Knock that chip off ya' shoulda'

I wish I could figure out the exact person or experience that inspired particular students to believe every teacher is out to get them.  I'd go back to that moment and manipulate it or go back to that person and punch them in the neck; later justifying myself by explaining that teachers for years to come will spend a majority of their time working to repair what they caused rather than actually teaching the knowledge we have. 

Calculus never seemed so simple

There are some concepts in this world that are difficult for me to wrap my brain around. 

I've always had a difficult time understanding calculus.  The concept of "forever" is mind boggling to me; the depths of the ocean and the skies limits are hard for me to fathom BUT,

............... the other day I turned on Anderson Cooper for a moment and stumbled upon a segment they were running about "DIVORCE PARTY'S". 

Someone, please help me understand?

 

Guilty as charged..

Me:  "Convicted of turning me in to a vegetarian... How do you plead?"

Eggplant Patty: "Guilty as charged!"

Unassuming Confidence

Ultimate definition of unassuming confidence...?

I could never date someone that won't dance.  Please don't confuse won't with can't here.  The person who dances even when they can't demonstrates the perfect balance between complete self-confidence and unpretentious-ism; unafraid of being perceived as anything by those watching.

 I have found in many cases these characteristics follow them off the dance floor and throughout their everyday lives.  Have you ever met someone who dances even when they can't? 

Adoration

ADORATION

I have so much respect for teenagers who consistently demonstrate a maturity level beyond the years of their peers. PERIOD.

Hibernation Preparation

We here at American Honey Hideaway have spent the last week and a half prepping for hibernation.  I realize it's only Autumn, but Summers wreak havoc on most lake cottages, and American Honey is no different.  Because my cottage is so small and storage space is limited, I've been foced to become one of those individuals that store what they consider to be their "summer clothes" elsewhere during the winter and vice a versa.  I don't mind.  In the midst of packing everything up it sort of makes me feel as though I'm a snow bird, heading South for the winter months. 

Zoe doesn't care much for hibernation.  It restricts her daily physical activities; chipmunk hunting(still in search of that first kill, 3 years and counting), giant laps around the front yard, and wading in the swamp next door.  Needless to say, hibernation preparation also consists of me trying to help Zozo soak up every, single, teeny, little, last bit of outdoor recreation with frequent walks around the lake and fetch in the front yard.  

Sweet sweet salutation......

 

He's talking to you...

ROmAnS 15:1-2

Paul writes...

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us.  Strength is for service, not status.  Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"-Romans 15:1-2

What does it mean to be strong and able in faith?  

With all do respect...

My Grandma Mary has a library of cook books that would rival the resources in a library on a small college campus.  At one time she belonged to every "cook book" book club in the coutry.  In Grandma's defense, she probably read each of them front to back (including the forewords), and could direct you to the right place to find a recipe for anything from cajun stuffed manicotti to beef wellington.  I have my Grandma Mary to thank for passing on the pretend culinarist dream gene, or at least it's pretend for me... Grandma is an extraordinary cook. I think one of the things that makes her such a fantastic chef is her willingness to take risks with her recipes... I'll never forget the time I was home visiting from college and she sent me back to Columbus with tupperwares full of frozen soups, one of which, turned out to be Potato HotDog (talk about risky).  If you're interested in the recipe for Potato HotDog soup message me, and I can have Grams send that along!  It was actually really good! ;-)  Anyhow, she's passed this love of being in the kitchen on to yours truly. Lately, I've been compelled to imiatate restaurant foods and drinks.  Tonight, I decided to take aim at Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte's..... It didn't taste like Starbucks, but it was still delicious!  So, with all do respect Starbucks.... I think I'll save the $4.00 for a subscription to an online recipe club.  :-P

I had a 15 year-old

This week I've allowed the attributes of maternalism to take up residence inside of me.  The past two nights of staying with my Moms-Brothers-Youngest Daughter, have consisted of stimulating conversations about; bossy parents, Friday night high school football games, facebook, classroom project partners, letter jackets, and TV shows.  Sunday night we shared her queen bed.  "Shared" is a misleading term in this case.  My eyes were opened and I was brought to complete concsiousness on 3 different occassions throughout the night; 12:46am (stray arm on my hair), 2:41am (stray hand near my ear), and 4:30am (knee in my thigh).  Last night, I opted for the couch.

sweet vindication...

Nearly ONE year since my last post... I'm giving blogging another shot.  I'm not one for making excuses, but I'm going to make one now.... GRAD SCHOOL!  Any time spent on the computer over the course of the past 18 months has been strictly business... work e-mails, grad homework, facebook (wait a second, facebook isn't business), regardless, other priorities took precedence over writing for pleasure.  If I were being COMPLETELY honest, blogging for me is more than pleasure...... it's a channel.  Hoping you'll stay tuned and signing off as...... "flakey no more".

Challenge Yourself...

Being brutally honest with myself...

Honesty: You will never reach your potential if you aren't willing to challenge yourself.
Brutality: What ways are you challenging yourself throughout your life's campaign?

Motivation

What motivates you?



-posted from kati's iphone

What if beds were still this small?

-altruism, be it

Education Reform

A Candid Conversation with a 5-year old

I made an appearance at a junior high volleyball game a few weeks ago and found myself in the company of an outgoing 5-year old with an unrestrained thought process. The candor with which she spoke, and gave me advice was wildly entertaining! Just as our debate about all-day preschool came to a close, there was a long pause in conversation followed by a long stare, which was followed by......

5-year old: "Kati, you have a weally small mouth."

Me: " Yah?"

5-year old: "It's weally small."

(Awkward silence...)

5-year old: "Were you born like that?"

Me: "Uh-huh... Thank you? I think?"

Excuses, Excuses...

I'm hoping the following pics will validate my absence from blogging over the past 9 days! :-)

Took a trip to South Haven with my best friend Charity!

Chilled in a red snuggie on the boat in the morning.

Thought deeply in the red snuggie on the boat.

Thank you bestie for taking me up!

Tell your best friend you love them today

Three ;-) of the most genuine, honest, absurd, enduring, accepting and compassionate Best Friends on planet earth!

Thoughtful Equations

OpiNion + EMpathY= Influence

Dinner Date...

Grilled Pork chop and peaches with a balsamic vinegar, blue cheese, sweet onion dressing and some sangria...Who better to share it with than, (cue dramatic-blind-date-dinner music) ZOE! Hope that sentence wasn't so anticlimactic that you stopped reading. Well, of course you haven't stopped reading if you're reading this.... Anyways! The truth is, there are a lot of "betters" to share dinner with, and if you happened to be one of the lucky one's, who has stumbled upon their "better," let them know it tonight! And... if you've found yourself making gourmet meals and having stimulating dinner convo's with an 8lb., jack russell.... Not to worry, there's a plan for you too! :-) Do your thing!

"I've become the person I swore I'd never be, but how did I get to this point? I've come to the conclusion it could only be one of three things; the desire for stimulating dinner conversation (but dogs can't talk), the result of being 27 and having some SERIOUS nurturing instincts, or the sheer enjoyment of serving dinner to someone who genuinely appreciates it with all they have." -Kati

How do you know you don't like it, if you don't try it?

This post is for all you burger and brat grilling fanatics....How about making zucchini patties an All-American summer time spread? The marinate is simple, and the results will keep your tongues waggin'!

I made the mistake of slicing some of the zucchini patties a bit thick. I'd aim for about as thin as you can cut them. They cook crispier that way, which I also like. My neighbor gave me a fresh basil plant at the beginning of the summer and this recipe gave me the opportunity to use it!

Ingredients: 2 tbs. White wine vinegar, 2 tbs. fresh lemon juice, dash salt, dash pepper, a couple leaves fresh basil, 1 tbs. fresh thyme, and 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions: Marinate for at least 3 hours and thrown on the grill