Open Letter to all those who refuse to knock on my (classroom) door

Dear Fellow Locust Forkians,

I know it makes you feel better to pull on my door before you knock. However, it is going to be locked. It always will be locked. If you feel a need to see my beautiful face, knock kindly. I will politely obligue and open the door in a timely manner. If I am not there in .0048657 seconds please understand, I am on my way. See I hate to wear shoes, I usually am sitting on my fee without my shoes on. Therefore, I must find my shoes, slip them on, and race to the door so you do not feel neglected. I apologize for any inconvience I may cause by keeping my door locked. However, I tried leaving it unlocked and random wondering Jews (aka other people's students) ended up in my classroom without my realization. I hope this clears up our issue of assaulting my door before knocking. Have a wonderful day!

Thanks,
Mandi Courington

Recipes, anyone?

If you have a family recipe that you don't mind sharing, will you please email it to me? I am trying to create a recipe wall in our dining room. I don't even have 1 family recipe. Sad, huh? If you don't like to share you recipes, I understand. However, I'll be grateful for any that are shared!

God's Beauty Is Seen Everywhere

I have a new love for all blooming plants. However, the hydragena (spelling?) is my absolute favorite. Here's one I found in our neighborhood. I probably gave the guy a heart attack when I walked on his perfectly manicured, kelly green lawn. But, I wanted pictures. So, he'll survive.

Photo Update!

I had quit updating because my computer would crash if I opened Internet Explorer. It also would take approximately 20 hours to load 1 photo onto blogger. So, Dan bought me a new computer!

Tippin got a hair cut today! Her hairballs (aka tumbleweeds) were beginning to drive us over the edge. She also seems to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r to dry when we wash her with long hair. She is so cute prancing and struttin all over the place!

Before

After

Daniel and I decided to get our hands dirty this past week and plan some flowers!! We also tore out part of the old flower bed that had been taken over by some unknown type of vine. We then laid pine bark mulch. It looks so colorful!

My new computer came today. It only took about 6 weeks from the time we ordered it. I wanted a neat color, it was worth the wait! The computer is smaller than my Bible!

Tonight we spent time with Tonya and David Hayes and Sarah Ridinger. We are very blessed to have so many friends now! I remember when our closest friends were twice our age!

Summer is only 9 short days away! (9 School Days.) I live by a August - May calendar. Also there are only 5 days in a week if you ask me. hehe.

I received tenure yesterday. It isn't effective until the last day of this school year. So, I have to behave for 9 more school days. I will continue to behave next year too though! I did rebel and wear sweat pants today. It was nice not feeling like I was committing some kind of terrible crime.

Daniel and I spent Spring Break at the beach with my family.

I am facing shoulder surgery this summer to remove a bone spur in my right (YES, i am right handed) shoulder. Not being able to wash my own hair for three weeks will be interesting! Please keep me in your prayers as I return to the doctor for the pre-op appointment/scheduling on June 1.

Yard sales are in full swing on the eastern side of Birmingham! I am ESTATIC! It is currently raining (and lightening). I hope the yard sales are still on for tomorrow!

Dear Dooner,
Four years ago right now we were finishing finals at Freed, planning our wedding, and preparing to begin our lives together. I was so excited I couldn't help myself. I know we took a large risk, but the rewards are more than I could have ever imagined. Who knew in three short years, we would have moved four times, taught together for a year, learned to live on 1.5 paychecks, adopted a puppy, lived in my childhood home, purchased a home on our own, and worked with two wonderful congregations of the Lord's church. We've been busy. We're always busy, but we are always busy doing the work the of the church. We've made our own life and routines. While you do most of the cooking, I try to be as involved as possible at youth activities. This may not be everyone's life, but we've made it our happy life!
I love how you rarely get ill at me. I love how you never fuss when I don't get everything done I was suppose to get done. I also love how if I want to take a nap, you let me sleep. Most of all I love how you always put my needs and wants first.
In fourty years from now, I hope we are as happy, healthy, and blessed as we are today. However, I know that no matter what happens, we will always have each other. Therefore, I know I am a more understanding, loving, patient, and kind person as a result of marrying you. Thank you for choosing me.

Just because,
Mandi

Peanut Butter Strawberry Bars

I made Peanut Butter Strawberry Bars from May 2009 Better Homes and Garden (great magazine!). They were a huge hit! We took them to our Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes meeting where we disucssed what went right and what went wrong. They were a huge hit! It is the first thing I've actually baked (without cheating by using packaged cake or cookie mix).

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup strawberry jam
4 cups small whole strawberries, halved or quartered

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil beyond the edges. Set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Beat in sugars, baking powder, and salt until combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer. Stir in remaining flour.
3. Spread dough in prepared pan. Bake 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
4. Cool completely on rack. Remove from pan by lifting foil. Spread jam and top with berries. Cut into bars. Serve at once or refrigerate up to 6 hours. Makes 24 bars

Make Ahead: Wrap the peanut butter base in foil; store at room temperature up to 24 hours. Before serving, top with jam and berries. Or freeze the peanut butter base in a freezer container up to 3 months.

Picture and Recipe belong to Better Ho mes and Garden