For Those About to Rock...

I was in High School when the bubblegum pop phenomenon hit. New Kids on the Block, New Edition, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany...they were all the rage. Not for me however, I was a metal girl into Autograph, GNR, Metallica, Def Leppard and AC/DC. I was in L.O.V.E. with that Aussie School boy named after a breed of cattle- Angus Young. I don't know why, I just do. It's a force of nature or something. I can tell you this, I may not have been able to balance an equation in algebra but I knew that Angus played a 1969 Gibson SG standard guitar with his signature Humbucker bridge. Like this:



Don't know much about AC/DC you say? The band was founded in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcom. They were managed by Shania Twain's famous ex husband, Mutt Lange. Their singer, Bon Scott died in 1980 and the band paid tribute to their lost friend by making the album Back in Black with Brian Johnson as singer, which is one of the best selling albums of that genre in all time. It has gone Platinum 22 times. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Their latest album is titled Black Ice, which I got for my birthday from my Sweetie.



So, why am I tell you all of this? Because I heard on the radio this morning that today, March 31, is Angus Youngs's birthday.

Happy Birthday Angus. We salute you!

I bought this dress

Actually, I ordered it from David's Bridal. The nicest girl helped me and her name is Jennifer (Thanks Jen!) She fetched dresses in varying sizes and zipped and pulled and helped me pick colors and made suggestions and didn't even make a funny face when I told her that I needed a larger size.

Why do I need this dress you ask?

Because I am marrying my sweetie in September.

Amy Needs

I found this fun post on another blog that I can't remember the name of right now. Its fun. You should try it.
Go to your favorite search engine (I used google) and type in your first name and needs and see what comes up in the search. If you're a blogger, post your results on your blog.
Here are mine. I have to admit, I was kind of disturbed/mildy amused that almost every one was related to Amy Winehouse.

Amy needs
some help drinking
a lot apparently
a dentist
to find a home
a break
another cocktail
prayer
your support
a home
to remember that shes married
money
to buy plane tickets
a camera.

Tell me what you need today.

Go Green

We've all got a little Irish in our blood....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I fought the law and the law won

Yesterday I had my very first ever experience in court. (not counting divorce court) I was arrested (GASP!) in January for Unlawful Entrustment, which is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code. I allowed Sweetie to drive my truck knowing he does not have a valid driver's license. On a very snowy, icy day, he wrecked the truck, flipping end over end and rolling 3 times before coming to a stop against a tree. Anyway, I was charged as a result. The possible punishment for this crime could be $1000 fine, 12 month license suspension and 90 days in the county jail. I've been stressed out and worried about the impending court hearing. Yesterday was my court date. My wonderful lawyer, David, got the penalty reduced to a $250 fine and 5 yrs. probation, during which time I can not have any traffic violations or the original penalty applies.

What surprised me about this event was the attire/state of dress/general appearance of the other defendants. Some even had house slippers and pajamas on! I was shocked!!!!

Anyway, I have always believed that when you have a lesson that you need to learn, it will present its self to you in a very unique and divine way. Imagine my surprise while reading The Pioneer Woman's Blog today I ran across another blog/website for Wild Olives Tee Shirts (www.wildolives.com) I found this bible quote from the book of James, Chapter 1 vs. 2-3:

Consider it Pure Joy, my brothers, when you face trials

of many kinds because you know that the testing

of your faith develops perserverance."

So, that has become my lesson learned for today. All of my stressing and worrying was helping me to have stronger faith and more perseverance.

Nevertheless, I've stopped speeding and have no desire to be arrested,or back in court, EVER. AGAIN.

Have you heard the ZBB?

Have you heard The Zac Brown Band? They are my new favorite thing. Chicken Fried has gotten a lot of airplay and their new single "Whatever It Is" is quickly becoming popular. I just bought the CD The Foundation yesterday at Wallyworld. It was only $11.88 and there isn't one song on it that I don't like. And, its in on eof those environmental friendly CD packages made of recycled cardboard instead of plastic.
The band's sound reminds me of James Taylor mixed with Jimmy Buffet on Bluegrass and a little Marty Robbins thrown in for good measure. It's fun, easy to listen to and just sounds good. I dare you to listen to "Where the Boat Leaves From" and not imagine having a fruity rum drink with a little umbrella in your hand, or to listen to "Sic Em on a Chicken" and not crack a smile. They do a great version of Jolene which is a Ray Lamontagne song.

If you've got $12 bucks in your pocket and you need a little smile on your face, I highly recommend buying this CD. At least download a couple from iTunes or Amazon.com

There's a place, where the boat leavesFrom

It takes away all your big problems

You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean

But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Take one part sand, and one part sea, one part shade of aBig palm tree

The drinks they're cold and the ladies are hot

And I know this is the place for me

So get away to where the boat leaves from

It takes away all of your big problems

You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean

But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

See the problem is that you're down there

And there's a perfectly good island somewhere

Where a ride that floats and don't grab your coats

You won't need them where we are going

So get away to where the boat leaves fromI

t takes away all of your big problemsY

ou got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean

But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Pick me upOut on a boat that is huge

Pick me upI don't know how to do

Pick me upPut me downDown on the sand where it's cool

Put me downWhen I fall off my stoolPut me down

I'll just sleep there til morning comes around

With sunshine and ladies and pina colodas

And Bob Marley songs that are playing

There's a sound in my ear that I want you to hear

Soft tropical lips that are saying

Get away to where the boat leaves from

It takes away all of your big problems

You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean

But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Pie, Pie, me oh my I love pie.

Have you seen the movie Michael, where Andie MacDowell sings a song she wrote about pie?

I love pie. Tender flaky crust wrapped around a sweet fruity or creamy filling Lawsy Get In My Mouth! I can't hardly stand it. I've never met a pie I don't like, (except for maybe humble pie and the pie I tasted at a baking contest 3 yrs ago that was so bad I actually spit it out.)

I love pie so much that I can't even pick a favorite, although Coconut Cream, Lemon Meringue and Pumpkin are very high on the list and if there is a from scratch black raspberry pie in the vicinity, bar the door Katie.

I almost had a wedding pies instead of a wedding cake when I was married the first time. (Apple and Pumpkin, it was Fall)

One of my favorite quotes is "Pie and Coffee is the third most impotant intersection a man can have with a woman" I don't know who said it but I like it.

I once received a very sincere proposal of marriage over a particularly delicious pecan pie that I made. (He moved on...I'll keep the pie, thanks.)

Anyway, back to the reason I am writing this post. I have a 20 lb. bag of apples in my kitchen and it is destined to become apple pies. So, I thought I would share my favorite recipe for the said Apple Pie. It originally came from my beloved Aunt Pat who, by the way, made the wedding cake that won out over wedding pie, loves coconut pie like I do AND makes a Custard Pie that I dream about. But I digress.

Aunt Pat's Apple Pie

You need crust for a double crust pie *see my note*

6 apples, more or less, how ever many it takes to fill your pie dish

1/3 cup applesauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup quick cooking tapioca

Make your crust however you like to make it. Put one crust into the bottom of a pie plate. Set aside. Peel and slice your apples. Put the slices into a bowl and add the apple sauce, sugar and tapoica. Mix together. dump into the pie crust.

Cover it all up with the other crust you already rolled out with your favorite rolling pin.

Pinch the edges together to make it pretty. Bake in a 350 overn for about a half an hour

or until the apple slices are cooked. I just stick the tip of a steak knife in the top of the

pie to see if its done.

*Note about Pie Crust*

Although I love to cook and bake it took me years to learn how to make really good pie crust. I've watched my mom make pies for years and her method, or her recipe, just didn't stick. So, finally my sister C taught me a few tips and tricks and I've been doing it that way ever since. I'm sorry, but I can't give you a recipe. I make pie crust by feel. However, I will tell you that Crisco shortening is a must, and if you add water it must be icy cold. My mother says Gold Medal Four is the best but I use what ever is on sale. If you simply can't master the art of making pie crust, store bought is fine. I know, I hear some people gasping, BUT Marie Callendar's pie crust that is found in the freezer section of the grocery store is THE. BEST. store bought pie crust I have ever eaten in my life, and I've eaten a lot of pie crust. It rivals home made and I admit, I've cheated and passed it off as my own. And, it comes in a handy dandy little metal pie pan, not one of those flimsy aluminum jobbies.