tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224079862024-03-07T00:04:23.506-07:00May You Lead An Interesting LifeDo you suffer from this Chinese curse? I know I do.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.comBlogger377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-42474960672753110552012-03-09T08:26:00.000-07:002012-03-09T08:26:36.790-07:00Easy No-Bake CheesecakeLu, who is currently spending a year in Brazil, asked me for my cheesecake recipe. Since it's my most commonly requested recipe, I figure I may as well post it here!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Easy No-Bake Cheesecake</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Crust</b>:<br />
<br />
1 package (about 12 graham crackers), crushed<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1 stick butter, melted<br />
<br />
Mix well and press into the bottom of an 8x8 pan.<br />
<br />
<b>Filling</b>:<br />
<br />
2 8oz packages cream cheese, softened<br />
1 can sweetened condensed milk<br />
1/3 cup lemon juice<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
<br />
Whip cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, making sure to scrape sides of bowl. Add the sweetened condensed milk; whip again and keep sides scraped. Add lemon juice, vanilla and nutmeg, mix well. Pour on top of crust. Refrigerate until firm. Serve with fruit topping, if desired.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-34364389831720755382011-11-22T13:07:00.003-07:002011-11-22T14:32:20.190-07:00SOLUTION: Red X in Outlook Where Pictures Ought To Be<span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem:</span><br />
<ul><li>You haven't changed any settings in your Outlook, and for some unknown reason instead of pictures, you have red x's.</li>
<li>You've tried every single fix you could find on Google, including the Trust Center, deleting Outlook temp files, picture placeholders, etc. etc. etc. Nothing works.</li>
<li>You use a proxy server to access the internet.</li>
</ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Solution:</span><br />
<ul><li>Close Outlook.</li>
<li>Open Notepad. Copy the following into a new text document:</li>
</ul><br />
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00<br />
<br />
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common]<br />
"AllowImageProxyAuth"=dword:00000002<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Click on File --> Save As</li>
<li>File name: Outlook_Fix.reg</li>
<li>Save as type: Change to "All Files"</li>
<li>Click Save. </li>
<li>Navigate to where you saved Outlook_Fix.reg</li>
<li>Double-click on the file.</li>
<li>Choose "Yes" when the dialog box comes up.</li>
</ul>Re-open Outlook. When you next attempt to view an email with pictures, it will prompt you for your proxy credentials. It should work normally after that.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-92173117648149263362011-10-16T22:29:00.000-06:002011-10-16T22:29:02.014-06:00ConversationConversation with Alex, the exchange student coming to live with us. We are in the paperwork process, and have to have background checks. We were talking about how we might be closet murderers or criminals, and how would he know?<br />
<br />
<b>Violet</b>: But what if we're con men?<br />
<b>Alex </b><i>(puzzled)</i>: "Con" men? What's that?<br />
<b>Violet</b>: People who pretend to be good, but end up taking your money.<br />
<b>Alex</b>: Oh! You mean an asshole?GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-88185313434313759442011-10-13T10:20:00.000-06:002011-10-16T22:24:32.078-06:00Exchange StudentsI know I'm terrible about updating my blog on a regular basis, but I figured it was worth noting two significant events: Lu left in July to Brazil for a year as an exchange student, and we are getting an exchange student from Denmark for the school year. It will be our first time ever to have a BOY in the house. How weird is that? :)<br />
<br />
Alex is 18, and a guitarist. He's coming to live with us because we are moving to a house near the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, where Violet currently attends. So we'll get singing and guitar playing happening all the time. :)GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-67408494004358641962011-09-20T08:55:00.000-06:002011-09-20T08:55:03.758-06:00Conversation<b>Violet</b> (poking me with a fork): You know what this is, right?<br />
<b>Me</b>: What?<br />
<b>Violet</b>: You're going to hell in a handbasket and this is your welcoming committee.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-53380501928607754732011-08-01T20:46:00.000-06:002011-08-01T20:46:48.801-06:00Eggplant Parmesan<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eggplant Parmesan</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<br />
2 eggplant, peeled and cut into ¼” slices<br />
2 eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt and 1 Tbsp. water<br />
2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs, mixed with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese<br />
2 jars (32oz) spaghetti sauce<br />
¾ to 1 lb. mozzarella cheese, shredded<br />
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese<br />
½ tsp. dried basil<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.<br />
2. Sweat the sliced eggplant by sprinkling with sea salt and letting sit for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat completely dry with paper towels.<br />
3. Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, then in bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese.<br />
4. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with olive oil. Bake for 7 minutes on each side. Remove from oven; lower temperature to 400 degrees.<br />
5. In a 9x13 baking dish, spread one jar of spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place half the eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.<br />
6. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted, 15-20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-5565870599997208812011-07-17T20:21:00.003-06:002011-07-18T15:14:01.588-06:00Nectarine Blackberry Crisp<b>Nectarine Blackberry Crisp </b><br />
<br />
<b>Fruit Filling</b>:<br />
1/2 cup flour<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1/8 tsp. nutmeg<br />
1 6oz. package blackberries**, rinsed and drained well<br />
6 or so nectarines, sliced, enough to fill an 8x8 baking dish<br />
<br />
<b>Cream Filling</b>:<br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
1 Tbsp. flour<br />
<br />
<b>Topping</b>:<br />
1 cup flour<br />
6 Tbsp. packed brown sugar<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
1/2 stick butter, melted<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
<br />
Place berries and nectarines in a bowl; sprinkle flour, sugar, and nutmeg over fruit. Toss to coat. Transfer to 8x8 baking dish. In another bowl, whisk eggs to blend; add sour cream, vanilla and flour. Whisk to blend, and pour evenly over fruit in baking dish. Combine topping ingredients; you will end up with a soft buttery dough. Crumble pieces of the dough over the fruit, distributing it evenly.<br />
<br />
Bake in a 375 oven until the custard is set and topping is golden brown, about 55-60 minutes. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.<br />
<br />
**Raspberries also taste wonderful with this recipe!GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-90972769094723398352011-03-09T12:53:00.002-07:002011-03-09T12:53:39.490-07:00Facebook Status<b>Lu</b>: I wish my homework was asexual, then it would just do itself!GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-43419459880514986702011-03-05T05:11:00.001-07:002011-03-05T05:11:00.323-07:00Facebook Status<b>Violet</b>: I cannot comprehend the girls who like to get made-up, fix their hair perfectly and go somewhere, barely being able to enjoy themselves because they are worrying about how they look. I want to be the type of girl who doesn't care what she wears, or how she looks. I want to be the girl who, instead of spending money to go have a good time with their friends, puts on pajama bottoms with them, turns on a chick flick, and in the end barely watch the movie and just talk about life. Doesn't that seem a whole lot better than gossiping and sucking in your tummies?<br />
<br />
I don't worry about what people think of me because, in the end, the only opinion that matters is my own.<br />
<br />
Instead of my pictures making me look fake, and have me pouting like a four year old, I want a picture of who I really am: A fishing, camping, singing, hiking, laughing, crazy, strong, confident, etc. girl who isn't afraid to show who she really is. I want to be laughing, hugging, acting odd. I want to be me in my pictures. I see this in mine, and all I see in other's pictures are girls afraid to be themselves.<br />
<br />
So please, be yourself, live your life to the fullest, brush off snide comments, and never be afraid to stand up for what you truely believe in. Stay different.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-89291947028399995642011-03-04T21:06:00.000-07:002011-03-04T21:06:15.174-07:00Conversation<b>Violet</b>: I've eaten so much candy... I'm on a sugar high! I'm gonna puke the rainbow...GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-36288756035280803912011-03-03T15:06:00.000-07:002011-03-04T21:07:26.744-07:00Conversation<b>Lu</b>: A boy at school asked me what I am. I thought about it for a minute or two, and then answered, "I'm complicated."GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-91462008518065419202011-02-25T11:46:00.002-07:002011-03-05T11:47:27.680-07:00Facebook Status<b>Violet</b>: And thus, on the third day, Violet created the word crapping unicorn muffins.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-30123693973462256492011-02-07T07:39:00.000-07:002011-02-07T07:39:55.015-07:00ConversationViolet, Lu and Nikki are eating their early Valentines' Day present-- boxes of those little conversation hearts.<br />
<br />
<b>Vi</b>: Hey, mine says "hottie".<br />
<b>Nikki</b>: Me, too!<br />
<b>Vi</b>: Hmmm..... my next one is telling me, "just kidding".GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-12614902699165154162011-02-02T11:47:00.000-07:002011-02-02T11:47:24.863-07:00Texting ConversationLu, texting me from school this morning regarding other teenagers:<br />
<br />
<strong>Lu</strong>: I hate people who think their life is so hard. They don't know what a hard life is. Maybe i don't hate them. Maybe i pity and envy them at the same time.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-57518044417732490892011-01-19T14:44:00.000-07:002011-01-19T14:44:44.265-07:00Texting Conversation<b>Lu</b>: Maybe i'm just a weird child. Actually, just scratch the maybe. I KNOW i am a weird different child in both good and bad ways :)GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-54497769149596958672010-09-22T13:23:00.003-06:002010-09-24T07:39:40.139-06:00Texting ConversationLu, the lone 10th grader in an 11th grade English class she is SO bored in: <br />
<br />
<b>Lu</b>: Dear god mom we're learning about nouns!!<br />
<b>Me</b>: Basics first. :) <br />
<b>Lu</b>: I'm dying! <br />
<b>Me</b>: LOL <br />
<b>Lu</b>: I hate you. You being the noun.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-70978210022479639362010-09-04T17:46:00.001-06:002010-09-06T22:12:34.924-06:00Orange Juice-i-usFeel like drinking a creamy Orange Julius? Here's my homemade version. My family likes my tweaks better than the original. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Suz's Orange Juice-i-us</b><br />
<br />
8 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
1/4 cup powdered milk <br />
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
1/8 tsp. coconut extract<br />
10-20 ice cubes<br />
<br />
Add all ingredients, except ice cubes, into a blender. Mix until combined. Add in ice cubes one at a time until desired consistency is reached. Makes 4 to 4 1/2 cups of drink, depending on amount of ice used.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-58455840184075894052010-08-31T15:04:00.001-06:002010-08-31T15:04:00.524-06:00Conversation<b>Lu</b>: <i>(handing me some sunflowers)</i> You said that sunflowers were happiness.... so I picked you some happiness today.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-81411125756606763282010-08-30T07:34:00.000-06:002010-08-30T07:34:50.758-06:00Texting Conversation<b>Lu</b>: Aw it's on the mirror in the girl's bathroom<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtYh9TL2Eoj7R8pWw2lTRZLvhxEW-RqAwiiYgOFXEibbx1HC0u7fPXeyMyT-fC0bibFAqcyiD38O6A9wegI3CBUTRJyrKase10i_cavb9gqrix7XzhBKldw7xDymqIIfuAp_MlA/s1600/note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtYh9TL2Eoj7R8pWw2lTRZLvhxEW-RqAwiiYgOFXEibbx1HC0u7fPXeyMyT-fC0bibFAqcyiD38O6A9wegI3CBUTRJyrKase10i_cavb9gqrix7XzhBKldw7xDymqIIfuAp_MlA/s320/note.jpg" /></a></div>GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-18781200314673582392010-08-26T19:27:00.010-06:002010-08-30T07:32:39.487-06:00Texting Conversation<i>Lu, texting me after finishing her second day of high school....</i><br />
<br />
<b>Lu</b>: Wanna know the weirdest part? I don't have to bend over to get a drink<br />
<b>Me</b>: LOL. That's because it's an old school, before ADA laws required the fountains to be lowered for wheelchair access. :)<br />
<b>Lu</b>: Oh i thought it was because its a high school :) hahaGreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-83228395765233327252010-08-24T21:18:00.000-06:002010-08-24T21:18:00.757-06:00Texting Conversation<b>Violet</b>: I woke up this morning wishing a hoping it was Friday.......Then I decided it was Wednesday. I got a sad suprise when I found out it was only TUESDAY! :'(GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-51091877347271691712010-07-16T22:19:00.000-06:002010-07-16T22:19:46.408-06:00ConversationTalking with my doctor, at my 6 months post-ankle-surgery followup visit:<br />
<br />
<b>Doctor</b>: Your ankle looks a little more swollen than I'd expect to see at this stage.<br />
<b>Me</b>: Well, I just sprained it pretty good on July 4th. Since I was here last, I've sprained it at least 3 times.<br />
<b>Doctor </b>(surprised): What???<br />
<b>Me</b>: Hey, I can walk on it after spraining it now. The one on July 4th was bad enough that before the surgery, I would have been on crutches. Now I can walk on it after spraining it.<br />
<b>Doctor</b>: So this means there's improvement?<br />
<b>Me</b>: Yes, most definitely.<br />
<b>Doctor</b>: That's good. The surgery can be done to help stabilize your ankle, but we unfortunately don't have a cure for your clumsiness.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-30062440767711030282010-07-02T05:06:00.002-06:002010-07-02T05:06:52.170-06:00Texting Conversation<strong>Nikki</strong>: how come eye lids are called eye lids if they cant come off like lids can? why not call them eye curtains or somethingGreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-13512210533833074282010-06-01T09:25:00.002-06:002010-06-01T09:25:36.361-06:00Overheard<b>Violet</b>: Gravity loves me. That's why it is always tripping me so I can fall down and give it hugs.GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407986.post-20599474369411822892010-05-25T11:30:00.001-06:002010-05-25T11:31:46.311-06:00Violet's Talent Show PerformanceI just wanted to share Violet's (age 12) school talent show performance with you. She did such a great job today! This was her first solo performance in front of a large audience. When I flipped the video, it kind of squashed her, but you can still hopefully hear her ok. :)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pHeYFxJh1PI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pHeYFxJh1PI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>GreenJellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10008711974632671478noreply@blogger.com4