My Eighteen Year Old Niece Got Married!

Yesterday we had to drive up North for my nieces wedding. She is eighteen and just graduated High School. I couldn't believe she was doing this.

The first thing I thought when my sister called me and told me she was getting married was is she pregnant. Well I was wrong on that one. I felt bad thinking that about my niece.

The wedding was beautiful and so was my niece.  It was outside yes in the heat and humidity. But one nice thing was they had water bottles for everyone. The wedding party came dancing down the isle and the groom escorted his mom and her mom to there seats. Then her brother escorted her out because her dad passed away a long time ago. The pastor was really funny while talking to them he was joking around.

When you got to the reception hall you had to find a test tube with your name on it. Then it had a chemistry code on it for what table you would be at and you had to get a sparkler for when they came there. They came in a horse and buggy to the hall. Everything was in chemistry code because that was how they met. We really enjoyed it. It was really different.  

My niece and her now husband met in chemistry class in school and just got along really good. We met him at Christmas and found out then that they were engaged. I was like what is going on here. I didn't want to start questioning them with everyone there. But I was really worried about my niece.

The year before she was really happy with another boy. She went out with him for a year and you couldn't keep them apart. They went to all the school events together. I didn't even know that they broke up until I seen them for Labor Day weekend and my mom told me about it. I felt really bad for my niece so I called her to make sure she was alright.

So for the reason they got married is that they are both going to college down in Texas. They said it would be cheaper if they are married and they can get a place together. They are both going for missionary. I am very happy for my niece and I wish them the best.

My boyfriend went with me and I was so glad he was there with me. Because there was times I couldn't take pictures. But most of all I had my best friend and the one and only man I love with me at the wedding. Yes I was crying during the ceremony.

Tomatoes!

Last week I was on vacation -- and though I had technical difficulties that prevented blog posting, I am back and my difficulties are all solved.

Before we left we had tons of green tomatoes and now we have tons of ripe ones. We planted a number of varieties and we have a large variety of colors. They range from purple, red, yellow and even green and we have all sizes and types. Most of the ones we planted were heirlooms and we hope to save some seeds from the best ones.

The next few nights, I will be peeling and freezing tomatoes as they ripen. At first I was a little concerned about having tomatoes that were different colors but I think they are beautiful. Interestingly, the green zebras are some of the most flavorful. If I closed my eyes and did a taste test I don't think I would know they were green. The yellow and orange ones are very good, too.

They aren't all beautiful. Some had worm holes and a few were overly ripe. It had been a week since we picked them but it was nice to look at the tomatoes and see all the colorful tomatoes on the vines. My husband said that he wished we would just plant red ones. He is a little put off by the black cherry tomatoes and I don't think he really likes the purple ones. Next year, we probably will try to have mostly red ones.

I think even with the different colors, the marinara will be great. For now, I will be freezing tomatoes because I will be a bit short on time this week. Usually, I can the tomatoes so I hope I have enough for canning later. I would love to make some salsa later, too. I know I will also have a really good tomato sandwich -- my favorite summer treat.

My Revue on Pat Benatar's Live From Earth Album!

I was thinking this morning who to write about today. Then I was thinking not a lot of people write about Pat Benatar. So I decided to write about this album. This is one of my favorite albums from her.

There is something about her voice that I really like. When I listen to the songs it is like she just draws me in with her voice. Then again maybe that is just how I have always listened to her music too.

Here is what I think about each of the songs on the album-

Fire and Ice- I really like this song. I just really like everything about it the music and the lyrics.

Lookin" for a Stranger- I like this song but not one that I would always listen to all the time.

I Want Out- This is alright not one of her best songs. But it is good I do like the music.

We Live for Love- I do like this song. I know this is one of her slower songs but it is a really good song.

Hell is for Children- I didn't like the title for the song at first. But then I understood what she was singing about. I really like this song for what it stands for. It is about children that are being abused.

Hit Me With your Best Shot- This is one of my favorite songs by her. I just love the the whole song the music the lyrics. It is a really great song.

Promises in the Dark- This is one of her ballad songs and it is really good. I do like this song. The piano in it is really good then the music goes up. That is so great.

Heartbreaker- This is another one of my favorites by her. The music just makes me move my feet while I am listening to the song. This is a great song all the way around.

Love is a Battlefield- I remember when this song came out. I really like this song and it is the truth about relationships it was not easy back then. Now I found the love of my life and I wouldn't change a thing now. This song is so strong and the message in it is very strong. The music is great too.

Lipstick Lies- I really like this song. Not one I would listen to all the time but the music is really good.

I remember when this album came out. It came out right after I graduated high school and I have really liked this album ever since. Like I said before I really like her music. I hope to hear what you think of this album. I am leaving you with one of her official videos!♥

A new recipe for spicy spaghetti

Here's a new tasty recipe for spicy gluten-free "turkey" spaghetti. I know many people turn up their noses at anything that includes ground turkey -- and I will admit turkey can be a little bland, but this recipe is an exception. It is spi-cy. You can make it hot or just spicy and it has some little extras that really make it worthwhile.

You shouldn't hold it against this recipe because it is fairly healthy and includes meats that are lower in fat and also a serving of vegetables. It is very tasty. The rice vermicelli used in this recipe came from an Asian market. (I sometimes forget that the Italians got the idea of spaghetti from China.) We have one very close to our house. This variety is made from white rice but Tinkyada has a very good brown rice spaghetti I love to use because it is healthy and made from the whole grain.

To make it for kids, leave out the hot spices.

Holly's Spicy Spaghetti

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 large yellow squash, diced
1 large zucchini squash, diced
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
1 pound turkey kielbasa or sausage, diced
1 large can diced tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Frank's Red Hot pepper sauce, to taste
Optional: 1 chopped hot pepper
1 package rice vermicelli, cooked and drained

Saute onion and squash in olive oil. Add turkey and cook until browned. Add kielbasa and brown. Add tomatoes and optional items and cook until flavors are blended. Toss in cooked vermicelli and serve in a large pasta dish. Serves 6.

My Revue on The Led Zeppelin Saga Hammer of The Gods!

Yes I finally finished this book. I know it took me awhile to finish it. I was busy with a lot of things around here. I am sorry this has taken me so long.

Now about the book. There is a lot of things in this book just like the other Led Zeppelin book I read before and I did a revue on it. This book does go into more detail about what happened while they were on the road.

There was a tax exile that they had to go by so they didn't have to pay so much in taxes in England. They could stay in the states for six months then go back to England for six months. By doing it this way they only had to pay half as much in taxes.

The media blamed Jimmy Page's black magic on the accidents that happened to the band and the family's. But that was not true at all. It was just things that happen in life.

It still tells how the band loved to party when they were on tour. By using drugs and throwing things out the windows. This was something normal with them. When they would go to check in the manager of the hotel would ask for a deposit on the rooms for the furniture that would get thrown out the windows and the damage of the rooms.

The reason John Bonham would get so violent when he was drinking is because of being away from his family. He missed his wife and kids so much that it really hurt him. So he would drink to try to get rid of the pain. One thing about John I read in here is that John let his son play the drums during a rehearsal. He said his son just banged on the drums so hard that is sounded just like him on them. John was sitting out in the chairs and he said this is was the band looks like and sounds like. He thought that was so awesome.

The band never went for anyone making bootlegs of the shows. They would take the people in back and beat them really bad. It was the road manager and some other roadies that would do it.

The accident that Robert Plant was in with his family he almost lost his wife. The kids were not that bad but his wife almost died from that accident.

John Paul Jones was mainly to himself. He was always late for rehearsals and when they were leaving from one place to get to another show.

When the band was in the states Jimmy Page was getting death threats. He was always with extra security at the shows and at the hotels. He was not taking any chances with the threats.

Led Zeppelin did sell more albums than The Rolling Stones. When I seen that in the book I was so amazed by that. But then I read that they shared a recording studio and when Jimmy called and asked if they could have the studio one more day Mick Jagger said that it was alright. They were really good friends too.

They started a record company called Swan Song Records. The bands that they had there are Bad Company, Pretty Things, Detective, Maggie Belle and Dave Edmunds. This is just some of them that I remembered.

There drug and alcohol use was really bad. It was so bad that at Jimmy's house someone stepped on a needle and died in his home. Jimmy sold that house and bought another house. Then they were rehearsing at the new house and John came there drunk. When Benji who worked for Robert went to wake John up his face was blue and no pulse. He was dead. 

This book is really good if you get the chance please read this book. It really goes into details about what the band had gone through. I really enjoyed reading the book and if you are a Led Zeppelin fan you will love this book. I would really like to hear your comments on this.

On This Day in History

1914: Babe Ruth debuted in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth made $2,900 his rookie season. In only six years his paycheck was worth $125,000 when he became a member of the New York Yankees. He started out as a pitcher. If the American League's designated pitcher had been in effect we might not ever have learned of his hitting ability

My new Norwegian Cookbook

I am very excited about my new cookbook! My friend and colleague, Angela, went on a trip to the "north country" -- in her case Wisconsin and when she saw this cookbook, thought of me and brought it to me as a gift.

I am certainly not descended from Norwegians, but long ago, I lived a couple of years in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Even though I was a young and inexperienced girl from the south, the people there were very nice to me and I developed a deep appreciation for them, their culture and their hearty lifestyle. (Who else could thrive in sub-zero winter temperatures.)

The recipes in this cookbook bring back so many memories for me. Who could forget the amazing breads made with potatoes -- the potato pastries, krum kake, especially the lefsa, a potato flatbread that I tried a number of times. And the Norwegian dishes like fruit soup. Some dishes brought from the "old country" and some probably inspired by the harsh climate.

I remember the mounds of pickled herring in the grocery store and I remember, but never had the courage to try, lutefisk -- a dish made from whitefish soaked in lye until it becomes a jelly-like substance and then is baked or boiled and served on holidays. This dish has inspired a number of Lake Woebegone stories by Garrison Keillor. They always make me remember and smile. I now have the recipe, if ever I come across any lutefisk.

Some recipes I would like to try are the jelly-filled scones and I would really love to adapt some of these bread recipes into gluten-free breads using mashed potatoes.

I didn't find any recipes using rhubarb, especially the rhubarb coffee cake like I had there one time (and loved), but this is a great cookbook for me to get inspiration and to reminisce.

I know if I visited East Grand Forks now, it would be very different since many things were washed away by the big flood a few years back. (I can't believe the Westward Ho is gone, but it still lives in my memory.) I know the people are certainly the same and I will always appreciate them because I learned while I lived there, that you can venture any place in this country and find some great folks and enjoy things about any community.

I experienced a diversity of culture that I found charming. They loved my southern accent and I loved their northwestern/Norwegian accents. I can't see the movie Fargo or hear Michelle Bachman or Sarah Palin speak, without remembering people like my friends Joann, Darlene, Bill and Donnie. I will always remember the LumberMart where I worked and the potato chip factory, sugar beet plant, the Bjornstads and the Hagens. It was a huge learning experience for me and I appreciate that time.

I also appreciate the great cookbook that made me nostalgic. I don't remember the cold so much any more but I now can make lefsa way down here in the sunny south.