Flaming Grapes

If you haven't seen the show Food Detectives on Food Network, watch it! Its kind of like Mythbusters but with food. It's one of our favorite shows and we always TiVo it.
Well on last weeks episode they did a story about what foods you should not put in a microwave. Among raw eggs, carrots, water in a brand new glass or mug, there was grapes.
Apparently the electrolytes in grapes create alot of electricity. When a grape is placed in the microwave that has been cut in half, then in half again, making sure to not completely cut the outer skin, it starts on fire. For real. The skin causes there to be sparks to travel between the two pieces of the grape that have been almost completely cut. It is something that is not really explained completely as to why it happens but it just does.
Well Chris seeing this, decided we needed to try it. (Note: I was not so happy about starting a fire in a microwave and ruining my in-laws microwave) But, I was interested in seeing it for my self. Here is one of the several times we did it. Luckily no microwaves were sacrificed in the making of this video.

Zira and the Sock

Well, Zira spends alot of time alone during the day while Chris and I are away at work. She usually occupies her time with: eating tissues, sleeping, chewing on her toys or any shoes left out, sleeping, ruffling up blankets, barking at dogs walking by, chasing flies in the house and collecting socks.
She usually likes to gather up any socks that happen to fall out of our hampers. On Wednesday night I apparently dropped a sock. Thursday when I came home from work Zira greeted me so happily with the sock she had found. Whenever she does this, which is quite often, she refuses to go anywhere without the sock. She is usually ready to go outside to go to the bathroom when I get home, so I got her leash and everything else I needed and got ready to go on a walk. Of course, Zira frantically searched for her sock and brought it outside. She was less than interested on going to the bathroom or a walk, she just wanted to bury her sock. After I wouldn't let her she darted back inside.
She carried that sock around for hours, trying to find the perfect place to put it. Needless to say, its Sunday and she still won't let go of that sock. Anytime I try to sneakily take it away from her and put it in the laundry she runs to it and runs off with it. She leaves it out in the middle of the room and sometimes I find them shoved under a pillow somewhere.
She has so many toys that we've bought for her and at the end of the day, she loves that dang sock.

Chris the Tile Machine

Well, we're getting close. Chris just finished the tile on the tub deck and in the shower this week in our master bathroom and it looks so good. For not really having much experience or guidance in how to tile, it looks amazing! I just wanted to post pictures of Chris' handywork.

Last Day

Friday was the last day of class for my Master students, I can't believe they are done already! They are my first class that I have actually taught for the whole Masters program, so I must admit I do feel a little attached to them. I feel like a proud mother who's children are going out into the world for the first time.

I thought they are all probably ready to just get away from me especially after spending almost everyday with me for the past 4 months. But, I guess they will miss me as much as I'll miss them. They totally suprised me by bringing me flowers at the end of the day. It was such a great suprise.

So, thank you girls I really appreciate it. Congratulations on getting through it. I know it was hard and at times you hated it (and probably me) but I'm glad you 4 stuck through it.

Natalie, Laney, Katie and Whitney, I love you guys and best of luck to you all in your new career. I'm sure you will all do so well. And, don't forget to update me on what you are up to every once and a while, you know where to find me!

Day 507

After all this time, I can't believe we're only a few weeks away from our house being done. It felt like it would never come. Everything is coming along quite well lately and it really looks like we'll be done soon!The cabinets in house got installed yesterday. It seems like a real house now. The cabinets look great and I'm so excited that they are finally in.

Zira seems to be getting accustomed to life in the new house. It hadn't been more than 5 minutes since we had walked in the door when Zira decided to mark her territory on the new floors. All we can hope is that she doesn't get used to that! Its awfully hard to love her when their is a huge pee spot on the brand new floors! I'm pretty sure that if it leaves any sort of mark on the travertine, chris will probably freak out. If she keeps this up, she definately won't be getting a new friend to play with!

Were starting a Rock Band

It started out as an innocent night of getting together with friends and ended with..... this.

Thanks to Ashley, all sorts of 80's rocker gear made its way out and well one thing led to another and then that.

It was a fun night playing Rock Band at Brad, Ashley and Magnums house.

I don't think Magnum cared for the loud music and laughter too much but we all still had fun! We all manage alot of fun when we get together!

House Update

The exterior is done! It looks really good. Everything has been moving along really quickly the past couple of weeks. The exterior got done about a week ago. Chris is done painting and is now laying the Travertine, its so pretty and Chris is doing such an amazing job and it's his first time ever laying Travertine. Its a pretty dark brown with cream and some grey running through it.

Chris is just coming right along on the travertine and so the cabinets should get put in next week! I can't believe we really will be moving in soon, maybe even by the end of the month! Chris has done such a phenomenal job on the whole house, it's amazing.

The Healing Food Pyramid

This week at school in my Basics class we have been talking about Nutrition. It's so interesting to me and it's been a fun chapter for me and my students to learn more about what composes a good diet.
A few weeks ago, we had a guest speaker come in and discuss health and how important water is for us. I've been looking into it alot lately and I have found it so interesting how much good water is for us and the impact a well balanced diet can do for our bodies, skin, energy etc.
I really like the concept of this new food pyramid that has been studied at University of Michigan.
I thought I would share it with you all, its a great website with so much excellent info on eating a better "healing" diet.

www.med.umich.edu/umim

Amish Friendship Bread

So if you haven't heard about this, its really good. I got my first start about 3 weeks ago from one of my students. Its kind of a crazy concept though because you can't make it unless you get a start from someone else.
Basically, when someone else makes the bread they have to take out 3 cups of their batter and put them into three different bags and then keep one cup of the batter for themselves. The other 3 bags they give away to their friends. I don't really understand it because there seems to be no way to make it unless you get the start from someone.
Once you do finally get your hands on a start it takes 10 days to make it! It sits on your counter for 10 days, everyday you squeeze it and let the air out, on the 6 day you add flour, sugar and milk and let it sit for another 4 days. It's just hilarious to me, but its some good bread!
Chris and our roommate made fun of me the whole 10 days wondering wheather it would be worth the wait. They've practically devoured the whole thing!
Its really good and if anyone wants a start, there seems to be a big supply at the school because everyone keeps exchanging them with eachother! And, if you ever get the chance to make it, it's definately worth the wait!