tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146097992008-07-18T20:59:51.142-04:00Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comBlogger2761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-42216530159608574312008-07-18T20:46:00.003-04:002008-07-18T20:59:51.202-04:00

I almost feel like I'm cheating on you all when I spend an evening reading and skip the blogging, but I must confess I've finished two books this week. OK, OK, that only accounts for two nights, the rest you can blame on do-lessness. I finally got around to reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. I've seen it and it's sequels on the Amazon bestseller list for years but never got around to trying

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-28512065519401863732008-07-16T20:40:00.002-04:002008-07-16T20:47:50.952-04:00

My ride for the next decade. We're not big car buyers so we buy them to last. So far I'm very happy with it. The ride home was very satisfactory. I had all the power I needed and the steering is nice and tight; no sloppy car. Tonight I'm going to spend a little time reading the manual so I can figure out how things work. This is a forward jump of a decade for me; cars are a little more

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-17387876669706337382008-07-16T20:36:00.004-04:002008-07-16T20:40:45.181-04:00

Emma and M were playing Playdoh. Emma made a "cake" and they put toothpicks in it for candles. Then she went outside and would come back in through the door and wanted us to yell "Surprise!" for her birthday and then sing "Happy Birthday." We did it once or twice and then the next time when she was outside we swapped the toothpick candles for real ones. Then she really was surprised. We had to do

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-81332641194755603212008-07-13T15:53:00.004-04:002008-07-13T16:11:33.353-04:00

But I'm not posting pictures because I don't want to jinx it. I put down a deposit on it on Saturday and I'll get the financing ball rolling Monday morning. It's a 2006 Hyundai Sonata with only 7250 miles on it. It's a V6 so I'll still have plenty of power to travel the mountains. It has all sorts of goodies such as alloy wheels (who cares?), fog lights (ditto), AM/FM CD with volume control on

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-63217935235795439732008-07-09T19:44:00.003-04:002008-07-09T19:46:56.150-04:00

She yells as she's clutching her shorts and running for the bathroom. We hear this at least a dozen times a week. I finally taught her how to pause her own show. Two lines means pause, triangle means go. Life is getting so much easier.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-23334836204673378682008-07-08T19:27:00.004-04:002008-07-08T19:34:04.128-04:00

We lure them into the mountains for swimming fun. Then we convince them that 76 degrees is plenty warm... Even my critter is huddling for warmth. I think she was just doing her older cousin a favor, sharing her body heat and all... The did manage to have some fun in the pool, but had to get out occasionally to warm up. Finally they went for some sunnin' on the front porch and then straight

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-18541617066321485892008-07-08T18:48:00.000-04:002008-07-08T18:49:12.360-04:00

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-88795194703048597982008-07-08T18:41:00.001-04:002008-07-08T18:42:37.906-04:00

This little fella was hanging around in the yard with us on Friday.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-23321541456561761092008-07-07T19:14:00.002-04:002008-07-07T19:16:15.414-04:00

"No, I amn't" (sounds like am-ent) It sounds so cute I almost hate to correct it.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-41053861960877257772008-07-07T18:22:00.003-04:002008-07-07T18:26:20.599-04:00

Kind of. I'm not sure if the need is imminent or not. My Dodge Intrepid is on it's way out. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to stretch for a new car that should provide me years of service and a good warranty, or buy a 3 or 4 year old car that's more affordable and more loaded with goodies. Some of the options I've been considering so far: Hyundai Sonata (new or used) Ford Five

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-42496675616134340352008-07-07T17:55:00.006-04:002008-07-07T23:05:17.347-04:00

Julie, the reason I've stalled on this so long is because there's no official recipe. I'm going to post what I know and I'll let my family correct me. Then maybe I'll get it right for you. You start by making white cake in layer pans. We use 9" or 8" round. Any store bought mix will do. For icing you use white confectioners sugar, two tablespoons of melted butter, and milk. You will need at

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-1160377062356932762008-07-07T17:48:00.002-04:002008-07-07T17:55:37.574-04:00

My brother-in-law (M's brother) is getting married in August. The wedding shower was Saturday. Here is Emma, her Grandma and her Aunt playing a game. Grandma's cream cheese mints. I'm slobbering all over myself just looking at the picture. Emma enjoyed all kinds of candies there. Emma as the official present opening assistant. Her official job was putting away the bows, but she did so much

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-5913254673916575872008-07-04T13:02:00.002-04:002008-07-04T13:14:25.145-04:00

Sorry, Popi, that's actually the name of it. It's in a little village up the road. Emma walked in it two years ago. It's like an Easter parade. Kids dress up in their patriotic finery and walk, ride their bike, or ride their motorized vehicle down main street in the village. The parade ends up at a little book bank where they serve ice cream and cookies. I love attending the event because I

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-32441112199396734882008-07-02T21:58:00.000-04:002008-07-02T21:59:18.931-04:00

That was the outside temperature when we woke up this morning. Seriously.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-48934647971027678742008-07-02T21:51:00.002-04:002008-07-02T21:55:55.650-04:00

Emma refuses to wear sandals without socks. And she insists on wearing panties under her bathing suit. Otherwise I think she's a pretty normal kid. I think the sock thing is because of that day she went barefoot in crocs and got a blister. And I think Emma has it in her head that if she wears panties under her bathing suit she won't have to pee in the pool. Oh, and never tell her she's

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-90013169940540350012008-07-02T20:03:00.002-04:002008-07-02T20:06:40.050-04:00

Emma rode her tricycle down to the thrift shop to check out the latest collection of toys for sale on the front porch. It looks like there are some fun things this time.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-80545573210006424712008-07-02T19:55:00.002-04:002008-07-02T19:57:44.288-04:00

He took these with my camera in the observation tower when we were out near Dulles. I think he now appreciates the virtue of a camera that takes a picture when you press the button, and not two seconds later.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-79576826502184076232008-07-02T19:50:00.001-04:002008-07-02T19:52:46.352-04:00

On the trip home from Maryland a few weeks ago Noni sat in the backseat of the car with Emma. Eventually she put her head on Emma's lap and they talked for a while. Emma would pat Noni and reassure her that she wasn't uncomfortable. It was very cute.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-60358483451449681922008-07-01T17:46:00.002-04:002008-07-01T17:49:39.471-04:00

He was playing with the telephoto lens. He has a good eye and a lot more patience than I do. I like to do the post-production work for him ;)

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-33778698176057835782008-06-30T22:23:00.000-04:002008-06-30T22:25:24.949-04:00

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-91263553468163801602008-06-30T21:16:00.001-04:002008-06-30T21:16:37.510-04:00

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-14627711065741361422008-06-29T10:55:00.003-04:002008-06-29T11:01:00.138-04:00

We gave up on the eggs in the nest in our grill. It had been weeks since we'd seen the momma bird and it's been way too long since she laid those eggs. Our best guess is that the eggs overheated in the black metal grill. We had a scorching week several weeks ago and we're guessing that might have done them in. Today M took the nest out and cleaned his grill for use again.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-30890831352095317882008-06-29T10:40:00.003-04:002008-06-29T10:43:40.795-04:00

From Thursday evening. Emma swimming with her buddy Elmo. He's back in vogue now that she's into Sesame Street. "Mommy! Watch me put my head under water!" Watching the sunset. I think she likes her pool. They're in it literally every day when there's no thunder.

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-61104387147163241082008-06-28T11:50:00.003-04:002008-06-28T11:53:42.648-04:00

She did it! She wrote her name! This is not something we've pushed because she gets very frustrated with us when we do. We learned early on to back off and let her come to these types of things when she's ready. She's been writing her E for a while. This morning she showed me that she could make an M. I told her she could make an A with one hump and a line. Then she did it and showed me. Then she

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14609799.post-33960114141083624632008-06-26T18:38:00.003-04:002008-06-26T18:50:09.000-04:00

(Inspired by DJ) Would it be? Crispy fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, M's aunt's fruit salad and buttery biscuits, topped of with a brownie sundae. Or Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese casserole, my aunt's apple salad and a slice of toll house pie. Or Country Ham, corn bread, buttery green beans and baked apples, topped off with a lemon cake. Or Pulled

Highlandgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703233755160914600noreply@blogger.com