Texas Caviar

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from Roxie's Family Birthday Party Sunday afternoon. She had a very good birthday, I think. Fifteen is a good age... if I remember correctly.

RANDOMNESS #1 - Austin was asked by The Anniston Star (a REAL NEWSPAPER) to cover a local high school football game last Friday night... and he got PAID! That means he is a professional writer. (At least that is what it means to me... his unbiased Mother.) Oh... And he is like the best sports writer ever!

RANDOMNESS #2 - After Roxie's birthday party Sunday afternoon, she wanted to take her birthday money and head to the Polo Outlet in Leeds. She's been wanting a Polo shirt, and since she had the funds, I saw no reason to say "No." No reason at all.

Once she picked out her shirt, we found two really pretty shirts for The Brothers... on sale!

When we brought the shirts home, Austin tried his on, declared it to be soft (and therefore, wearable) and was happy.

Josh was another story. He didn't really want a Polo shirt. He didn't really want to try on a Polo shirt he didn't really want. He kind of kept walking past it instead of trying it on... until this morning.

Mikie and I heard Roxie yelling upstairs. A few minutes into the yelling, we heard Josh say, "Fine! I'll try it on!"

He then declared the shirt to be soft (and therefore, wearable) and was happy.

And Roxie was happy.

And all God's children were then happy.

RANDOMNESS #3 - I missed the Pioneer Woman's cooking show AGAIN! I have one more chance to catch it this Saturday morning. Someone please remind me!

RANDOMNESS #4 - Last night, we taped Terra Nova. The previews remind me of Jurassic Park... which I loved. Hopefully, it will be something we can watch as a family.

RANDOMNESS #5 - I read this yesterday, and wanted to share some of it with you today. It comes from Becky Higgins Blog (www.beckyhiggins.com), and it is definitely worth pondering.

"Please, please, please don’t compare yourself to others. Many of you are just too hard on yourself when you feel like you’re not measuring up. Your best friend is prettier. Your sister has the perfect marriage. Your co-worker is more skilled. Your neighbor is thinner. Your sister-in-law is more organized. That woman you see nearly every day in passing is just so put together and always looks amazing (and chances are, you’ve put off even saying hi or introducing yourself, just based on her looks).

"I lovingly say – Enough!

"Part of cultivating a good life is being grateful for your life. Celebrate your successes – especially the little, everyday successes. Certainly you can and should look to others for inspiration and ideas and ways that help you improve. That’s exactly how we can bless each others’ lives. But when you look at others in a way that make you feel like your life is sub-standard? Well, that’s just detrimental. You know what a lot of women do? We compare our weaknesses to someone else's strengths. I’ve done it. You’ve done it.

"Here’s the truth. We all have trials. We all have insecurities. We all have a million weaknesses. While it’s tempting to look at someone else and think “they’ve got it all” or “their life is so perfect,” you’re forgetting that they’re human. You’re forgetting that they have things going on in their life that you don’t have a clue about. Heartache, loss, pain, burdens, fears, health issues, emotional concerns, family struggles. I assure you, their life is not perfect.

"Be gentle with yourself. And be gentle with others. Do not be so quick to judge. Do be open-minded about what you can learn from other women. Do not be fooled into thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Do look at how blessed your life is, even with the challenges you’re facing.

"Take one weakness and work on it this week. Don’t complain about it. Don’t dwell on it. Just take action to MAKE A CHANGE. Today."

She's right, you know!

RANDOMNESS #6 - Can you tell I haven't talked to anyone in the last few days? I have lots and lots of Randomness. I'm not even going to share all of it with you today!

Texas Caviar

The lovely Melia brought Texas Caviar into our home last week. Her equally lovely mom, Lisa, made it... and it was good. I would like to share this with you today as a tailgating recipe. Try it... I bet you'll like it!

You will need the following:

2 cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
2 cans white corn, rinsed and drained
1 can mild Rotel
1 sweet yellow or red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 jar diced pimentos, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
1 bottle Wishbone Italian dressing
Chopped jalapeno peppers to taste

1. Mix everything in a large bowl.

2. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

3. Serve with chips.

This has a sweet and spicy taste. It is NOT too hot. (Oh. And it is so pretty!)

Have a terrific Tuesday. I'll be back in the morning with a party, Wednesday Wisdom, MORE Randomness, pics, etc., etc.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Wednesday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda