I'm back..Again!

I genuinely apologize for being such a bum about remembering to update my blogspot!! This is terrible. A lot has been going on lately!! I am trying to find a job- but I do have many promising prospects thus far. I'm just waiting to hear from them... The Fourth of July was wonderful! We went down to my grandmother's for a visit with her. There was entirely too much, good food, but who forgot the wine!?? Happy Freedom! It was nice to have my brother and sister-in law come down for the holiday, and my aunt, uncle, and parents... There were some serious scrabble games played!!!

Try making this recipe in your kitchen:

Black Bean and Corn Salad
1 15 or 16oz. can corn (or frozen-thawed)
3- 15oz cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 Cup chopped, red onion
1/4 Cup chopped, fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic- minced
Salt and Pepper
1/3 Cup. red-wine vinegar
2/3 Cup. Olive Oil

Mix corn, beans, onions, cilantro, garlic salt and pepper. Mix separately the vinegar/oil, and pour over the bean mixture. Toss to coat. Serve with tortilla chips or alone as a side dish. Optional additions: add 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 can of green chilies, or 1 avocado-diced.

Does really well if you can let it marinate overnight before eating.

Interview with Bishop NT Wright

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=171141

Just Checking In!

Hello Blog!

Please don't delete me just because I've negelected you lately! I will write more, I promise. I've just returned from San Destin, FL, where I was at the beach with my grandmother, uncle and cousins. It was very nice! The water, however, was far too calm to actually "surf." So, I waded by the edge, finding shells or other momentos to take home. We did a lot of shopping also!! Which was great... I found a lot of greeat deals, and I came back with a few things that I don't have any room for. But, they were just things I "had to have."

The Perfect Chocolate Pie

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar

*Beat these two ingredients together until fluffy*

Add

4 Onces unsweetened baking chocolate

*Beat into butter mixture*

Add

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

4 Eggs

*After each egg, cream for about five minutes*

Pour into a pie crust and refrigerate over-night before serving

This recipe came from my friend, Brandy. Her pie was absolutely great the other night when I had it and I'm sure mine will not compare. But, I thought I'd like to share the goodness with you!!

Cahaba River Trip

These pictures are from our Cahaba River canoe trip on June 7th '08. I had a lot of fun!!! Pop, Mom, John, Sam and I went along with numerous other friends from our church.

I did not actually fall out of my kayak until the very end, when we had to paddle up stream. My arms were tired, so I felt like I wasn't moving the boat anywhere. I eventually tumped over and began floating back down stream. Thankfully I was rescued and made it to our end check-point.

Live Life

If I Had My Life To Live Over,

Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out she had a fatal disease.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ... But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back

This is what was left over from the groomsmen renovating our friend's get-away car!! Last night Pop, John and I went to a wedding in Athens, AL. The Bride went to college with me; and the Groom was in college, and was roommates with John. I bet Macks and Katy Ann had a tough time getting the dish detergent out of it!!