Aug 27, 2008

This is a Kidney Stone

For those of you that have had a stone (or stones!) you might appreciate the following picture. For those of you that have been fortunate to have never experienced what some say is the most excruciating pain one might ever know, I hate you. Not really, but you may think this is gross. After passing this little (a grin came across my face when I wrote "little", that thing felt like it was the size of a golf ball-covered in spikes) anyway, when I passed this massive beast I couldn't help but think about the other stone hanging out in my kidney and how most women will never feel this pain. I get to feel it twice! Actually, I get to feel it four times, I've had two stones previously. Did you know kidney stones affect approximately 5 percent of women? I guess my and my aunt are anomalies. Anyway, I'm glad to have passed this one!




Aug 26, 2008

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Eric's favorite thing to eat is probably cookies. Chocolate Chip probably being his first choice. I decided to make him some Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies while the strudel filling was cooking (see post below). I don't make cookies very often, mainly because they don't last long in my house and this time was no exeption. The second batch came out of the oven at about 4 pm and by 1:30 am, they were all gone. The recipe was from Everyday Food but instead of using raisins, I opted for chocolate chips.

Out of the Oven:

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

About 9:30 pm

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gone:

And They're Gone - 100/365

Strudels and Stones

I am sitting at home with two kidney stones. Bummer. Since I can't really do much right now, I decided to update with some recent baking!

Saturday was quite the day of baking. We had a family dinner that night, full of grilled burgers, fried home-grown okra, fresh cucumber salad and potato salad. I made a couple of apple strudels for dessert and my aunt brought an incredible cheesecake with a three berry sauce. Here are a couple shots of the strudel. This was my first attempt at this dessert and it turned out pretty good. As usual, I found this recipe in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. It does take a little time, but I think it's worth it!

Apple Strudel

Homemade Apple Strudels - 99/365

Aug 16, 2008

While I Wait

I'm sitting here watching the Olympics and am getting anxious for the men's final relay. I thought I'd try to distract myself by sharing another fun FREE event in Tulsa. My friend, Daniel, sent the link to me. QuikTrip is celebrating their 50th anniversary September 20th with a music festival and firework show! If you like the 4th of July spectacular, you don't want to miss this and what their website states will be "almost twice as many fireworks as Tulsa’s annual 4th of July celebration." Check out their website for more info and make sure you don't miss the FAQs page, hilarious!



For great shots around Tulsa, check out Daniel's Flickr photostream!

Go Phelps and team USA! And I just watched Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal in the 2008 Olympic games!!! Amazing!

Aug 12, 2008

Summer's Fifth Night

Free summer fun!

Summer Concert at Utica Square - 84/365

Every Thursday night from 7-9 pm Utica Square hosts Summer's Fifth Night. This FREE summer concert series has everything from jazz to rock with each week being something different. With the weather being unseasonable cool, it's the perfect time to have a picnic dinner with family, friends or both! This past Thursday featured country and the Red Dirt Rangers are scheduled to play this Thursday. So grab a blanket or chairs, pack a picnic dinner, round up your pals and enjoy one of the last free concerts this summer.

Aug 10, 2008

Fishing at Grand Lake

We have been loving the cooler weather this weekend and took the opportunity to go fishing. While I did not catch one single fish, although I had a pretty good one on but it broke my line, Eric caught a few. This is one of the little guys he caught, a blue catfish!





Oklahoma Blu Cat - 85/365