ABC

Dear air conditioning installation company, builder and contractor,

You don't know me, but I would like to thank you for putting in an air conditioning unit into someone's house.

Especially thank you for installing the air handler and drip pan in the attic. You could have found a closet, a garage, shoot even someone's bedroom, but you didn't. Trust me. My friends and I had a blast.

Ceiling was drying by time pics taken.

We dripped even faster when we noticed the homeowner coming in the room in the middle of the night, we just knew our gala wouldn't last. The looks on their faces as they woke-up rather quickly was priceless. Watching them run to get towels and save the roll-top desk, beyond words. Hearing them groan as they try and move everything out of the way... is there a sweeter sound?

Again, we thank you.

Fondly,

The Drip Family and Friends

Elephant Stew

I was given something very precious almost a year ago. It is worth more than all the gold in the world, all the diamonds to be found and no amount of money could get me to part with it.

I was given…memories. Lost treasure.

My mom handed me two boxes of old recipes, or receipts, that my grandmother and grandfather used. As well as a few that are from my great-grandmother! Sure, there are some receipts (this is the old version of recipe, and is actually written on a few of the falling apart papers) that are newer and cut out of magazines or brochures, but the true treasures are the handwritten ones.

These truly are a treasure, to me, because my grandmother passed away 7 days before my 18th birthday, and I have missed her dearly since. My grandfather, well, it will be 2 year ago this coming Mother’s Day that he passed away. So, sentimentality and tears are already being forecasted!

We are forever grateful that our Pappap was able to be with us for as long as we had him, you see he always had a quick smile to give, and being the Irishman that his black hair and blue eyed soul was, a story to tell! He was ever so proud that only 25 percent was truthful. ;o)

We grandchildren, and then his great-grandchildren, all grew up knowing where clouds came from. There are actually some kids who do not! Do you? Let me point you toward Pennsylvania then. Those steel mills, aren’t really mills at all, they are cloud factories! He used to point them out to us every time we would visit and go down the river.

What does any of this have to do with recipes or receipts? Well, I found a particularly appropriate recipe, that was completely my Pappap’s, and I will treasure it always. Please, do not be put off by the name, do try it!

Elephant Stew

Original recipe by Pappap

ingredients

• 1 elephant (medium sized)
• 2 rabbits (optional)
• salt and pepper - to taste
• brown gravy

directions

• Cut elephant into bite sized pieces. This will take about 2 months.
• Add enough brown gravy to cover. Cook over an open fire for about four weeks at 465°.
• This will serve about 3800 people.
• If more are expected, the 2 rabbits may be added.

Please, only use rabbits in emergency, as some people do not like… hare, in their stew!

And that is how we grew up and why I will cherish our lost treasure and hold dear to the memories.

2011 HGTV Dream House Winner

Was it you who won?

First off, CONGRATS! I sure do hope that you'll be happy in my home! ;o)

If though you decide to take the cash option, let me know and I'll send you my list of what I had planned for it. You were going to share it with me, right? You do realize that it is my money, yes?

You see...

I got all gussied up for the big ambush by that Monica lady, I even put on mascara and deodorant! I had on my best bra, it only has one small rip in it and I even took the curlers out of my hair. I had on my Sunday best pink polka dot skirt and my favorite blue and orange stripped shirt.

I took my bath in skin-so-soft and then went out and waited on the carport to jump out and ambush the ambushers. At 9:30 I figured they were hopelessly lost and couldn't figure out who to call and give directions to.

When I finally went inside again, I took a few surprises with me. We're having frog legs for dinner! Darn things kept jumping in my hair. I'm also now really pink on account of that cala something lotion. Seriously thinking about changing the name to 'The Mosquito Farm'.

I still think I should call HGTV and tell them the right address, but my family told me to give it up. Since they pay for my denture cream I guess I have to.

So, you let me know when you want my list and I'll be sure to send it right away!

:o)  Congrats!!!