Happy 100th Post This Year!

This is my 100th post this year! Yahoooooooooo!!!!!!! How about some banana bread?

I am working on a project for work. I'm making a book for the 1st week of storytime called, "Hannah Olivia Monkey Makes Banana Bread". So thats just what we did! Here are some pics! Hannah Olivia is our new Storytime puppet! The kids love her already! (PS: I got the recipe from here )

Hannah loves Bananas

Hannah spraying the pans!

Grabbing the egg!

Just before putting it in the oven!

We forget to put in the flours! Silly monkey! We don't put flowers in banana bread!

Hannah enjoying a snack!

The bread came out really well. I think the sour cream made the difference!

It even looks beautiful!

With just a bit of butter!

I made some wrappers for the mini-loaves to give to some families at church tomorrow!

Treated myself to some mini sunflowers! Lovely! Lovely!

I'm on this cooking and cleaning phase. I'm rather enjoying it and so is Michael. Tonight I made stuffed peppers! They have ground beef, rice, stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro! Ate them with a dab of sour cream! Yummers!
Look at all the lovely colors!

Off to go read this magazine! Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas cards?

Have a great night!!

Etsy Finds and Something I made!

I carry around a ton of stuff. So this would be so fun to carry around in the fall! You can find it here!
(Bummer Someone bought it already)

Candy Corn Loofah Soap! How cute!!! You can buy it here!

Just playing around with photoshop. I designed this little invite for my niece Lexi's birthday! I can't believe she is turning 3. I've only seen her three times in her life. I really wish I lived closer to Vermont.

Baked Honey Peaches with Vanilla Whipped Cream!

Yay! I cooked! I actually make something good!

Everything you need!

Baked Honey Peaches with Walnuts just out of the oven! Yummy!

Just a little bit of whipped cream! The peach was soooooo tender.Mmmmmm...Good!

Canning

Michael and I went to Borders on Sunday night for some reading and coffee! I found this great books on canning.

I have never canned before. Yet, I really enjoy foods that are canned. Its nice in the winter to have lovely raspberry jam! Mmmmm!!! My mother use to make jam. It was always sooo good! I'm going to stop by the library this evening to see if they have this book! My mother said that pickles were a easy place to start.

I have been thinking a lot lately about food.We eat out far too often and that well, is not so healthy. I read lots of blogs and magazines and have found LOADS of recipes for wholesome easy food. I don't know why I haven't tried them yet. Lack of time and lack of confidence in the culinary arts may just have something to do with it. Mmmmm.....I am craving Peaches, Honey, and Greek Yogurt :D Ahhhhhhhhh :D

Fun in Traffic

Signs to use for Traffic Fun!

11 Hours in the Car?

I've been keeping track this past week and I spent more than 11 hours in the car Monday-Friday. That is one heck of a horrible commute! I love, love,love,love, love my job. Yet, the one thing that stinks is the commute. I drive about 35 miles (one way) to work. In Vermont 35 miles is not a long way, because it only takes you about 30 minutes to get there. Not in Cincinnati.Holy cow...11 hours sitting in a car doing NOTHING. I try to use some of my time sitting in traffic calling people and bugging them during dinner time. I could listen to books on CD. I could listen to the sermons I put on my MP3. Yet that is boring. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do make all the time spent in the car fun!?

Emily's List of What She Could do with an additional 11 hours a week

1. Clean the house (Hmmmmm...Maybe not)

2. Learn to bake bread

3. Go to the Gym more often

4. Scrapbook

5. Learn how to do my hair and make-up

6. Make my house look cute. I currently have no curtains in the living room or kitchen. I have huge blank white walls in the kitchen that are begging to be filled.

7. Volunteer

8. Learn to play the guitar

9. Start some kind of business

10. Take up ballroom dancing

11. Drive to PA to visit Michael's family

12. Drive to Chicago and back!

13. Make some friends.

14. Cook fancy dinners like in Real Simple Magazine

Myers-Briggs/Keirsey Temperment Test

I've taken the Myers-Briggs personality test several times in my life. I took it in High School health class. I took it in a college class. I've taken it for a few jobs. The results always seem to turn out the same way. INFP. In High School I was an ENFP, but since college I have been an INFP. Here are so highlights about my personality type!

Introvent, iNtuitive, Feeler, Perceiver

People of this type tend to be: quiet, reserved, and kind; deeply passionate, sensitive, and easily hurt; loving and dedicated to those close to them; creative, original and imaginative; curious and flexible in small matters; nonconforming.

. When the workplace becomes negative, they may become restless. They can have mood swings between stubbornness and criticism. This is uncharacteristic of their nature and is an indicator of stress.

.Their extreme depth of feeling is often hidden, even from themselves, until circumstances evoke an impassioned response. In everday matters they are tolerant, open-minded, understanding, flexible, and adaptable. But if their inner loyalties are threatened, they will not give an inch.

.INFPs work must be more than just a paycheck, it must be fun and must contribute to something that is important to their values. To be the most produtive they need a sense of purpose behind their job.

(That must be why when I was in college I felt so uneasy because I didn't feel their was a sense of purpose in the travel business)

.INFPs treasure their privacy and may keep a lot to themselves. They need time and space for reflection

.When they want to be social they can be outgoing, charming and quit funny, making them a pleasure to have around. (Ha! Ha! When they want to be)

How to love an INFP:

+ Appreciate my uniqueness and sensitivity

+ Be patient and supportive listener

+ Respect my privacy and my need for emotional intimacy (Thats a big one)

+ Be reassuring and gentle in your words and actions

+ Try not to force decisions too quickly, or bug me about being messy.

( See I really can't help it, its part of my personality)

+ Respect my feelings and never demand that I compromise my values

I love Weekends!

I picked up the platter that I painted last Friday! I love it! I love the red! It matches the kitchen so well. The dragon fly came out pretty well also. Does it look familiar? Yes, it is from a Cricut cartridge. I cut out a piece of contact paper in the shape of the dragon fly. I ever so carefully put in on the platter and then painted around it. When it was dry I pulled it off! Easy! I'm sure I'll use that technique again!
Michael and I went to a BBQ with my work people. It was pretty fun! We didn't stay to long because we had other plans that afternoon. Ben, the guy with the orange shirt managed to beat me at cornhole. It looks like an easy game, but its actually harder than it looks.
Michael and I headed down to Lexington for a Lexington Legends baseball game. Minor league games are so much more fun than the majors. First off, the tickers are very reasonable. The food prices are cheaper and the fans are a lot less rude and annoying. Except this time a group of about 6 Boy Scouts were throwing a baseball around right in front of us. We asked them to move. So one stayed in front of us and the other 5 moved behind us. So, they were throwing the ball above our heads as we sat on our picnic blanket. I told Michael that I was going to keep their ball if it hit me one more time. I tried to catch the security people's attention, but they were too busy talking on their cellphones. It landed on our blanket. Michael very politely asked them to move someplace else to play. They talked back to Michael. First off, you are Boy Scouts,You are suppose to be polite. Second, I would not mess with a man who is 6 feet 3 inches tall. Who knows where their leaders were. Oh well.

Anyway the man above was juggling running chainsaws while balancing on a skateboard on a tube. I'm pretty sure his name was Crazy Carl. They have a weird sense of what is entertaining in Kentucky!

Our traditional baseball game photo!

They had amazing fireworks after the game!

What Work Looked Like Today

Happy Friday! I haven't blogged on here for quite a while! I have been blogging on http://www.avermonterinkentucky.blogspot.com/ for a bit now. I think I'll continue to blog at both. I have a lot to say and just one blog can't hold all of my thoughts and opinions! Ha! Ha! (Ummm that was a joke!)

Work has gotten pretty busy lately. The new school year will be starting soon and that means storytime will be starting up again. Honestly, I could do storytime all year long. Maybe with a few breaks here and there. I am so blessed to have a career that I LOVE. I get to do the fun part of teaching, reading books, doing art projects, playing games. I don't have to deal with all the paper-work and other hassles of being a classroom teacher. I also get to write,take pictures, and blog for work! I am so blessed!

This is what work looked like today!

Setting up the water balloons ready to be smashed over someone's head!

Cotton Candy, Popcorn, and Snow Cones!

A very friendly clown!

Getting Drenched!

The end of summer carnival! I love it! The kiddos get to dunk their counselors, eat GOBS of cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones! They got to bounce,jump, and climb all they want! What a fabulous day!

Like I said in the post before painting pottery has become my new hobby! I made painted this a couple of weeks ago when I went with one of the summer camps to You're Fired! in Oxford! It was one of the best field trips of the summer! The kids loved it! The counselors loved it! The staff at You're Fired! is amazing! I wish that I lived closer to Oxford, I would go all the time! The above sign reminds me to create and not worrry about all the "stuff" that can take away from that drive to be creative!

Here is what I'm doing tomorrow!

1. Picking up my serving tray that I painted last week at the pottery shop!

2. Going to a BBQ at the home of the boss! :D

3. Drive to Lexington and to see THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE

4. Go to a baseball game

5. Watch fireworks after the baseball game!

Vermont vs. Kentucky Newspaper Headlines

Caledonian-Record Headlines (Local Vermont and New Hampshire Newspaper)

* Accused Horse Abusers Plead Not Guility

* NH GOV. signs tough plant closing law

KY Post Headlines ( Kentucky Newspaper)

* Insect Prompts Tougher Ban on Firewood

* Dixie Chili Manger to go to Jail

Amazingly similar!

Joy of Being an Adult #1

1. Eating an Ice Cream Drumstick for breakfast!

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY (August 9th)

Outside my window...Neighborhood children are playing outside. It finally cooled off enough to be outside

I am thinking...about what to have for dinner

I am thankful for...my husband and A.C

From the kitchen...new stuff from Sam's club

I am wearing... Shorts and a nice t

I am creating...a blog

I am going...to bed soon

I am reading...just finished Small Acts of Grace by Alice Gray

I am hoping...to have children someday

I am hearing...Lord of the Rings

Around the house...there is a mess

One of my favorite things...pillows

Afew plans for the rest of the week: Work, Pick up my pottery at the pottery place, Take lots of photos

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

I found this on http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Where was the Sweet Tea?

N.V.H and I went to a classic car show after church this afternoon. It was 96 degrees out and I was a baking. Anyway, I tried not to complain because I know that N.V.H really wanted to go and oggle all of the pretty cars. So I went. We saw one of those Back-To-The-Future cars where the doors go up! Thats pretty cool. N.V.H had a good time chatting up some of the car owners.

After looking at all the purdy cars we scarffed up some hamburgers at the food booth there. Yummy! I love food booths that support a charity. I feel like my $ is going to something good. While the food is going someplace good as well, MY STOMACH! It's a win-win situation! So anyway I saw ICE TEA on the menu. I love my ice tea. Now, living in Kentucky I expected that the tea be sweetned. Isn't that the only way that they serve it in Kentucky? Well, No! Something is seriously wrong when someone is selling ice tea and there is not a sweet tea option. That is just plain blasphemous if you ask me. Those people running the food booth must have been from OHIO. That is truly the only explanation!

Real Butta and Flat Hair!

Real Butter! Before there was Paula Deen, there was Julia Child the original fan of "REAL BUTTA".

Went to see Julie and Julia, which I must say was quite enchanting. Meryl Streep really hit it out of the park as "Julia". I felt like I was actually watching the real Julia Child. Amy Adams was very spunky in this movie. She was somewhat reminiscent of Meg Ryan in "French Kiss". I love spunky and neurotic characters! I really connected with "Julie". A woman at 30 who is struggling with the fact that she is not doing in life what she expected. She comes to realize that 30 is not so bad and she actually does have something to offer the world.

I will go see it again! Yet, I might just wait until it comes to the "cheap seats" . I don't want to take up another seat. Go see it,I promise, you'll love it!

In honor of Julia child I came home and baked some most delicious blueberry muffins! Yummy! They were divine just out of the oven.

In other news, I knew that the heat would eventually get here. I couldn't be so lucky as to have a summer that was completely comfortable. No, the 90+ weather is here. I do not find it in any way to be nice. I hear people raving about the weather. I want to stick my tongue out at them. Give me a 60 degree day that is sunny. So, Michael and I will hunker down in a cold house with the windows drawn and watch movies, just waiting for the weather to get cooler!

I wonder how many of the women here in Kentucky managed to keep such perfect hair and make-up in all this humidity. It is absolutely boggles my mind. If I even attempt to put a stick of make-up on it would immediately slide off of my face. My hair, it turns into a big grease ball and lies damp and lifeless against my flat head. Its quite a pretty sight. Oh Southern ladies, please share with me your secret to staying beautiful in the humidity.

Emily and NVH go to the World's Longest Yard Sale

I've always heard that "One Person's Trash is Another Person's treasure". N.V.H (Non-Vermonter Husband) and I like to go yard-salein' and to thrift stores. In the past we've had some pretty good success rading other peoples trash...I mean treasures! A $20 guitar for N.V.H, a giant stash of Leggos for $ 5, and some really great white ceramic bowls that are great for putting salsa in. We know a bargin when we see one.

So N.V.H, not to be confused with NVRH which is a hospital(he,he) decided that we should attend the "World's Longest Yard Sale". Ok I thought "why not!?" I was thankful he didn't want to take a drive all the way down to the end of it in Georgia, so I was pretty happy to wade through the sales in our area. It did not disapoint. We started at Main Strasse village. Nothing really caught my eye down there. I did manage to get a picture of the sign announcing the event. I'm a sucker for signs!

So anyways, N.V.H and I drove around. There were tables set up all over the place. Sketchy guys pulled over to the side of the road hawking things like headboards, baby clothes, and exercise equipment. The whole day was fit for people watching. The most ummmm...colorful personalities come to the giant yards sales.

Then we found the mecca of all-yard saleishness :D The Catholic church yard sale. (Insert angel music hear) It all fairness it was actually a parking-lot sale. There were the church ladies and gentlemen selling hamburgers in which we partook of. Then, my new favorite KONA ICE was there as well. If that is not good enough for ya, I got a white gravy boat for $1 and a very small serving platter for another $1. It pays to go at the end, because while the items might be picked over, you can't beat the prices for the stuff left over. Thats when you can usually find that diamond in the rough. Michael (N.V.H) also picked up a very nice castiron pan!

Some of the items ready to purchase on Main Strasse

I love seeing glassware all set out in pretty rows like this. I have far too much of it at home. I've been suckered into buying more by looking at displays like this.

A Kentucky uniform shirt.

Jugs ready for the whiskey!

I'm pretty sure that this was not for sale, but N.V.H kept asking me to take pictures of it. So thats just what I did.

Thats it for now folks, I'm a fixin' to head out to see Julie and Julia. Hey, did I just say fixin'? Oh well!