For Squirt

This blog was never meant to be a soap box.  In my humble opinion.....opinions are like bung holes, everybody has one.  I try to stick to the facts, but today I am pulling out the soap box.

I have a dear friend whom I love and admire deeply.  She is kind, loving, passionate, beautiful, giving, funny, brilliant, and a lesbian.  The lesbian part I could care less about, but it seems to bother some to the point of hatred.   Now my girl can stand up for herself,  but this post is for bullies in the world.

Next time you feel it is your place to judge as though you are God, please consider the following. 

He without sin cast the first stone.

If you don't have anything nice to say....don't say anything at all.

Pretty is as pretty does and right now you aren't acting so pretty.

Hate breeds hate.

Always be kind for everyone is fighting a hard battle.

Love aways wins.

Jesus is watching you.

Nobody is perfect.

This one is for you Squirt....I got your back!

What's in a House

One year ago today we buried my Grandmother.  We called her Mimi.

Today members of my family packed up my grandparents home because it has sold.

I am sad.  My grandparents bought their little house in 1961. My dad was 11.  That was 50 years ago.  For 50 years my family made that little house a huge home full of laughter and love.

The last Christmas with my grandparents we managed to cram the following people into their home:

Papa, Mimi, Dad (their son), Mom, Todd, Deb, Chase, Amber (pregnant), Bear, Luke, Cooper, Abby, Nathan, Clint, Clay, Aunt Merissa (their daughter) Uncle Kyle, Aunt Carol (their daughter) Uncle Steve, Leslie, Matt, Robin, Aunt Pam (their daughter) and Lauren.

23 people.

Did I mention the house is less than 1000 square feet?

So I pose the question:  What's in a house?

In the house that my family moved out of today there was homemade sweet tea and sweet cornbread made by the best Papa ever.  My Papa's rose bushes.  Easter egg hunts and long games of Clue, Spades, and 42.  We shared secrets under a kitchen table transformed into a fort.  Sunny side up eggs and the smell of fresh cut wood.  An old boat we couldn't crawl on because it was covered with fiber glass. The most beautiful green paint and a sparkly ceiling.  Our school pictures line the walls and pictures of our Uncle Cowboy, who died before the grandkids were born.

Mostly we were together in that house.  We weren't adults to busy for each other.  We were not caught up in kids, work, or life.  We were just a family.  I never imagined the day would come that we wouldn't meet in the place that was home to my Dad and Aunts.

But we all grew up.

My brother bought his first house this week.  Now it is his turn to turn four walls into a home.

The Hubs and I close on our house the beginning of May.  I understand how my grandparents must have felt.  The excitement of making a house a home.  I want my dwelling to be like theirs.  Full of the laughter, singing, and games.  A place where my family can feel safe and accepted.

Today is a sad day, but my Papa and Mimi are in Heaven and they do not have the worries of this world.  They are singing with the angels, so it is alright that their house has been sold.  All the memories we made in that house will be passed from generation to generation.

My Papa would have loved our new house. It is a carpenter's dream.  When I walked in the first time I thought of him.  I knew I was home.

How Twisted is Your Veggie Burger?

 Last Night the Hubs and I ate at The Twisted Root.

My eldest brother suggested that we all meet for a burger, or veggie burger in our case.

This burger joint is found on Commerce Street in downtown Dallas in Deep Ellum.  When I told my Dad where we were headed the conversation went a little like this.

Dad:  Hey Ab whats going on?
Abby: Well the Hubs and I are heading to eat at the Twisted Root in Dallas.
Dad: Where is Dallas?
Abby: Off Commerce street.
Dad: In deep Ellum?
Abby: Yep......
Dad:  O great.  I hope you don't get stabbed in the ribs and left for dead on the sidewalk.  We use to scrape dead people off the pavement down there.  Great!
Abby: Ok Dad I will call you later.

He then continued to call every 15 minutes to make sure that we hadn't be murdered.

Back to The Twisted Root

The Twisted Root is found in an old building in the dreaded Deep Ellum.  Now the sign does not say "The Twisted Root" so if you head that way look for the neon sign that says "Burgers".

Upon walking in the door you must stand in line and order your food. 

The standing in line process made me extremely nervous because of the sign above.  

But luckily my beautiful, ever prepared sister-in-law handed me a menu and walked me though how to order a veggie burger. 

The Twisted Root gives you a new name.  

This way they aren't saying, "I can't hear you....what's your name?"  

Yes, I get that question a lot....I have a very thick East Texas accent.  

Anyway, the Hubs and I were dubbed Paula Abdul. 

This place makes their own ketchup and boy is is good.  

The guy above has a very important job.  When the food is ready he offers up an anectdoe pertaining to your new given name. 

For example, ours was, "Straight up now tell me Paula Abdul do you want this veggie burger?"

So then the Hubs walked up and got our yummy veggie burgers. 

This guy IS the atmosphere. 

Behold the blue cheese & tangy buffalo sauce veggie burger.  

I seriously died for a moment and went to veggie head heaven.  The black bean corn patty was so good!  

This "burger" was dripping with blue cheese crumbles and buffalo sauce.  Throw in their "fried ride" basked and their homemade ketchup and laaaaaawdy my tummy was happy. 

The Twisted Root offers a great laid back environment that fosters the desire for good food and fellowship.  

They offer a wide variety of hamburgers and every burger has the option to become vegetarian. 

With two locations, both Dallasites and Fort Worthites can enjoy a wide rage of veggie head delights. 

Check em' out:  http://twistedrootburgerco.com/wordpress/

Sweet Valley High and Rangers Baseball Eve

Today is a great day.  First,  Sweet Valley High Confidential came out was purchased by yours truly!

This is the cover! 

For those of you that don't know, Sweet Valley High is a book series which chronicles the teenage dramas of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield.   It's wonderful and angsty. 

 In the 90's there was a television show that came on Sunday afternoons....or was it Saturdays?  Anyway, I wasn't allowed to watch it because my Momma said it was too mature for me, but every Monday on library day I would make a bee line for the Sweet Valley High series and pretend I was Elizabeth.  Jessica was too much drama for me.

Back to the new book. 

Sweet Valley Confidential is first time a children's series will be updated as an adult book.  Folks we met the twins went they were 16 and now they are 27 and not talking? (GASP!!!!!)

On a really cool note Diablo Cody, the chick that wrote and directed Juno, is writing a script based on the new book....EEEEKKKK today is a great day!

Ok, if you are still with me I am sorry for the out burst pertaining to geeky teenage drama books...but hey we all have our guilty pleasures!

Reason 2 this is the best day ever!

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL!!!!!

It's baseball eve in Texas....it is the most wonderful time of the year!

Take me out to the ball gaaaaaaaaaaaaaame, 

Take me out to the crooooooooooowd, 

I heart the Texas Rangers.  The gentle noise that a game provides on a lazy summer night, the crowd cheering when Josh Hamilton sets up to the plate, the smell of cotton candy and hot dogs, the heat strokes (that is another story), red jerseys......sorry the excitement is bringing tears to my eyes.  

I must go now.....I must wash all my Rangers gear and dust off all my ball caps.  This year the Texas Rangers are going all the way. 

 Mark my words.  On March 31, 2011 Abby predicted that the Texas Rangers will win the WORLD SERIES!

How Do You Give Back?

 Saturday we went to volunteer at the Tarrant Area Food Bank because the Hubs needed a service project for school.

So we drove to the northside of town and waited for all our fellow volunteers to arrive. 

This is my brother-in-laws bracelet....it's a bunch of skulls. I noticed it and snapped a picture. 

The jury is out on his fashion choice....though it is growing on me.  

Back to the reason of this post. 

          When we arrived the Hubs signed us in with a Sharpie marker because he couldn't find a pen. 

          Isn't he the cutest lefty you have ever seen?

This is the Bestie.  She loves the Hubs. Therefore, she came to offer her support. 

Upon walking into the packing room I was hit by the importance of the work being done.  They sort, pack, and distribute millions of pounds of food to people in the greater Tarrant county area.   

The Dallas Morning News ran an article that said 80% of children in Dallas receive one meal a day....at school.  

          Children in our area are hungry.

I, on the other hand pitch a fit when we eat at home because it isn't convenient. 

The process goes something like this: 

1. Check the food to see if it is ripe.
We checked oranges, eggs, avocados, plums, bread, and sweets.  

2. We packed food.
Each box has to weigh between 40-42 pounds.  This involved packing 10 cans, 5 condiments, and then you fill the box with extras.  

         3. Every things is packed in banana boxes and labeled.  

 

My brother-in-law, Mike, was the best box carrier in the whole joint.  He even put boxes around his head.  He was super dedicated to the mission.  

How do you give back?  Are you a mother who gives her time to her children?  Do you volunteer your time through church or at a school?   

There is always a way to give back.  Everyone needs help and I happen to know 8 lovely people who gave to the Tarrant Aera Food Bank on Saturday.   

The Hubs and I thank all of you for helping us meet his goal and feed the people in our community!   

I might have some good news to share soon.  Stay tuned to hear all about it!

Greek-Stuffed Onions

A couple of months ago the Hubs and I decided to go vegetarian.  After much consideration I humbly request you guys call us veggie heads....just joking you can call our eating habits any thing you like.  With this decision came the realization that we would be cooking at home.  Before the life change we ate out every meal, now we only eat out once, maybe twice a week.  All this cooking at home means you guys get some great veggie head recipes that you can feed all your meat eating friends and still be considered the best host in town.   Now back to the recipe that Hubs killed tonight.  This recipe is neither low fat or easy to make, but boy-o-boy will it change your meat eating life. Do not be intimated to try this recipe.  When you are done with all your hard work you will have a meal that makes you feel like a four star chef and your eaters will kiss your feet in praise. 

First, I must give credit were credit is due.  I bought this book at Half Price Books for a whopping seven dollars.  (Tip: If you want to try a new style of cooking check out a used book store cooking section.  You can get great books for a good price.  If you don't like the food you can sell it back!) Anyway,  Mr. Paul Gayler wrote this recipe and Hubs cooked it better than he ever could. 

These stuffed onions are brimming with yummy, meat like goodness.  When I cut into this onion I though,"Well this looks like Momma's meatloaf."  Then Hubs said the same thing and we laughed as the sweet texture of meat hit our mouths. 

These sweet onions sit in a feta cheese custard that is to DIE for.  It is creamy, cheesy and just plain beautiful on the plate. 

Did I mention that the stuffing has the texture of meat?  I must confess as a veggie head I miss the texture.  Since these onions have come into our lives we are now brainstorming how to make a mock meatloaf from the o-so-perfect-not-meat mixture. 

Veggie heads don't eat many carbs that don't come in the form of pasta.  I needed bread tonight and these lovely home style biscuits happen to be hiding out in the fridge.  You MUST have a good sopping bread with this meal.  The custard is too yummy to leave on the plate.   

Greek-Stuffed Onions with Feta Cheese Custard

8 medium-sized red onions, unpeeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 ounce pack of dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained, finely chopped
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, rehydrate in olive oil for 1 hour, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 ounces feta cheese, grated
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Feta Cheese Custard
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 1/4 cups of light cream
1 cup finely grated feta cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:


Preheat the oven to 400º F. Remove a good slice off the top of each of each onion, then place in a roasting pan or oven proof dish.  Spoon a little water over each onion, then drizzle over some of the olive oil.  Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour or until the onions are tender.  Remove them, leave to cool and peel.

For the stuffing, heat the remaining oil and butter in a large skillet, add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened and beginning to brown.  Add the soaked porcini,cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and herbs.  Finally, add the breadcrumbs.  Cook further, about 1 minute, then transfer to a bowl.  Add the beaten egg and cheese, stir until thoroughly combined, and season to taste.

Carefully remove the centers from each cooked onion.  chop the center and add to the stuffing mixture.  Fill each onion generously with the stuffing, then place in a suitable-size baking dish, leaving at least 3/4 inch gap between them.

Custard Directions:


To prepare the custard, place the butter, flour, and milk into a pan.  heat gently, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy and smooth.  Reduce the heat, simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove and cool slightly.  Add the cream and grated feta, beat in the eggs, and season to taste.  Pour the cheese custard carefully between the onions, then return the dish to the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Men

All of you have men in your life.  I happen to have BUNCHES!  I have two father-in-laws, six brother-in-laws, and seven nephews.  So how do I keep up with these boys and keep my sanity?  I was trained well.  In addition to those named above: I have three brothers, a dad, and a husband.

Lets start with the Hubs.  My mother once said, "That man is the only guy I know that can keep up with Abby Dale."  The woman speaks the truth.  This man loves me wholly.  He is kind, loving, and patient.  I loved him from day one and today, six years later, I love him even more.  He is a good man. 

This guy here is ONE of my little brothers.  He is loyal and true.  He does not speak ill against anyone.  He is soon to be married and his sweet wife to be has won a passion and wonderful provider.  I can talk to him about my hopes and fears and he offers good advice.

This the the OTHER little brother.  The true baby of the family.  He chose to serve this country in the Navy.  He has the tenderest heart of any guy I know.  Life has tried to knock him down, but he has chosen to get up and fight.  He is a true hero. 

Meet the future patriarch of our clan. My big brother gives himself to the people of Dallas every third day.  He is a Dallas Fireman.  He is a jovial guy.  When he is in the room we are all laughing.  He is the BEST dad to my beautiful 15 year old nephew.  My big brother is a great man. 

Don't blink because if you do you will miss this picture of my dad.  He NEVER smiles in pictures, but hubs snapped this picture (thus the thumb in the frame).  This guy here is the reason that my brothers have turned out to be the men they are.  My dad is a quite man.  He is the guy that is always in the background.  He has never received praise for his work, but he continues to work.  He is a perfect example of what a Godly man should be.  He has set the bar high for any man in my life.  

WHY ARE THESE MEN IMPORTANT?

Because these little guys are watching and learning from the "big boys". 

11 of My Favorite Things

Here is a list of my 10 favorite things.  Some are small, some large, others are sentimental, but I have never been fickle about loving these things.  I have added websites so that you guys can fall in love too! 

This contraption (aka splash guard) is an insert for the wide mouth water bottle.  I am the girl walking around with a wet shirt because I have sloshed water everywhere.  This cute splash guard, given to me by the wonderful Stacy H., has saved me the trouble of feeling like a college girl on spring break in a wet t-shirt contest. 

You can get one here: http://www.survivalequipment.net/bottleoptions.html

SCENTSY!!! If you haven't found the joy of Scentsy you are missing out!  My favorite is this black and white, yummy go with every season warmer.  As for scents....I love anything fruity and strong, but they have options galore.  If you would like to try Scentsy you can get with my girl Kristi and she will hook you up!

http://www.smellthis1too.com/

Awwwwww the Maui Jims.  I DIE FOR AVIATORS!  These were a birthday gift....best gift non dog gift ever!

http://www.mauijim.com/

Being a veggie head I need lots of protein and Fage offers 15 grams a serving!  Honey is my favorite!

http://www.fageusa.com/

This box was a wedding present to my grandparents.  It now hangs in my kitchen keeping the foil, wax paper, and paper towels in check. 

Brandy.  The best friend a girl can have. 

This man with the ring I gave him six years ago is a beautiful thing to behold. 

Deacon Ezra.  He is a trip.  All he wants to do is stand between my legs and cry.  He is a noble beast. 

Essie nail polish is a girl's (or guy's) best friend.  I wear the blue when the Rangers are playing;. Grey when I am feeling girl goth.  And red when we are headed out.  If you are a home nail care person you MUST try this brand of polish. 

http://www.essie.com/ 

This guy has been with me since age 8.  He is missing a nose and he is all broken down but I am smitten with Bear Bear.  Every girl should have a friend this loyal. 

Owls are suppose to be wise.  I keep this guy on my desk to remind me to hold my tongue and think though my actions.  It doesn't work well, but it might work for you.  This wise owl can be found at Barns and Noble book stores.