Homegrown Texan

Born and raised in Texas, I've found the home of my heart and soul in the Pacific Northwest. I love trees, cool weather, and rain. I'm a back to basics kind of gal just trying to raise my family and find a bit of time to slow down in this hectic life.

This is a topic that is becoming ever-nearer and dearer to my heart.  I always knew it was "a good thing" to eat locally, but this article emphasizes the point to me even further. I can also see that the stupid fucked up FDA will make it such that I *have* to grow a garden, simply because I won't be able to afford to buy locally grown food (because of stupid regulations).

Support your local farmers

You Are Guinness
You know beer well, and you'll only drink the best beers in the world. Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them. When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don't know well. But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around.

You Are Austin
A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

Once tagged by this entry, the assignment is to write a blog entry of some kind with six random facts about yourself. Then, pick six of your friends and tag them; no tag backs. This explanation should be included.

1. My dream is to someday live in the forest.  Even better would be self-sustaining, with my own garden, etc.

2. My bathroom has what I think may be the smallest shower stall on the planet, and it is an ugly green, but I still mentally give a little thanks every time I use it, because I love hot showers and would hate to not be able to take one when I wanted to.

3. When I was in 5th grade, I got in trouble for stealing a little kid's lunchbox.  Weird thing is, I wasn't trying to steal it.  It's kind of a long story, but really, I wasn't. Honest.

4. When I was in high school, I took the ASVAB test.  It said I should be an aircraft mechanic or a nurse.  Interestingly enough, I could probably be an auto mechanic if I were physically stronger, and I'm seriously considering going back to school someday so I can become a nurse.

5. My ideal vacation is to sit in the middle of the forest on brisk days and just talk, read, nap, and sip tasty warm drinks all day.

6. I often feel like I was born after my time.  I think I should have been born in the 1800s or so.  I've felt this way since I was a little girl.

Nathan (my youngest son) turns 4 today.  Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Yesterday he had a very nice birthday celebration during class at his preschool.  Jim and I spent the morning with him in his classroom.  Nathan and I made pumpkin muffins to share with the class, and the teacher did a (classic Waldorf) Rainbow bridge birthday ceremony for him.  I thought the teacher did a nice job of focusing attention on him throughout the day without making the other kids feel ignored.  All in all it was very sweet and I think Nathan came away from school that day feeling very special and loved.

*Sweet moment*:  Nathan is the youngest and the smallest kid in the class.  The other kids seem pretty aware that he is younger and seems less mature than them, but they seem to watch out for him rather than exclude him for it.  One particular boy, Winslow, who Nathan has mentioned to me a few times before, said to me, "I'm kind of like Nathan's big brother".  And he really is.

Today Nathan picked Chevy's for dinner.  Definitely a step up from his pick last year (Sam's...yes, Sam's Club, the warehouse store).

Saturday we're doing our traditional have-everyone-over-and-make-a-meal thing for him.  I'm making burritos and appropriate sides.  Nathan wants a castle cake, which Jim has volunteered to construct.  I'm nervous about this, but we'll see.  Nathan's getting an Imaginext castle from us, along with a wooden treasure box (which he's been really wanting).  Michael hand knitted him a crown and bought him a snake book at the book fair with his own money.  I think Nathan's going to have a nice birthday, which makes me happy. :)

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?" - Ernest Gaines

We would like to know who really believes in gay rights on livejournal.There is no bribe of a miracle or anything like that. If you truly believe in gay rights, then repost this and title the post as "GayRights". If you don't believe in gay rights, then just ignore this.Thanks.

DAMN these cramps hurt like a mofo.  I *hate* this!

I'm seriously considering having some major "plumbing" work done.  Especially since I'm not planning on having any more kids.  I can deal with some pain, but this double-over-nearly-throwing-up bit is ridiculous.

Yes, I love pesto.

I present to you,


.

This is French toast, but instead of adding vanilla, sugar, and the usual spices in with the egg and milk, I added garlic salt and chipotle chili powder.  After I cooked it I topped it with homemade pesto sauce, goat cheese, and sun dried tomatoes.  Yum!

I just found out that my little brother is smoking pot again.

This is after getting out of a halfway house just a few weeks ago.  He's currently on probation, and has already violated the terms of his probation once (twice?  I can't keep track anymore) with pot.  If he gets caught again, he will go back for a long time.

It doesn't bother me so much that he smokes it, it's just that he's willing to risk having a life to do it.  He doesn't even think he has a problem.  I don't think all pot smokers are addicts, but I believe my brother is one.  It makes me very, very sad.