annie blog

New (to me) Site
I just wanted to draw your attention to a link that I added recently under the I Visit header. The name of the blog is Chaotic Idealism. This blog is authored by Lisa Daxer who is autistic. She is also a really good communicater and writer. You may have heard the interview with her that was recently broadcast on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

Her blog is fascinating.

I’ve read plenty of things about autism over the years. Always, always, I enjoy the accounts of autism from the inside more than anything else — especially compared to the “what to do now that your child has been given a tragic diagnosis” types of books and most definitely the “I’m wealthy and famous and had a child with autism but he’s cured due to my devotion and not the truck load of money that I dropped on the problem and isn’t that swell” type of book. Humpf! Okay, I’m not even going to get started on that rant, because I like y’all too much to expose you to the grouch who goes by the name of Annie.

So, check out her blog if you get a chance. I don’t think that you’ll be sorry that you did.

Have a good Thursday, y’all!

New (to me) Site
I just wanted to draw your attention to a link that I added recently under the I Visit header. The name of the blog is Chaotic Idealism. This blog is authored by Lisa Daxer who is autistic. She is also a really good communicater and writer. You may have heard the interview with her that was recently broadcast on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

Her blog is fascinating.

I’ve read plenty of things about autism over the years. Always, always, I enjoy the accounts of autism from the inside more than anything else — especially compared to the “what to do now that your child has been given a tragic diagnosis” types of books and most definitely the “I’m wealthy and famous and had a child with autism but he’s cured due to my devotion and not the truck load of money that I dropped on the problem and isn’t that swell” type of book. Humpf! Okay, I’m not even going to get started on that rant, because I like y’all too much to expose you to the grouch who goes by the name of Annie.

So, check out her blog if you get a chance. I don’t think that you’ll be sorry that you did.

Have a good Thursday, y’all!

New (to me) Site
I just wanted to draw your attention to a link that I added recently under the I Visit header. The name of the blog is Chaotic Idealism. This blog is authored by Lisa Daxer who is autistic. She is also a really good communicater and writer. You may have heard the interview with her that was recently broadcast on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

Her blog is fascinating.

I’ve read plenty of things about autism over the years. Always, always, I enjoy the accounts of autism from the inside more than anything else — especially compared to the “what to do now that your child has been given a tragic diagnosis” types of books and most definitely the “I’m wealthy and famous and had a child with autism but he’s cured due to my devotion and not the truck load of money that I dropped on the problem and isn’t that swell” type of book. Humpf! Okay, I’m not even going to get started on that rant, because I like y’all too much to expose you to the grouch who goes by the name of Annie.

So, check out her blog if you get a chance. I don’t think that you’ll be sorry that you did.

Have a good Thursday, y’all!

Brudders

is what they are.

Brudders

is what they are.

Brudders

is what they are.

Those BLASTED ACADEMICS

start today.

Heaven help all involved, please.

Actually, beginning academics with my oldest (he’s dual enrolled at home and at the local Jr. High) isn’t such a bad thing. I think that he will like what we’re going to do. This year he will maintain a blog as part of his curriculum. We’ll continue to work on writing. So, we’ll do both the kind that is fun for him — like writing screenplays — and also work on taking dictation. We’ll be doing math, also, including fractions, time, and money. And then there’s going to be signature practice, hiking, cooking, reading comprehension and a whole lot of other things. One of our first goals will be scheduling and time management. He really, REALLY needs to understand this better. Because, the benevolent planet that he hails from, well, the folks from there don’t care about it very much.

Onward, with buster #1.

Those BLASTED ACADEMICS

start today.

Heaven help all involved, please.

Actually, beginning academics with my oldest (he’s dual enrolled at home and at the local Jr. High) isn’t such a bad thing. I think that he will like what we’re going to do. This year he will maintain a blog as part of his curriculum. We’ll continue to work on writing. So, we’ll do both the kind that is fun for him — like writing screenplays — and also work on taking dictation. We’ll be doing math, also, including fractions, time, and money. And then there’s going to be signature practice, hiking, cooking, reading comprehension and a whole lot of other things. One of our first goals will be scheduling and time management. He really, REALLY needs to understand this better. Because, the benevolent planet that he hails from, well, the folks from there don’t care about it very much.

Onward, with buster #1.

Those BLASTED ACADEMICS

start today.

Heaven help all involved, please.

Actually, beginning academics with my oldest (he’s dual enrolled at home and at the local Jr. High) isn’t such a bad thing. I think that he will like what we’re going to do. This year he will maintain a blog as part of his curriculum. We’ll continue to work on writing. So, we’ll do both the kind that is fun for him — like writing screenplays — and also work on taking dictation. We’ll be doing math, also, including fractions, time, and money. And then there’s going to be signature practice, hiking, cooking, reading comprehension and a whole lot of other things. One of our first goals will be scheduling and time management. He really, REALLY needs to understand this better. Because, the benevolent planet that he hails from, well, the folks from there don’t care about it very much.

Onward, with buster #1.

Happy Labor Day, Y’all!

My plans are yet unformed for this Labor Day — I think that the pool might figure in, and I have some last minute curriculum planning for the BLASTED ACADEMICS that will begin in earnest this week. So, that’s what we’re up to. I’m not even making Labor Day-ish food. However, if in case y’all are not like me and actually will be attending or throwing your own little end of summer shindig, well, I thought that I’d mention this recipe.

This recipe isn’t at all fancy, but it is easy and people love these beans.

I’ve taken these baked beans to many a cookout and picnic. I’ve never brought any home. Usually, I’m not a very brand-conscious cook. With this recipe, however, I would suggest using Bush’s beans. Specifically, I use 2 cans of the Homestyle flavor and one of the Bold and Spicy. Also, most of the time I don’t use any green bell pepper — even though it is yummy if you do. Also, I almost always use Dijon instead of dry mustard but that is also because I usually have Dijon on hand. I also have a preference for cider vinegar.

8 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
3 large cans (28 oz. each) baked beans
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup distilled or cider vinegar
2 t. dry mustard or 2 T. Dijon

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position. Heat oven to 325. In a large pan, fry bacon until it is medium crispy. Discard all but about 1/4 cup drippings. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.

Add onion and bell pepper to pan and cook in drippings until tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans, bacon and remaining ingredients; bring to a simmer. (If there isn’t room enough in the pan, just heat the beans to a simmer, transfer to a large bowl and stir in remaining ingredients.)

Pour flavored beans into a greased 9 X 13 ovenproof pan (I use a large wide casserole pan). Bake, uncovered, until beans are bubbly and sauce is the consistency of pancake syrup (the fake kind, you know, in other words, thicker than pure maple syrup), 45 minutes-2 hours, depending on the “juiciness” of the brand of beans you use.

Let stand to thicken slightly. Serve warm.

Serves 18.

This recipe is easily increased or decreased. Use a 28 oz. can of beans (and appropriate ratios of other ingredients) for every six guests.