The DiSanto's

Biggest snow of the year...

Happy Birthday Katie...

It's here...Kindle 2

Garden planning....

Italian Wedding Soup...

Locks of Love Postcard...Remembering LuLu (3 years)

Who's With Us - Family Book Club Read - Wicked

Pennies for Patients...

Happy Birthday Kay C...

It's Official...

Father Daughter Dance...

Not a good day...

Little prayer...

Back to Myrtle Beach...

Little kid quotes...

Bye Bye cast...

Happy Groundhog's Day...

What was your favorite commercial?

Saw this-thought it was funny...

Suyperbowl Sunday...

Saturday, February 28th

I know we can't complain (New York has had no stop snow) but we got the biggest snow fall last night of all winter- Thursday is predicted to be 76. Last week Linda cleaned the flower bed- it's crazy which is why everyone has been so sick. So we are staying in, made lasagna, lit the stove and will enjoy comfort from inside our home!

klds on 02.28.09 @ 06:46 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Let's all wish Katie a very Happy 17th Birthday!

animated_birthday (41k image)

klds on 02.28.09 @ 12:15 AM CST [link] [3 Comments]

Monday, February 23rd

Kay once told me when she saw the e-reader, she thought of me. I looked but never gave it a second thought. Then...I started running out of room to store my books and books have gotten very expensive so I took a second look. A little pricy but here is what it offers:
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
Faster Page Turns:20% faster page turns
Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you
Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

Pretty neat...will be much neater when it is in my hands- shipped today!
Edited: Easy to download, easy to use, easy to read...I like it!
klds on 02.23.09 @ 11:38 AM CST [link] [1 Comment]

Sunday, February 22nd

Well, I have begun to plan my summer garden. I am planting an Heirloom Italian Garden. Here are some of the seeds that I have ordered:
Henderson's Black Valentine
Romanesco Italia
Golden Beet
Listada de Gandia
Stevia
Little Gem
Dark Lollo Rossa
De Morges Braun
Corn Salad - Dutch
Wrinkled Crinkled Cress
Corn Salad or Mache –
Verte A Coeur Plein
Bianca di Maggio
Topepo Rosso
Quadrato d'Asti Giallo
Corno di Toro Giallo
Corno di Toro Rosso
Red Wing Lettuce Mix
Merlo Nero
Gigante d'Inverno
Marina di Chioggia
Zucchino Rampicante
Costata Romanesco
Cuor di Bue
Principe Borghese
Ingegnoli Gigante Liscio
Mama Leone
Ideal Purple Top Milan
White Tomesol
These seed have been order through Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
klds on 02.22.09 @ 02:10 AM CST [link] [4 Comments]

Saturday, February 21st

Ingredients
For the meatballs:
* 3/4 pound ground chicken
* 1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed (I didn't use this)
* 2/3 cup fresh white bread crumbs
* 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano (I didn't use this)
* 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
* 3 tablespoons milk
* 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the soup:
* 2 tablespoons good olive oil
* 1 cup minced yellow onion
* 1 cup diced carrots (3 carrots), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
* 3/4 cup diced celery (2 stalks), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
* 10 cups homemade chicken stock
* 1/2 cup dry white wine (I didn't use this)
* 1 cup small pasta such as tubetini or stars
* 1/4 cup minced fresh dill (I didn't use this)
* 12 ounces baby spinach, washed and trimmed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.

In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.

This was excellent- most of last week I was unable to eat much or keep solids down. When I was feeling better I looked for mild tastes- found this recipe and altered it slightly to keep mild flavors (see parentheses). I don't think I'll ever fry meatballs again- they were excellent baked - tender and juicy. The picture above is not actually my soup but looked close to give you an idea.
On a cold winters day- give this a try!
klds on 02.21.09 @ 12:06 AM CST [link] [3 Comments]

Thursday, February 19th

This is what I received in the mail to acknowledge that they received my hair. It's nice to see what it was all about and who it was for. Ironically- today marks Lu's 3 year anniversary.

"The only cure for grief is action."

klds on 02.19.09 @ 12:33 AM CST [link] [4 Comments]

Tuesday, February 17th

Wicked (63k image) A while back we talked about reading and forming an informal family book club... since so many of us have and have not read the book "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire (La, my mom, my sis, and I), we thought that maybe this would be a great book to kick off our family book club for March. I wanted to post a reminder about it for those who may want to pick it up and join us. Basically, you have the entire month of March to read the book and then we can all come back and talk about it and then pick another book. Please, let us know if you will be participating... the more, the merrier!

Here's a review/description on the book to see if it piques your interest:
Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, has gotten a bum rap. Her mother is embarrassed and repulsed by her bright-green baby with shark's teeth and an aversion to water. At college, the coed experiences disapproval and rejection by her roommate, Glinda, a silly girl interested only in clothes, money, and popularity. Elphaba is a serious and inquisitive student. When she learns that the Wizard of Oz is politically corrupt and causing economic ruin, Elphaba finds a sense of purpose to her life?to stop him and to restore harmony and prosperity to the land. A Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and an unknown species called a "Dorothy" appear in very small roles... The story presents Elphaba in a sympathetic and empathetic manner-readers will want her to triumph! The conclusion, however, is the same as L. Frank Baum's. The book has both idealism and cynicism in its discussion of social, religious, educational, and political issues present in Oz, and, more pointedly, present in our day and time. The idealism is whimsical and engaging; the cynicism is biting. It is for good readers who like satire, and love exceedingly imaginative and clever fantasy.
Erin on 02.17.09 @ 01:49 PM CST [link] [4 Comments]

Thursday, February 12th

Had a program at school where they sent home a note asking the children to collect pennies or change for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society- It was called "Pennies for Patients". So we discussed it with Delaney and gave her a jar. She went upstairs and emptied two piggy banks and put all her "savings" into a jar. When I asked her why she gave them her money, she said because I don't need it and they do. Then Mom and Dad matched her contribution by filled a jar too. Then me and her sat down and decorated them (using Poppy's Paper - of course) and she wrote a little note on top. I just think it is so important to teach our children to think of others- especially when it is other children who are sick (and got sick for no reason). She didn't do a lot, but just forcing her to stop and think about it and to take the time to do something for others makes all of us feel good. She really takes pride in knowing she is making a difference.
klds on 02.12.09 @ 04:52 PM CST [link] [3 Comments]

Tuesday, February 10th

Let's all wish Kay C a very Happy Birthday!

klds on 02.10.09 @ 12:26 AM CST [link]

Monday, February 9th

The closing on the house is tentative for April 27th! Now the fun begins packing up a 1900 sq ft house full of 11 years worth of stuff and finding somewhere to live in exactly 11 weeks........!
klds on 02.09.09 @ 05:27 PM CST [link]

Sunday, February 8th

Saturday, Delaney and Bob went to dinner and a Father-Daughter Dance. Daddy got her a new dress, she got some new jewels, a corsage and a new up-do...she was the Bell of the Ball!
klds on 02.08.09 @ 09:37 PM CST [link]

Friday, February 6th

The day started with an announcement that our principal is being moved to another school next year- they one who supports Peace festivals and manners and philanthropic endeavors. The one who is loved by all but because she is so good at "building a school climate" gets to go fix a school they allowed to be broke for years. It was a sad day.

Then...there was a school bus accident. "A school bus collided with a van near Hawthorn Elementary School on Thursday, injuring four people." So you spend your morning in crisis mode. The good news, our two students are fine and the two in the van are not life threatening. It appears the van pulled out in front of the bus- it assumed it was turning into the school but was actually going forward to finish it's route.

Here is what I learned today...
Everything Happens For A Reason..................

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there.....to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or help figure out who you are, or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, but when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
klds on 02.06.09 @ 12:12 AM CST [link]

Thursday, February 5th

Well, we all know the economy is not real stable right now with a slow recovery forecasted.
At Christmas we learned Nick was layed off and now I have learned, Beth just received her lay off notice. So say a prayer that these two get a job quickly and that no one else in our family is hit by the bad economy.
klds on 02.05.09 @ 12:33 AM CST [link]

Well, Nana & Poppy head down south a week from today. After this winter in New York- they are excited about some sunshine and warm weather.
They will catch up with Kevin & Kris. Kevin will be down with his girlfriend (who mom will get to meet) and Kris will follow a week later with the girls for a visit. FUN!
Then in March- Karen & Linda will go their for spring break. We will be flying into Charlotte for a visit and then drive to the beach for a lovely week away.

klds on 02.05.09 @ 12:23 AM CST [link]

Wednesday, February 4th

A week or so ago there was a slight flood at the restaurant. A pipe under the sink pulled apart and was flooding the kitchen floor- mom & Sue caught it and started to clean it up. Nana threw Kelsie a towel to help- she fell down on her knees and shouts, "Come on girls, Let's get this done!"

On her recent trip to Florida, Delaney went to the world's largest McDonalds. When they left she told her parents, "This is Mctopia!" Her father asked her if she knew what utopia was- she replied, "No, but it has to be great!" Not a bad use of words!
klds on 02.04.09 @ 11:15 PM CST [link]

Kameron got his cast off today...now some physical therapy and he'll be back to normal for baseball.
klds on 02.04.09 @ 11:06 PM CST [link]

Monday, February 2nd

Even if the sun isn't shining, predicting six more weeks of cold weather would seem always to be the safe call, given that the vernal equinox occurs reliably every March 20. In keeping with that reality, Punxsutawney has predicted six more weeks of winter more than 90 percent of the time going all the way back to 1887. According to the Stormfax Almanac, Punxsutawney's six-week prognostication has only been correct 39 percent of the time. As is true of so many other things, you'd do better to flip a coin.
Edited: The world's most eccentric weather forecasting system (Phil), has predicted that America is in for another six weeks of winter. In New York, a rodent called Staten Island Chuck didn't see his shadow but did bite Michael Bloomberg, the city's mayor – an action that groundhog experts were at a loss to explain in meteorological terms.
klds on 02.02.09 @ 12:15 AM CST [link]

klds on 02.02.09 @ 12:01 AM CST [link]

klds on 02.02.09 @ 12:00 AM CST [link]

Sunday, February 1st

February 2009

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals will play in Super Bowl XLIII. Who do you want to win?
Edited: Pittsburgh comes back with just 35 seconds left after losing the lead late in 4th quarter to defeat Arizona 27-23.
klds on 02.01.09 @ 04:47 PM CST [link]