Back Porch Visitor

This adorable raccoon came visiting earlier this evening. He enjoyed a romp on my back deck that lead him to tear up my vegetable plants and the hanging petunia plant. But he did pose just long enough for one photo, one that I took from behind the glass.

Destination: Kings Mountain National Military Park, SC

This past weekend Rick and I drove to Kings Mountain National Military Park to meet up the Hesse Kassel Jaeger Korps, living history re-enactors, and watch their firing demonstration of the Ferguson Rifle and other military flintlock guns. The demonstration was great and the guns were loud.

The Hesse Kassel Jaeger Korps is a dedicated group who portray an elite unit of the Germanic Hesse Kassel Jaegers, who fought for Briton during the American Revolution.

Here the Jaegers are standing in formation and are preparing to fire their rifles.

Ricky Roberts fires his flintlock rifle. I was not ready for this shot and once fired I jumped.

This is the Jaegers home for the weekend, done in historic correct materials.

We were lucky to get a photo of the great display of Revolution War era military guns.

Once the demonstration was over we decided to walk down one of the trails and enjoy the beautiful day. I noticed this off the path trail and thought about climbing up, but then decided not, and instead continue on the nice paved trail that we were on.

And lastly, a nice picture of us (after three tries using the quickpod, Rick has great patience).

Photo of the Day: Whaaat?

Grilled Cheese Perfection

Well I finally did it, with the help from my friend Melanie, I was able to grill a perfect (or as close as I can come to perfect) grilled cheese sandwich.

Lessons learned:

1.) use real butter

2.) use a little cooking spray and

3.) only grill one sandwich at a time.

How many nights is it ok to cook grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner?

A.C. Moore Danger Zone

On the way home from Kings Mountain Military Park this past weekend, I got the chance to stop by the AC Moore store at Concord Mills. Can I say WOW, what a great store, it's huge. Unfortunately they were in the middle of changing the srcapbooking area so many of the pegs where empty, but I persevered and managed to find a few items to take home. (I am dangerous when it comes to a clearance section).

Tuesday with Liam

The day was so beautiful that we got to go outside to explore and look at the pretty flowers in the neighbor's yard.

For a moment I thought Liam was interested in the pretty pink roses

or maybe in the nice purple irises growing along the driveway, but I was wrong...

...it was his foot that interested him.

Grilled Cheese Perfection

Not quite

Some of you know this, but for those who do not, I am not a cook and I really don't like to cook, so for me to attempt cooking is a treat (kind-of). The simple act of making a grilled cheese sandwich should come easy... but not for me. For reasons unknown I have the worst time making these little sandwiches, even with much encouragement and directions from my friend Melanie, I still find difficultly in the task. But I did promise her that I would try again, and the following is my attempt.

I got all the ingredients ready, even buttered the bread (well, I can't believe it's not butter, buttered)

I got frying pan hot and place the first slices of bread in and topped with cheese.

I waited until I could see the cheese start to melt and then I put the other slice of bread on and got ready to flip the sandwiches. I almost got the sandwich all the way other when it ended up sliding apart and sticking to the pan, but I quickly moved the bread and positioned it the best I could.

Then I noticed that I had a hole in the bread and cheese was starting to run out.

Here is the finished, not so pretty, grilled cheese sandwiches, a little crispy on one side, a little doughy on the other, and cheese coming out the side.

Maybe I should order a pizza.