THE RIVER FLOODED

The Ohio River flooded so I shot a couple videos to show it off. After 4 years it is still crazy to me that I live next door to this big river that floods just about every spring, sometimes numerous times. Don't worry, it doesn't flood and put us in danger (at least it hasn't yet.)

ICE CREAM IN A BAGGIE

Here's the recipe for the ice cream I made today. It is seriously so easy and pretty yummy!

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half *
1/4 teaspoon vanilla **
6 tablespoons rock salt ***
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.  Shake quickly to mix.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.****
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.*****
Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully.
 Fold the top down so you don't get any salt residue in the ice cream.
Pick up a spoon, insert in ice cream, raise to your ---- what's that? You don't need me to explain how to eat ice cream??? My mom always told me to read and follow all the instructions, so good luck getting it in your mouth without the instructions.

*I made mine with milk and I think it would be better with half & half because it would taste creamier.
**I think mint would be good too!
*** I didn't have any rock salt so I just used table salt. I also didn't measure it. I just dumped some on the ice and called it good.
****I sealed and then taped the bag to make sure salt didn't get in it.
*****You don't have to go crazy with the shaking, just quick, short bounces work. It does make your arms sore to do it for 5 minutes. Ask a friend to do it for you. Better yet, if you have a kid around make them do it.
******I just typed this because I like asterisks.

This recipe only makes 1/2 cup. That is not enough for me, yo! I would recommend at least doubling or tripling the recipe. The idea is that each person makes their own bag of ice cream. I suppose you could make a big batch in big bags but that would be a very heavy mixture to shake. Besides, I don't want to make ice cream for anyone else! Go make your own!

xoxo

Wakeboarding, grilling, and ice cream

So I was sitting next to Pauly on the couch. He was playing on the computer, looking at his geek sites (sports memorabilia collecting.) I was playing wii wakeboarding or rather trying to figure out how to play wii wakeboarding. I was finally doing well and pretty excited about it! I was able to unlock the next level. I asked Pauly, "How do they make it harder? Are the waves bigger or what?" He didn't know so I thought I would try it out.

I was wakeboarding along and noticed a rock in the water. I told Pauly that it appeared that not only did I have to wakeboard but I also had to avoid hitting objects in the water. The next thing he knew I let out a loud scream. Pauly asked me what's wrong and I told him that I hit a rock and died. His reply-

"You do know that when you die playing the wii it's not real. You're still alive. The remotes even still in your hand."

Wii wakeboarding might not kill me but I just might die laughing because of Pauly and his hilarious sense of humor!

In other news, Pauly taught me how to grill on our charcoal grill and I made hamburgers and hot dogs. They were pretty awesome! I also made ice cream in a bagggie. Pauly thought I was crazy when I told him I was going to do it but he was singing another tune while eating that ice cream! Delicious! I am loving that warmer weather is on it's way!

How cool is it that I'm blogging this from my iPhone? Xoxo

Reesa: (looking lovingly at Pauly)
"I just love that you can make me laugh so hard that I cry. That's one of my favorite things about you!"

Pauly: (looking blankly at Reesa)
"Let's go buy an assault rifle."

True story peeps!

Breaking Free

I have changed the address to my weight loss blog.
Breaking Free

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

FIRST:

I weighed in Saturday
and I was 137.8!
Sweet! Down 2.2 lbs. Love it!

SECOND:
Pauly and I held our 2nd Annual
Christmas in July Party.
I'm sure I ate enough to gain all the weight back.
Hmm. Progress might be hindered. I'm okay with that.


Here's the invitations I sent out.

The whole gang





We talked, we laughed,
we watched Elf, we exchanged ornaments,
and we ate way too much splendid food.
It was FABULOUS!


And don't forget the red and green reindeer antlers.

I know you can't help but be jealous.
Really, I understand.

Just remember, "Thou shalt not covet."
I'm pretty sure that commandment
was referring to reindeer antlers.

MOMENTS

I am sitting on the couch next to my sleeping husband, with our cats curled up around us and a smile on my face. We worked a long, hard week followed by a wonderful family party at our apartment.

This is my life. I love it.

These are the moments when I realize how truly fulfilling love is. Not as in the happily-ever-after-movie-version kind of love where life is a bed of roses, but as in the I-will-love-you-and-stand-by-you-through-even-the-hardest-of-times-even-when-our-world-feels-as-though-it-is-falling-apart kind of love.

I have found that love.

His name is Paul.

He is mine and I am his. We love each other.

Amen.