TGIF – Show & Tell…and Freebies

SHOW AND TELL

I found out about the Show & Tell Friday memes (hosted by both Raising 4 Godly Men and There is No Place Like Home) while visiting Tiany’s blog, so I thought I would join in.

How about I begin with an explanation of that crazy Flying Pool Monkeys photo in my Wordless Wednesday post?

Yes folks, that photo is real…the only photoshop-ing I did to it was to resize it, then sharpen it a little. My children really are that crazy. And Miles to Go asked how I got them all to do that at the same time. They did that all on their own. They backed up about 20 feet and took a running start, racing to the pool and jumping in all at the same time, seeing who could jump the highest. (“Gator”, the 12-year-old looks like he’s sky-diving…I think he won). After a few times, they were all calling, “Hey mom! Take a picture!” Obviously, I obliged.

Sheryl asked if this is an indoor pool. It isn’t. Here in Florida the majority of the houses have screened back patios (that’s what this is), with most also having a small covered area, called a lanai. If the pool is located on the patio, it is screened in as well. I don’t know if the reason for all of this screening is because we live in swamp land (which equals bugs), or because it doesn’t get cold enough here to kill off the critters in the winter (which equals even more bugs), but at any rate, the screening is nice. And it gives you an extra living space for most of the year (as well as keeping alligators out of the pool ). Except for in the coldest months, we spend more time out here than anywhere. We can sit out here in the evenings and listen to the frogs and crickets and the calls of the great horned owls without being eaten alive by mosquitos or no-see-ums.

And in praise of my screened lanai, and since I haven’t shared any recipes this week, how about this one?

The Lanai Sandwich

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 Can (8-ounce) pineapple slices (in juice)
• 1/4 Cup Reduced calorie mayonnaise
• 1 T Prepared mustard
• 1 Green onion, thinly sliced
• 1/8 Tsp Cayenne pepper
• 8 Slices 9-grain bread
• 4 Slices Baked ham
• 4 Slices Reduced fat Swiss cheese
• 4 Iceberg lettuce leaves

Method of Preparation:

• Place strainer inside a mixing bowl.
• Pour pineapple slices into strainer; drain.
• Combine 1 tablespoon of pineapple juice with mayonnaise, mustard, green onion, and cayenne.
• Spread over one side of each slice of bread.
• Lay four slices of bread flat on counter. Layer the ham, cheese, pineapple, lettuce, and remaining bread slices.
• Place on cutting board. Cut sandwiches in half on the diagonal and serve.

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FREEBIE FRIDAY

It’s been a while since I posted a Freebie Friday entry, so I’ll try to make this one worthwhile.

1. Dove.com is currently offering all kinds of freebies. The Dove Hair Care products page allows you to choose one sample from the following: Advanced Care Color Therapy for Lightened Hair, Advanced Care Color Therapy for Darkened Hair, Advanced Care Sheer Moisture Therapy and Advanced Care Intense Damage Therapy, Cool Moisture, or pro.age. There are also individual free offers on this page for Dove Energy Glow, Dove pro.age (choose from deodorant -or- shampoo and conditioner), and Dove Ultimate Clear. HURRY. All of these offers are noted “while supplies last”.
2. Want more shampoo? Visit Hairapy to sign up for a free Sunsilk sample pack, which includes shampoo, conditioner, and creme, along with $2 in gift cards.
3. BillyGraham.org is offering (for free) the inspiring book Sitting By My Laughing Fire, a volume of Ruth Bell Graham’s poetry, chosen by and assembled by Ruth herself!
4. Lysol.com is offering a free Healthy Habits Activity Book for Kids (either for download in PDF form, or in print), which is said to “Teach your kids fun ways to learn healthy habits with this exciting booklet filled with games, puzzles, pictures and more“.
5. Fisher Price is offering a free Planet Heroes DVD, “Ace in Space”.
6. Ragu is offering a free “Soccer Short-cuts” cookbook (available both in print and for download). I first found out about this offer through 5 Minutes For Mom a while back and ordered one. It has arrived, and is a cute little book, full of recipes that the children can easily whip up on their own.
7. Like raisins? Speaking of free cookbooks, SunMaid Raisins is offering a choice of four different recipe booklets in print (one of these also available for pdf download). Choose from the following titles: Fruit & Sunshine, The New Taste of Tradition, Recipes for Healthier Eating, and Family Favorite Recipes.
8. If you’re interested in even more recipes, click over to the Reynold’s Kitchen site to download a free copy of the Grillaxation Grilling Guide, and while you’re there, be sure to order your free sample of Reynold’s parchment paper .

AND FOR THE EDUCATOR’S AMONG US! Here are two great free resources for educators!

1. Incompetech offers free printable graph paper — all kinds!
2. And Gamequarium offers hundreds of *free* educational games.