Condo Bedroom

Click here to see some pictures of the wonderful transformation that Trish helped me accomplish in the bedroom of the FL condo. It does not look like the same room. Thanks Trish for your help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51908300@N04/sets/72157624456449956/

Educ 730 Day 4

Dr. Holder promised this was the "fun day" and he was right. We discussed audio and video concepts and had a special speaker from the local school system. He brought in lots of technology that I wished our school system could afford. Oh well, I am thankful for what we have. I am looking forward to the ipads coming in for AP students in the fall. That will be awesome.

Here is our project for today. Thanks to my group!
Gotta Love Technology

Educ 730 Class Day 3

Day 3 was another exhausting (but fruitful) day. We discussed web scavenger hunts and web quests. Here is my group's web quest: Speak Up!

My group worked after class until late on the project due on Friday. I was in bed by 9pm. "The old gray mare ain't what she used to be"...

Later,
Paula

Educ 730 Class Day 2

In class today we discussed collaboration and documents, as well as digital images. Some of the points Dr. Holder made were insightful and his videos were thought provoking. I am getting to know the women in my group--they are beautiful AND smart! God knew I would need their assistance. Thanks God, for placing me with them.

Digital photography is one of my favorite subjects! Maybe in my "second life" I will be a photographer who travels the world documenting what I see...

In my Photoshop manipulated image, I combined my granddaughter, Aubrie, a dolphin, and a sunset picture I took in Florida and proceeded to make it "funky". I hope you like it.

Get a good night's sleep,
Paula

Educ 730 Class

Hello,
I had my first day of class today in my educational technology class. The class is relatively small in number (which I like) and I am working with a great group of people on my group project. I enjoyed my professors "candid and non stressed" demeanor. There is lots of work to be done in the class but I expected as much...

Dr. Holder discussed "effective integration" of technology which has caused me to stop and think about technology integration at my school. I work in the technology department of a small rural school. My original title is district technology instructor, but in a small system, I/we tend to do whatever needs to be done---thus, I wear many hats. I often rant and rave "technology integration", but have never consciously considered effective technology integration. I do my best at assisting my district with technology (through classes and tech requests) but as long as teachers are utilizing technology in their classrooms---I tend to be happy. Obviously, there is a difference in checking technology integration off a "to do list" and checking technology integration off the list feeling confident that technology was EFFECTIVELY integrated in the classroom today. There is a difference...

Looking forward to the week, God Bless,
Paula

Can You Believe These Nerds?

Ella Loves to Laugh

Dan and his "Super Hero"

Coconut Cake

Can be layer or sheet cake, or cupcakes.

2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons unsifted bleached all-purposed flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg----(I didn't put this much nutmeg--maybe 1/4 teaspoon)
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar----(I used regular granulated sugar)
3 large eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup thick, cultured sour cream
1 cup tightly packed sweetened flaked coconut

1. Cream the butter in the large bowl of a freestanding electric mixer on moderate speed for 3 minutes.

2. Add half of the sugar and beat for 1 minute; add the balance of the sugar and beat for 2 minutes longer.

3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 45 seconds after each addition.

4. Blend in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl frequently with a rubber spatula to keep the batter even textured.

On low-speed, alternately add the sifted mixture in three additions with the sour cream in two additions, beginning and ending with the sifted mixture. The batter will be smooth, moderately thick, and buttercream-like. On low speed blend in the coconut.

What I Think..... Today

I have two daughters, one son, one son-in-law and two granddaughters ... They fill me up with inspiration.......My faith and good friends, take care of the rest...

Recipe For Life

If you know me and as you can probably tell by my blog contents, I enjoy recipes. I recently read an article that talked about leading a happy, stressless, productive life (or at least close). It listed several items that should be on everyone's "to do list" every single day. What a great idea. I have borrowed that concept and tweaked it to be what I call my "recipe for life".

Everyday I want to:

1. Do something for someone else.
2. Do something for me.
3. Do something that I don't want to do that needs doing.
4. Do a physical exercise.
5. Do a mental exercise.
6. Do an original prayer that always includes thanksgiving for my blessings.

Can life be lived by this "recipe"? I'm certainly going to try. I believe this recipe will improve my days, and those days will quickly add up to a life.

Instructions For Toast Arm Warmers

Materials Needed:
* 1 Skein Soft Yarn (I bought a 100 yd skein and did not use all of it-depends on needle size and stitch length
* Size 7 circular needles (I bought the "turbo" needles. A bit pricey but I love them!)

1. Cast on 34 stitches. Divide equally on circular needles using the "magic loop" method.
2. Join for knitting in the round. Knit for 11 inches
3. Bind off and weave in ends.

See! You can make them!

Cinnamon Toast Arm Warmers

I just completed my first set of arm warmers and was immediately rewarded with a VERY cold day to wear them. We had another snow day this week and temperatures dropped to the single digits. Here is a picture of my completed arm warmers that I am calling "cinnamon toast".

Who Me? Knit?

Knitting... Such a simple joy. It takes so long, but it feels so good to be able to see the progress and to gift it to someone who really appreciates what you have done. It provides warmth, function, beauty, and serves to represent a feeling of love towards another person when given as a special gift. It takes few tools, and can be picked up/put down (HA!)/carried around easily. There are only two stitches; simply knits and purls.....it's like 0's and 1's in math!

If you don't know how to knit, I encourage you to give it a try and pick up the sticks. Knitting is NOT just for your grandma, this is not so hard that it takes a rocket scientist has to be present for you to figure it out, and it takes no more time than anything else you do.

Are you interested, but don't know where to start? You can start at your local yarn shop (btw-our local yarn store moved to "Carriage House Framing" in front of Ingles) or department store chain (Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc) for supplies. Knitting Help or You Tube are great online video resources, which is convenient when you want to figure out purling at 2 in the morning. But likely, you have a friend that knits, that you never knew possessed this skill -- ask around and you might be able to find a "new or used" knitting friend and use him or her!

2009 Is Going To Be Fine

Today was the first "snow day" of the 08-09 school year. We didn't have that much snow but what little we had was frozen (and continues to be) because of the extreme low temperatures.

What an amazing day for America (and the rest of the world). History was made today as our new 44th president, Barick Obama was inaugurated. I watched several of the festivities surrounding the event on tv. Here is a quote I like:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929-1968, American Civil Rights Leader

__________________________________________________________________

One of my 09 resolutions is to take the time to blog more often. Other intentions for the upcoming new year are........so many things.......wasting less, giving more, being creative, spreading joy, and this, so much more wondrous than achieving a goal... relishing the ride.

I've Never Seen A Smile That Wasn't Beautiful

The Girls Go To Gatlinburg

After Christmas everyone had a great time in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Aubrie and Ella's cousins, Zeke, Sofia, Cooper, and Carter, had a great time as well.

Welcome Ella

Ella Reed Akins was added to the Akins family on August 11, 2008. She is growing so fast! She is a very calm, sweet smiling little girl. Her sister, Aubrie, loves her very much as we all do.

Easy Peach Dessert (Peach Dump Cake)

1 Large Can Peaches
(I used frozen peaches with sugar and a little milk)
1 Box Butter Pecan Cake Mix
1 1/2 Stick Butter or Margarine
1/2 Cup Nuts
Coconut (Optional)

1. Pour peaches, juice and all into a 9 X 13 pan.
2. Cut the peaches into smaller bite size pieces.
3. Sprinkle cake dry over peaches.
4. Drizzle melted butter over cake mix. (Do not stir)
5. Sprinkle nuts over butter.
6. Sprinkle coconut over nuts.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

Served warm or cool with Cool Whip on top. Delicious and Easy.

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts, cooked until tender
2 cans cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1/2 cup sour cream
36 Ritz crackers rolled into crumbs
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

TOPPING
36 Ritz crackers, rolled into crumbs
2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 stick margarine or butter, melted

Cut cooked chicken into small pieces (I shred it with my fingers). Add the next 4 ingredients to the chicken and place in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top, then sprinkle on the poppy seeds. Drizzle melted margarine over casserole. Bake in a 325-degree oven for 30 minutes.

Margie's Brown Rice

1 can French Onion Soup
1 can Beef Consume
1 stick margarine or butter (melted)
1 large can (or 2 small) cans mushrooms (stems and pieces or sliced)
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice (not instant)
1/2 soup can of water or broth

Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish (I use 9 X 13) and cover with alum foil.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Happy Birthday Aubrie

Today, January 30th, is my little granddaughter's first birthday. Words cannot describe how much I love her and feel incredible blessed to have her in my life. She is such a happy, active baby with the sweetest chubby cheeks. Surely, the angels in heaven clapped their hands in joy the moment her mom and dad heard her first cry--and we've all been clapping ever since! Even Aubrie puts her little hands together and claps for joy!

I remember the first time I saw her. She were getting cleaned up and weighed and she was screaming mad. Once everything was all settled, I held her for the first time and I fell in love with her right then and there. I never knew how much joy she would bring to all of our lives.

I don't think a child ever knows how deep a parents love is for them until they bring a child into this world themselves. I know her mom and dad love her very much and now they know how much their parents love them.

Aubrie, I look forward to being your "nanny" and all the happy days we'll spend together.

Happy Birthday,
Love,
Nanny

Chess Cake

1st Layer:
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup of chopped pecans

Mix above ingredients and press into a 9 X 13 pan.

2nd Layer:
1 box powdered sugar
1 8 oz creme cheese (soft)
1 tsp vanilla flavoring
2 eggs

Mix and spread on top of 1st layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Texas Caviar Dip

2 cans white shoepeg corn (drained)
2 tomatos diced (fresh tom are best, but the diced canned ones are ok)
2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 onion (diced)
1/2 bottle of "Lite Done Right" "Zesty Italian"

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate overnight.

Best if made ahead to allow flavors to blend for 24 hours.

Use tortilla chips or crackers to dip with.

Welcome

Hello, I hope to share recipes of life and food. More to come!