The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

[tlrgs]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

hey sunshine you should get those test done just to make sure you are ok and you stay around for alot longer .. well enjoy and talk tomorrow love and hugs

[rubywillow]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Sunny, they aren't that bad. And they give you GREAT drugs!!! :H

G'night, loves. I can't believe I spent the whole evening on the phone with my sis, but it was wonderful. We've really lost touch, my fault I'm sure, but I won't let it happen again.

[Panno]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Ruby you really touched my heart with the story about your sister, I lost touch with my sister for many years, mainly due to our age difference and sequences of life, however we both got divorced 8 years ago within 6 months of each other and to cut a long story short we have been soul mates ever since.....

[Panno]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Good morning everyone

Absolutely bloody dreadful weather here ..... England need I say more :H:H

Rog hope all goes well with Sue's test, sending hugs across the ocean :l
Biz all I can say is follow your heart, all the suggestions here have put tears in my eyes, I wouldn't know which one to begin with......although Rog's suggestion mmmmm now your talking
Sunshine - go for the TESTS !!
Mama I am definately going to watch episodes of True Blood, sounds just up my street!!
Pheonix - I'm with you my stomach never forgets... well you know what they say about Elephants!

Love and hugs from a sober hangover free Panno :l

[mama bear]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

good morning family...came homw with a pounding headache and crashed lasy night
Sunni..should I go to B&N online and apply?? any tips??? I am kind of excited about this, but i cant take much of a pay cut....let me know
Biz - just hold your wife and let her know you are there.....
Morning Panno....glad you had an AF nite...I know you are still fighting...
Ruby..I am So happy you have such a wonderful relationship with your sister...that is priceless...my adopted sister and I are close, but my blood sister and I are not...
Morning Phoenix...how is it going with the Bac.....still titrating down??
Hey Sweet Vicki...you sound so much better
where are you Greatful?? you are usually an early bird with me
Rog - i hope you go to Ruby's...I cant wait to meet you...let us know about Sue's tests
Rubes...should I start cooking and freezing foods for our trip?
ok...one more cup of coffee and some time with papa then off to work
I love you all and am here for any one of you....any time, any where

[Grateful]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

I'm here, Mama Bear! Just reading back. I hope you have a great day and think it would be really neat if a job at B&N worked out for you......stress free and fun!!! I really think you should look into that.

Ruby-so glad you had that conversation with your sister and I know that you would always provide a home for her no matter what. It's a shame about your brother....but I think we might all have some family member who is like that.

Biz, dear, you need to read back some......we all gave you suggestions about Ryan's anniversary....I can say this because you & I work together and have known each other for 14 years...the others are being too nice - LOL! Love ya!!


Tony-Don't make me drive down to the Baltimore area and look for you.....I might get lost!! Can't you see we all miss you? Get your butt back here!

Okay - I really must get ready for work.....I'll check in later. Love to you all.

[Grateful]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

P.S. Roger....I'll be praying for you & Sue today...please let us know how it turns out. The test itself is really not that bad at all....it's the prep that I don't like.

[rubywillow]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Good morning, Peeps. #3 granddaughter is comfortably esconced on our den couch, tv controls in hand. I thought it was so cute when she got here a few minutes ago and was wrapped, head to toe, in her 'covers'. That's an old sleeping bag she's had since she was tiny, and it's her equivalent of a 'blankie'. It has a silky lining I remember her sitting and fingering, rubbing it when she was nervous.
It's amazing what children use to cope with their stress, and her parents (yes, my son too!) have caused her stress. She's remarkably beautiful, and has always tried so hard to please people. I'm just a grandma psychiatrist, I guess. It's my job to give her a stable haven, and I wasn't always able to do that. But she's all warm and safe right now, and I'll pamper her all day. We all need a little pampering at times.
Biz, maybe (just an idea) you could take your wife for a manicure or pedicure, or both, and let her be pampered on this important day. A pretty card, with your feelings written out, is another option. As said before, this is something you will feel is right for the 2 of you. But I'm so touched, and believe your wife would be too, at all the time and thought you've given this. And again, it's about you, too, and your loss. You are a good man, husband, father.
MB, I'm planning on just having lots of easy foods that are available quickly. When Mary Anne stayed with me, I had my bean soup ready when they arrived, and I don't even remember how many times she ate it! :H Easy hot cornbread works up quickly (and she took the leftovers home with her!) I'm sure T would recommend homemade ice cream, too. I don't want this to get too elaborate, so no one has to do too much. I have four sets of dishes at the cabin. We'll be using my new set, plastic!! Why don't you all make some suggestions for things to eat. Can't beat a good hot dog cooked over an open fire (with onions and sauerkraut, of course.)
T, I'm sending you tons of hugs. I'm distressed that YOU have been so distressed lately. If love and gratitude could be taken to the bank, you'd be a rich man. I saw (I think on the Sunday Shoutout Thread) where someone mentioned the lives you've touched, and changed. We leave footprints everywhere we go, and the people here (especially you) have left lasting one. Like several of us have talked about on the phone, this is the maybe the only time some of us have felt real friendship, without judgement.
My (13 year old) 'baby' is calling me, so I'm off to see what she needs. Have a wonderful day, everyone. If you don't change the world, or make a million dollars, it doesn't matter. Be happy with the lemons God gave you! :H
(and thank you for enduring my ramblings; I really have no one else to share my thoughts with, and you lovlies are elected!!)

[sunshinedaisies]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Good morning one and all! I tried to call for a same day appt with my doc this morning - the lines open at 6.30, and I started at 6.30 - was on hold until 6.38 when I finally got through - the same day appts were ALL GONE already!! In 8 minutes! What a pain! Never mind there is always tomorrow. Just sort of messes up my day, but oh well - lets make some lemonade now I have lemons eh?

MB - i will PM you about B & N okay? That would be best I think.
Grateful -I did laugh - fun and stress-free????? In retail? You are kidding!! Have you met the PUBLIC? Actually, for the most part, I LOVE my job but it can be stressful - like anything really. Oh - everyone - I did call Goldie this morning - and had to leave a message on her mobile. Just asked her to check in with us and told her that we were all worried and hoped that there was nothing wrong with her or her mum. At least her phone is still on and working.....

Panno - re your bloody awful weather - sometimes I yearn for it - it gets old here with the heat and humidity sometimes. The weather here has such extremes. You will either be freezing or boiling. Either have the AC on or the Furnace. I miss being able to have the windows open - maybe a few days a year do we have them open. I love a breeze blowing in through open windows.

T - good luck with sue and her test today - and Grateful, once again I agree with you that it is the prep that I would hate, and not the test itself! I would hate having to worry about what I can/can't eat and then drinking that stuff - yuck. But people - I promise I will do it next year. Maybe.

Where oh where is Tony? Do any of you ever call him? Hope all is okay with him and his.
Bird - have a great day today - hope you get your bike ride in - I am so impressed with your stick-to-it with that! Vicki - how are you this morning? Hope that your pain is better. Ruby - would love the recipe for your tomato basil soup - I LOVE basil!!

Going to get going for now - talk later everyone. Love and hugs,

Sun xx

[Panno]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Hey Tony looks like we are all ...........



Now where the bloodyhell are you ......

[rubywillow]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Here are 2 recipes, depending on your time and taste. When my Momma and her sisters were still with us, I used to do fancy luncheons for them, just a little treat, a splurge, pampering. I made this once (I always had soups, breads, salads, and an entree with sides, then a fancy dessert.) My Momma LOVED this little thing, made her proud of me to have a nice meal for her sisters. I remember my Aunt Nina raved about the tomato soup, and my Aunt Bert loved my French onion soup. I used to send them home with leftovers. You can't imagine how hard some (or her 7!) sisters were to please.


Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved
Prep Time: 15 min Inactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time: 1 hr 35 min Level:
Easy Serves:
6 to 8 servings Ingredients
3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 quart chicken stock or water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.


In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.

Creamy Tomato-Basil Soup
Rated:

Submitted By: Alok
Photo By: cookie diplomacy
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes
Servings: 8


"Simple to prepare, delicious tomato-basil soup. Great for an easy lunch served with bread or grilled cheese!"
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
3 pounds tomatoes - cored, peeled, and
quartered
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 sprigs fresh basil for garnish

Directions:
1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook until tender. Mix in tomatoes and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 15 minutes.
2. Transfer soup to a blender (or use an immersible hand blender), and blend until smooth. Return to the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and gradually mix in the heavy cream. Pour soup through a strainer before serving. Garnish each serving with a sprig of basil.

I posted my other soups on the recipe thread a while back.

[mama bear]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Rubes...I will be there for lunch...is noon ok?
Yeah, Sunni...let me know about B&N....I was looking at the website this morning

[sunshinedaisies]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

Thank you Ruby - that first one looks really really good! I love basil and always plant it then whiz some with olive oil and freeze that flat, and dry some. Then leave some on the plant as the yellow finches love the seeds and it is right by my kitchen window so can see them feeding!

Sun x

[rubywillow]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhvDvMV4_FY[/video]]YouTube - Ruby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlKMbezXtZE[/video]]YouTube - The osborne brothers-Ruby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85-Gp0ljzyg[/video]]YouTube - Mama Bear is Pissed - a TV Playhouse Classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY5w7M_FGk4[/video]]YouTube - Sunshine Daisies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwP56zFb8Cc[/video]]YouTube - GRATEFUL Julianne Music Video

[sunshinedaisies]

The Journey begins here so get YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!!!! for august

RUBY - I LOVED IT - IT WAS WONDERFUL. I think mine was the bestest of them all. Oh, I did laugh - I had tears running down my face partly because you would do something like that for me and partly 'cos it was just funny. You have just made my day - I have bookmarked it and keep smiling whenever I think about it - thank you so so much! i love you!!

Sun xx