WHAT DO YOU SEE ?? Ink Blot #5

Here is the fifth ink blot in my series of ten.

Dream State #2

OK, maybe I should also be talking about my dreams in this blog... Had another strange vivid one last night. Maybe it was the wine?? Anyhow, in this dream a BIG fat spider was constantly following me around. Scared me to death. However, I soon realized "she" was trying to get me to help her. She was having babies and wanted me to find a safe place for her and her babies. I took her (with her new babies) to a small furnace room that was warm. But, for some reason, this room would also on ocassion generate a noise that killed all her babies. I awoke almost in tears because I thought I had failed her. Now, this one did verge on being a nightmare. But what has been the oddest thing about my past two dreams are how vivid they are. Maybe since I am resting better and perhaps sleeping deeper, these were always the dreams lurking beneath. As Susan suggested, perhaps I should try to learn more about my strange dreams I've had this week.

Dream State

OK, I just had to make a quick post. I just had a freaky dream. I mean, I have unusual dream a lot of times to begin with. Like vivid dreams of being in locations I've never been and waking up wondering if it was true. I woke up this morning with another vivid dream unlike most I have.

I think I must watch too much SciFi. Like a lot of dreams some things were vague, but one thing I strongly remember is a friend of mine, Alan, was in this dream and wearing some type of ear phones that had little metal flaps on them, rather like antenna but square.

He called these flaps EMG's (that's a familiar anagram lol). However, though meaning the same, it had a totally different concept this time. Alan, with certain body movements and thoughts could communicate verbally without talking and could create imagery with his mind that we all could view. How strange it THAT? When questioning some other people in this secret building they said "You were told you would find out when you were ready..." OK, then I really got creeped out and woke up.

We all have weird little dreams and I've had my share. But usually my weird dreams aren't this vivid and wake me up. It wasn't a nightmare... I wonder what my subconscious was trying to tell me????

WHAT DO YOU SEE ?? Ink Blot #4

Here is the fourth ink blot in my series of ten.

Monster Cookies

I love to cook and baking is my favorite thing to do. I often get requests for my baking, especially around Christmas. I remember the days when I worked full time, was raising a 5 year old, and still found time to bake a dozen different cookies each year during the holidays to take into work. Where did I find the energy??? Was I insane???

Although I don't bake as much as I used to, the one thing I always get requests for are my Monster Cookies. They are the BEST cookies I've ever tasted. They are a blend of oatmeal cookie, chocolate chip cookie, and peanut butter cookie. All three my favorites... It's a good thing this recipe makes about 6 dozen HUGE cookies. Each time I make them I quickly run out as I pass out a dozen here and there to my friends.

I spent the afternoon today baking Monster Cookies and I thought I would share this recipe with you and hope you all have a chance to try them! I have set out a snack for you in case you care to stop by. Cookies and milk for now - and after you rinse your glass out, fill it with wine and forget all the calories you just consumed...


MONSTER COOKIES

1 cup butter softened
2 cups white sugar
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 cups peanut butter
6 eggs
1 ½ tsp white corn syrup
1 ½ tsp vanilla
9 cups oatmeal (not instant)
4 tsp baking soda
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
½ pound M&Ms
½ pound dark chocolate chunks - (use your favorite dark choc – I have used many different kinds of choc – I like Lindt choc bars)

Preheat oven to 350°. In large bowl cream together the butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in eggs two at a time, then stir in corn syrup and vanilla. Into this mixture, blend in the oatmeal, baking soda, chocolate and nuts. (Tip: I use disposable gloves and mix with my hands.) Form mixture into large balls and place 3” apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 mins and let cool on baking sheet before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

ENJOY !!

WHAT DO YOU SEE ?? Ink Blot #3

Here is the third ink blot in my series of ten.

WHAT DO YOU SEE ?? Ink Blot #2

Here is the second ink blot in my series of ten.

THE JOY IN MY LIFE...

Many of us are fortunate to have the joy of having children. I was blessed with one daughter, but always wished I'd had just one more... But NOW, I have a beautiful grandson who is more fun than having two children as I can send him home when he gets bratty... lol

My daughter, Lori, was always a very happy, smiley baby and she has been blessed with an adorable son who follows in her footsteps and has the biggest, brightest smile of any baby I've been around for a long time. He recently had his first birthday party which, of course, Grandma made into a big event. He went cross-eyed watching his candles burn and cautiously started eating his cake. Once he realized "Hey, this stuff is good...", he began in earnest to stick his fingers into the icing and lick them. As you will notice, however, he wasn't much into wearing his crown...

Ian is quite the ham. With our new digital camera, I hope to get lots and lots of good pics of him. I actually started a scrapbook during his mother's pregnancy and am determined to at least get his first year in scrapbook format. As our kids get older, we tend to take less and less photos of them. It's not until they are adults that we wish we had been more diligent in taking pics. At least I know Ian's first year, month-by-month has been recorded. When he is 30, I know he will greatly appreciate the time I took to do this for him. I don't want to load this site with my grandson's pics, however tempting that may be... lol But, I think I must post at least one pic of him a month to share his progress.

WHAT DO YOU SEE ?? Ink Blot #1

Well, I have lots of plans for my blog. I love cooking and plan on posting some of my favorite recipes. I want to talk about the experiences in my life and what I've learned. I have a dry, off-beat kind of humor and want to share that also, even though many may not appreciate it... I guess this ink blot above is a little off-beat though lol. I came across these colorful ink blots while searching for grahics (yes, I'm addicted to graphics) and thought "Oh what fun to see what lies behind people's minds when they look at these..."

With the encouragement of my blogger buddy, I thought I would just throw one out there and see what happens. I was going to tell you what I see but am afraid this would put preconceived images in your mind. If you want to know what I see, ask me... I hope you take the time to share with me what you see.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU...

In searching the blogs, I noticed a some people have used the abc versions of getting some insight on people. I like that idea… but, instead of using the same words for the abc's, I thought I would make up my own list. Give you guys a different version to encourage you to yet, again, post to Getting To Know You. OK, I confess, a couple of them are the same…

Actor/Actress: OK – I admit it. I’m a sucker for action stars. I have many favorites of old, Arnold for one. I remember watching him in Conan the Barbarian and fell in lust immediately lol. But for recent actor/actress I enjoy movies made by Clive Owen and Uma Thurman. They can both do action and romantic movies.

Booze: I don’t drink often, but when I do my choice would either be a fine glass of wine or a high-end margarita on-the-rocks (with salt of course…)

Car: I drive a black PT Cruiser with purple flame detailing on the side. I didn’t want a black PT at first because they remind me of a hearse. However, with the purple flame detailing you can’t mistake it for that !!

Doughnut: It has to be a Persian Roll with caramel icing and a sprinkle of nuts.

Eggs: Scrambled with cheese.

Family: I was an only child raised by a single parent. Both of my parents are deceased. My close family consists of my mom’s sister, my husband, daughter, and a grandson. As I get older, I wish I’d had 3 children and, with that, LOTS of grandkids.

Game: I love playing euchre or any games that require strategy.

Heaven or Hell: I’d like to think Heaven. But, I would definitely need visiting privileges to Hell because lots of my friends would be there…

Imagine…: Being able to utilize all aspects of our brain. I think a lot of our abilities have become dormant over the centuries because we have become so “conditioned” in the world today. I truly believe some special people are just beginning to tap back into those dormant abilities and I love to imagine what this may lead to in the future.

Jewelry: My favorite piece of jewelry, although I don’t get many occasions to wear it, is a 3-strand Austrian crystal necklace and earrings that belonged to my Grandmother. It’s amazing and I feel so special when I wear it.

Kiss: The quick little kisses throughout the day that say hi or goodbye and I love you.

Luxury: My favorite luxury is taking a whirlpool bath with scented salts and a candle.

Music: Depends on my mood. I love to dance and love music with rhythm. I also enjoy the soft melodies of instrumentals to relax and meditate.

Necessity: hmmmm – that would have to be my glasses. I could NOT see a thing around me except hazy colors if I didn’t have my glasses. It’s the first thing I reach for before getting out of bed each day. I’d be totally lost and frightened without them.

Olympic event: Gymnastics

Pets: I currently have 2 cats, Dusty and Tigger, that are 8 years old. We, at one time had 5 cats. OMG, what were we thinking. We have since found homes for 3 of them.

Quote: “What goes around, comes around.”

Romantic or Realist: Definitely a Romantic…

Season: I love the spring when everything starts to green up and flowers start to bloom. The air always smells so fresh after a spring rain…

Talent: I’m not outstanding at anything, unfortunately. But I like to think I do have a creative flare and can “see” things in ways not many can. At least I have been told that, even though I think it’s something people have naturally and not a “learned” talent.

Underwear: I wear Jockey French cut or briefs.

Values: Some of the things I value most… The love of my husband - People with compassion, honesty, open-mindedness and a sense of humor - Being able to stand in the bright sun (any time of the year) and lift my face to the sky and give thanks to the beauty nature provides… some scenes of nature actually brings tears to my eyes…

Words of Wisdom: Take the time to smile or speak some kind words to strangers. You’d be surprised at how many of them will respond and be appreciative of the effort.

Xenophilia or Xenophobia: Xenophilia

Your Youth (ok…. Y was a hard one): I was a tomboy as a child. Climbed trees and beat up boys who tried to pick on me. Once I realized they were picking on me because they liked me I stopped and started chasing them and giving them a kiss instead.

Zodiac: Capricorn