Free Range Cats

Well, we have let the students go wild until next Monday. Will try to round them up for three more weeks in December to finish up the semester. Here's a few random pictures. Happy Thanksgiving.

The first three pictures were taken in October when I went to visit Eric in Minneapolis. It was fun to finally meet Stooey, our puppy nephew.



For my good friend Karen:
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

A picture from tonight:

Herding Cats

While my Uncle Gene has been busy herding his beautiful Red Angus cattle,

I have been busy "herding cats". During this time of year, that would be the best description of the job of a high school teacher.

Finally, click here to help us decide which movie Eric and I will see tomorrow evening. I'll post the results tomorrow afternoon.

Update (Saturday, 1:45--- We're off to see the 2:40 showing of Quantum of Solace. Eric thanks those of you who voted for his pick. Don't tell him, but it was my pick too.)
The results so far:
Quantum of Solace (James Bond)- 4 votes
Beverly Hills Chihuahua- 0 votes
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa- 0 votes
High School Musical 3: Senior Year- 2 vote

A Math Joke

A math joke from my favorite brother, David, who appreciates his sister's intellect (nerdiness?).

An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one orders a beer. The second orders half a beer. The third, a quarter of a beer. The bartender says "You're all idiots", and pours two beers.

Wah, wah, wah, wah.



P.S. If it's been a while since you studied "sequence and series", this may not make sense. Trust me, the ducks and I think it's a good one.

Wanted: Grading Break

Just taking a break from grading. Have spent about 8 hours on it between yesterday and today and I am quickly losing my steam. With all honesty, it is the thing that I dislike (hate?) the most about teaching.

Haven't talked to Eric since this morning- looks like he probably won't have time to call me until he gets to his hotel tonight. He finished classroom and simulator training for the Airbus on Wednesday. He passed with flying colors! (Pun intended) Yesterday was his first time flying the Airbus. They flew from Detroit to San Diego. Today they were heading back to Detroit and then on to D.C. for the night. Tomorrow, his overnight is in L.A. The Airbus flies quite a bitter farther than the DC-9 routes. He'll even have some trips to Mexico!

I have my iPod plugged into the laptap and am listening to my running playlist. Some of my favorite songs:
"Take a Chance on Me" - ABBA
"Sweet Emotion" - Aerosmith
"Low" - Flo Rida
"SexyBack" - Justin Timberlake
"Barbara Ann" - The Beacher Boys
(David and I used to sing "Bob, Bob, Bob. Bob, Bob or Ann.")
"True Companion" - Marc Cohn
"Sloop John B" - The Beach Boys
"Me and You" - Kenny Chesney
"Like We Never Loved at All" - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
"Viva la Vida" - Coldplay

A really interesting mix, huh?

Back to grading. Happy Sunday (or other day of the week) to all who are reading this.

Happiness is...

receiving home-made raspberry jam from your aunt.
Thanks Marita!
Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Gene, Julie, and Marita - Fall 2008
(Julie was being honored as one of the senior cross country team members.)

(You can see where I got my dimples- straight from my Aunt Marita!)

A few hours later...

The Blank Slate

Blankies for All

Being partial to having a blankie, I've enjoyed knitting and crocheting them as baby presents. Here's the one I made for my friend Colette's new son, Wyatt Edward, who was born on Oct. 13th. I love Wyatt's fuzzy hair.

Standard Deviation

I concur.

Pumpkin Bread Gets Brusvens' Highest Rating

In the November issue of Cooking Light, I found the following recipe for Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread. I am excited to announce that Eric and I have given this recipe our top-honors, purple-ribbon, best-of-show approval. It is delicious!


Pumpkin-Honey Beer Quick Bread
Yield
2 loaves, 14 servings per loaf (serving size: 1 slice)

Ingredients
14.6 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3 1/4 cups)
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
2 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2/3 cup honey beer (at room temperature)
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 large eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
Cooking spray

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, and next 4 ingredients (through pumpkin pie spice) in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk.
3. Combine 1/2 cup water and flaxseed.
4. Place sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until well blended. Add flaxseed mixture and pumpkin; beat at low speed just until blended. Add flour mixture; beat just until combined. Divide batter between 2 (9 x 5–inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nutritional Information
Calories:194 (30% from fat)
Fat:6.5g (sat 0.6g,mono 3.4g,poly 2.1g)
Protein:2.9g
Carbohydrate:31.3g
Fiber:1.3g
Cholesterol:15mg
Iron:1.2mg
Sodium:287mg
Calcium:27mg
Kathy Kitchens Downie, RD, Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2008

November 1st