Update on Linda

It's been a long day folks. After getting to the hospital at 9 AM they didn't take her down to the OR until 1 PM. She came back into the room high as a kite from the anesthesia saying that she didn't feel or know anything about what happened, which is exactly what she wanted to happen. A couple of hours later the story changed when the feeling came back into the leg and asked what level of pain she had on a scale of 1 to 10 she said 12. Later they gave her some morphine which naturally took the edge off the pain.

She wanted me to be there when they got her up for the first time but that didn't happen either. At 6:30 I had to leave and get s0mething to eat and take care of Rocky as well as get to bed pretty much on time so I can make it to work tomorrow. She is trying to be a trooper but I am afraid that when she has to get off the bed for the first time the pain will talk to her and take some of the wind out of her sails so to speak. I never thought it would be a breeze but I know it will be so beneficial after the healing happens. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers.

True Colors Swap - Check it out

Missy over at Is it just me? introduced me to Jessica at Duck Duck Cow who is hosting an interesting swap that I decided to jump right in and have some fun with. Basically it involves working with a partner that will be assigned and you send that partner a package with items that have the partner's favorite color.

You do have to be a blogger and have been a blogger for at least 6 months. Pop over to Jessica's site to see all the rules since you will have to email her with information if you want to join in on the fun. Her email address is duckduckcow@gmail.com

I love it

Hi blogging family, still unable to comment on most of the posts I read but hoping for the best and maybe all will be fixed soon. On to todays post. If I had to list one item at the top of my list of loved appliances it would have to be my Elite 8 qt. pressure cooker.

I grew up in the era when pressure cookers were dangerous and very noisy with the heavy device that sat on the pressure release nozzle dancing around as the steam would escape. I've heard all the horror stories about food stuck to the ceiling after an explosion.

Praise God we are in a new era and don't have to worry about that ever again. My cooker is "all" automatic and makes no noise except to beep when the cooking time is over switching itself from cooking to warming mode. If left alone it will depressurize itself within about 15 minutes but I usually just turn the valve on top to exhaust and it is ready to open in about one minute.

Today I was contemplating what needed to be cooked and all we had was frozen so I pulled a food saver sealed pouch from the freezer with 2 chicken leg quarters which was fused into a block. I placed the frozen chicken into the cooker added water, salt & pepper, set the timer for 70 minutes and hit start. Later when the beep announced it was ready I depressurized it and found the chicken to be fully cooked and the leg bones pulled out without resistance. I strained the broth after removing the chicken, added curly pasta into the pot of broth and added the chicken taken off the bones and in a short while had a very tasty dish for supper.

It is comforting to know that I can always have a tasty meal ready in short order even is the ingredients are frozen solid. One of the best investments I have ever made.

So far it has been a very lazy & peaceful holiday weekend. Tomorrow will be different as we have a lot of stuff to do before Linda goes to the hospital. Rocky is way overdue for getting his nails trimmed, we need to visit my Aunt Katie taking her some pork ribs and veggies, do some shopping & visit a friend that we haven't seen in a while. Will be wild & crazy but worth it. Take care everyone & I'll catch up with you later.

We are not out of the woods yet!

Oh well my friends, Blogger is deep in doodoo again. Today as I read "all" the posts you have recently submitted I was only able to leave a couple of comments which really suck. Hopefully they will get a handle on this problem soon because lots of friends have situations that I really want to let them know I am aware and want to share my thoughts.

Hang in there and hopefully a miracle will happen soon. Have a great rest of the weekend everyone.

Blogger Needs Help

Hello all my blogging friends. It was a long day meeting with Linda's doctor and then going to the hospital and having tests done and meeting with various departments telling us what would be happening next tuesday so we would be prepared. We have to be at the hospital at 9 AM on the 31st and I was amazed to learn that the operation to replace her right knee will only take 30 minutes and the doctor will be doing "10" that day.

Now to my title for today. Just to let you all know Mynx, Anne at Building His Body and others that I read your blogs this morning and some I was able to leave a comment but when I got to some it didn't have my name near the comment box and wanted me to select a profile which told me that any attempt to leave a message would fail. If I have been leaving you a comment, know that I wanted to but could not and will keep reading your blogs and as I can you will know I am here for you.

This surely is frustrating but hopefully they will get it straight before long. Keep the good stuff posted my friends & I promise to keep reading and comment when I can.

Wordless Wednesday -Aunt Katie's Polly

Book Report - Love You More

This book by Lisa Gardner was introduced to me by my friend Alexia over at The Mommie Rambles and I really enjoyed it. One interesting character of this book is that one chapter you are in the mind of the Massachusett's Highway Patrol female officer being held for shooting her husband and the next chapter you are in the mind of the female Baltimore Poice Dept. detective in charge of this case. With question like, why was the husband killed, where is the 6 year old daughter, is she dead or just missing.

It kept me in suspense the whole time until the last chapter. I think it would be definately worth your time reading this book.

BBQ at the Lake

Thomas dived off this pier many times and really enjoyed the water.

This beautiful day brought out a lot of boat activity.

I love looking at clouds like this.

Plenty of shade kept the day very comfortable.

The star of the show.

One of the south's traditions, Brunswick Stew.

A bucket of bones after the meat was pulled off.

My personal favorite, the perfectly cooked chickens.

Another view of the pig

Can you tell, the plates were way too small to hold all the different dishes available.

The sweet & pretty Miss Haley Brooke.

Linda's brother Junior greeting his guests. He did an awesome job making everyone feel right at home.

In closing but certainly not least and thinking about Shady's love of animals, Junior's neighbors were there with their two beautiful Labs. The black one really enjoyed the water.

Have you ever been to.......

Edenton, NC. Let me begin by apologizing for the variety of sizes for the pictures. That is how they were saved in my pictures and I don't know how to adjust them without distorting them. OK now back to Edenton. What you see is an overhead view of the Trestle House Inn operated by a charming gentleman named Peter. It is a two story home with a "full" basement. I emphasize that because it actually comes out to where the parking lot is and that is where Peter resides. The home was built for a member of the Mafia and constructed with timbers from a train trestle shipped in from the west coast and the fireplace is constructed from stones the man gathered from various parts of the world. There is always activity out back to view many kinds of water fowl, turtles and a flock of white racing pigeons that live next door. A great place to spend a weekend and Peter is an awesome cook.

Maggie Valley, NC where Linda & I got married 7 years ago this June. To be here is to be at peace in the laid back setting filled with the friendliest people I have ever known. Great food at the Magie Valley Restaurant or awesome breakfasts at Joey's Pancake House. Just a quick run down the mountain to Cherokee and the big casino. No, I didn't go in there.

If you appreciate really "good" food then Shatley Springs located in Crumpler, NC is the place to be from April to Thanksgiving. Rich in history this area has been known for it's perpetual spring that Mr. Shatley happened on so long ago. He was suffering from a number of ailments and it was mid summer and he stopped to refresh himself and later felt better so he went back and literally bathed in the spring. Before long all his ailments were gone.

Even today there is a place on the left side of the restaurant that anyone can walk up to and fill jugs to carry home from the running spring water. While there they have this huge front porch with rocking chairs and a gazebo in front of the porch with usually a gospel group playing instruments and singing for their food. And the food comes to you on a cart loaded down with bowls of the best vegetables, fried chicken, ham, biscuits, red eye gravy (the good stuff), and if you can hold it the best dessert in the world.

This picture should be the largest and best since it is Lancaster, Pa. and my favorite place to be. I love everything there is about this area with the Amish, lush farmlands, horses, food and a peace I have not found anywhere else. I have a DVD of our first trip there and you can even hear the sound of the horses going by as we passed them. The farmers market in the small community of Bird-In-Hand has everything from fresh meat to the finest crafts.

A 15 to 20 minute drive from Lancaster brings you to the unique town of Intercourse, Pa. Linda & I alway have to make a stop there at the Intercourse Canning Co. and get a case of assorted canned vegetable to carry home. Love their pickled baby beets.

Gatlinburg, Tn is where Linda & I went on our honeymoon. This is a lovely town with an emphasis on Ripley. You can visit the Ripley Aquariam which is huge and has this glass tunnel you walk through with sharks and other big fish swimming all around you. Down town you would also find the Ripley Museum which was fun as well. There is chair lift that takes you to to top of a nearby mountain with shops to browse in at the top. There are trolleys to take you anywhere you desire.

A short drive or the trolley will have you in Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood, endless shops to browse and great restaurants.

Last but certainly not least is White Lake, NC about 3 hours south of my home and one of the most beautiful areas in NC. Some of the most gorgious sunsets I have ever seen were here. The water is "crystal" clear and you can see your feet when the water is up to your chest. There is one small grocery store, a couple of gift shops and a couple of restaurants so it is not cluttered with too many retail places. It is so peaceful to go out on the piers that a lot of rental places have and just sit and feel the breeze, see ducks flying through and let your worries vanish for at least a while.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for "HUMOR" that makes us smile and takes away the troubles if for even a brief moment. Belle got me started with Jeff Foxworthy and Canada so here is Jeff's take on North Carolina.

If you are 'fixin' to go anywhere, you may live in North Carolina.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Myrtle Beach for the weekend, you may live in North Carolina.

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly', you may live in North Carolina.

If you and all your friends live for basketball season, be it high school, college, or Pro, you may live in North Carolina.

If you know that Charlotte is not really the state capital, you may live in North Carolina.

If you know three different recipes for baked beans, and which one to take to a funeral, you may live in North Carolina.

If you know two or more friends named 'Trey', you may live in North Carolina.

If you can name two hurricanes that blew away your neighbor's trailer, you may live in North Carolina.

If you think all students that graduate from Duke move back home to New York, you may live in North Carolina.

If you think the tobacco barn out front is part of your home, you may live in North Carolina.

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with your North Carolina friends and others, you definately live in North Carolina.

Give - A - Way

My friend Saskia over at Join My Joy is having a give-a-way. Included will be a wooden heart with a choice of color, 2 attractive pens and scratch pad. Details over at her place. Check her out. She is a lovely lady that will light up your day.

Wordless Wednesday -Supper last night

Pay it Forward Time

This morning I was blessed with the "Good Bloggers Pay It Forward" award from the lovely Mynx from the land down under. And now the dreaded rules if I can remember is to post the award at the top, mention who gave it to me with a link. Everyone knows the gorgious and wonderful Mynx @ Dribble. A day without Mynx is a day without sunshine. Don't let this day end without visiting her. I also have to bestow this upon 5 more bloggers with links to their blogs as well. So, here goes....

Anne over at Building His Body-Daily inspiration from the word of God.

Thisisme over at Southhamsdarling-A very special lady in the UK who is friend to many and always makes you feel welcome.

Barb at This and that(as I bounce thru life)- She and Bruce down in SC invite you to their love shack for a time of refreshing. My, can she tell a story.

Lynne at The Giggle Fest - You haven't lived until you've spent time with Lynne and her two awesome teenagers Jack & Holly over in Scotland. That is one sweet trio that will keep you coming back.

Jamie Jo over at Lord, make me a saint - If there was ever a beautiful famiy this is it. The first thing you see is her 5 beautiful children smiling and then there is Jamie, a beautiful, Catholic mom homeschooling her children & unashamed to share her faith. Be blessed and pay her a visit.

I could go on but it said five so Pay It Forward my friends and lets make a difference in the blog world because we can.

Do You Like Cookies & Candy?

If you like candy and especially making candy this is your day my friends. I am one of these guys who like having an abundance of recipes to choose from at one convenient site. I love easy. Well all you have to do is click here and be amazed at the number of candy recipes to choose from.

Maybe you are more of a cookie person than candy so you are in luck too. Just click here and there are enough cookie recipes to keep you busy until Santa comes. Have fun.

Our Latest Discovery - Grand Asia Market

We had seen this place from the beltline in the Raleigh/Cary, NC area and wanted to scope it out so since we had to travel to Fuquay-Varina anyway for Ashley's house warming party it was a perfect time to check it out. Having a GPS to guide us was also a blessing.

While making our way to the check out we approached their bakery and OMG. We saw a roll about 6 to 8 inches long and 4 inches wide cooked with spring onions on the top and were still warm and the softest roll I have ever touched. Needless to say Linda and I sat in car and ate one each before continuing our journey.

In their fish department at the back of the market they have these huge glass containers with live fish. These are not little aquarium fish, they were a good 6 to 8 inches long and 4 inches tall and there were hundreds of them. Talk about fresh fish.

It is on Buck Jones Road, in Cary, NC.

These cats were so cute especially since the left arm was constantly waving at us.

They even had little miniature kittys in these containers. A little hard to see in the containers but they were cute as well.

Of course they had the typical Chinese figures on sale.

Dragons & dainty serving sets are always popular on the Asian scene.

A big display of chop sticks in all colors.

Very interesting items that make you want to stop and study them longer.

Unusual but very attractive ceramic creatures unique to this market.

I love this little ship with the unique figures on it. So much of their items were so eye catching and had the look of being very well made.

Crunchy rice snacks that are a variety of flavors. Haven't tried this one yet.

This is a 3 stack small package of sesame crisp that should be very tasty.

Spring onion crackers, YUMMY. Haven't opened them yet but am sure they will be very good.

These are a crispy rice snack with a sweet glaze on them. I have already eaten about half of this bag.

These are individually wrapped little cakes with a pineapple center. They are very good.

I have always been a fan of ginger and will certainly enjoy these individually wrapped little candies.