A Lesson in Blogging

I spent all day yesterday putting together my previous post, "The Case of the Baby Hog". In addition to food shopping, it's the one and only thing I accomplished on a lazy Sunday.

I wrote/read/edited/previewed. I downloaded pictures. I left my house to go to the local coffee shop so the videos would download faster. I got out my good old Random House College Dictionary to check the usage of "lay" versus "lie". Red dictionary open on my lap, I also checked the definition of "absconded" and decided it didn't quite fit since the baby was not being hogged "in a secretive manner".

No one asked me to do these things, or expected me to do them. I'm not trying to win any awards or sell my blog (yet). I did them because I enjoy writing, thought I had a clever idea in my head and went with it. Write. Edit. Post. Share. Sit back and see if anyone will read or respond to said idea. Smile if they do, don't think twice if they don't (after I've shared it again, just in case they missed it).

The Case of the Baby Hog

Emmaline is my adorable 5-month-old niece. I can't get enough of her. She's irresistible. Just look at her striking a pose here:

Emmaline gets passed around quite a bit when my whole family gets together. There's no telling when your turn will come, so it's essential to bring along a little bit of patience when visiting with Emma. Actually, bring along a lot of patience if my sister Roxanne is nearby. Aunt RoRo is a Baby Hog.

Aunt Roxanne - BABY HOG

I've got proof from our recent family vacation.

Delicious Homemade Banana Bread

I love banana bread. I love homemade banana bread. I love my homemade banana bread. There's just something amazing about turning a brown ripe banana, which has just about lost its appeal, into a delicious loaf of goodness. Good for breakfast (warmed with a spread of butter, yum!), good as a snack, good as dessert (warmed with a scoop of melting chocolate ice cream? yes, please!). It's so good!

Crescent Roll Casserole Thing

I made this for dinner the other night. I call it my "Crescent Roll Casserole Thing" because I don't know it's proper name, if this meal has one at all. (I think the recipe called it Sloppy Joe Squares, but I don't use sloppy joe sauce so Crescent Roll Casserole Thing it is).

This meal reminds me of a few people, but mostly of my brother Basil. When we lived together I'd make this pretty often since it's so simple and delicious. Basil would even cook this himself, but it never turned out as well. How do you screw up Crescent Roll Casserole Thing? Well, one day I discovered that Basil was, unknowingly, leaving out a major ingredient, the tomato sauce. No wonder his version was always dry and not as delicious. Hmm, makes you wonder...did he not know any better, or did he know I wouldn't ask him to cook, preferring to do it myself, so it's done right?

Crescent Roll Casserole Thing Recipe

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup water
• 1 package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
• 2 (8-oz.) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425. Brown ground beef until no longer pink and drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
2. Unroll 1 can crescent rolls into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread beef mixture over dough, sprinkle with cheese. Unroll remaining can of rolls over cheese. 
3. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes until golden brown. 

My brother likes to eat this with a heap of salsa. I'm not a fan. To each his own...

Enjoy!

Things that remind me...

I live pretty far away from everyone I love. That sounds sad, but it's not my intention. This post isn't about distance or living alone (I'll save those for another day), it's about things that remind me of those people I live pretty far away from. At least once a day I find myself doing, or saying, or hearing, or eating, or reading something that reminds me of someone. I thought I'd keep track of those things, and those people, here. Stay tuned, you might find yourself the subject of a "Things That Remind Me" post. Meantime, what things remind you of me? (Or don't I want to know?)

BIL

I have to give a shout-out to my brother-in-law Jesse, whom I lovingly refer to as BIL. Here are some random things about BIL:

1. He's going to hate me for writing a blog post about him. I'm guessing he'll get over it.
2. He is the best cook that's ever cooked in my parent's kitchen (there's not much competition, but he is really very good).
3. He plays video games in his man cave. I can't relate in any way.
4. He listens to Howard Stern on satellite radio. Again, can't relate.
5. He's lost not one, but two, wedding bands. I think he has a plastic ring now.
6. He puts up with the nonsense gifts my mom gives him for Christmas every year. He eventually finds them useful. Back scratcher anyone? 
7. He quit smoking cold turkey. That is awesome.
8. He grew up in Connecticut.
9. Coffee-drinker.
10. He's served our country in the Air Force. Thanks BIL! 
11. BIL has a fear of getting lost in Camden, NJ.
12. He has the most adorable daughter ever. Before Emmaline was born he acted like he was going to be a tough dad who'd send his daughter off to boot camp at the first sign of trouble. Ha, what an act. Emma has Jesse wrapped around her little finger. It's really adorable to see. 

To my one and only BIL, thanks for making my sister happy and thanks for giving me the chance to be the best aunt around! Cheers!

Why'd you name your blog that?

Mr. Moynihan was famous for his stories. I was fortunate to be in his class senior year of high school. World Religions was the topic. I remember watching Simpsons' episodes about the evils of Scientology, hearing stories about Hare Krishna monks (I forget the details), and waiting until June to hear the cat story (nothing to do with religion...I just remember it being a teaser, a story worth waiting for, a perk of being a senior).

Anyway, it was from Mr. Moynihan that I first heard the lesson of "Who knows what is good and who knows what is bad?" I didn't internalize it at the time. In fact, I'm not sure when I started declaring this simple sentence my mantra. I do know I've been repeating that phrase a lot lately. It's the secret to my optimism. It's my reminder that no matter what happens, be it a seemingly really great thing or really bad thing, I have no idea what effect that thing will have in the long run. After all, who knows what is good and who knows what is bad?

It Begins

I'm starting a blog. I like to write. I've got the time (I think...time has a way of disappearing, doesn't it?). I'm not sure what will come of it, but I'm approaching this with the same attitude that I use to approach life...Who knows what is good, and who knows what is bad? Welcome, thanks for reading, stay tuned, and comment away!