Monday Night

5 September 2011 by

This morning I woke up and (Rachel Zoe-ism alert) felt like a truck had LITERALLY run over me. At some point in the night the plague settled into my head and my chest, so I’ve spent most of the day either blowing my nose or trying to cough up a lung. I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time watching clips from old Mississippi State football games on the YouTube, but that was mainly to distract me from reaching for some sort of anvil in order to alleviate the blinding sinus pain and pressure. Some people like to watch chick flicks when they’re sick; I, on the other hand, prefer a sassy pick-six or a particularly powerful quarterback sack.

As I have often mentioned, I am a delicate flower.

Mama and Daddy drove over yesterday so they could spend Labor Day with us, and their plan was to leave this afternoon and drive home. The weather has been really nasty all day, though – something like six and a half inches of rain in the last 24 hours – and the flash floods and downed trees dictated that they spend one more night with us instead of trying to navigate the less-than-ideal driving conditions. Fortunately we still have power at our house, but it is pitch black dark all around us. There are lots of people without electricity in our neck of the woods.

It’s been strange to sit here and listen to today’s seemingly endless rain, mainly because I know that the folks in Texas would give just about anything to have had even a fraction of it. Off and on I’ve found myself praying, “Lord, send this rain west – just send it west” – because we’ve had such an over-abundance of it and Texas has such a desperate need for it. But the rain just keeps pouring here, sitting on top of ground that’s far too soaked to absorb anything else, and the fires keep burning in Texas, blazing a trail across land that, at this point, is basically acre upon acre of kindling.

So tonight, as the rain continues to beat against the trees, I’m reminded to pray for the people in Texas. I’d love it if you’d join me. Because even though we can’t send the rain to Texas, we know the One who can.

Have a good Tuesday, everybody.

Filed Under: Faith, Rambling

It Has Been A While

3 September 2011 by

I hardly ever post on Saturdays, but considering that we have had a day with absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to be (though I did make a quick trip to the Steinmarts since I had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket), I thought I’d check in here.

So. Let the checking in commence, I reckon.

In all honesty, the last 8 or 9 days have been sort of a WHITE HOT MESS in terms of some junk that I’ve been walking and wading through with people I care about a whole bunch, and while I think everything (Martha-speak alert) is going to be fine! just fine! it’s all going to be perfectly fine!, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s made for a pretty tiring week-and-some-change around these parts. A few nights ago I met some friends for supper, and as much as I was trying to be a gamer in terms of contributing to the conversation, there were several points during dinner when I nearly dozed off. My friends were hilarious, mind you, but there was something about the combination of the dimly-lit booth and being able to sit still for an extended period of time that left me a wee bit drowsy.

And that’s pretty much been the norm around here lately: plow through the day, try to stay awake during meals, fall asleep during a TV show, crawl in the bed, wake up at 5:30 the next morning – and repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

Oh, it has been a refreshing time.

Last weekend I told D that since I’m pretty locked in to several different obligations, this isn’t really one of those times when I can just decide to cut back on a couple of things in the interest of feeling more sane and rested. So, since I can’t necessarily do less, I have to figure out how to work smarter. I feel fortunate because I love everything that I’m doing / working on, but I’m not much good to my people if I’m so worn out from it all that I’m walking around in a daze half the time. And that is precisely why we now have a new addition to our family.

Yes. You’re seeing correctly. That would be a (used) elliptical motion machine. We bought it from one of our neighbors earlier this week, and I’m hoping that it’ll help Mama here have a little more energy and as a result be significantly less likely to fall asleep in the middle of TV shows and/or conversations. It’s HUGE, so today we’re going to try to figure out the best place to put it.

And by “best” what I really mean is “least conspicuous.” BECAUSE IT IS SO VERY GIGANTIC, MY WORD.

I have to say, though, that over the last day or so things have slowly been feeling a little more normal. We watched the Bulldogs play Thursday night, and I loved every single second (for the record, I made Southwestern Salad and a rotel dip with white cheese – both were tasty). Last night D and I went to see this guy in concert, and it was A DELIGHT. We had such a good time. Right now I’m watching the Ole Miss / BYU game, getting ready to fry up some chicken and looking forward to the LSU / Oregon game tonight. This morning on Twitter I mentioned that I don’t know how Les Miles is going to eat grass since he’ll be coaching tonight on artificial turf, but I’ll tell you what: I’m excited about the possibilities.

Anyway, enough about me. How are y’all? How’s your team doing this weekend? Do you have any fun Labor Day plans? Have any exciting naps on the horizon? Any wide stretches of time where you can hang out in your pajamas and spend quality time with your people and hopefully laugh a whole bunch?

A girl has to prioritize, you know.

Filed Under: Rambling

DipTacular ’11

31 August 2011 by

Listen. I had every intention of having some sassy little blog button made for today’s festivities.

But then I spent yesterday morning putting out about nineteen fires before I spent a chunk of yesterday afternoon in a meeting and then I had another meeting last night and then my head exploded and then as you might imagine I really needed some rest.

So my circumstances didn’t really, um, cooperate with the creation of a cute bloggy button. I do hope you understand.

Anyway, I’m just as excited as I can be about seeing all of your dip recipes, mainly because I adore dips. I think my fondness for dip probably has something to do with the fact that I never seem to tire of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, Provolone cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, American cheese or Parmesan cheese. And also sour cream. Amen.

This past spring Melanie sent me a dip recipe that I’d seen before but never gotten around to trying, and when I finally tried it a few days later, I nearly wept with gratitude. It’s so delicious – a real crowd-pleaser – and it’s even better if you make it a day in advance.

Plus, it’s loaded with vegetables, so I like to tell myself that it’s totally healthy.

Southwestern Tossed Salad

2 cups fresh, frozen (and thawed) or canned corn kernels
1 can of black beans, rinsed
2 roma tomatoes (or a carton of grape/cherry tomatoes halved or quartered)
4 green onions, chopped
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 avocado, diced
4 ounces of feta or cotija cheese, crumbled (I used tomato & basil feta, and it was perfection)

Dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all of the dressing ingredients and set aside. Combine the salad ingredients and pour the dressing over it. It tastes even better if you let it all marinate for a few hours (wait and add the avocado right before you serve if it’s going to marinate awhile). Serve as a salad or with tortilla chips as a dip.

That dressing. MY WORD, THAT DRESSING.

And since it’s been a few years since I posted this next delight, I thought DipTacular would be an excellent time to share it. It’s my favorite dip ever (EVER) (EVER!), and even though it might require a little advance planning to secure one of the ingredients, it’s well worth the time and effort. Because SWEET MERCY AT THE TASTY.

Captain Rodney Cheese Bake, aka THE BEST THING YOU WILL EVER EAT IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE EVER

1/2 cup mayonaise
8 oz. cream cheese-softened
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 green onions chopped
6 Ritz crackers crumbled
8 slices cooked, crumbled bacon
1/2 cup Boucan Glaze (Oh my merciful heavens at the sheer volume of deliciousness in this stuff. It should be illegal. But I am so glad that it isn’t.)

Mix first 4 ingredients, then spread in a square casserole dish. Sprinkle crackers on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Then sprinkle bacon on top and drizzle sauce over all. Serve with your favorite crackers, pita chips, etc.

I should probably warn you that the Captain Rodney’s dip may result in some spontaneous bouts of praise. Just consider yourself warned as I’d hate for you to sustain any sort of dip-related injury due to the impromptu flailing of appendages.

Bon DipTacular, y’all.

Remember: If you add your link to the Mr. Linky, make sure to use the URL for your specific post, not just a link to the front page of your blog or your Facebook page. A specific link will help us find your recipes!

Filed Under: Rambling

The Blog Has Lost Its Mind

25 August 2011 by

There appear to be some technical difficulties here at BooMama, Inc.

Our crackerjack technical team (meaning, you know, ME) hopes to have everything back to normal soon.

:-)

Filed Under: Rambling

The Boy, The Kite And The Wind

24 August 2011 by

A week or so ago a friend emailed me about a children’s book he thought I might like. I don’t typically do a lot of reviews or recommendations for children’s books because I just can’t keep up with everything that’s out there, not to mention that there are a lot of bloggers who do that sort of thing way more efficiently and effectively than I do. But the simplicity of the title really grabbed my attention, so I told my friend I’d check it out and made a mental note to visit the book’s website just as soon as I had a chance.

Sure enough, I looked at the website later that day. And. My goodness. There’s just no way I could’ve known that a video for the book was going to reduce me to a blubbering mess.

The Boy, the Kite, and the Wind from Improbable Philanthropist on Vimeo.

If you’re interested, you can order the book here. It looks like the illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait until our copy comes in the mail and we get to see it in person!

p.s. Nobody paid me or gave me anything to mention this book.

p.p.s. Just to be clear.

p.p.p.s. Thank you and have a delightful day.

Filed Under: Rambling

Perhaps I’m A Smidge Over-Attached

23 August 2011 by

So yesterday I totally forgot to email the winners of Friday’s impromptu iTunes gift card giveaway because, well, I’m lame. And also because I got all wrapped up in an episode of Guiliana & Bill even though? Seriously? I think that whole show is scripted. I mean, I’m certainly not saying that I’ll no longer watch because they seem to be following some sort of general outline as they make their way through each episode, but last night I was thinking They totally made this up the whole way through the show. I’m not so sure that their house isn’t on a backlot at Universal Studios, either. But, you know, whatever. Guiliana’s hair is fab so KEEP THAT ENTERTAINMENT COMING.

Also, this has nothing to do with the giveaway winners, but Friday night I realized that at some point during the day I’d lost one of my beloved (AND I DO MEAN “BELOVED”) multi-color beaded hoop earrings. I think I’m on my third or fourth pair of them; I started wearing them about four years ago and have not been without a pair since because THEY GO WITH EVERYTHING. Plus, I adore a hoop.

So Friday night, when it came to my attention that one of my earrings had gone missing (apparently the earring was British, otherwise it would have just been regular ole missing), I went into Earring Recovery Mode like nothing you’ve ever seen. It’s a good thing, too, because I think I paid upwards of 7 American dollars for those earrings about a year and a half ago, and you have to be super-proactive when attempting to recover jewelry that valuable. I even contemplated alerting the authorities about the fact that my earring had GONE MISSING and then offering some sort of reward.

You know, something along the lines of a pack of Orbit gum or maybe even one of my most treasured Sharpie pens.

I called a store I’d visited earlier in the day to see if anyone had turned in a lone hoop earring, but alas, no luck. I finally accepted that the earring was gone forever (perhaps it decided to return to its homeland in England), and I figured that I’d run over to the shop where I bought them Saturday morning and see if they had a spare pair. Since I searched the internet for the earrings to no avail, the shop was my only hope.

This is starting to sound just a little bit like a Lifetime movie, isn’t it? Just a wee bit? Just a smidge overboard in the drama department, maybe?

Anyway.

Saturday morning I was UP AND AT’EM bright and early, and by 9:40 I was out the door so that I could be at the store when they opened at 10. When I got there I headed straight for the jewelry section, and at first the prospects did not look good at all. There were tons of hoops but not a multi-colored bead in sight. Just when I was starting to contemplate what my future would look like without a multi-colored hoop earring as a part of my daily routine, I spied a bracelet that matched my beloved earrings. So I handed the bracelet to one of the sales clerks, and I very quickly said something like, “ArethematchingearringsinthebacksomewherepleaseIdon’tknowwhatI’lldowithoutthem?”

She asked another clerk, who pointed her in the direction of a storage cabinet, and do you know that within two minutes that sweet sales clerk was handing me these?

MADE MY WHOLE DAY.

But I’m sad to report that they’ve gone up to 8 dollars a pair.

Quality comes at a price, my friends.

Anyway, I’ve enjoyed welcoming my new earrings into the family, and I hope that they’ll stick around for awhile. And I also think that I’m going to go back to the store where I got them and buy one more pair just so I’ll have some insurance in the event that one of the newbies decides to GO MISSING at some point in the near or not-so-near future.

I’ll be out 8 more dollars, of course, but the peace of mind will be priceless.

And even though I got a bit off-track with the whole giveaway update part of this post, I did want to tell you that I’m totally going to email the winners of the iTunes gift cards today.

So see? It all worked out.

My new earrings and I just couldn’t be happier about that.
_______________________________________________

– Last week I wrote about my new OnStar FMV mirror (which I love, by the way). Here’s the review if you’re interested.

Filed Under: Out Of Control, Rambling
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