Wordless Wednesday: Binoculars

L and I went on a ranger ride with Grammy over the weekend, just to get out and enjoy the weather and see what kind of wildlife we could find.  L was prepared with Papa's binoculars. 

Funniest part was that L was constantly looking thru the binoculars and was afraid that Grammy was going to run into the trees that were WAY off into the distance.
  

We saw squirrel nests, trees that beavers had chewed on, deer, hawks, an owl... but the favorite of the day?  Calves of course!

Who Intimidates You More?

Thousands of violent crimes are ended every year by CCW permit holders, without ever firing a shot, simply because the intended victim was armed.  And thousands of crimes are enabled every year by the creation of "gun free zones".  Disarming the potential rape victim protects just one person.  The rapist.

The legislators of Illinois have essentially made the ENTIRE state a "gun free zone".  Watch this video and tell me, how does rendering me defenseless protect you against a violent crime?

Wordless Wednesday: Dirt

Bird's Nest Take Two

A few years ago, I made these tasty Bird's Nests for Easter.  This year I was a bit of a procrastinator and didn't go grocery shopping to get all the necessities for Easter dinner.  Including the chinese egg noodles that are needed for those nexts.  So instead, I scrambled and altered the recipe a bit by using Cocoa Krispies (6 cups).  I must say, I actually PREFER them this way!

 

I hope you had a great Easter, we certainly did!  

 



Taste Test

We joined the other millions of people taking the Lays taste test last night.  I've heard of these flavors, they are hard to miss when 1/2 of the social media world is talking about them, but I hadn't really paid that close of attention.  While I was in Walgreens yesterday, they were next to the checkout, so I thought we'd give them a shot and see what we thought of them. 

 

Side note: The Sriracha flavor was submitted from an ISU student (my alma mater) and from what I understand, whichever flavor wins, the person that submitted it gets one million dollars!  I think I could've came up with some interesting flavors for that prize... maybe Buffalo Chicken with Ranch, Fried Pickles, Fried Green Beans with Wasabi, or Bruschetta... YUM! 

 

And the taste test begins....

And the winner is..... *DRUMROLL*

Chicken and Waffles! 

 

 

Of all three of the flavors, I really thought Chicken and Waffles would be the worst.  I was surprised that it really wasn't all that bad.  I think my favorite would've been the Cheesy Garlic Bread, but I'd really like to see some of my flavors on the store shelf!

HE Has Arrived!

Evan Dean Garrett joined us on Friday morning!!!  He's absolutely adorable!

He already has more hair than his Daddy.... and it's red!

L was a bit disappointed they didn't take her name suggestion and name him Jimmy Buffett, but I think he's already got his nickname... and two older cousins to get him in LOADS of trouble :)

Thursday Thirteen: Randomness

1.  My little sister STILL has not given birth to my niece/nephew.  She was due last Thursday and the baby just doesn't seem to be in any hurry. 

2.  I'm ready for spring.  When I say ready, what I really mean is past due.  Kinda like Bonnie.

3.  I'm doing my first race of the year on Saturday... I haven't ran in MONTHS.  It's not going to be pretty, but at least it's a St. Patrick's race and the goal is to end up at an Irish pub.  Motivation people, that's why I run.

4.  The weather was pretty crummy over the weekend, so Saturday afternoon I took L to a movie.  She's been wanting to watch Oz and it looked like one I would enjoy as well.  It was great!  The best moment was at the beginning when Oz was in the circus and made a lady disappear, and then made himself disappear.  Once he's in the balloon and he sees the tornado, L yells to the screen, "Can't make that disappear, can ya!?" 

5. By the time Sunday afternoon came around, we were tired of being cooped up in the house and bored.  I decided to make some cookies.  L wanted one, but since we had been couch potatoes all day, I told her she'd have to be a little active before she could eat one.  I proposed that if she ran out to the shed and back she could have one... but only if she went in what she had on, which was just her unders!  Like her mother, she's not one to shy away from a dare, so off she went!

6.  I've discovered a new author.  New to me anyway, and I'm loving her.  Diane Chamberlain.  She's known as the Jodi Picoult of the south.  So if you are a Jodi fan like myself.  Check her out.  Right now I'm reading Breaking the Silence and it's hard for me to put it down!

7. Speaking of books, my two favorite websites are PaperBackSwap and Goodreads.  If you have a lot of books lying around the house PBS is the answer.  You literally swap books with people and you only have to pay for shipping yours out.  It's awesome.  If you'd like a referral, let me know! 

8. L's birthday is next month and she is constantly telling us stuff to put on her birthday wish list.  She recently grew out of her cowboy boots so that is one of her top priorities right now.  The other day, I had her sit at the computer with me to look at some boots and see if there were any that she liked.  She picked out a pair of Anderson Bean boots.  Now for anyone that knows boots, knows that those aren't cheap!  What can I say, the kids got good taste!

9. I don't think I shared any photos from the last time we had a good snow.  It was one of those perfect winter days where the sun was shining, there wasn't any wind blowing AND the snow was just right for packing.  So we headed outsidie to play and make a snowman!

10. My favorite picture to date of JC was taken that day as well.... Love him!

11. Tegan is still doing phenomenal and is growing like a weed!  Just check out the cute lil munchkin...

12. Shelly is having some difficulties the last two weeks, prayers will be appreciated!