Good Morning Bambi

The past couple of mornings Jet, my youngest bundle of energy, has sworn up and down that he sees deer out by the pound.  But every time Jaden, the oldest bundle of energy, and I get to the window we do not see anything.  This morning Jet got ready for school quickly, pulled a chair up to the living room window and waited.  “They’re out there.  I know it,” he kept repeating.  I think he is going to be quite the hunter; patience and determination are great qualities for hunters. 

Jaden and I were brushing our teeth when we heard “there are four of them!  I told you they were out there.”    Jaden and I ran to the window with toothpaste dripping off our chins.  Jaden shouted, toothpaste flying everywhere, “get the gun!”  It was a joyful sight and tremendously serene to sit and gaze upon those beautiful and tasty animals.  The deer were very very hard to see.  I saw one right away, but the others I had to search for. 

Jaden ran, got the laptop and started looking up facts about deer.  Jet boasted proudly, “I told you they were there.”  It was a full five minutes before it dawned on me to get the camera. 

I was so excited that I didn't adjust the settings on my camera; so the pictures aren't great.  I crept quietly onto the porch.  After the first flash three of the deer ran off.  The one in the picture is the only one who stuck around to stare at me.  Then Luna, the diva dog, ruined everything!!!!  She charged out of the house and off the porch.  The deer ran off and silly Luna freaked out, ran back up the porch and stood behind me; so much for a guard dog!

I love Kentucky mornings!

Chasing Turkey Vultures Has Its Rewards

Okay, there are these massive birds in Kentucky call turkey vultures.  I have no idea how these ugly birds can get off the ground, but they do and I am intrigued by them.  They caught my attention about a month ago when I saw a couple lift a large cat off the road and carry it about 5 feet.  Talk about team work!  Don't worry, the cat was not alive it was "road kill".  There seems to be a lot of that around here, but you'll have to take my word on that because I don't plan to take pictures of road kill.  SMILE  I have been carrying my camera around with me in hopes I can catch a glimpse of these large scavengers on camera.  Unfortunately, these little/big guys are smart.  They fly off before you can even get with in 50 feet of them.  I'm thinking of tying a roast around my neck and go off searching for them.  Although, I have a feeling there could be some hazards in this idea..

Yesterday I spotted the turkey vultures in a pasture so I did what any curious crazy woman would do, I slammed my car into park and jumped out of the car.  Please remember I live in the sticks. I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT practice this if you drive on the 95 in Virginia or the 5 or 15 in Cali.  You might get a free white coat and a long stay in a padded room.  I had a feeling the turkey vultures would flee so I started snapping pictures as soon as I was out of the car.  As expected, they flew away and I hung my head in defeat as I walked back to the car planning my next tactic should I come across them again.  I am pretty stubborn and I will get a picture of turkey vultures!!!

This morning I popped my SD card into my laptop and I couldn't believe my eyes.  I didn't catch any good shots of the vultures, but there were these magnificent clouds that sneaked into the shots.  I had no idea they were there yesterday.  I was so fixated on the vultures I missed those beautiful creations.  Sometimes accidents are blissful!

I could seriously get lost in the Kentucky skies.  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE living in Kentucky?!

Gunny's Sweet Weenies A.K.A. Man Candy

This is the number one requested dish for the Nuntavongs to bring to birthday, holiday and office parties.  The hubby and I first had these sweet little pieces of perfection a little over 5 years ago.  Thank you Sabrina Rocke for introducing us.  I can not think of any dish that tops this one.  It is always the first one to be devoured at parties.

I did NOT make up this recipe.  I have, however, nearly perfected it.  So here you go peeps.  Take out a pen and paper and write this down.  Your party guest will be very thankful!

By the way, there is absolutely NOTHING healthy about these sweet little things; so enjoy!

Ingredients: 1 package of cocktail weenies, 1 package of bacon and lots of brown sugar

1. Cut bacon into thirds (lengthwise).

2. Separate the bacon and toss it in a bowl with some of the brown sugar. Set it out on a counter for at least 30 minutes. This step isn't necessary, but it makes it easier to roll the weenie in the bacon.

3. Line a cookie sheet with two layers of foil paper.  Makes for a super easy clean up!

4. Put some brown sugar on a plate. Coat both sides of a piece of bacon and then roll a cock tail weenie with it.  Repeat until all the weenies are wrapped and placed on the cookie sheet

5. Sprinkle brown sugar on weenies.  Don't over do it.

6.  Cook weenies at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

7.  Take weenies out of oven and pour out the bacon fat.

8. Cook weenies for 15-20 more minutes until they are golden brown.

9. Take weenies out of oven and turn them over.  Generously sprinkle brown sugar on them.

10. Broil at 500 degrees for 3-5 minutes.  WATCH them.  Every broiler works differently.  Pull them out when the brown sugar starts to bubble, BUT BEFORE they turn black...it happens quickly.


The weenies should be crunchy, sweet and salty.  ENJOY

What Color is "Yella"?

I am a mother to two very energetic and lively boys; that is about all they have in common.  My oldest son, Jaden, is extremely intelligent, but the only thing on his mind is video games, comic books and lasagna.  He could careless about what he learned at school. His favorite classes are "library and lunch".  Jet differs in that he has a great desire to learn new things in school and to be the very best in his class.  He comes home daily and shows me his "happy face" and the "nice job" written on his paper by his teacher.  Jet loves to come home and tell me everything he learned; from gray squirrels don't hibernate to George Washington was our first president.

Recently, when I picked Jet up from school he looked very perplexed. I asked him what the matter was and he said "I just don't know. I don't think I'm the smartest in the class anymore"  I replied, "What don't you know?  Why would you think that?"  He walked away lost in thought.  He finally returned and told me what was on his mind, "Mommy, what color is "yella"?  The boy at school keeps asking for the "yella" crayon.  I don't know what color it is."

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE living in Kentucky?

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Things I learned today.

Learned Thing #1 -- Doing 100 Bosu Ball Burpies w/ shoulder presses, push ups and alternating lunges (its all combined into one exercise...very cool) was NOT a well thought out plan on days you are planning to paint a ceiling and edging. My shoulders and arms were shaking so bad. :)


Learned Thing #2 -- Climbing a tree in Muck Boots is also NOT a well thought out plan.


Learned Thing #3 -- It is much easier to climb a tree than it is to get down from the tree. Did I mention I was wearing Muck Boots?


Learned Thing #4 -- Never listen to a 5 year old who says "Mom, just jump. I do it all the time!" Did I mention my workout to day? My quads gave out on my landing. 


Learned Thing #5 -- Never curse in front of your 5 year old. He will tell the neighbor exactly what you said. "My Mom said sh$t when she fell on her face." Geeze kid. 


Learned Thing #6 -- Next time wait until my Ninja Husband is home to climb the tree and let him do the pruning.

Learning never ends.  

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Pumpkin Golf and Baseball

Raising boys is so much FUN!!!  Well, most of the time and especially on days like today.  The boys and I picked up old pumpkin on clearance at Wal-Mart a couple of days ago.  Today we finally put them to good use.  I should say Jet and I put them to good use.  Jaden hit one pumpkin and went back to reading his comic book.  Jet and I "smashed pumpkins to nothingness", as Jet put it.  Another great quote from Jet today   was "AHHHH I love exploding pumpkins!"

Enjoy the pics!

A Small Glimpse Into the Beauty of Kentucky

Kentucky is truly a majestic land. It's elegance easily transports you into a peaceful state where savoring each moment becomes as natural as breathing.  The sight of the rising and falling of the green hills calmly pulls you into a place of quietude and stillness.  Blanketing the hills is creation at its supreme measures; flowers expanding their petals for the affection of the sun, trees earnestly lengthening their branches for heaven.  Just a slight lift of your chin will bring you to Kentucky’s purest attribute, its gentle skies.   The crisp breeze, the rustle of leaves....

The images will precisely portray Kentucky; beyond anything I will ever be capable of interpreting into words.  All photographs were taken by me; nothing altered, nothing cropped, Kentucky at its purest.

































If you are from Kentucky I hope these pictures inspire you halt during your busy day and enjoy the blessings of living in such a beautiful place.  To everyone else, I hope you're not too envious of us!  Come visit!!!

Shalom,
-- The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Unfurl Old Glory. Let It Soar. But Please Do It Upright and Respectfully

Each weekday morning and afternoon I drive passed this flag (see above picture); it is nailed up to a tree in someone’s front yard.  The first time I saw it I assumed the flag had fallen over and surely the owner of the property would fix it soon.  A few days later, I noticed the flag was still upside down and there was an older woman tending her flowers; so I rolled down my window and said “Ma’am, did you know your flag is upside down?”  She answered expressionless and with a quick, “Yes.”  And returned to what she was doing.  I was FURIOUS.  I wanted to jump out of the car and give her a piece of my mind. But since I was new to the area and many Kentuckians own guns (we’re heathens who go around shooting each other…oops that’s another post) I figured I better contain myself and keep driving.  Those who know me well know this is one of my greatest challenges in life.  I get very passionate about things, which sometimes causes me to get “hot headed”.  Thankfully God has used my children to teach me in this area.  Plus, I could hear Chach/Gunny in the back of my head saying…no nagging “it’s her right Jennifer”.  I hate it when spouses are right.  

When I drive down the the road and this flag comes into view, I can’t help but think about her disregard toward both of my grandfather who fought in WWII.  I think of Dan Laguna, author and retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 USA , who watched his biological brother’s helicopter shot down during a battle in Baghdad on January 23, 2007.  I can’t help but wonder about young men and women who live their lives every day carrying the burden of what they did or saw in a battle; all in the name of our beautiful county and especially for what the flag stands for.  Empathy for each of them overtakes my heart and brings me to tears, because of this lack of gratitude she is expressing toward each individual of our armed forces when she showcases the flag upside down.     

I read a blog last night about Navy Seal Jonas Kelsall, he was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011.  This morning I could not contain myself any longer.  Don’t worry I didn’t beat up an older woman or tear her flag down.  With tears in my eyes, I boldly stepped out of my car and shot a few pictures of the flag (well not too boldly…I was hoping she wouldn’t step out with a shotgun).    I figured if she has the right to hang the flag upside down then I have the right to photograph it and grumble about it.  Only I will do it respectfully. 

I understand it her right to hang the flag upside down as a protest against political decisions or discontent toward our government, but I can think of many more meaningful and effective ways to protest without defacing our flag and what it stands for.  Write.  Talk.  Vote.

The flag is a symbol of our liberty and our freedoms.   The flag is a symbol of hope and courage.  The Marines, who fought on the volcanic island of Iwo Jima during WWI, stormed the beach’s black sands and bravely fought for each of their footsteps up Mount Suribachi.  Over 3,200 American service members were killed or wounded in the battle of Iwo Jima.  Some Marines, who survived the gruesome battle, have said that seeing the American flag soaring on top of Suribachi gave them the determination to continue charging and fighting for the island.  

For me, when I see the flag, I see all the men and women who have served our country not for the government but for what it stands for.   I see all the families who have sacrificed their loved ones and carry their sorrow daily.  Can we not have one sacred thing in this country?  Can you not find another way to protest without disrespecting those who gave it all? 

I don’t discourage people from voicing their opinions.  Trust me; I’m a firm believer of confrontation.  But PLEASE, out of respect to our service members and their families honor our Stars and Stripes!  Honor those who gave their lives for YOU. 

Okay, I’ll step off the soap box now. :)

Respectfully.

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Girls Can’t Be Marines

Esprit de Corps runs deep and strong within the ThaiMex Family.  My husband has served over 17 years in the Marine Corps (man he is getting OLD).  I served in the Corps; my brother, brother-in-law and many of our close friends.  My awesome hubby and I are raising our boys with many of the concepts and traits we learned in the Corps.  Don’t worry.  I haven’t quarter decked them yet, but I have seriously considered rifle PT.   I can’t tell you how many times I have spit out "J.J. DID TIE BUCKLE", or some form of it, to my boys (it’s an acronym and an entire other post).  Our boys are taught to play “Marines”.  Do you know those little plastic green military men you can buy at the dollar store?  Well most people call them soldiers or army guys; in our house they are called Marines or infantry men.   It’s just how it works.  I can’t explain it other then  1 - 2- 3- 4 We Love the Marine Corps!

Last week, Jaden came home from school with a piece of paper.  His school is celebrating Veteran’s Day by encouraging students to bring a Veteran to a special assembly that is being held in honor of them.  Jaden was excited because he wanted to bring his Daddy.  I explained to him that Daddy’s schedule was not going to allow him to attend the ceremony.  He was bummed and said he really wanted to have a Veteran at the assembly.  I pride fully told him, “No problem.  I can go with you.”  He said, “No! I want a Veteran not a Mom.”  I told Jaden that I am a Marine (never a former or an ex; we’re always Marines).   Jaden’s reply was, “Girls can’t be Marines.”  Child have I taught you NOTHING!   I showed him my boot camp picture and told him about the “girl” Marines he knew.  It still did not register.  He just shook his head.  He went to his desk, started his homework and left me totally flabbergasted. 

Ugh.  Boys!  I'm not sure if I'll ever understand them.

-- ThaiMex Kentuckian

The Land of the Bluegrass Changed Our Destiny

A little over a year ago, my husband came home from a trip full of smiles and an extra bounce in his step. This was extremely odd behavior because he normally returns from trips exhausted and stressed. He couldn't stop talking of this beautiful place he had visited and the exceptionally kind and generous people he had met. He went on and on, which is very out of his character. Then he said four little words that always seem to spring instant glee into my little world, “let’s go on va-ca-tion.” Honestly, he had me at “let’s” and before he even finished the first syllable in vacation I was already in la la land. I was mindfully arranging a trip to Vermont so I, of course I mean WE, could see covered bridges (the simplest things captivate me). I was rudely interrupted in my fantasy when my husband said the word “Kentucky”. All I could think was “does he want chicken at this hour?” I quickly realized the man was NOT talking about chicken but he wanted to take his family to Kentucky for vacation. WHAT? Who goes on vacation to Kentucky? Then he just about floored me when he said he wanted to vacation in “rural Kentucky”. I couldn't believe my ears; my city boy, my beach loving Asian man wanted to vacation in rural Kentucky. I was totally confused. I kept telling him “he was star struck by these people”.

I thought he seriously lost it when he said we could stay in the basement of some of the people he JUST met. “Are you kidding?” I told him. You barely know these people and you want my children to stay in their house. He assured me he had never met people like this before. CRAZY!!! He eventually won me over when he reminded me that some of our close military family, Tami and Dave, lived close by and we could visit them as well. He also promised me that I could meet these people who had star struck him. Many of them were coming to D.C. and I could meet them and then decide whether or not I wanted to see Kentucky.

Well, it turned out his friends were as incredible as he described. I’m pretty sure I received a hairline fracture in one of my ribs when I was bear hugged by one gentleman name Big Mike; he totally caught me off guard. I remember him telling me “we hug where I come from”. :)

As always, the first day of our vacation, the Nuntavongs left D.C. later then planned. We would be entering Kentucky later than I had hoped, but it didn't matter. I fell in love with Kentucky in the dark. Once we got off the interstate and away from artificial lights I saw stars. I hadn't seen so many stars in the sky since my childhood (I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California). As we drove deeper into central Kentucky rolling hills began to appear and rock formations protruded from the side of mountains as we drove down the Cumberland Parkway. We were warmly welcomed by our hosts (who stayed up late to welcome us). These wild people were talking about training for an Iron Man at 11 o’clock at night. I knew I was in good company. :)  I slowly started feeling the comfort and excitement my husband spoke about. I immediately sensed their love for Kentucky, their family and life. I couldn't help but giggle at their accent and odd words. Their children wanted to show us their “crek” (creek) in the “mornin”.

I woke early the next day and snuck outside to breathe in the cool crisp air. It was clean air. I had forgotten what that smelled like. There were no sounds of cars to invade my quiet. The only noise my world were chirping birds and mooing cows. I glanced out to our friends’ property and saw rolling hills, pristine blue-gray clouds (a storm was rolling in) and trees. I felt an unexpected sense of peacefulness and thought to myself “I could live in a place like this”. The rest, my dear friends, was history (sometimes clichés just fit perfectly)!

 --The ThaiMex Kentuckian