Debby from Michigan,USA

Thanks for visiting with my bunny and grandkids, Debby! I loved your memorable Easter Bunny story!

Hi Debby,

Thanks for the info about the chairs! LOL I'm interested because 1 I like furniture and 2 I have a couple of chairs (a paired set) that I absolutely LOVE and wondered if I could join in the fun with them. If I get time to take pictures of them today, I'll upload one for an avatar.

Bird watching is one of our favorite things to do, as seed is relatively inexpensive and it provides hours of nearly free entertainment. We have a sliding glass door to our patio/back yard, so we sit and watch the wildlife - I call it our life-sized HD TV. LOL Anyway, a grackle is an all-black bird with iridescent feathers. Their heads are purple-ish, wings are greenish and tails are copperish. They have yellow eyes and large tails, and stand a little taller than robins. They have a funny kind of squawk that squeaks. If you don't have a bird guide, I highly recommend the Stokes guides (they have Eastern and Western regions in separate books). They're really easy to use and enjoyable to read.

One more thing, I'm really glad you enjoyed the daffodils. All of those pictures I found on flickr, taken by lots of talented folks who also like daffodils. I had LOADS of fun looking for them all. The great thing is, folks like to share them, so I (and everyone else) get to enjoy them as well. So anyway, have a lovely snowy day. The trees are absolutely beautiful right now, all covered in snow on every little branch and twig... Can't wait for it to stop snowing, though. NEED to see some real daffodils!

Ciao,
Jenn

Things are pretty good in Vermont. Some of our snow melted a while back so there are patches of grass here and there. It’s still really cold though. They say we’ll se the forties some time this coming week but we’ve heard that before. Thanks for bringing the pancakes. Here’s some maple syrup to go with it.

Hi Debby,

Saw the Sandpiper cranes on your flickr - WAY COOL!! We used to go see the Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico when we lived there, but I don't have any desire to go back. Very cool that you live near wetlands. I'm sure you get a lot of really interesting birds visiting on a regular basis. We get a few unusual visitors during migrations, but they're sometimes kind of hard to spot, like the kinglets. We also get to see fun birds when we go to Gallup park along the Huron river. Lots of goldfinches and orioles, red-wing blackbirds and waterfowl... Love 'em all! Ian (my 6-yo) likes birdwatching, too, and Sean is learning quickly. He knows crows, mourning doves & cardinals by color and call. Smart little tyke. Anyway, have a lovely day!

Jenn

Hi Debby,

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! The daffodils are exactly what I was hoping for. It's kind of funny being on this Aussie page, since it's telling folks today is my birthday, but it isn't until tomorrow. Funny stuff! I'll take two days of birthday wishes any time. It's a really nice thing to find in one's inbox. Have a wonderful day!

Jenn

Debby, right you are that the cruise was very helpful in easing our pain, or at least delaying it until we got back home to an empty house. We did have a very good time and it kept our minds off our sadness. I'll post pictures when I get time.

Debby, This time next week you will be in the sunny South! Looking forward to seeing you! It is in the 80's and humid. Rumble of thunder in the afternoons. Leave your warmie in Michigan!

....warmies...

Debby, thanks for the Birthday Wishes.
Neil

Have a good flight down...right now it is HOT and very humid. But nice and windy - great pool days! See you soon.

Hi, Debby!

I, too, am looking forward to Wednesday's "meeting." Thank you for your message.

Debby, remember our conversation on SA on Kangaroos.. check out my page..
have a piccie of them taken last year when away for the weekend with friends staying in the bush..

Hi Debby! Wow, the Vegemite got there FAST!! One day service - that's pretty good. Just wanted to warn you to use only a smidgen of the stuff for your first taste! It's really vile to those of us who didn't grow up on it - no offense to the Aussies. It's surely much healthier to eat that than the jams or jellies & other spreads we Americans put on our breakfast bread! You might try googling it to see if you can find some recipes you could use it in to mask the flavor a little.

Hello Greg, and thank you for your kind wishes on my birthday! I did have a lovely day even though I had to work it! They gave me a birthday morning tea, with party pies even, and it was lovely to open my email and see all my wonderful messages! We had had my family party on the day before as my son came home for the weekend. Thanks again, and I hope spring soon arrives for you, Bluey.

Ooooops Debby, I am really sorry that I posted Greg's comment on your page, although as I read it again it seems to be appropriate for you also!! But here is your own special, personal thanks for your good wishes on my birthday THANKYOU!!!! best regards Bluey.

to your hubby.
Hope he has a great day, even though he has already celebrated!
Best of luck at the Mayo.

Debbie, try vegemite on a crust of fresh white bread spread with butter and then a scraping of vegemite on top. It's also great on toast or cracker biscuits (again with butter). Never spread vegemite thickly! I love the stuff but you can use too much.
It's also good mixed into stews, gravies, soups. Babies quite often have it mashed in with their vegetables. I hope that helps.

Debbie, the key to eating vegemite is not to take too much - there is an advertising slogan here that says "Too much spoils the flavour"
I usually have it on toast but I put plenty of butter on the toast and then a thin layer of vegemite which I mix in with the butter before eating - it softens the flavour.

Debby.................RE: Vegemite

Lightly toast your bread (white works well) so that it's just golden brown. While the bread is still hot (very hot) spread margarine and then a very light spread of vegemite.

When I was small, I developed an aversion to mashed potatoes. The only way my mother could get me to eat them was to mix in a very small (just enough to change colour) dob of vegemite in them.

Hi Debby,
Hope you are ready for a deluge by all the happy little vegemites from down under!!
Vegemite - spread sparingly - I note we are unanimous on that.
Depends on how much concern your have for your fat intake as to how much butter you use...I TRY not to use lashings of butter/marg on very hot toast - hot enough so that the butter/marg oozes deep into the toast. Sounds disgusting but that is what I had for breakfast today! It is really good on the crust because then the toast retains a little bit of form despite the lashings of butter hehe!!

It is good to use in gravy's, stews etc as mentioned above.
I even have a butcher who adds it to his snags [sausages] - very yummy they are too.

Toast with a scraping of marg and vegemite was one of the first foods that the average new mum weaned her baby on. We are now so multicultural that I think that probably isn't the case anymore.

Hi Debby. I was away for the weekend & have just caught up with all the weekend & todays puzzles & posts. So here's some more Vegemite info for you!
The Australian company that made Vegemite was bought by Kraft last century, can't remember when - 80's/90's.
Some Vegemite "you tubes" that are good for a laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGxG6r6I7i4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/wat ch ?v=vaESxxvCCFk&feature=related
this one gives you the words of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmEqVq9hwCw&feature=related
this one is a group of US kids tasting V & singing the song.
Some people eat Vegemite & lettuce sandwiches. I don't! One of my sisters likes it on toast with peanut butter & tomato sauce. I don't! But I think it's quite nice with cheese on toast, bread & butter or crackers! Promite & Marmite are similar products, but usually Vegemite eaters don't like them & vise versa!

A lovely update today about your Mum and the care and kindness you are all receiving from the Mayo. I have heard it is an amazing place, and to know they are as nice as they are dedicated is extremely pleasing.
Loving thoughts and best wishes as always,
Gail

Hi Debby; glad to know you are getting a positive overall result from the Mayo. At which Mayo are you--the Minnesota or Jacksonville? I spent several days at the Jacksonville Mayo. The irony
was that I lived in the Jacksonville area for five years and couldn't find a doctor to treat me anywhere in the area; I moved away and had to go back for consult, but it did turn out well for me, too. I really hope they help your mom.

Debby, glad to hear they are taking good care of your Mom at the Mayo. I lived in Jacksonville (actually Orange Park) for 15 years, drove by it many times going to Mayport.
Hope things turn out alright for your Mom.

Debby, just dropping by to give you a reassuring hug; I know you must be concerned about your Mom and how tough these days and nights are for you. Keep us posted and take care of yourself.

Hi Debby!
Just stopping by with good wishes for your Mom.

Continued prayers for your mom and the doctors, Debby. May the diagnosis be correct and the treatment effective.

Debby; The hardest part is waiting for all the results to get coordinated and to you. Patience, I think, in this instance, is the only option; best wishes to you both for patience at this time. Again, prayers are with you. God Bless.

Debby! I met Jenn yesterday! It'll be fun when ALL of us can get together!

Hi Debby,

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you! Thanks for stopping by to say hi. Shiela & I met a few days ago in Saline (at McDonalds) and wondered together how things are going for your mom. Our thoughts are with you and her, and I sincerely hope you all get some resolution and subsequent help. Take care & travel safe. We'll see you when you get back!

Ciao,
Jenn

Hi Debby, noticed you were on Suduko, and from Michigan but taking care of you Mom in Florida. Best of wishes to you and her, glad the weather is nice for you in Florida.

Why would you want spring when you have the most beautiful weather of all time right now? You are so lucky. I know, you probably don't feel lucky and I don't have to shovel snow, but it's soooooo beautiful.

Debby - Prayers and hugs continue for your Mom. Hopefully, a proper diagnosis will be made tomorrow, with an accompanying favorable prognosis. Jaime and I leave tomorrow morning to visit Kathy and Rob (of Valrico) at their vacation home at Fripp Island, SC. We're getting a late start because of a nasty flu bug that flattened us in our tracks a few days ago! It's a good thing we didn't make the trip to Jacksonville last week to see you - we probably would have infected you with our nasty germs! Prayers and best wishes to you and your Mom!

Love, Jane

(PS: I'm posting this on both "easy" and your page to make sure you get it - I know you're not at your home computer so don't know how much time you're able to spend online.)

Hey Debbie...Wanted to check in with you to see how things were going with your mom. Glad you are having good weather in Florida...did you meet up with everyone there? I don't remember seeing anything about it in my try to cover everything on my return. I had a great time and a trip summary is my page 19. Pictures on both in the gallery and on flickr.Unfortunately I missed out on all of my meetings. Prayers for your mom's care....hope the news is comforting whatever it is. More later. Peace.

Hi Debby,

Just got to thinking about you again & thought I'd say hi. Hoping for the best for your mom & you.

Ciao,
Jenn

Debby, please don't think another thing about my birthday...I am trying not too! At my age, the next one will be here soon enough, come and share a drink with me then. Had a great day though, certainly bolstered by the good wishes from my sudoku family.
You are too kind to have popped in when you have so much on your plate. I am glad you were able to get in and see the doctors all in one go, saved a lot of time and trouble, I'm sure.
Once again, for thinking of me and dropping off the flowers. They're lovely.

Hi Debby, welcome home I know how tiring travel can be, with the added uncertainty of your Mothers medical. Now you need a vacation to recover. The hummers will be there soon, they have been here about 2 weeks now, with more coming every day.

Very nice pictures of the meet in Florida, thanks for sharing it with us.