oven mitt puppet shows

rome by memory

i found this today on a blog that i frequent and was simply amazed. having been in rome before, the vastness of what this autistic man has done by memory is astounding.

if i don't get here soon...

I have to get to Hallstatt, Austria.
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I was watching "Austria in HD" on public television the other day and I fell in love with this place. The top picture is on my desktop right now and I can't stop staring at it.

Our good friends are moving to Germany this summer for the army and thus we finally have the opportunity to make the long awaited trip to Austria/Germany/Switzerland/Czech Republic that we've been yearning for for quite a while now. Matt went there with his grandfather as a teenager but we can't wait to go together. Anybody been there and have any suggestions/tips/etc?
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And as long as I get to Hallstatt, I'm good.

like opening up the attic

i loved writing poetry. really loved. and if i was honest and actually made an attempt, i probably still do, but i'm not sure if my soul feels the need anymore. so i opened up an old email address from high school to find a whole folder full of my writing. this one dates back to 2002. 7 years ago this is what i was thinking one summer day.

barrington drive
my dad holds his shovel in one hand
and the balance of the world in the other

he looks at me and says

"it acts like it wants to rain"

and i smile
because i like the idea of
fresh dirt scattering into the
storm sewer for shelter

and like everything else
i think it acts like
it wants to do a lot of things

"that oughta be neat, kristyn"

and he points to the sky
before disappearing to the backyard

i'm confused
and contemplate hidden meanings
as i hear an airplane
move up the sky
playing hide and seek
with the sunset

(i've always wondered
what it would be like
to dive into the last moments
of something before it ran away)

maybe that's what he meant

to get away

and dusk is much too enchanting to miss
with it's hurricane blankets
plunging across the confetti bitten sky

i think of memories
and snow falling on the freeway
and the night glow of anticipation
and then his face

my knees fall asleep
and i search for fireflies
because i've gotten used to wanting things
that i know i won't get

and i think to myself

july is just enough
to make me want to breathe

somethin tells me it's all happening at the zoo

the alligator pit at the nashville zoo fascinates me.

Zebras are reactionaries,

Antelopes are missionaries,
Pigeons plot in secrecy,
And hamsters turn on frequently.
What a gas! you gotta come and see
At the zoo.
Simon & Garfunkel "At the Zoo"

kristyn says: "eat this!"

Finding healthy and flavorful/tasty recipes has become one of my new hobbies as eating super healthy can sometimes get a bit monotonous making the same things over and over again. Frankly, cooking without oils, fats & butter can make finding traditionally flavorful things a bit challenging. Today I hit the jackpot with 2 new recipes! Try these Hogan lifestyle approved healthy dishes. They both turned out really yummy and I promise you will like them even if you don't normally eat healthy!
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THAI CHICKEN
this is kind of a Thai version of Chicken Fried Rice Chinese Food
2 big chicken breasts (cooked)
1/3 box whole wheat angel hair pasta (cooked)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 egg whites
soy sauce
garlic, minced onion & red pepper
seasoning mix (I used Sun Bird Fried Rice Seasoning Mix from Wal-Mart in the Thai/Asian section)
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*cook the chicken w/ some garlic, minced onion & red pepper, cut up into small pieces
*add in peas & carrots
*move everything to side of pan and scramble 3 egg whites, mix in
*add in soy sauce, seasoning package and cooked pasta, mix everything together
*simmer covered for a few minutes and EAT!!

I didn't end up taking an "after" photo of this one actually cooked, but you get the idea!
SALSA CHICKEN & RICE
recipe stolen from the McCormick seasoning packet
pkg. of McCormick Salsa Chicken & Rice seasoning (found by the taco, fajita, roast seasoning packets)
1 1/2 c. brown or wild rice
1/2 can Rotel or 1 can diced tomatoes (depends on if you want it spicy)
1/2 c. chunky salsa
1 can corn, drained
1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast
2 1/2 c. water
1 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese
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*preheat oven to 375 degrees
*combine rice, tomatoes/Rotel, salsa & corn in baking dish. Top with chicken.
*Mix water & seasoning mix. Pour over chicken & rice. Cover with foil.
*Bake 45 min.-1 hr. or until chicken & rice are fully cooked.
*Remove foil, sprinkle w/ cheese. Bake 5 minutes. YUM!

Our 2nd Anniversary trip to the Emerald Coast!

ok this dumb thing is cutting the slideshow off and i can't figure out how to fix it, so go here to watch it for real:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQivMkLL9lc