Cage Free Monkeys

The Car Accident

This weekend I found out that my best friends are getting a divorce. And the only way I can explain the situation is to liken it to watching a car accident.

I am joining the scene at the point when the driver can do no more. The momentum of the accident is in motion. All the chances for steering out of it, applying the brake, and downshifting are gone. The car is now in its own motion and all I can do is sit and hold my breath as I wait for it to go through the stages it will travel through-loss of control, impact, and then coming to rest.
I can only wait until the damage is done and then go to help the passengers pull themselves out of the wreckage and evaluate their injuries.

But I am resisting every urge I have to be the backseat driver and scream at the top of my lungs all of my suggestions to help avoid it-- despite the fact that the car is hydroplaning and at this point no amount of defensive driving will get those tires back on the ground in time to avoid the impending collision. And I'm thinking of the little boy who is asleep in the backseat with no knowledge of what is about to happen.

So its here that I wait on the side of the road. I am waiting for the crash, the smoke, the sound of crumpled steel. I wait for the bodies, broken and torn to emerge. I want to close my eyes but can't. I am standing there with my first aid kit....waiting....hoping it won't be as bad as I know it will be.

SO since I can't do anything, I will check on my own car today. I will check to see that I haven't missed any signs of danger in the road ahead, see if there is anything needing my attention, be sure my eyes are open and I am not missing anything that could cause a problem down the road. In other words, I'm calling my husband who is away on business this week and reminding him how much I love him.

Jumping Into the World of Blog Design and A Giveaway!

I am jumping into the world of blog design. I hope to make others have the same bloggy-happiness I have.

I will be starting a list of interested people and offer both custom designs and modified designs.

I am starting off offering designs that are not OOAK, however they have the personalization of photo(s) in the header etc. for only $25. The price includes installation as well.

Got a sample for me to see?

Sure...here's Terri's blog I just did


Other one-of-a-kind designs will start at $75

How'd ya get on the list?
Either email me at jenaferlm [at] hotmail.com or leave a comment here with your current blog and email address.

What about the giveaway?
I will select one person from the list randomly, to receive a free design as stated above. Selection will be made on Monday Nov. 8th at 8 am.

Good luck!

Tutorial: Homemade Soft Pretzels

Soft pretzels...such a treat. They are surprisingly easy to make and you most likely have all the ingredients on hand, especially if you are a bread baker!

Step 1: Dissolve 4 teaspoons of dry yeast into 1 1/4 C water and 1 tsp sugar. Let sit until creamy, about 10 minutes
Step 2: Combine 5 cups flour, 1 tbs oil, yeast water mixture, and 1/2 cup sugar.

Step 3: Using a kitchen mixer with a dough hook, knead for about 10 minutes. Add one or two tbsp. as needed.

Step 4: Let rise 1 hour in a greased bowl.

Step 5: Take chunks and roll into long ropes. About 12-18 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide.


Step 6: Shape rope into pretzel and set aside.



Step 7: Once all pretzels are shaped dip them into a solution of 1/2 c baking soda and 4 cups hot water.

Step 8: Put onto greased cookie sheet and dust top with salt. Kosher salt is authentic, regular salt is fine though.

Step 9: Cook in 450 degree oven until browned, about 8 minutes.

Homeschool Co-op

Our homeschool co-op is in its second session and is such a roaring success the kids wake up asking "how many more days until co-op?"

We spend our Fridays immersed in music classes, cooking, knitting, drama, yoga, arts, and so much fun. Co-op has offered my kids a way to round out our homeschooling experience by getting rich musical exposure and the ability to participate in "schooly" events like a play.

Tuesdays Unwrapped: Late Night Love

A teary eyed little boy met me in the family room last night while I was steeped in the drama that can only come from a DVR'd episode of Desperate Housewives. He was unable to fall asleep, restless and overtired.

He thought I would be upset that he was out of bed at 11:00 at night. And had I not paused for a moment to make a thoughtful decision regarding the situation, I may have been. Ah, my housewife friends would have to wait.

So I remembered to wrap him in love and served him up a warm cup of milk with a cookie. Soon after his late night lovin' he drifted off to sleep finally...only in my bed instead of his.



Check out other entries over at Chatting at the Sky

I ♥ Faces Challenge: Balloons

This week I ♥ Faces' theme is balloons. I thought of this picture right away!

Check out the rest of the entries here.