Recipe of the Week

Here is a very healthy recipe for using all of those zucchinis that your neighbor gives you.

Baked Zucchini Chips

2 med. zucchini cut into 1/4" slices
1/2 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsps. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
3 egg whites

Preheat oven to 475 degrees and grease a large baking sheet.

Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg whites.

Dip each zucchini slice into egg whites and then into dry ingredients mixture. Place on greased baking sheet. When sheet is full, lightly spray each slice with PAM spray.

Bake for 5 minutes in preheated oven, then turn over, very lightly spray with PAM, and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until browned and crispy. Makes 4 servings.

ENJOY!!!

Trying Out Some New Things

I have to admit that I am loving this 2 week break before starting my new job. I am accomplishing so much. Yesterday, Greg and I completely rearranged the living room. It looks much bigger and my internet connection is stronger because it doesn't have to go through so many walls. Today Casey and I helped drag big tree limbs to the yard waste piles after Larry trimmed the evergreens. I also washed the wood floors, cleaned out the pantry, cleaned out the plastic container drawers, changed bedsheets, studied 2 chapters for my A+ exam (only 2 more to go), sent some emails, and took quite a few walks with Kitty. Still on tap for tonight is tennis under the lights. It's almost like a nesting taking place, but that is definitely not a sign of anything else.

I added the link on the right side to Greg's sports blog. He is doing this for school but also because it gives him an outlet for his sports knowledge and opinion. We have all refused to go into long sports discussions with him unless he is updating his blog regularly. I am also experimenting with Google AdSense. It is something that I am learning about lately.

A Quick Update

It's been pretty busy lately since returning from our SC vacation. I haven't even had time to upload or print any pictures. My tan is already starting to fade - can't have that.

Well, first off, Kitty went to the vet for her yearly checkup and 45 minutes and $400 later we found out that she has a double ear infection (those long beagle ears) and Lyme disease. She is now on ear drops nightly and medicine for the Lyme. She will have to have a follow up blood test in a few months to make sure it's gone. Pilling her isn't too hard as long as the pill is wrapped in meat or cheese. The first night she had it in peanut butter, but won't eat that now.

I had my 4 hour dentist appt. this past week and for as nervous as I was going in, it turned out okay. After over 12 shots of novacaine to completely numb my entire facial area, and the use of tens (muscle stimulators on my jaw) I started the procedure. The dr. did 9 crown preps and 1 root canal and scaling on all of my teeth to take care of the gum disease. It was a lot of work, but I am actually doing pretty well. I am on antibiotics to ward off infection and painkillers every 12 hours. My teeth feel great, but I have a lot of facial pain from all of the shots. I go back in 2 weeks for another root canal and the bonding of my appliance to my teeth to straighten out my jaw. I have told everyone who asked that I highly recommend this dentist for any serious work. He was very patient, thorough, and professional.

Larry is in Illinois with his brother to move his mother to a nursing home in Texas. They have a 16 hour drive tomorrow to get her into the home on Monday. He will be back on Wednesday after an emotional and long journey. I can certainly understand what he is going through and it is bringing up some not-so-happy memories of 3 1/2 years ago.

Job hunt continues and so does the trying to make money on the side. More on that later.

Happy 4th of July

Back from vacation and already enjoying another holiday from work (paid,I might add). We had a very nice family gathering in Litchfield, SC. We had lots of good food, lots of laughter, lots of sun, and lots of water. I love this picture of Greg and John. Greg is my family guy - he loves being with family and even agreed to visit a plantation because he would get to spend time with his uncles. I love that!!!! He talks about his uncles all the time and you can tell he just thinks the world of them (who would have thought that!).



We enjoyed a meal of Dad's spaghetti and I know Mom and Dad would both be very happy to know that we make it important to get together. I just wish Joe would think the same way as we do.

More to come later and even more pictures.