Friday, March 25, 2011
SXSW
I know very little about this conference, and what I do know I have gleaned over the years from reading about others' experiences. Basically, I like to get my nerdiness vibe going vicariously.
My favorite post-SXSW recaps this year include:
1) Maggie Mason's update of the Mobile Manners Brunch. Who wouldn't want to eat quiche and discuss etiquette? No? Just me? I can think of several of you who would be down for this.
2) Eleven very short stories about SXSW by James Mitchell via Matt Haughey.
My favorite post-SXSW recaps this year include:
1) Maggie Mason's update of the Mobile Manners Brunch. Who wouldn't want to eat quiche and discuss etiquette? No? Just me? I can think of several of you who would be down for this.
2) Eleven very short stories about SXSW by James Mitchell via Matt Haughey.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Recipe of the week: Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe has been around forever and ever, and everyone refers to it as something different, i.e., chocolate oatmeal cookies, no-bake cookies, quick cookies, drop cookies, etc. The bottom line? They are one of my all time, hands down, favorite cookies. Actually, for me they are number one, with a bullet. The recipe is from my mom, but I think most moms have this one lurking in their little recipe boxes from the 70's. Here it is, in case you have somehow missed it:
Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Put in a saucepan:
4 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1/2 pound butter
1 cup milk
Bring to a rolling boil, and then cook for two minutes. Then add:
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups oats
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
Mix thoroughly, and then drop on wax paper.
I like that recipes from the 1970's did not get flowery with language and/or mince words. Somehow I managed to lift the original typed (and much worn) index card from my mom, and it really does add to the experience. This recipe is obviously pre-Food network, pre-Williams Sonoma and pre-everything else that makes simple cookies pretentious.
Anyrate. These are scrumptious. I have made a vow to myself to only make them once a year (at Christmas time), but I did make an exception this week and make them for Skip's family.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Stalking
Today I stalked our mail carrier.
Almost a year ago, I started researching the 50mm 1.4 lens. The price, unfortunately, was very offputting. I looked for some used options, but could never bring myself to accept the risk. Periodically, I would poke around again to see if I could find anyone with a barely used lens who might be looking to trade up (and reasonably sell their current lens to me). Finally last week I located such a lens on eBay (natch). The lens was purchased eight months ago and its owner wanted to acquire a 70mm version instead. I was intrigued. I bid, and I won.
Then I became nervous. Because, even used, the price is still exorbitant, albeit 20-25% off the new, retail price. Very thankfully, I received incredibly generous birthday funds (back in December) from my mom, my dad and stepmom, and Skip's parents. Still, we tend to hoard special funds such as those, and I never purchase anything of significant value, sight unseen. To be completely truthful, I rarely purchase anything of significant value period.
The item shipped immediately after payment was sent and was scheduled for delivery today. Since my signature was required, the stalking was necessary. The lens arrived and is absolutely perfect. It is in great condition with very minimal use, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.
Thanks Mom; Dad and Eva; and Ralph and Sally! I LOVE it!!!
Almost a year ago, I started researching the 50mm 1.4 lens. The price, unfortunately, was very offputting. I looked for some used options, but could never bring myself to accept the risk. Periodically, I would poke around again to see if I could find anyone with a barely used lens who might be looking to trade up (and reasonably sell their current lens to me). Finally last week I located such a lens on eBay (natch). The lens was purchased eight months ago and its owner wanted to acquire a 70mm version instead. I was intrigued. I bid, and I won.
Then I became nervous. Because, even used, the price is still exorbitant, albeit 20-25% off the new, retail price. Very thankfully, I received incredibly generous birthday funds (back in December) from my mom, my dad and stepmom, and Skip's parents. Still, we tend to hoard special funds such as those, and I never purchase anything of significant value, sight unseen. To be completely truthful, I rarely purchase anything of significant value period.
The item shipped immediately after payment was sent and was scheduled for delivery today. Since my signature was required, the stalking was necessary. The lens arrived and is absolutely perfect. It is in great condition with very minimal use, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.
Thanks Mom; Dad and Eva; and Ralph and Sally! I LOVE it!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Go, Gran, Go!!!
Tomorrow Skip's mom is undergoing surgery (hip replacement). Please pray that everything is smooth sailing and that Gran is back to playing with the girls in no time.
Go, Gran, GO!!!
Go, Gran, GO!!!
Spring break
Last week was spring break, and we had a fantastic time doing some of our favorite activities at home.
First, we struck out for the zoo to see the new African Safari exhibit with all of the new elephants. However, the first elephant to be on display saw the crowd, became spooked and was ushered back to his new home. Skip thinks he may have seen all the Alabama Crimson Tide gear (i.e., Big Al the elephant) and probably thought he had somehow gotten mixed up with a weird elephant cult.
No matter... we had a great time anyway exploring the petting zoo, riding the carousel and seeing the other, non-spooked animals.
We dined out a couple of times... al fresco, of course.
We tried out a couple of playgrounds that are not in our neighborhood:
We celebrated birthdays with Grammie and also Poppa:
We logged on a few times to do a little work:
We also spent a morning making cookies in our Easy Bake Oven!
We played outside a lot, mostly blowing bubbles, picking flowers and...
... and playing football!
We are returning to regular routines and schedules today, but last week made us eager for summer. How about you?
First, we struck out for the zoo to see the new African Safari exhibit with all of the new elephants. However, the first elephant to be on display saw the crowd, became spooked and was ushered back to his new home. Skip thinks he may have seen all the Alabama Crimson Tide gear (i.e., Big Al the elephant) and probably thought he had somehow gotten mixed up with a weird elephant cult.
No matter... we had a great time anyway exploring the petting zoo, riding the carousel and seeing the other, non-spooked animals.
We dined out a couple of times... al fresco, of course.
We tried out a couple of playgrounds that are not in our neighborhood:
We celebrated birthdays with Grammie and also Poppa:
We logged on a few times to do a little work:
We also spent a morning making cookies in our Easy Bake Oven!
We played outside a lot, mostly blowing bubbles, picking flowers and...
... and playing football!
We are returning to regular routines and schedules today, but last week made us eager for summer. How about you?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Recipe of the week: Pot Roast
After spending a couple of weekends traveling, we were ready to embrace the comfort of home food again. Accordingly, a simple Pot Roast appeared on our menu right away. Here is one of our favorites (via Martha Stewart):
Pot Roast
Serves 4-6
3 pound piece beef for pot roast
Course salt and freshly ground pepper
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths
4 medium Yukon gold or white potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1 large onion, thinly slliced
2 dried bay leaves (we omit the bay leaves; there is plenty of flavor without them)
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Tomato Soup
1) Season beef with salt and pepper. Place carrots, potatoes, and onion in a Crock-Pot. Season with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf and thyme. Place meat on top of vegetables. Add soup. (We also add half a can of water to help the potatoes and carrots cook.) Cover, and cook on low heat for 8 hours (high for six hours).
2) Remove meat to a cutting board. Transfer vegetables to a platter. Slice meat, and add to platter. Pour sauce into a liquid measuring cup and skim fat. Taste, and adjust for seasoning. Pour sauce over meat and vegetables, and serve.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Praying specifically
I believe in the specificity of prayer. I believe this vast and intricate universe of ours evidences God's love of details, and I further believe He expects us to be detailed and specific also. Accordingly, I want to share the below message from Sarah (via Facebook), for whom I requested prayers earlier this week, outlining her current situation.
From reviewing her note, you will see that she has been given the "green light" to begin a trial at Duke, starting 03-16-11. Sarah has a 67% chance of receiving a chemotherapy drug (and a 33% chance of receiving a placebo).
***PLEASE pray that she receives the drug (versus the placebo).***
From there, "this drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer)."
***PLEASE PRAY that this drug is effective for Sarah.***
***PRAY that she is healed.
Thank you again for continuing to pray.
Pray for a Miracle!
by Sarah Lindsey Gupta on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 9:07pm.
My dear, dear Facebook Family,
First let me say thank you for your countless words of encouragement and support this past weekend. It’s been an extremely difficult weekend...and your kindness and support have been overwhelming! Thank you for loving me and Sumit! We are so blessed to know each and every one of you...which is why we are reaching out to all of you again tonight asking for your prayers and love.
I have to give glory where glory is due.....so praise God for ALL He has provided and lined up these past few days. I am in AWE over His mighty Power and abilities, moved by His compassion and gentleness, and stunned by His PERFECT timing. Without going into a laundry list of all the difficult news we were told this last weekend, please just pray that Sumit and I continue to seek God’s Voice in this storm and follow His will--as we believe His way is NEVER wrong! We sincerely give all glory and thanks to Him; and feel with all of our hearts and souls that He is not only working great things in OUR lives...but also in the lives of THOUSANDS of people that love and support us unceasingly! For all of you that have so kindly expressed how WE have inspired you--please know that while we are very flattered by these words, we simply can not take credit for the power of the Lord. He is the Great Physician. He is the amazing Redeemer. He is the inspiration of OUR hearts. He has taught us so much! Please don’t thank us--THANK HIM! Without His love and grace and mercy; we would have nothing.
Fortunately, I have been found ELIGIBLE for a clinical trial chemotherapy drug at Duke known as Insulin Growth Factor Receptor OSI-906 and will begin treatment tomorrow morning at 8 am. This drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer). Unfortunately, there is a 33% chance that I will receive a placebo on this clinical trial. Based on the current size and location of my tumors, I am not a surgical candidate at this time (the only PROVEN cure for ACC or adrenocortical carcinoma)....so this is my best shot at beating this disease right now.
This drug is my best chance at shrinking my tumors. I write to y’all tonight begging for your prayers. Pray that whatever God’s will is for us, we will be led down that path and listen to His voice. Pray that our Lord Jesus Christ has mercy on me, and allows me the opportunity to live a long and HEALTHY life here on earth with my beloved HUSBAND, Sumit Gupta, and my family and friends. I want so badly to glorify God’s name and sing HIS miraculous praises; because it is ONLY through Him and by Him that anything in this world matters. I’m asking you to pray for a miracle. I’m asking you to ask God to save my life. I’m asking you to PRAY with all your heart, mind, and soul that God provides everything I need at exactly the right time so that I can live a life on this planet in which He feels proud of! I want so badly to be the woman He wants me to be. I want SOOOOOOO badly to spend a LONG time here on earth as a healthy and subservient woman of God. I mean that with ALL that I am; but I will admit it gets really difficult to keep my focus on the Lord when so many of the “white-coats” are giving me their human perspective on everything.
It may very well be that God’s plan is NOT that this drug works. I really may not be here for as long as I’d like...but please know that I believe whatever the circumstance, God is NEVER wrong. His view on everything is FAR greater than our own. Who knows what all He has in store for any one of us at any given point in our lives? Our time on earth is but a blink of the eye in the grand scheme of things--so why not LOVE and appreciate all that He has given each one of us so selflessly? It amazes me how INCREDIBLE and complex a world I’ve been handed over by someone that simply asks me to love and trust Him. It really doesn’t get more simple and beautiful than that. I sincerely believe He loves each and every one of us beyond what we will ever be able to understand...not because of what we DO, but because of WHO WE ARE.
He commands us to love each other. He instructs us not to worry or be anxious in anything. I have been so wrong in spending any time wasting away the precious time He has given me...and I ask each of you to look inside yourselves and let go of any of the worry or anxiety you may feel in your heart. Just trust Him and He will provide. I’m sure of that. I believe He will see me through this and be by my side each and every step of the way. I love Jesus with all my heart, and have seen TOO many of His miraculous good works (especially just within the last week) to discredit His power. I ask you to pray that I am able to maintain the patience and strength to allow His name all the goodness and glory He ultimately deserves. Pray for a miracle! Please just pray for a miracle! :) All things are possible with God!
From reviewing her note, you will see that she has been given the "green light" to begin a trial at Duke, starting 03-16-11. Sarah has a 67% chance of receiving a chemotherapy drug (and a 33% chance of receiving a placebo).
***PLEASE pray that she receives the drug (versus the placebo).***
From there, "this drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer)."
***PLEASE PRAY that this drug is effective for Sarah.***
***PRAY that she is healed.
Thank you again for continuing to pray.
Pray for a Miracle!
by Sarah Lindsey Gupta on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 9:07pm.
My dear, dear Facebook Family,
First let me say thank you for your countless words of encouragement and support this past weekend. It’s been an extremely difficult weekend...and your kindness and support have been overwhelming! Thank you for loving me and Sumit! We are so blessed to know each and every one of you...which is why we are reaching out to all of you again tonight asking for your prayers and love.
I have to give glory where glory is due.....so praise God for ALL He has provided and lined up these past few days. I am in AWE over His mighty Power and abilities, moved by His compassion and gentleness, and stunned by His PERFECT timing. Without going into a laundry list of all the difficult news we were told this last weekend, please just pray that Sumit and I continue to seek God’s Voice in this storm and follow His will--as we believe His way is NEVER wrong! We sincerely give all glory and thanks to Him; and feel with all of our hearts and souls that He is not only working great things in OUR lives...but also in the lives of THOUSANDS of people that love and support us unceasingly! For all of you that have so kindly expressed how WE have inspired you--please know that while we are very flattered by these words, we simply can not take credit for the power of the Lord. He is the Great Physician. He is the amazing Redeemer. He is the inspiration of OUR hearts. He has taught us so much! Please don’t thank us--THANK HIM! Without His love and grace and mercy; we would have nothing.
Fortunately, I have been found ELIGIBLE for a clinical trial chemotherapy drug at Duke known as Insulin Growth Factor Receptor OSI-906 and will begin treatment tomorrow morning at 8 am. This drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer). Unfortunately, there is a 33% chance that I will receive a placebo on this clinical trial. Based on the current size and location of my tumors, I am not a surgical candidate at this time (the only PROVEN cure for ACC or adrenocortical carcinoma)....so this is my best shot at beating this disease right now.
This drug is my best chance at shrinking my tumors. I write to y’all tonight begging for your prayers. Pray that whatever God’s will is for us, we will be led down that path and listen to His voice. Pray that our Lord Jesus Christ has mercy on me, and allows me the opportunity to live a long and HEALTHY life here on earth with my beloved HUSBAND, Sumit Gupta, and my family and friends. I want so badly to glorify God’s name and sing HIS miraculous praises; because it is ONLY through Him and by Him that anything in this world matters. I’m asking you to pray for a miracle. I’m asking you to ask God to save my life. I’m asking you to PRAY with all your heart, mind, and soul that God provides everything I need at exactly the right time so that I can live a life on this planet in which He feels proud of! I want so badly to be the woman He wants me to be. I want SOOOOOOO badly to spend a LONG time here on earth as a healthy and subservient woman of God. I mean that with ALL that I am; but I will admit it gets really difficult to keep my focus on the Lord when so many of the “white-coats” are giving me their human perspective on everything.
It may very well be that God’s plan is NOT that this drug works. I really may not be here for as long as I’d like...but please know that I believe whatever the circumstance, God is NEVER wrong. His view on everything is FAR greater than our own. Who knows what all He has in store for any one of us at any given point in our lives? Our time on earth is but a blink of the eye in the grand scheme of things--so why not LOVE and appreciate all that He has given each one of us so selflessly? It amazes me how INCREDIBLE and complex a world I’ve been handed over by someone that simply asks me to love and trust Him. It really doesn’t get more simple and beautiful than that. I sincerely believe He loves each and every one of us beyond what we will ever be able to understand...not because of what we DO, but because of WHO WE ARE.
He commands us to love each other. He instructs us not to worry or be anxious in anything. I have been so wrong in spending any time wasting away the precious time He has given me...and I ask each of you to look inside yourselves and let go of any of the worry or anxiety you may feel in your heart. Just trust Him and He will provide. I’m sure of that. I believe He will see me through this and be by my side each and every step of the way. I love Jesus with all my heart, and have seen TOO many of His miraculous good works (especially just within the last week) to discredit His power. I ask you to pray that I am able to maintain the patience and strength to allow His name all the goodness and glory He ultimately deserves. Pray for a miracle! Please just pray for a miracle! :) All things are possible with God!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A stroll through Colonial Williamsburg
Last weekend in Williamburg, our only down time consisted of a super quick lunch before the Saturday afternoon wedding. In total, we had four antsy travelers on our hands, and therefore, we decided to head to Williamsburg for a quick stroll and lunch.
Stretching the legs of four under-ten wedding guests was absolutely mandatory (at least for the two youngest). Finally, a slideshow of the weekend can be found here.
Stretching the legs of four under-ten wedding guests was absolutely mandatory (at least for the two youngest). Finally, a slideshow of the weekend can be found here.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Pray for miracles
We have mentioned a few times here that Skip's cousin, Sarah, has been fighting adrenal cancer, which has been categorized as stage four. The emotions she and her family have experienced over the past 10 months are unimaginable. Following her marriage to Sumit last week, Sarah was hospitalized and underwent a procedure to relieve arterial pressure (both the hospitalization subsequent procedure were unplanned).
Hope remains. We are asking, if you are inclined, to pray for miracles in Sarah's recovery. We believe God is with Sarah, and we believe miracles happen every hour of every day. Therefore, we continue to appeal to God for divine intervention and a true miracle with her recovery. Please join us.
Hope remains. We are asking, if you are inclined, to pray for miracles in Sarah's recovery. We believe God is with Sarah, and we believe miracles happen every hour of every day. Therefore, we continue to appeal to God for divine intervention and a true miracle with her recovery. Please join us.
BIG
So the big news is that Gracie and Lauren are going to be BIG SISTERS! They are so excited, having waited almost 4 1/2 years for the opportunity to delegate, assign blame (more effectively) and to have a shot at bossing someone around. (They try all of that now with each other, of course, but they feel like there will be greater ease with a newcomer, who is scheduled to arrive in July.)
The most commonly asked question we receive is if we are expecting one baby or two. That's a fair question. For those who do not already know, any guesses? If you guessed a second set of twins, are you trying to age us even more? This time there is a single, lone baby, and it has been wonderful, with only minor fatigue, nausea, etc. What a difference a singleton pregnancy is! Or, as Gracie has said, "There's just ONE baby, and (looking around intently at all of us) we all have to SHARE!"
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday's quote
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
More from the wedding
So how did our monkeys do during all of the celebrating? That is a great question. We had one ejection during the Christian ceremony (prior to the serious business of vows), and they were able to expend some energy during cocktails and the reception. They also did really well during the Barat and Hindu ceremony.
One minor hurdle involved the below swing. Other than wanting to "go higher!!!" there were no real issues.
Skip and Gracie on the balcony:
Running off some pent up energy:
Lauren garners a lot of attention as our "girly girl," but Gracie really is quite girlish, too (even more so at times). I had initially planned for her to wear the below dress on Sunday, but then one of Sumit's relatives graciously loaned the girls some adorable Indian clothing to wear. When we were getting dressed Saturday, Gracie insisted on wearing her new blue dress because she liked how it shined.
Parenthetically, Lauren introduced a snarly-smile last December (she flashed it in the Santa photos), and it became an ongoing trend. She is perfectly happy in all of these photos. If she is asked to smile, however, she will flash a snarl at least half of the time.
Finally, they were so excited to get dressed in special clothing for the Hindu ceremony. They were fascinated by Sumit riding a horse, and they were in awe of Sarah and her beautiful dress. They thought they were in a Disney fairy tale for sure.
One minor hurdle involved the below swing. Other than wanting to "go higher!!!" there were no real issues.
Skip and Gracie on the balcony:
Running off some pent up energy:
Lauren garners a lot of attention as our "girly girl," but Gracie really is quite girlish, too (even more so at times). I had initially planned for her to wear the below dress on Sunday, but then one of Sumit's relatives graciously loaned the girls some adorable Indian clothing to wear. When we were getting dressed Saturday, Gracie insisted on wearing her new blue dress because she liked how it shined.
Parenthetically, Lauren introduced a snarly-smile last December (she flashed it in the Santa photos), and it became an ongoing trend. She is perfectly happy in all of these photos. If she is asked to smile, however, she will flash a snarl at least half of the time.
Finally, they were so excited to get dressed in special clothing for the Hindu ceremony. They were fascinated by Sumit riding a horse, and they were in awe of Sarah and her beautiful dress. They thought they were in a Disney fairy tale for sure.
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