13 and 1/2 hours until tomorrow

As some of you are aware I'm having nose surgery done tomorrow to straighten out my nose from the times I've broken it and to hopefully allow me to breathe more freely though it. 
I haven't got much more to say on the subject. I've never had surgery of any kind before and I think I am reasonably nervous. 


Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow... Oh what will you hold? 


If you all would be praying for me that would be wonderful. 


Thanks... Love

16 hours past Monday.. and counting.

I have spent the majority of my day today playing Scrabble on my Itouch and reading interspersed with looking up Freeganism on Youtube. 

Freeganism? You might be wondering what that is and so I will tell you. Freeganism is the act of living off of other peoples toss outs. Freeganism is usually most popular among people who are trying to erase the carbon foot print we are leaving on our earth due to our wasteful nature. (also, though slightly less popular among people who enjoy the shock factor or just don't like spending money on something like food)  Many freegans are vegan or vegetarian. Makes sense to me because I'm not sure what kind of person would really feel alright about eating day old meats out of a rubbish bin. I don't know if I'd ever be willing to try it, though after seeing a group of people pulling a box full of brand new Extra Virgin Olive Oil out of the dumpster I do see the advantages. Many times things such as eggs and crates of liquids get tossed simply because one of the bottles or eggs brake and nobody wants to take the time to wash them off so the whole lot gets trashed. 

Dumpster diving is, however, frowned upon by most businesses. So I don't suggest trying it unless you are homeless of just really wanting a thrill. 

Cinderella's Shoes

Standing in Cinderella’s dancing shoes

Waiting for you, but no one knows

Will you stay of will you go, looking

For snow white

I’m under a willow tree

Starlit, moon struck, dreaming

If I were sleeping would you wake me

Would you take me

Away…..

Could you be my Charming

I don’t know, I can’t think

Your smile is disarming

All my defenses

I’m defenseless

Against you

Oh oh oh, it’s true

Come on, come on

Take my hand

Come on, come on

Lets run away to our make believe land

I’ll be your damsel in distress

Don’t worry about the ending

We can just make up the rest

Come on, come on

Before the daylight fades

Summer lasts for just a moment

And a hand full of days

Cross word puzzles

Have you ever stared at something for so long and hard that you found yourself hating an inanimate object? Right now I really really hate the this dang cross word puzzle that I'm working on. It will not budge and the hints are terrible. 

Other than that a nasty storm is rolling in. It's only 1:45 and it looks like 7:30 and the sun is going down and everything is grey. The wind is starting to pick up and the temperature is dropping. The air is still regardless of the wind, the fan in my office is on low spinning around on the ceiling to keep the air from going stale. I can't tell if there is rolling thunder or if someone in the gym is playing a loud base drum. Still waiting for the rain... We will see....... 

Then again maybe not.

And so I have discovered that I am not the next Julie and Julia. She somehow managed to cook through an entire cook book and blog about her efforts and I can not even make it past the letter C. 
My next entry was going to be about Dandelion greens, however, I thought to myself, "whoever is reading my blog has full access to the internet. If they were really interested in how to eat them they could easily just look them up on google themselves." A sad but very very true epiphany to be sure. 


On another note. Jack is going to take me to see Iron Man 2 tonight. He said it was decent so now we just have to await my verdict. (Jack went and saw the midnight release showing. Personally I prefer to be sleeping during the midnight hours and so opted out of going.) We're thinking about going out and grabbing some food before hand. I'm guessing the choices will end up between TGI Fridays OR 
Chick fil-A.  If you read this post and think of something more delicious that we should be eating quickly text me (319-558-6093) and submit your location. If not I will either be enjoying myself a steak or chicken sandwich. Both most likely accompanied by sweet tea. 


I got sunburned on saturday, but am recovering nicely. My goal this summer is to walk away without a farmers tan or any blatant lines for that matter. I guess we will see. 

C is for Christmas, crawfish, and cake.

Or perhaps.......... C is for Cantaloupe. 


Now you are probably thinking. Cantaloupe, really? And my answer is YES really. Cantaloupe just happens to be on of my favorite summer time or anytime snacks. Cantaloupe and I have a long and mutually loving history together and I thought I would share some of the reasons why with you.

A cantaloupe has many brothers and sisters as the mellon family is quite large. One such relative is the Cucumber, which then made me wonder... That would make a pickle the long lost ugly cousin of the Cantaloupe. Gross!


Come on Pickle... Give it up you'll never be a mellon.

Enough Cartoons, Lets get FACTUAL!

Health Benefits:

Cantaloupe is a rich source of vitamin A, a cup of cantaloupe provides about 103.2% of the daily value for vitamin A and beta-carotene and important nutrient for a healthy vision.

Cantaloupe is also rich in Vitamin C, a cup of cantaloupe provides 112.5% of the daily value for vitamin C. Vitamin C protect our immune from free radicals and it also help stimulate white cells to fight infection.

Cantaloupe folate content is important for the production and maintenance of new cells, especially during pregnancy.

Cantaloupe is beneficial for the following illnesses:

• Fever
• Rheumatism
• Arthritis
• Skin diseases
• Constipation
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal and stomach gas
• Blood deficiencies
• Disorders of the kidneys and bladder
• May help prevent cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue due to its high Vitamin A content.

Throw it back, there's always another fish in the sea. 

(How to Pick the perfect one every time. These techniques are not recommended for choosing men.)

The first thing you want to do when choosing a ripe cantaloupe is smell it. Ripe cantaloupes give off a sweet, cantaloupe smell that you can't mistake. (on second thought. Smelling might not be such a bad idea.)

....I don't know why it is frowning.... 

A ripe cantaloupe with be golden/orange in color underneath and within the outer rind. An unripe cantaloupe will be green underneath. Also make sure the cantaloupe is not too soft, a classic sign of being overripe.

The good thing about cantaloupe is that is will continue to ripen. So, if you pick an under-ripe cantaloupe at the store, let it sit on your counter for a few days and it should be ready to eat.

SLICE SLICE BABY... Dun dun da da da dun dun. Slice Slice BABY!!

That is the best help I can give you on how to eat a Cantaloupe. Cut it half scoop out the seeds and eat it raw and fresh. 

Today in Sesame Street.......

Today we will learn about some wonderful natural vegetation starting with the letter...........B.

But first a word from our sponsor.. AKA Me.

If you are wanting more of me, become a  follower  on Twitter. Look me up using my email address: Breereeves@hotmail.com OR just type in my user name Breeves08.

...............and now back to our featured presentation.

The green stuff of the day is... BASIL.

(Ocimum basilicum)

Who Eats this stuff Anyway?

This tender low growing herb is a member of the Mint family. Commonly used in Italian cuisine as well as in South East Asia. That which is used in Italian food is typically called sweet basil, as opposed to Thai basil, lemon basil and holy basil, which are used in Asia. While most common varieties of basil are treated as annuals, some are perennial in warm, tropical climates. (Grow it in your back yard to save on killer prices at Grocery store) 

Eat to a Healthier you.

Basil is an excellent source of a variety of key nutrients, particularly vitamin C, calcium, vitamin A and phosphorus.  Furthermore, basil is a useful source of magnesium, potassium and iron.

......Wait, there is more.....This herb is believed to have significant health effects, particularly in improving cardiovascular health.  Furthermore, basil is a particularly good source of vitamin A, which is a key nutrient for strong eyesight, plus healthy skin and hair.  Basil contains high concentrations of carotenoids such as beta carotene, and these substances are converted to vitamin A in the body.  Beta carotene offers even stronger benefits than vitamin A alone, and it is known to be a powerful antioxidant.

Please use a fork.

How does one enjoy this flavorful herb you might ask. Simple, one of my favorite ways to eat Basil is in Pesto, a simple Italian dish. See recipe below.

(I usually use a box of tri-colored Rotini noodles, the twists in the pasta help trap in the Pesto sauce and lock in the full flavor.)

Basil (fresh from the garden or store) - Roughly 4 cups

Parsley -  1/2-1 cup

Parmasan cheese - 1/3-1/2 cup

Walnuts, handful

garlic - to taste, 3-4-5-6 cloves crushed

olive oil - depends on how much basil you use. enough to make it moist. 

Boil water to make noodles 

and in food processor add above listed ingredients and pummel into a paste. Will be lumpy, but should be moist enough to pour over noodles (spatula helps) Fold sauce into noodles top with Feta cheese and enjoy. 

You can eat it alone OR goes great as a side dish with asparagus, mashed potatoes and grilled chicken. 

For the most satisfaction enjoy with Friends and Family

BUON APPETITO