Early this morning I pulled some weeds in the garden and checked on the Spaghetti Squash and found this great big one. It is a nice buttery color and was the first one I harvested. I laid it in a plate to give you an idea of it's size. This is not one of thetwo Squash that I had photographed earlier in the month. Those smaller ones still aren't ready to harvest until they turn a more buttery color.
I must admit, I am a little excited about the Spaghetti Squash. I plan to bake it. Once cooked, you use a fork to shred the insides, which gives it it's name and the appearance of spaghetti. I noticed the Internet is not lacking in recipes for the Spaghetti Squash!
As I mentioned in previous posts, I was up at sunrise (damn roosters!) and went out to enjoy the very cool weather and take some pictures around the farm. This is my third post on the pumpkins. Here's a link to the first blog post and here is a link to the second blog post. All the pumpkins are turning orange now. The photo above is one of the miniature pumpkins.
Some are more dark orange than others. The pumpkins range in size from the miniatures--about three inches in diameter to the giant ones. I saw several that had to be at least two feet tall. The pumpkin patch is full of weeds and it was damp, so I didn't want to venture out too far. I did take a couple of pictures though just to show the orange color. The last time we grew pumpkins, many of them did not turn orange. I am so glad that they will be ready earlier this year, because it can get quite cold in October during the harvest! We will have all the pumpkins harvested by the first week of October before it gets real cold (hopefully).
Speaking of cold, would you believe it is supposed to get down to 43 degrees Fahrenheit tonight. That is very cold for this time of year. It was a beautiful day today--sunny and in the mid seventies Fahrenheit.
I took this picture above early this morning, while the weather was very cool and the sunflowers on this one plant (yes, this is really just one plant) are still pretty. This is another Sunflower that was not planted, but a seed had been carried by the wind and it grew where it landed. I don't know what variety of Sunflower this is, but it is about twelve feet tall and loaded with blooms! It almost reminds me of a tree that would have bloom at the end of each branch. And this is just a view of the top half of it.
Here's a different view of it taken this evening. The wind has blown it constantly and it leans over. Again, this is just the top half of the plant.
Right now I'm so proud of my beautiful Passiflora edulis, commonly known as the Passion Fruit or Passion flowering vine. This is my third year growing it and as you can see, it is now bearing fruit for the first time. It also quickly overwhelmed the trellis, so Ron built an extended trellis nearly ten feet tall. Nothing fancy--It's just a tall post with some wire fencing attached. It will be covered in foliage, flowers, and fruit in a few weeks though .
I will take a picture of it later on, when the tall trellis is covered. The picture above shows one of the many Passion fruits still on the vine. The are the same color as a lime and about the same size. They are loaded with seeds, much like a pomegranate. I was up early this morning in the garden and noticed the Passion fruit on my way back in the house. I am so thankful to my friend Randy, who gave me the plant, when it was just a seedling three years ago. Thanks Randy!
Back in February I did a blog post with some pictures of last years beautiful blooms. It was cold and dreary at that time and "passion" was part of the LOVE theme of Valentine's week. This picture is my favorite and also is wall paper on my computer. The blooms are so pretty and plentiful, but they are not very large--only about 3-4" in diameter.
A few weeks ago when I made my previous post of soybean fields surrounding the farm, the bean pods had not yet formed. The bean fields are really tall right now and are loaded with soybeans. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago and now you can see the fuzzy pods have formed. I have no idea when the beans will be harvested, but probably sometime in September. The bean fields are still very beautiful, as you can imagine.
Click on the play button of this cool widget and hear her new music right now!
Whitney Houston's long awaited album, 'I Look to You' is being released Monday, August 31, 2009! I can't wait. I have always been a big fan of her music and that's what it's all about--music. As I said, I am a big fan, but I know everyone isn't. I hope to see some positive comments, but I can take whatever you've got to say--good or bad. Believe me, I doubt that any comment you leave would be something I haven't already read on the Internet!
We all know she has been down a bad road, but let me be the first to say she ain't dead yet! I have read many reviews of the new album and some are down right mean. For the most part though, the album is being very well received and there's already talks of Grammy nominations.
This has been a difficult post to make. I had many reviews and video clips bookmarked, but they have been either taken down or the videos can no longer be embedded. So, I had to start from scratch! I would've liked to have made this sooner!
You can expect heavy promotion with this cd! Whitney invites you to her free GMA concert on September 1, 2009! It's never too early to set your vcr, dvr or Tivo for Good Morning America on ABC for that date!
Whitney will appear on Oprah too! Be sure and check out Oprah's website for the details and the 'Get to Know Whitney Houston' article. As Oprah launches her 24th season opening, she calls Whitney's appearance on September 14, 2009, the most anticipated music interview of the decade! (AP)
You may have also heard a dirty rumor that Walmart would not be selling the cd! Many people believe it was true, because Miley Cyrus has a cd being released the same day (available only at Walmart) and Miley the Pole Dancer has joined forces with Walmart with her clothing line (how appropriate for young teen girls). Anyway, back to the rumor, Whitney has an official statement about this on her website. Whitney's new album will be sold in Walmart stores.
I always love to read Pop and Hiss at the LA Times Music Blog. The other day it had a thorough review of each song, and that has since been taken down! Here is the "revised" review of 'I Look to You' by Whitney Houston. This is a great review and full of lots of history and lots of readers' comments worth reading.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think Whitney Houston will make a big comeback? Oh yeah, psssssst! You can hear the whole album on her official website! (whitneyhouston.com)
Like the man (almost) sang: Everybody must get snow. Bob Dylanplans to release a collection of familiar yuletide tunes, to be called “Christmas in the Heart,” with proceeds of the album to benefit hunger-relief charities, he announced on his Web site, bobdylan.com. (Click the shared link above for the full article).
While it's certainly a well intentioned effort, have you you heard him sing lately? Here's how he sounded live last summer in Madrid singing what he sings best.
Now listen to the music in the next video.
Can you understand any of what he is singing?!
This is the all new version of Bob Dylan's Dignity, from Hannover, Germany AWD-Hall, from March 31, 2009.
In case you can't understand him, here's some of the first lyrics to this song:
first line is: (can't you tell)?!
"Fat man lookin' in a blade of steel Thin man lookin' at his last meal Hollow man lookin' in a cotton field For dignity."
Since it's for charity, I wish him much luck with the album. Enough said!
Is it a chicken bun or a bun chicken? Whatever! It comes with two slices of bacon, Pepperjack and Swiss cheese and the Colonel's "secret sauce" between two filets of KFC breaded chicken. Sorry to be such a tease, since this sandwich is only being test-marketed in Rhode Island and Nebraska right now. I wonder how much saturated fat and cholesterol it contains? Would you try it?
~ John
Here's another article about the new sandwich, and it includes a video of the tv commercial.
Doesn't this look delicious? Mmmm, wouldn't you just love one of these with your coffee? How about some fresh strawberries with this tasty treat? This was in a Walmart bakery package of six.
I tend to avoid processed foods like this, and when my partner came home with these treats I didn't give it much thought. I knew I wouldn't be tempted to eat it, and after about a month I noticed there was still one left. It still looked fresh and had been sitting on the counter wrapped in saran wrap.
That was in March. At that point I asked him if he was going to throw it out or was it a science project. I just took these pictures the other day. In the first picture I removed the saran wrap to show how fresh it still looks. I wrapped it back up in the clear saran wrap for the second picture and put it back on the counter.
I don't know why it was never thrown out, but now it has indeed turned into a science project. How long until it starts to mold? Why hasn't it changed at all yet? Is it full of preservatives? How long until somebody unknowingly picks it up and takes a bite? Will they get sick?
Have you ever wanted to get even with people that eat your food at work ? Hmmm...maybe there is a use for it yet. For now, I'm leaving it sit there on my counter as a reminder to eat healthier foods
Those lyrics, "Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn" can again be heard in the hit song "Hotel Room Service" from the NEW Pitbull album. "Rebelution" will be released on Monday, August 31, 2009. If you listened to any radio lately, then you've surely heard the song "Hotel Room Service." At least two other songs from this cd have already been released too, including "Krazy" and "I Know You Want Me."
Pre-order now from amazon.com!
It was 30 years ago when we first heard the lyrics "Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn." If you were around back then, do you remember which song had those lyrics? If you are too young to remember, then you can hear those lyrics in the second video below. For those who of you into music trivia, I will try and have a bit of space between the videos. That way you can guess first and then scroll down to see if you were correct.
Here's the music trivia question: What 1979 hit song mentioned the lyrics, "Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn, and who sang it?"
And here is a little filler text to separate the two videos. Hopefully, you cannot see the answer (which is the video below) until you scroll down. Make your guess now!
A bit of information from Amazon.com about Pitbull's Rebelution:
The 2009 album from the Latin Hip Hopper. Pitbull is a Miami rapper who has been an independent artist and now signed to a major label. His 2004 debut album M.I.A.M.I. (Money Is A Major Issue) featured the hit single 'Culo' and became the biggest selling bilingual debut since Cypress Hill's self titled debut in 1991. With five subsequent chart-topping albums and a multitude of hit singles, including 'The Anthem' and 'Krazy', Pitbull continues to blaze trails and maintain his status as the #1 Latin artist on Myspace and beyond.
So, do you think you know the correct answer to the music trivia question?
Here's some clues. It was a 1979 hit single by an American hip hop trio. While it was not the first hip hop single, it is generally considered to be the song that first popularized hip hop in the United States and around the world!
The song is ranked #248 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In late 1979, Debbie Harry suggested that Nile Rodgers join her and Chris Stein at a hip hop event, which at the time was a communal space taken over by young kids and teenagers with boom box stereos, which would play various pieces of music that performers would break dance to.
The main piece of music they would use was the break section of Chic's "Good Times," which Harry wanted Rodgers to appreciate. Rodgers experienced this even the first time himself at a high school in the Bronx. (Wikipedia) Click to read the full story, but not before you guess!
Scroll down slowly as you think about the trivia question.
Slowly...
Slowly...
think you know?
Come on,
surely you know the answer!
And here is the answer to the trivia question "What 1979 hit song mentioned the lyrics, "Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn, and who sang it?"
If you guessed The Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," then you are correct!
This blog post is a lead in to my next post! While I was composing the next post, I realized that I had several old pictures that I took at the Chic concert that Lisa and I went to at the Illinois State Fair in August of 1979. Out of all the times I went to the fair, the most memorable of my "Good Times" was at the Chic concert. Here is an extended version of "Good Times," in case you want to hear it. I think it is one of the greatest pop songs of all time. I hope you enjoy it!
The following information is from Wikipedia, but don't click any of the links yet, because a trivia question is coming up!
You may have to hit Ctrl + a couple of times to enlarge the text to read the letter above.
This is the SECOND time I have received this fancy piece of mail from the state of Illinois. You know the kind that has no envelope and you must fold on the perforated lines on each side and top, tear them off and wallah you have a letter with no envelope.
This is just another example of why our state is broke...sending out this crap! I wonder how many more times they will send it? If they know my plates are defective and the manufacturer will replace them, then send the d*mn plates already and stop wasting money on mailings!
This has got to be the dumbest piece of mail I have ever received from the state!
According to an article in yesterday's Illinois Times, the state of Illinois budget deficit tops 10 billion dollars! For the state to be spending money on these multiple mailings, while the deficit soars is just irresponsible. Election day can't come soon enough for this state!
At first I was a little excited, when I saw the envelope above in my mailbox. To see PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA in the return address certainly got my attention! I wondered what it could be? Anything is possible. After all my daughter received a handwritten letter from President Bill Clinton, when she wrote to him back in the 90's. But I had not wrote a letter to President Obama.
Maybe I was one of the ordinary people to be invited to a state dinner (yeah right)! I could hardly wait until I got home to open it, so as soon as I got in my car I looked closer and noticed the "John, can I count on you?" above my name. Then I knew it was just a solicitation for money! I thought the Presidential election was over! Of course, it is over. So WTF?
Inside the envelope was this "letter" to "Dear Friend." For one, I am not a friend. If I were, the letter would be personally addressed to me. And two, it's not really from the President, or it would have "The White House', 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC" on the letterhead.
This is the front of the letter. I won't show the back of the letter, since it is signed by the President (not really, it's the same ink as the letter--laser printed). I don't want to be responsible for distributing his supposed signature, although I'm sure it's out there somewhere on the Internet for anybody that wants to do anything with it.
(press Ctrl + a few times (to magnify the text size), if you really want to read it. In case you haven't guessed by now who it's really from, I will tell you. It's from theDemocratic National Committee. I have never donated to the DNC, so I don't know how I got on their mailing list. However this is not the first piece of mail I received from the DNC. But it is the first piece of mail I received from the DNC that was disguised as mail from the President. I'm not impressed. I almost feel insulted by the desperate attention grabber they used.
And since I have readers in other countries, I will explain how I most likely got this piece of crap mail. Things like this happen in the U.S., as a result of our voting system. To vote in the primary election, you must declare your party and that becomes public record. Any Democratic organization or candidate can use the list of primary voters for mailings such as this. Of course, the same goes for the other parties--Republican, Independent, etc.
This colorful insert was also in the envelope and summarizes all the jargon in the letter. I mean, who is going to actually read the long two page letter? This slick summary might get read. And the meat of the unsolicited mailing was a self addressed stamped envelope and a form I only needed to fill in a few blanks with the amount of my donation and let them know if it was by check or credit card, and my credit card number.
This whole thing makes me a little ticked off. Why? For one, because it was DNC mail disguised as mail from the President. And two, a famous quote from President Clinton--it's the economy, stupid! AS IF, I or any other average citizen could afford to donate money right now to the DNC or any political organization ...hahahahahahaha! Dream on!
And three, we are not even in an election season yet. And four (as if I needed another reason), why on earth would I donate my hard earned money to the DNC? So they can spend it on mailings like this? That is a rhetorical question. But anyway, I will answer that one, "uh, no!"
By the way, what did you find interesting in your mailbox lately?
Here is another short sneak peak of this season's Project Runway, but I really just wanted to also say that Lifetime is running a two hour special tonight before Project Runway.
"Project Runway: All Star Challenge," about eight former fan favorites and "Project Runway" superstars return to the catwalk to compete against one another.
8:00 p.m. Eastern/7:00 p.m Central, Thursday,
August 20, 2009 on Lifetime channel
If you miss it, the special will be shown on Lifetime again on Friday August 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. central on Lifetime
It's on a different channel (Lifetime) and in a different city (Los Angeles), but everything else is about the same. It's sure to keep us on pins and needles, so now is the time to set your vcr, dvr, or Tivo!
Project Runway season six premieres Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. eastern/9:00 p.m. central on Lifetime, and the new show "Models of the Runway" premieres right after Project Runway. I predict that both of these shows will be the most popular shows on Lifetime (well duh, it's Lifetime channel)!
Reruns of this episode:
8/20/09 11:30 p.m. eastern/10:30 p.m.central on Lifetime
8/21/09 1:00 a.m. eastern/12:00 a.m. central on Lifetime
Will it play in Peoria? (Google that question)! Maybe you will find out at this blog or at least my humble opinion. I live on a small farm between Peoria, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri.
Taking a break from blogging, but you can friend me on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
is being released Monday, August 31, 2009! I can't wait. I have always been a big fan of her music and that's what it's all about--music. As I said, I am a big fan, but I know everyone isn't. I hope to see some positive comments, but I can take whatever you've got to say--good or bad. Believe me, I doubt that any comment you leave would be something I haven't already read on the Internet!
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