Blowing the Cobwebs Off My Blog...

I think I have cobwebs growing on my blog...

My schedule has spun out of control lately, with my odd hours at the State Fair, followed by the start of school, which brings tennis practices and matches for the girls. Late suppers and irregular hours.

I haven't even turned the computer on at home in at least two weeks.

The dust and spiders are starting to build up...

I got a bit of a reprieve tonight when the tennis match was cancelled. So, we actually came home in time for a normal supper. 

Only, I didn't have anything out to cook! (Wasn't planning on being here!)

So, I punted and we did salad for supper. With lunch meat. And I refuse to feel guilty.

I'll be a little more inspired in the coming weeks, as a pair of Gooseberry Patch cookbooks arrived in the mail today. Over the next several weeks, I'll be cookin' and bloggin' some recipes from "Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets", then giving a copy away to one lucky reader. Woo Hoo!

Don't you love a slow cooker? You'll have to pardon me if I get a little carried away with that part of the cookbook. 

It's part of the "In the Kitchen with GP" project for RFOA.
So, stay tuned. Let me know if you have any requests!


In other news, our dear puppy, Butter, is doing much better. Our Not-So-Free dog has recuperated from her ear surgery. She had her stitches out on Saturday, and finally acts like she's back to normal. She finally quit sulking around the house. Next thing is to identify her allergy sources and figure out a solution. I'm thinking:  Benedryl is our friend right now.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd join Everyday Ruralty for Chats on the Farmhouse Porch...

Questions for our chat:

1.  What was your biggest fear as a child?

A:  Whenever I was sick, I would have this recurring dream about blobs. And the blobs were mean. There were mommy blobs and daddy blobs. And I would always wake up in total terror, afraid to go back to sleep.

2.  How old were you when you learned to cook? Or how old will you be when you learn to cook?

A:  I was about 10 or 11 when I learned to cook. My mom was in the hospital on and off for almost two years, because of two back-to-back cancer diagnosis. As the oldest daughter, my dad decided it was my job to cook. So, I did. Nothing fancy. My mom had me well-versed in all flavors of Hamburger Helper in those days. And fried bologna.
Honestly, I didn't really start cooking for real until I got an apartment in college and picked up some pointers from my roommates.

3.  Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it?

A:  When I was little, little, it would have to be "Go, Dogs, Go."  When I was big enough to read, it was "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry."

4.  What's the busiest time of year for you?

A:  August! I work a lot of odd hours at the State Fair, then school starts, along with the kids' tennis team, etc., etc... Hence the cobwebs growing on my blog lately!

5.  Have you ever won a contest?

A:  Yes! The first thing I ever won was a jar of candy corn in third grade. I ate it all by myself (as any selfish third-grader would do!). Now, I can't stand the stuff!
I recently won a basket of books from my local library. They called my house and left a message on the machine that I needed to call the circulation desk. That's all. Well, I drove my kids insane tearing the house apart looking for over due books. Why else would the library call me?!?
Well, come Monday, when I finally called them back, ready to face the music and a pay a huge fine, I was quite surprised and relieved! And, I owed the daughters an apology!