Home is where the mixer sits.

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I Will Return!

There will be a slight pause here....but I will return, for the three of you who care.

Atlantic vs. Pacific

Yes, we had the whole beach to ourselves.  This is why homeschooling is awesome.

The shells....the Atlantic has tons of shells!  The kids were in heaven.

The water is so clear....and warm, even in November.

If this were the pacific my people would not be swimming!

The bummer is that we live in California, we visit the Pacific often and it is beautiful in its own way, but as my friend Brit says the Atlantic is "AWESOMER."

The "Famous Pork Sandwich"

We just returned from North Carolina.  Such a lovely, dreamy place.  We visited the Snappy Lunch, which is the place made famous by Andy Griffith (Mt Airy being his hometown). Andy mentioned it by name on his Mayberry show and frequented the restaurant as a young man.  The place is a lunch counter in the most simplest terms. They are famous for their Pork Sandwich.   The sandwich is made from boneless, tenderized loin chop dipped in sweet-milk batter and fried (on a grill) until golden crisp. It is improbably large, sandwiched in a bun along with the usual All-The-Way condiments that include two slices of tomato, chopped onion, mustard, cole slaw, and special chili sauce.  This is what they call All-The-Way in North Carolina and you are pretty weird if you don't eat most things All-The-Way. If you ever get to North Carolina you must stop at the Snappy Lunch counter.  You will find it right next door to Floyd's Barber shop.

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

Listen here to be encouraged if you are The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

The Hand that rocks the Cradle

Is The Hand That Rules The World

Blessings on the hand of women!

Angels guard its strength and grace,

In the palace, cottage, hovel,

Oh, no matter where the place;

Would that never storms assailed it,

Rainbows ever gently curled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,

Power may with beauty flow,

Mother's first to guide the streamlets,

From them souls unresting grow--

Grow on for the good or evil,

Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission

Here upon our natal sod!

Keep, oh, keep the young heart open

Always to the breath of God!

All true trophies of the ages

Are from mother-love impearled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!

Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,

And the sacred song is mingled

With the worship in the sky--

Mingles where no tempest darkens,

Rainbows evermore are hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

...William Ross Wallace

Potato Skins

Scrub potatoes, rub with canola oil and bake in a 400 degree oven.

Scoop out most of the potato.

Brush both sides with canola oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place cut side down on baking sheet.

Flip'em over and bake until crisp.

These are the PW's potato skins.  They are tasty and they aren't deep fried (sorry to my friend who loves the deep fryer and hairy wings!) This is one of those recipes that can be adjusted easily to feed a crowd or just a few.

Potato Skins

• Russet Potatoes
• Bacon
• Canola oil
• Kosher salt
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Sour cream
• Green onions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the potatoes and rub with canola oil. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until potatoes are fork tender.  While potatoes are baking, fry bacon and drain on paper towel. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Be careful during this step not to burn your fingerprints off.  Scoop out inside leaving a small margin of potato in the skins. Brush both sides with canola oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes, skin side up, on a cookie sheet and return to the oven. Bake for 7 minutes, then flip the skins to the other side. Bake for 7 minutes more or until the skins are crispy.  Sprinkle desired amount of grated cheese and bacon bits into each skin and place back in oven just until cheese is melted. Just before serving add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of green onions. Yum!

This post is linked up with Tasty Tuesday at