQ sauce in very LARGE quantities. When you walk in the door be prepared to be assailed by a mouth watering smell. Take the chicken out and shred it. Pour on some fresh BBQ sauce and toss it until all the pieces are covered.

 

EAT.

I love my with a coleslaw topping.

My daughter asked me to post this recipe for my chicken on my blog. She adores this chicken. It is a highly coveted item at my house. We are talking about brawls and WWE smack downs with metal chairs here. You can only take your allotted amount and that's it.

 

 

What you need is a bag a defrosted chicken breasts.

1 1/2 teaspoon Lawry's garlic salt (because no other will do)

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon paprika

 

You can add salt if you prefer but I have to watch my intake.

 

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly oil a pan. Arrange chicken in pan.

 

Sprinkle on seasoning and yes, I don't need to actually measure it out 'cause I rock.

For you newbies you can measure it out.

 

I love the way thyme smells.

 

I learned from a Lebanese friend that chicken and cinnamon are wonderful together.

 

I go through a lot on paprika if you can't tell from my industrial size container.

Then bake for 30 minutes.

Abracadabra!

 

 

 

 I had a lovely day with the house to myself. I was able to clean in peace and I baked.

I found a great recipe for Biscotti here:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chocolate-Biscotti/Detail.aspx

 

 

 Don't they look divine!

 

Oh they turned out so well! I doubled the batch and substituted 1/2 of the white flour for whole wheat. I have to sneak it in where I can.

I also made 3 loaves of banana bread.

 

I took some pictures for my sister today.

 

 

They are all so photogenic.

Don't they look charming?

I took all these out on their property.

Michael looks dashing in his blues.

Just chillin on the big rocks.

 

 

Here is an out-take of the daddy dogpile. That one was hard to set up. Christopher could not understand what the heck we were doing. Maddy was my assistant. She tried real hard to get him to think it was fun.

 

 

 

This one is my favorite. Isn't my sister so darn purty?

I think they had fun.

 

Sunrise

 

I spent the night over at my sister Kristy's house in order to run errands with her early in the morning. She is so lucky to get to look at sights like these everyday. It's very pretty out there.

 

This is what's out her back yard!

 

Flavor combos

 

There are just some flavors that go together naturally. Like peanut butter and jelly or ketchup and mustard.

 

My children have come up with the most disgusting one I have ever heard of. They put rediwhip on pizza.... and declared it divine. I just could not bring myself to try it.

 

 

Rediwhip solo is a good thing... on ice cream delicious. BUT PIZZA???

 

I personally love the quirky combo of McDonald french fries and hot mustard.

 My hubster like a big 'ol glass of OJ with a spoonful of peanut butter. (bleah)

 

What unique flavor combos do you love?

I love the way my cat Stormy naps.

 

 

She twists her body in the most preposterous ways.

 

She most comfortable with her head upside down.

 

Doesn't she look sweet!

 

Oh to be able to nap this way.

 

You know a restaurant is good when you pull up in the parking lot and it looks like a convention for cable TV repairmen is going on.

 

My parents treated Jessica and I for lunch last week for her birthday. This is where she choose to go.

 

They have great steaks and are very reasonably priced. I meant to take a pic of it but I was so excited to eat it I forgot.