Prayer

Please stop by my friend TTQ's blog ... she is in need of prayers today.

Gutted

Dictionary.com
gut·ted, gut·ting, guts
* To remove the intestines or entrails of; eviscerate.
* To extract essential or major parts of: gut a manuscript.
* To destroy the interior of: Fire gutted the house.

Urban Dictionary
1.Gutted

1) Bad luck
2) Shame
3) Ouch

Today I absolutely understand why the British (English, whatever) use the term gutted ... it so aptly describes the loss that I feel right now.

Some great friends of ours have gone and moved ... they didn't chose to, but it was one of the inevitable things - work. Move or find a new job. They moved.

I watched them drive away today and I felt gutted. A huge loss ... for my family, for the community. I cried, my children cried, Mr. Farmer got something stuck in his eye. They cried too.

We, of course, will make new friends. In time. So will they. They are moving to a nice neighborhood, into a much larger house ... they are getting many perks for the move - because his company knows he doesn't want to go. But they'll have it easier .. they have done it before. Many times.

I haven't - we haven't. They were our first friends when we moved to our new community. They instantly welcomed us and our dysfunction. We all hit it off ... bonding in a genuine, long lasting way -- not like the friend dating that I have mentioned before. (Can anyone tell me how to link back to previous posts?) We have spent many holidays together, bailed each other out too many times to count and not once gotten angry at each other ... that says something.

I am looking (trying) on the bright side, we will have people to visit in a State we have never before been. I hope to go one day ... sooner rather than later.

Yes, I feel gutted today ... but it could be worse. Just look at the headlines ... it could be so much worse!

Frannie


The loss of a friend is like that of a limb; time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be repaired.

No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth.
Robert Southey



Proverbs 27:1-6
1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Complete and utter randomness

Well .. here I am. Once again trying to be a proficient blogger ... am I alone in the feeling that, as a mom, I can do many things adequately, but I can not seem to master anything?

I doubt it ... but why do so many other mom's seem to have it so much more together?

Random comments ...

Mr. Farmer: Do you trust your radar to tell you when you have too much going on?
Me: You mean like having too much laundry to do - or too many people to feed - or ... ?
Mr. Farmer: Well...ummm...I meant more like your outside activ ...
Me: Because I am definitely feelin' the radar with your laundry.

Me: AngelBaby, stop hitting your sister, you must behave.
AngelBaby: (wailing) MaaMaa I don't wanna behave, I wanna be AngelBaby.

Diva3 (friends daughter): Mrs. Farmer, I see that you have a couple of tattoo's.
Me: Well, Diva3, I do have two tattoo's, but I waited until I was a grown up to get them.
Diva3: We aren't allowed to have two tattoo's OR two-pieced swimsuits.
Me: We aren't allowed to have two-pieced swimsuits either.
Diva3: How come your tattoo has a two-piece on then?

hmmmmm.

Random Stuff ...

I am not sure why the spacing is off on with blogger ... as I type it automatically double-spaces everything. I then go into the HTML and delete the spacing ... what gives?

Gmail - for the last two days I can access my Gmail account(s) but can not actually access the emails ... I can delete them if I want to but I can't read them ... what gives?

Potty training: while we were camping Angelbaby managed to use the at least 90% of the time. Since we returned home -- she is about 50% ... what gives?

New Addiction: R.W. Garcia Salsa Fresca Tortilla Chips. I think I should just finish off the bag and be done with it, the are sooo darned good - they are calling me from across the house! I know what gives!


Books ...
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.
I am not quite done yet, but I have to say that Jodi is turning into one of my favorite authors. I love her stuff!!!

The Starter Wife - by Gigi Levangie Grazer.
So darned funny. Mr. Farmer is even reading it right now .. he thinks it's hilarious! I actually WON the book and an entire The Starter Wife Survival Kit! from Seriously? OMG! WTF?!!!! I never, ever, ever win anything .. and this is the coolest thing EVER!

The Postcard - by Beverly Lewis. -
An Amish woman, Rachel loses her husband and son in a tragic accident. She returns to her aging parents with her young daughter, resigning herself to the life of a widow. She takes over the family run a bed-and-breakfast in a quaint Lancaster county town.
Things aren't always what they seem ... this is a really great book - SweetiePie and I are reading it together and it has some great lessons ...

Soapsuds by Finola Hughes and Digby Diehl.
Well written - pretty much what I would expect from a soap actress ... it does make you wonder if Finola is mimicking the cast and crew from General Hospital or All My Children.
Digby has written books with Natalie Cole, Esther Williams, as well as a few on his own.


Questions ... queenb2u had a couple of good ideas for me to write about ... some of my hopes or dreams, favorite people or pet peeves ... I think I will take her up on the challenge this week ... Jenster is working in riveting which I like the idea of ... Anyone else?

May you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!

Frannie


I always look for a woman who has a tattoo. I see a woman with a tattoo, and I'm thinking, okay, here's a gal who's capable of making a decision she'll regret in the future. ~Richard Jeni

Quirky is sexy, like scars or chipped teeth. I also like tattoos - they're rebellious. ~Jennifer Aniston

My body is a journal in a way. It's like what sailors used to do, where every tattoo meant something, a specific time in your life when you make a mark on yourself, whether you do it yourself with a knife or with a professional tattoo artist. ~ Johnny Depp

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." John 3:5

I'm back.

And both rested and worn out ... if that is possible.

We had a good time - not projectile vomiting (Thank God) this time. No one got a fever, no on got hurt ... and Frannie ate almost everything she wanted and didn't gain any weight -- I call that a successful trip :)

I didn't get the tan that I was hoping for, as we experienced a fair share of rain, but we stayed dry and I got to read a couple of good books ... and did I mention that I got to eat almost everything I wanted?

Of course I cam back to chaos ... year end stuff for school; 3 catering gigs this week and a messy, messy, MESSY house compliments of Mr. Farmer.

I know that I won't be able to post this weekend -- but I am looking forward to telling you about the books I read, as well as some really great new recipes I made up! And I would say that I look forward to answering your questions to me -- but NO ONE ASKED ANY. What gives there? I was really hoping you would give me some good blogging vibes .... ah well.

I hope all is GREAT with all of you!

~ Yours,
Frannie


Success gravitates toward those who are perceived to be successful. Regardless of how you feel within, you must emanate success if you want to attract people to your cause. - Jeff Herman

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34

Heading out.

I am taking a much needed vacation.

Relief?

Sort of.

I am heading out, just me and the kids ... 5 days in the mountains. Camping. I may be crazy, but I just need to get away for a bit.

I won't have cell phone access, much less internet access (that and I don't have a lap top, so it doesn't matter too much!). So, I won't be able to read your wonderful blogs, I won't get to find out if Nicole Richie is pregnant and no access to Paris Prison Updates or the truth behind Jennifer Aniston dating a British model ... not to mention LiLo, Brit or infamous Angelina Jolie quotes.

Sad, I know.

I hope to come back refreshed and more able to focus ... although I could come back a complete basket case ... who know!

OK, so in the meantime ... have you ever had a question you wanted to ask Frannie? Now is the time -- give me your toughest stuff ... what do you want to know? I will do my best to asnwer ...

Peace!

Frannie



“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods” - CS Lewis

I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb .... and I also know that I'm not blonde.-Dolly Parton

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:9

Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips

Tip of the Day
Want Streak Free Windows? Try this ...
Aftering washing them, dry one side from right to left, and then on the other side, dry with strokes going up and down. Then check the window, and if there's a streak, you'll more easily be able to see it.


Zesty Lime Chicken


What you need:
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon Mexican paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1 small onion chopped
1/2 pound mushrooms sliced
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced – or you can use the frozen chicken tenders from Costco.

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ cup lime juice or 1 cup Baja Bob's Original Margarita Mix (to taste)
4-6 limes sliced

What you do:
In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, and all spices. Sprinkle spice mixture generously over chicken breasts.

Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and mushrooms until tender. Add chicken until golden brown (approx 7-10 minutes). Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons garlic powder and lime juice. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently to coat evenly.
Add 1-2 sliced limes and leave on low heat for approximately 10 minutes.

In my house we serve this over warmed corn tortillas, adding rice and cheese as desired and then squeeze fresh lime juice over them.

This is a great summer dish, as the chicken can be served warm or cold. The limes give it a zing … add your favorite Margarita and make it a Fiesta!

You can also throw it all in a crock pot and let it cook for the day, just add more lime juice or Margarita mix for moisture.



Here's to great eats and a great week ...
Frannie




Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God. -Henri Nouwen

It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.- John Steinbeck, author

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Romans 10:14