Some of you Facebook users will relate to this post because you have also been tagged with one of those “25 Random Things” requests. So far I’ve pretty much enjoyed reading everyone else’s lists, but I’ve avoided responding because I’ve never thought of myself as an interesting person. I’m interested IN more things than I can remember (and I’m remembering less all of the time), but I just couldn’t imagine writing anything that someone else would be even remotely curious about reading. Some of the things I have read have been super interesting; some not so much. But at least they tried – more than I could say for myself. By ignoring those tags, I thought I would be able to sneak by and not do a list myself – just be a voyeur so to speak. However, lately I’ve received some hints that maybe I should at least put forth an effort or I was going to be blacklisted by those friends who bravely put themselves forth for investigation. I found this application, 25 Random Things, on FB that I thought was a pretty nice way to get out the list and yet learn more about those you tag yourself. It’s a little different than what I’ve seen before, so I think I will give it a try. If you get a tag from me, it’s your choice of course to ignore…but I do threaten you with serious voodoo hexes (I have connections!). Anyway…here goes:
1. I think it is somewhat scary that I really don’t know if I know enough things about myself to make it to #25.
2. I don’t have the foggiest idea how to Tivo anything…hubby says we can’t anyway but I’m not so sure. I’m the techie person in our household (what a laugh!).
3. One of the best things I ever taught my daughter was a love of reading. I like to think she’s teaching her children to love it as well.
4. One of the best things I enjoy doing with my grandchildren is reading to them.
5. My favorite book as an adolescent was Swiss Family Robinson. I must have read it at least twice a year for five or six years. Black Beauty was probably my next favorite. My students don’t seem to be interested in them. They are much more inclined to read anything Lemony Snicket. I feel so sorry for the kids in those books.
6. Steel Magnolias will always be one of my favorite movies because I saw it for the first time with my daughter when she was a senior in high school. I still cry when I watch it. Father of the Bride could have been written for my family. Substitute in our names for the mom, dad and daughter and you have the script written.
2. I don’t have the foggiest idea how to Tivo anything…hubby says we can’t anyway but I’m not so sure. I’m the techie person in our household (what a laugh!).
3. One of the best things I ever taught my daughter was a love of reading. I like to think she’s teaching her children to love it as well.
4. One of the best things I enjoy doing with my grandchildren is reading to them.
5. My favorite book as an adolescent was Swiss Family Robinson. I must have read it at least twice a year for five or six years. Black Beauty was probably my next favorite. My students don’t seem to be interested in them. They are much more inclined to read anything Lemony Snicket. I feel so sorry for the kids in those books.
6. Steel Magnolias will always be one of my favorite movies because I saw it for the first time with my daughter when she was a senior in high school. I still cry when I watch it. Father of the Bride could have been written for my family. Substitute in our names for the mom, dad and daughter and you have the script written.
7. I really never watch American Idol or Dancing With the Stars. However, I recently started ballroom dancing lessons with hubby!
8. Sometimes I’m really difficult to get along with and understand. For my closest friends, I know you will find that really unbelievable.
9. When I don’t have everything figured out, see #8. This happens most than I would like.
10. I got a new camera from my daughter and son-in-law to take to Italy (Canon PowerShot SD 88O IS) . It is supposed to be really simple….I still don’t have it figured out.
11. I got a new camera last Christmas (Nikon D40). It has more settings, buttons and options than I can even begin to figure out.
8. Sometimes I’m really difficult to get along with and understand. For my closest friends, I know you will find that really unbelievable.
9. When I don’t have everything figured out, see #8. This happens most than I would like.
10. I got a new camera from my daughter and son-in-law to take to Italy (Canon PowerShot SD 88O IS) . It is supposed to be really simple….I still don’t have it figured out.
11. I got a new camera last Christmas (Nikon D40). It has more settings, buttons and options than I can even begin to figure out.
12. That new Photoshop Elements program I bought – Nope, don’t have it all figured out either.
13. I’m creative and crafty, but scrapbooking is a complete mystery to me. My Cricut Expression and cartridges are begging to be used.
14. I once told my ninth grade Civics teacher that I might want to become a surgeon. He laughed.
15. I was the youngest person in my class throughout most of elementary, junior high and senior high. Now I think having a December birthday has its advantages.
14. I once told my ninth grade Civics teacher that I might want to become a surgeon. He laughed.
15. I was the youngest person in my class throughout most of elementary, junior high and senior high. Now I think having a December birthday has its advantages.
16. Cookbooks and cooking magazines are really interesting to me. I have way too many of both.
17. I’m absolutely addicted to Food Network, and I remember the first time I ever heard of Emeril Lagasse. He was making a creme brulee on a program called Great Chefs of New Orleans. He was a virtual unknown at the time.
18. I secretly watched Julia Child and Graham Kerr on television while my friends watched American Bandstand.
17. I’m absolutely addicted to Food Network, and I remember the first time I ever heard of Emeril Lagasse. He was making a creme brulee on a program called Great Chefs of New Orleans. He was a virtual unknown at the time.
18. I secretly watched Julia Child and Graham Kerr on television while my friends watched American Bandstand.
19. Seeking out great restaurants whenever we travel is something I think is fun. Many of my travel adventures revolve around that. One of my favorites is La Supa Rica in Santa Barbara. Remember that name because there’s no sign on the place and you certainly wouldn’t stop there unless you knew about it. It’s on Milpas Street if I remember correctly.
20. I know that many of my students think I am far too difficult, but I believe that they can rise to a higher standard if it is expected.
21. I once helped my grandfather roof a house. He was a plumber and I loved going with him on jobs, but I didn’t EVER want to be a plumber! (They make more than teachers so maybe I should reconsider.)
22. My Nonnie and my Grandma Easley taught me to love gardening. I grew up planting and digging alongside of them. I was fortunate.
23. They also taught me to love cooking. The first thing I remember cooking was potato salad. I came home from elementary school one day and just decided making it was the thing I most wanted to so. Ten pounds of potatoes make a lot of potato salad!
21. I once helped my grandfather roof a house. He was a plumber and I loved going with him on jobs, but I didn’t EVER want to be a plumber! (They make more than teachers so maybe I should reconsider.)
22. My Nonnie and my Grandma Easley taught me to love gardening. I grew up planting and digging alongside of them. I was fortunate.
23. They also taught me to love cooking. The first thing I remember cooking was potato salad. I came home from elementary school one day and just decided making it was the thing I most wanted to so. Ten pounds of potatoes make a lot of potato salad!
24. Maybe when I retire I will accomplish #10, #11, #12, and #13. I hope so.
25. I really, really like chocolate and peppermint together in anything! Hence the following recipe.
Hooray! I actually made it to 25!
This recipe comes from one of my well-worn cookbooks called Calico Cupboards, a project of the Junior Auxiliary of Benton, Arkansas. It was often served at one of their community functions called Christmas Treasures.
Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
Brownies:
2 squares semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Frosting:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
green food coloring
Glaze:
2 squares semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and chocolate for brownies. Add eggs which have been beaten with sugar. Stir in remaining brownie ingredients and bake in a buttered 8 or 9-inch square cake pan for 15 minutes. Cool; mix frosting ingredients and spread on brownies. Chill well. Melt butter and chocolate for glaze. Spread evenly over frosting. Store in refrigerator in warm weather. The recipe easily doubles. These brownies are especially pretty to serve at Christmas.
I have figured out just enough about PhotoShop Elements to edit pictures and to make my blog background. Oh, I also figured out how to drop the background out of a picture to give me a cutout image of my sons’ Boy Scout badges to use in one of my digital scrapbooks. Don’t even begin to try to use their help menu. It’s hopeless.
Thanks. Now I don’t feel so inept.
You are indeed interesting Debbie! I knew a lot of that about you, but I still enjoyed reading your random 25.