The Rock

When we bought the land to build our house on back in 2006, it was a jungle. It was only when we cleared it off that we discovered a huge rock jutting out over the creek.

While our house was under construction, we would pick up something to eat, check on the progess of the house, then head to the rock for a picnic. When we lived in the suburbs, we would drive 2 hours to enjoy a view like this.

And now it's just a short walk from our back door. And whenever I'm out on the rock looking over the water, all of the stress that goes along with everyday life just disappears. It's like a mini vacation--without the stress of traveling, packing, and planning for a vacation.

I hope I never get used to it.

Honestly!

It's the Honest Scrap award! I got this award from 2 wonderful bloggers: Keri at It Flickers Dimly and Michelle at There Must Be More To Life Than Dishes And Laundry. Thanks! I'm supposed to list 10 honest scraps of info about myself. Well, so far I'm up to 18 on my "about me" page and here's 10 more.

1. While driving, I'm often struck by how many white vehicles there are out there. Is that weird? Don't answer that!

2. Yesterday at a baby shower (Hi Elaine!), I was mistaken for the guest of honor who is almost 8 months pregnant. That's not good. I guess I need to get back on the treadmill, huh?

3. In high school I was voted most quiet and most studious. If that doesn't say nerd, I don't know what does.

4. Also in high school, I donated blood one day and 2 hours later I passed out in human physiology class. It was the first and last time I gave blood.

5. In the late '90s I was a huge wrestling fan and went to see a WCW show in Little Rock.

6. I don't understand how "Jack" is a nickname for "John."

7. I used to collect Barbie Dolls.

8. I haven't had a panic attack since October of 2007! The closest I have come since then was when traffic was backed up and I was stuck on an overpass. I could feel it move. And then my heart rate shot up and I had an overwhelming sense of dread. But that was it. It just fizzled out. I have no idea why but I'm glad those days seem to be over.

9. No matter how cold it is, I have to sleep with the ceiling fan on.

10. When I was in my early 20's I was kind of a fuddy duddy. I was very conservative and idealistic but as I've gotten older I've become much more liberal. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around and what an interesting world it is when we're not all the same.

But wait! I have one more! This is from my good buddy Kat at Sassy Irish Lassie. It's the Premio Dardos award which acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day. That's not something a fuddy duddy would do is it? Because it's no fun being a fuddy duddy. Thanks Kat!

Back In The Limelight

The Presidential Inauguration is just a few days away. Keep your eyes and ears open for a rarity: The Inauguration Poet.

There has only been 3 poets who have had the honor of reading at the swearing-in ceremony. First, there was Robert Frost (for JFK in 1961), then Maya Angelou (for Bill Clinton in 1993) and Miller Williams (for Bill Clinton in 1997). And now you can add Elizabeth Alexander to that list.

A Yale professor and friend of the Obamas, she has said that "writing an occasional poem has to attend to the moment itself, but what you hope for, as an artist, is to create something that has integrity and life that goes beyond the moment" (from The New York Times). I can't wait to hear what she comes up with! And she has promised to be brief--that's my kind of poem!

Ars Poetica #100: I Believe by Elizabeth Alexander

Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies

Ever since the first Presidential Cookie Bake-Off in 1992, the winner of the bake-off has gone on to win the election. There was Hillary Clinton (with my favorite chocolate chip cookies) in '92 and '96. Then Laura Bush in '00 and '04. But 2008 was different. Cindy McCain won the contest with her recipe for Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies but she didn't make it to the White House. That honor went to the Obamas. And personally, I think Michelle should have won the bake-off, too. Her shortbread cookies are dense, full of citrusy flavor, and perfect with a cup of hot tea.

Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies (Bake-Off results are here)

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (of course, I used salted butter)
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbs sugar
2 egg yolks
2 tbs Amaretto (I used 1 tsp almond extract)
1 tsp each orange and lemon zest
3 cups cake flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 beaten egg white
chopped nuts or dried fruit, optional (I used chopped pecans)

1. Heat oven to 325°F. Line a 17 x 12 x 1-inch baking pan with nonstick foil. In large bowl, cream together butter and 1-1/2 cups of the sugar.
2. Slowly add egg yolks, and beat well until smooth. Beat in Amaretto and zest.
3. Stir in flour and salt until combined.
4. Spread dough evenly into prepared pan, flattening as smoothly as possible.
5. Brush top of dough with egg white; sprinkle with nuts or fruit (if using) and with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
6. Bake at 325°F for 25 minutes or until brown, turn off oven and allow cookies to sit in oven (with door ajar) for 15 minutes. Cut while slightly warm.

VERDICT: Yum! My mom liked them so much that she made a batch for herself earlier this week. The dough is kind of thick, you won't think that you'll be able to spread it all out in a 17 x 12 pan, but it can happen. The original recipe says that it makes 6 dozen cookies. No way it makes that many. I got around 2 dozen, as did my mom.

Wordless Wednesday: Banana. I Think.

Heeeerrrrre Birdie, Birdie

This is a familiar sight in my backyard. This is how my bird feeder looked all last year. Empty. Since the economy was so bad, even the birds felt the effects of the recession. No fast food for them. Instead, they had to rely on their natural instincts for food. Poor birds. But then along came 2009--a new year, a year of hope, a year of change, a year where the month of January has 3 paychecks instead of the usual 2. So I filled the bird feeder and waited. And waited. And waited.

But no birds came to the feeder. Hmmm....I wonder why.

HOWARD!

Can't Trust That Day

It's Monday. Two down and 50 to go. It's also the beginning of Armageddon Week on the History Channel. A doom and gloom week filled with all kinds of different ways humans could die at the hands of nature and the universe. Those shows always send me into a panic mode where I must have chickens! goats! immediately! And I start planning on converting one of the bedrooms into a pantry full of canned goods. But then I watch The Office and 30 Rock and I'm all Imminent Ice Age? What Imminent Ice Age?

But I have good news! A bright spot in my day! Two of my favorite bloggers have awarded me the Lemonade Award for showing great attitude and/or gratitude. Many, many thanks to Kat from SassyIrishLassie who has an excellent photo definition for the word "hope" and a big thank you to Jen from Another Online Mom who is posting everyday this month about tried and true beauty products and tips. Thank you both!