Midnight Snow

I just let the dog out and we're getting our first snow! (The dog was pretty happy to get back inside.) It was sort of snowing/slushing earlier today, but it's actually snowing fluffy flakes now. Earlier this week we mowed the yard and put the flower pots in the garage. Eric had heard we were going to have snow. I'm glad he was paying attention! I was just enjoying the autumn leaves tumbling in the wind today. I remember trick-or-treating wearing my coat. What is up with that? Covering up a costume with a coat! Okay, so Emily has the same tale to tell. Happy first snow everybody!

Banana Crumb Muffins

My latest effort involves figuring out how to make a decent breakfast muffin for breakfast on the go. I really like the Starbucks bran muffin, but it's way too expensive for everyday.

So far, not so good. The first batch I tried whole wheat - too dry and over baked. The second batch was Doughnut Muffins and they had no flavor. The third batch, Banana Crumb Muffins, was just right! I'm still working on finding that "perfect" whole wheat/nut muffin recipe, but it was nice to provide the fam with some homemade goodness that actually tasted good this morning.

Click here to get the recipe!

Nothing But Nets -- Sounds like a cool plan!

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets -- and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country -- that led to the creation the Nothing But Nets campaign.

Hurricane Geek (sorta)

I'm a bit of a weather geek for watching hurricanes - well really just the ones heading towards Texas. The last big one I followed was Rita which much like Ike covered the majority of the Gulf of Mexico. It's just awe inspiring. Why watch hurricanes in Texas? My sister Jo Anne lives there. Last night I got through to her and here's an update on things in her neck of the wood - post Ike.

News from Jo's part of the world (Spring, TX):

• She has water and gas, but no electricity
• Power lines in places have been broken completely in half, workers are being sent in to help with getting the power back on
• Almost all of the transformers in the grid were down. (2.2 million people affected, 500K had their power restored as of when I had talked to her last night)
• Mail service has not been interrupted (she's proud of her post office)
  
• House next door and across the street had a tree fall on them, her fence was blown down
• Looting and people looking for a fight on her on street
• No ATM machines, most banks are closed, grocery stores are running debit as credit
• Gas stations have tankers, police, and big lines
• More news at khou.com

Suz

jeff

When I was a kid my brother always meant fun. Can you tell from the photo, that he was a bit of a rebel? While military police might not bring to mind words like "playful" he always wanted to have fun (he was a military policeman when I was a kid - when we spent the most time together.) From taking me on motorcycle rides to the really big water fight of legend - when he was helping Janel and me as we were doing the Sunday dinner dishes. I remember lots of water all over and Janel and I ended up escaping down the hall and locking ourselves in the bathroom - Jeff's keys leaving a dent in the door as he tried to break it down. He, he, he... Somehow our parents slept through it all having their Sunday afternoon nap after church.

Jeff's in the hospital now in Las Vegas. Yesterday he went in for a follow up on a stroke he had last summer. They found a problem and when they went to put him under to take care of it there were complications so they admitted him to the hospital to sort everything out. Please send positive vibes his way. - Suz