Football & Marriage

(The pillow reads...We Interrupt This Marriage...To Bring You FOOTBALL SEASON...)

BOY, this explains it perfectly!, Thanks mom, for getting Jim this pillow, he thinks it's good luck so he holds it everyday and all night while the games are on...AND his new thing is while I'm in the kitchen or walking by, he holds it up and starts chanting and pointing to the saying on the pillow...is that love or what!

So, college football has officially started and Jim is a DIE HARD fan...I mean DIE HARD.  I don't think anyone can understand what I go through until you see the hard evidence!  Pictures to come soon.  He screams and thinks he controls the games by his luck.  He is the most superstitious man I have ever met! and I'm pretty bad, but nothing compared to him.

So I went to the mail box yesterday thinking about how I wish my girls were near since Jim has been in front of the television ever since Thursday evening and I received a postcard in the mail from my best friend Brandi, THANK YOU BRANDI, IT CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME!!!  The postcard is below!

(Me holding the post card)

(Postcard on top reads..."PORN FOR WOMEN")

(The Postcard that Saved The Day)

(It Reads...Breakfast is on the table, I will have your outfit ready in 5 minutes) he he..yea right! I will have you shi** to clean up in 5 minutes!  Just kidding, I must go to bed now before I type to much.

If you want to keep him around...well then read this

This is a SIMPLE ingredient recipe that is amazing, trust me on this one.  It's one of our favorite dishes I have ever made, and probably the most easiest also.  If your trying to impress that special someone here is the dish to hook em.  :)

Ry's Lemon-Garlic Exotic Shrimp

You Will Need:

2lb, med or large shrimp (I peel and de-vein them) OR I also tell him it's just cracked pepper if your not feeling like de-veining 2 lbs of shrimp.  he he

2 cloves of garlic (2 big table spoons of the pre minced in a jar garlic is what I used)

1/2 cup of butter melted

2 table spoons lemon juice (I use freshly squeezed, it's much better in this)

1/2 tsp salt

ground black pepper

3 dashes of hot sauce

1 1/2 table spoons of Worcestershire sauce

3 table spoons fresh copped parsley

Set your oven on BROIL 

Throw shrimp in a single layer casserole dish or pan (with sides)

Melt butter in a sauce pan with garlic, let the flavors combine...then add next 5 ingredients, stirring well.

Pour half of sauce over shrimp, make sure you coat them evenly

Broil shrimp 4 inches from heat for 4 minutes

Take them out and pour the rest of the sauce on top of them

put them back into the oven for another 4-5 minutes 

Take them out and sprinkle the fresh parsley over them.

Serve with french bread, you will want a lot!  The bread's the best part for dipping into the sauce!  So you have to have the bread to make it special!  

Ta DAAA, Shrimp in under 20 minutes!

NOTE: I tried the sauce before I poured the sauce onto the shrimp and it's good, but not great.  NOW, when you take the shrimp out its wonderful, I guess the shrimp juices bring out the flavors.  Promise you, it's wonderful.  If you don't like it, call me and will chat.

He really likes it!  

When he was done this is what was left...2 tiny garlic pieces and 2 drips of the sauce.

Fall is Near

I can’t believe how fast August went by. Shoot, I can’t believe how fast summer went by! Soon the leaves will change from green to beautiful reds, yellows, and golds. The mornings will have a slight chill with a blanket of frost covering the ground. People will start carving pumpkins and baking their seeds.

Football games will be played while the fans cover up in stadium blankets. Chili will be made, pies will be baked, OH do I love the fall! It’s my favorite time of the year. The sad thing is I really don’t get a fall here in Florida. That’s the only thing I would change if I could, I want my seasons back. So instead, I will just look at pictures and call my family so they can describe the dropping temperatures and tree colors.

Unbelievable

I was on my way into work yesterday morning and when I was turning the curve to get onto the turnpike I looked over and there was a man hunched over his steering wheel on the opposite side of the road. I picked up my phone and thought, should I call 911? Thoughts raced through my head, if it were a family member of mine, I would want someone to call…Who knows, he could have been passed out from being drunk, or it could have been as serious as a diabetic coma, I didn’t know, So I called.

911: How can I help you?

Me: Yes, I’m not sure if this is an emergency or not but there is a man that’s huntched over his steering wheel and you need to have a highway patrol or ambulance check on him.

911: Let me get the highway patrol on the line…15 seconds pass, The line is busy let me give you the # for you to call the highway patrol.

Me: You can’t get them on the line?

911: No, there busy.

(In my head I was thinking, are you kidding me? Your not going to get your lazy ass fingers and dial someone to help, I should have said this to her but It was in the midst of everything)

I hung up and called 411 and got the highway patrol on the line. I had to repeat my story to her and they sent a car out immediately.

Now that I have had a day to think about the call to 911, I’m disgusted. The women that answered the phone should be fired. We didn’t know what was wrong with the man, what if it were a diabetic coma, he needed insulin and his life was in danger. He had minutes to spare, and what if it were my mom, or husband? I’m not sure why she handled the situation this way. I do know I have complained and I hope to get her on suspension, or at least back to training. It’s sad that the only thing we have for help, doesn’t even help.

I'm an Addict

I have a confession to make...I'm addicted to Martha Stewart's website.  It's wonderful, they have a daily craft, recipes, and in September I'm attending their Halloween work shop!  I have gotten so many great ideas lately I have all these projects lined up.  Thanks Martha, I probably have more important things to do.  I have even gotten ideas for my tree I'm designing.  I'm going to start making snow puffs in my free time, I got the idea from her website and the directions are below.  They make beautiful flowers and I think if I made them in white they could be beautiful snow flakes.  We will see.  I will post my finished product.  

You will need tissue paper and 24 g floral wire

Stack eight 20-by-30 inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2 inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

Fold an 18-in piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist.  With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or point shapes, I will do rounded to make my snowflake balls.  

Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time

Then, tie a length of fishing line (or string, whatever you got around) for hanging!  WALLAH!! A beautiful flower or a snow puff...:)

My Week

While Storm Fay was in town visiting I got a lot of stuff done.  The results are pictured below.

Keepsake Box 

My mom got me this keepsake box last year for the wedding, I know I should have got this done months ago but I finally finished it while the rain was here.

 

(Keepsake Box Before)

(After) 

Seedlings 

I then moved on to planting seedlings in a plant box.  The seeds sprouted within 3 days!  They grew like weeds!  he he :)  Jim made his garden larger and he planted my little seedlings today, I hope they make it.  See, here in Florida we can have a garden year round, I LOVE IT!

(baby pumpkin plants)

(I planted Pumpkins, Onions, Lettuce, Carrots, and Peas)

Topiary in My New Pot

I found this clay pot at the HUGE 75% Sale at Pier 1.  It was regularly priced at $69.99 and I got it for $12.99!  And then yesterday while at Lowe's we found this beautiful topiary and I had to have it for my pot.  After planting it I designed circles with river stones and made a simple design.  This helps keeps the soil moist, and makes it look lovely.

  

(Before)

(After)

Furr Terd Action Shots

Please Post Your Ideas

I will be designing a Christmas tree this year for the Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees here in Orlando. I have to start brainstorming now since November 8 will be here before you know it. Please post any idea’s that you can come up with. I want it to be unique and beautiful since this is my first year. If it’s good enough I could be featured in Orlando Magazine. Please use your creative minds to think up some creative material! Thank you!!

Dreaming About Scalloping

The state of Florida has so many neat thing's to offer and one is scalloping. It's an hour drive from my house, and I have yet to go. They have tours from July to the end of September and my goal is to make it before the season is over.


To scallop, you jump into the water with your mask, snorkel, and a little mesh bag and seek out the shells hiding in the seagrass. This is done in water anywhere from 4 to 8 feet deep. I have never been so I'm not sure how hard it is to clean a scallop, but I'm sure I could do it.



Here is a great scallop recipe I have made in the past. I bet it's even better with FRESH SCALLOPS!



1 1/2 pounds sea scallops
3/4 cup fine dry unseasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
dash paprika
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about 1 large lemon

Preparation:Roll scallops in bread crumbs. Melt half of butter in skillet over medium low heat. Add salt, pepper, and paprika. Add scallops and sauté slowly for 7 to 9 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn to brown evenly. Remove scallops to heated serving dish and keep hot. Put remaining butter, parsley, and lemon juice in skillet; heat and pour over scallops. (I always add garlic because I love it, so if your a garlic lover, toss some in)

Yesterday

Yesterday was a sad day.  It's hard to put down a dog that you have had for over 12 years, they become a part of your life and you get attached to them just like children.  My mom was strong, she had the vet come to her house and do it.  I dread the day our fur kids get old, I'm not sure if I could do it, mom says you will know when the time is right.  

Despite the sad day from Angel's passing and tropical storm Fay coming in, I attended  my first fashion show.  It was an experience and I'm so glad I went.  It sparked a creative button and now I feel I need to finish my degree in design.  I have always had a love for art and want to take it to the next level.

I have been preparing for tropical storm Fay this morning.  I have took all my plants and bird houses inside just in case Fay wanted to use them as flying projectiles.  She has slowed down and will be here around 3.  I'm sure we will loose internet and t.v. since were on satellite.  It doesn't matter if it's a tiny thunder shower or a huge hurricane, it goes out every time.  

A Sad Day

Today my mom has to put down our dog Angel. We found Angel in our pasture while I was in highschool. She has been a wonderful dog and has had a wonderful life. We are very sad but we know that this is the best thing for her. I wish I could be there with mom but I can't. I love you lots mom and Angel will be in a better place. Love you!

Milk Cows and Buckets

This is one of my favorite pictures from my childhood.  I was siting on a 5 gal bucket in front of our dairy barn.  My mom and dad milked cows for a living, the name of our dairy was Buck Creek Dairy.  Buck Creek was the creek that ran acrossed our property.  So many wonderful memories of living on the farm.  I do miss it but am happy where I am now.  I hope I don't get kicked off of Blogger for posting a topless picture.  

Sea Bass

This is the fish I stuffed myself with last month.  It was some of the best fish I had ever eaten.  Sea Bass is a non-fishy, steaky fish that has a buttery flavor.  It's delicious! 

Ryan's Sea Bass

I get a ziploc bag and pour soy, honey, brown sugar, olive oil, chives and garlic.  I let it marinate for about an hour.  

I then get my handy grill pan out and turn up the heat.  You want your pan hot hot!  I sear both sides until fish is done.  I then serve the fish upon tereiyaki noodles and sprinkle chives across the entire dish.

I hope the word Relax is in my future

I’m so happy it’s the weekend. Finally I can relax in my own home, cook my own dinners, and wear whatever I would like. I do have some weeding to do, I just hope it’s not blistering hot outside. I’m so ready for the fall, it’s always been my favorite time of year and we hardly see one in Florida. The leaves don’t change, I never wake up to frost, and you sweat while putting up Christmas lights. Every place has pro’s and con’s and I have fallen in love with Lake County so I’m not complaining, I just miss my cool weather.

I have planned my menu for this weekend. I’m so in the mood to cook I might even attempt to make my first blueberry cobbler. If anyone has any good recipes please help me out. I have never been a baker, but maybe this is my chance to shine. I blame this baking inspiration on my mom, she sent me 2 Martha Stewart DVD’s and I have been watching them before bed, so I dream about thanksgiving, Christmas, and pies! Thank you mom, I do love the DVD’s and can’t wait for you to watch them! Last night I learned how to make close pin ornaments!

Mom, Here They Are

The Sleeping Piglet

No, I'm not a pig person.  My mother sent me an e-mail of this pig that was on EBAY, along with a message, "Ryan, these pigs are a symbol of good luck, you keep them by your front door."  Our family is very superstitious so I bid on the pig, thinking that I could use it as a door stopper.

Well yesterday I had this tiny cell phone box come in the mail.  I was excited thinking someone had sent me something and to MY SURPRISE it was the damn pig I spent $12 on.  I took it out and was amazed I had spent $12 on a tiny dirty dollar general pig.  I called mom and said, next time you tell me something is good luck, make sure it's something I need in my house.  She laughed and said return the pig, well I can't since you told me it's good luck and if I return it I don't want to have bad luck.  I know I'm crazy, but the piglet has grown on me and now I have put him in the flower pot right next to the front door.  So now I will have good luck and a blessed house by my dirty sleeping piglet.   

Puffs & Football

I have been under the weather for the past couple of days and I have found something that is a MUST HAVE when your nose is red as hell and flowing like a river. Its puffs tissues with Vick's vapor dusted on them! It's amazing! It opens my nose right up, well for a couple of minutes and then I have to re-use. I hope these are not addicting. They also have tons of lotion in them so my nose is not red anymore, its back to normal!


Also during my lunch break today I went on a Madden 2009 run. Every year Jim buys the new Madden and his friends get together and play all night, well today was the release date and tonight is that night. I'm excited because I will be up in my loft watching Tori and Deans Home Sweet Hollywood and my new Martha Stewart Thanksgiving and Christmas DVDs my mom sent me! She also threw in a couple of PUMPKIN MEN and a Santa HEAD! They all are fabulous and I can't wait to post pictures of my finished decorated house. For all you Madden Fans, Have fun! and PLAY SAFE! (Jim and his buddies hit each other during play..I know it's crazy)

My Past 3 Weeks

The past three weeks have been busy and stressful.  Jim and I left 3 weeks from last Thursday, I have never been away that long, not even on my trip to Europe.  I will never do that again, UNLESS it is to EUROPE.  It was mostly spent with Jim's family.  I can say luck wasn't looking our way.  The first week into our trip Jim hit something while driving my car.  We pulled over to make sure everything was fine and to our surprise gasoline was flowing out the bottom.  To make the long story short we had punctured our gas tank.  After getting our car back we made a quick trip to Biloxi, MS, which is about an hour away from Orange Beach, it's one of Jim's favorite spots since he loves to gamble.  While there I got a call from my mom and the doctor had found a cyst on her ovary the size of an orange.  We still don't know anything about it, she finds out what her next steps are next week.  I pray it's only a cyst, I told her to go ahead and take all her girly parts out and I will go up and help her recover.  I don't know what it is about the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, I swear every time I'm there I get bad news.  That's where I was last year when I got the call my grandfather had passed away.  I told Jim I will never stay there again, NEVER!  While driving back from Biloxi to Jim's family reunion we started hearing a sound underneath the car, by the time we were back in Orange Beach the car was shaking so badly we could only go 30 miles per hour.  We took it in and the drive shaft bolts were all gone but one and it was hanging by a thread.  We finally got it back and headed for home.  We didn't get home until 4:00 in the morning on Saturday and all that know me I'm not a morning person and I need my sleep, and to make matters worse I have been sick, another thing that happens to me every time I go to the Beau Rivage.  Now I'm laying in bed with a box of tissues blowing my nose and coughing my lungs up.  Can't wait to get back to my usual self.  I told Jim this traveling has took a tole on me.  Now I have to get to bed so I can get up early for work.

  

Headed Home!

I have been at a family reunion all week.  We have been gone and living out of our suitcases for almost 3 weeks.  I can't tell you how excited I am to get home.  We leave in about 5 minutes :) YEA!!

Here is a piece I bought that's aluminum and it has a jade stone as a eye.  I love it! It's better in person!