Category: My Family

Without a family, one seldom thinks long term

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Dressing for Cal Poly’ Delta Delta Delta Sorority

dressing for the tri delts

Living in San Luis Obispo, California doesn’t give one a chance to put on formal wear. However a local sorority DELTA DELTA DELTA was honoring Laura with “Faculty of the Year”.

Obviously, Laura  is modest in these sorts of things, but she is an excellent professor. How do I know? Well, once a year or so, I step into her world and take a day to attend her class sessions. I sit in the back and she will graciously introduce me with a few words that you can say only when there are many witnesses! Ha!

Laura is not the easiest professor, she is demanding but very and painfully fair. She has helped students into grad school and beyond. This recognition was sweet.
Yes, Laura and I have know each other for a long time… in fact, since she was taller than me. We’ve taken classes together along the way and married at 20.

Congratulations, Laura

Roger

PS. Win something else so we can dress up again!

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Body by Jenny Craig

bodies and spirits transformed by Jenny Craig

If every man knew what I know, they would have far few troubles with the women in their lives.

Nothing makes a woman happier than to find herself in a new ‘envelope.’ That’s what the plastic surgeons call it: making a new envelope… however, using Jenny Craig to carve away the fat and tone the body is far less painful and much less expensive.

Today, Laura got a hold of their ‘beginning’ picture at Jenny Craig! whew! In my fair and balanced way, I have shown two ‘after’ pictures. Karen has continued to lose weight and I think has dropped twenty since this picture has been taken! Both of these ladies sport size 4’s nowadays! Who would have thought that losing weight would have brought them so much pleasure?

As for me… nah, Jenny Craig did nothing for me, I have always been my college weight… ahem… at least that is the way I want to remember it!

Congratulations, ladies!

Roger/dad

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Thanksgiving is coming and so is a great pumpkin pie

Turducken is a family favorite

Now that Halloween is over , we can begin to think about the next holidays. Obviously, one of the most popular holidays celebrated by most Americans is the colonial tradition of ‘Thanksgiving.’ It is that time of year when family and friends get together to celebrate the happiness of the past year and anticipate the possibilities of good things to come.

No one can talk about Thanksgiving without those wonderful words like: turkey ( we like Turducken or Ostruducken), feast, cranberries, creamed potatoes , stuffing and various desserts.

For dessert, everyone has their favorites: apple pie, rhubarb pie, chocolate pie, pecan pie and of course my personal favorite the ‘pumpkin pie.’

If you ever chawed into a raw pumpkin, it’s kind of like taking a swig of raw vanilla extract, it is definitely not what you were expecting! So what makes a pumpkin pie so special? The secret lies in the spices and in the crust.

First, there is a prepared spice blend called ‘Pumpkin Pie Spice’ that generally contains some of the following: Nutmeg and mace, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and allspice , cloves. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are the most commonly used spices… and they are cheap. If you really look around you’ll find some recipes calling for small additions of other spices like cardamon. However, with a little practice, i am sure you can come up with a version that will make everyone smile.

As for the crust, you can’t beat a Crisco/ butter blend crust with a bit of mace…

The season of cooking has begun. How will you make yours special?

Roger

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Capt’n Rog Seafood Lasagna

Captain Rog Capt’n Rog be hearing such catterwalling and sputtering and grumbles about how he be not sharing some of his recipe secrets with ye. Barnacles and Bilge rats be saying the Capt’n is holding out on ye and leaving out key ingredients and steps in his recipes!

aye, it be sadly true.

Now , I be caught fair and square, so I be sharing some of my booty with you swabbies of the kitchen.
Me also being a seasoned sea Captain , it be only right that we talk about the best way to charter a proper course in the Captn’s own Seafood Lasagna. I hear tales it has become very popular in Hawaii by a sea wench whose exploits have commanded her a ship of her own. Me “Seafood Lasagna” has no fish swimming in it … it be only pure delight says I.

So, be me a merciful capt’n, I have put up a  few maps  to help with some of the more challenging obstacles ye may face along the way. These be the last friendly words ye may hear.

Under the surface, matey is where the treasure be. So, here’s a look before the sea of Mozzarella cheese is added!

Seafood Lasagna... the best there is!

Now, all you have to do is cover with cheese…. cook and enjoy!
Hope this helps!

Captn Rog

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What women really really want?

what women want... everything!

Women are fascinating creatures that often confound most men. “What women really want?” tends to trouble us more than just at birthdays and anniversaries. Everyone has needs that we can easily identify… but understanding the ‘wants’ are more elusive.

So, guys, here is my super secret strategy. I  ask  the women in my life what they want through actual ‘communication.’ It may seem like a strange technique, but it works better than  clairvoyance  . I also like to give folks what they want, not what I want them to have.
Odd as it seems, Laura wanted a new vacuum cleaner… a Dyson. Ok, I know what you are thinking…. old school guy gives the little woman a cleaner… not what it seems. In our little family, we have divided up chores on the basis of what bothers whom. Laura has a thing about the house… so she handles that. I have a thing about the kitchen and the yard… so I cook and handle all of that.
Her choice of a ‘gift’ surprised & amazed me… so I had to blog!

Roger