7 Random Thoughts to end July

#1. HUGE Kudos to my amazing brother, Matt, for the the awesome wedding video that has been seen 'round the interwebs over the past week. We've all known he's a brilliant photographer / producer / director / butcher-baker-candle stick maker but it's extremely satisfying to see him finally getting the notoriety he's so long deserved. Being in a new city can be rough (See #4) but I think being "famous" in a new city will make it just a bit easier. If, by some chance, you've missed the much praised work you can watch it here: Wedding Music Video by: Matt Odom


#2. I can change a flat tire. In the dark. On the side of a busy highway. BY MYSELF. Well kinda, ...at least in theory!! We'll never know if I could have gotten that last stubborn lug off because the Marion County Sheriff's department stopped to help and rescued me in all my damselly distress. Never-the-less, I was proud of myself.

#3. My 3rd year of homeschooling will be monumental in that we'll be adding a 3rd student. Brooke surprised everyone when she asked to be added the roster. And I surprised myself when I realized how excited I was at the prospect! Our official start date is the 9th of August. Wish us luck!

#4. Earlier this month my eldest brother, Matt, left his long time home of Atlanta, GA and started his life anew in Venice beach, California. While I couldn't be be happier for him, his removal from the southeast United States means that I'm the only one of 6 Odom kids who can still call the Eastern Time Zone home. Years ago, it was Allison who held the title of being"Navigationally Challenged" living "all the way out there in Montana". Looking at a map, it's clear that the crown and sash have been passed down to me. I'll wear them with pride Allie!

#5. With the exception of Wipeout & Psych, there is nothing good on TV. I'm ready for the new fall lineup.

#6. Journaling has become a powerful new outlet. I didn't quite realize how much I had to say until I put pen to paper and let the words flow out. There is nothing eloquent or poignant offered up on the pages, but the process itself has curative powers that I take advantage of daily.

#7. Tonight I asked the kids if there was anything specific they wanted to learn about in school this year. Diana said "I just wanna learn to read!" Brooke told me she wanted to learn "real Japanese" and Dominick told me that he "needed to learn a lot more about Jedi's." I am pretty sure that I'm not allowed to incorporate Star Wars into the curriculum. ....Or I am?? ;)

Our 4th of July

It's no surprise that we decided to spend our 4th on the lake, it is surprising that we didn't want to take the boat. We'd heard that the ramp would be crowded, and it was no lie. While there are usually 10-15 cars with trailers and MAYBE two or three cars full of families swimming, the numbers on the 4th were at least quadrupled.

We pulled in at about 10:30am and it was sheer luck that we were able to get a spot close to where we usually pull in. By noon, the place was packed. We're talking maybe 30 cars full of families swimming and around 75-100 cars *trying* to get their boats/jet ski's in the water.

The downside to all of this activity was swimming in "red water". Tennessee is chalk full of red clay, and the activity from all of the boats, jet-ski's and the sheer number of people swimming meant that the river bank was churning all day, producing water that looks kinda awful.

Point in case:


We didn't let it bother us though. We spent the day enjoying ourselves, gorging on food and by the time we got home, (Around 7pm) the kids were totally exhausted and sunburned, but the show had to go on! And by show, I mean more of Ed trying to set me on fire and less of things going "boom" in the air. After an hour of having my ear drums blown out by fireworks set upside in the canisters and having fireworks skidding across the driveway only to implant under my flip-flops burning my feet, I decided I was better able to execute a painfree enjoyable display. And it was, by all accounts, terrific!

Random lake Pictures

We've been to the lake so many times this summer, that the pictures all start to look like one another, and it's sometimes hard to tell which happened on which dates. So I figured I'd just pull out some of my favorites and post them together.

Dom on the back of the boat:



Dominick and Ed enjoying the water:

Diana swimming to me and then to Ed and back again....

Brooke, about 5' under. Amazing how clear the water is....

Another picture to show how clear the water is:


Me, in my "happy place". No one enjoys our lake outings more than I do!

Cherry Meringue Puffs

I've been watching my weight for the past few weeks (Aside from July 4th, a tragic day when I fell off the diet wagon so hard I broke my digestive track) and I've been trying to come up with low calorie, low fat snacks to replace all of the fatty baked goods I'm addicted to.

My favorite are the easiest to make and SO delicious, CHERRY MERINGUE PUFFS. These cookies are airy, sweet and crips and melt in your mouth like a roasted marshmallow! They are great for satisfying my sweet tooth without feeling like I've sabatoged my diet. If you're not a cherry fan, you can try mint, vanilla, almond, or lemon extract!

(Before getting popped in the oven)



Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees, and cutting a piece of parchment paper large enough to cover the entire bottom of the cookie sheet you're using.

You'll need:
4 large egg whites at room temperature
1 cup of sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. cherry extract

Cookie sheet
Parchment paper

Using an electric mixer (with a wisk attatchment) beat the egg whites on low-medium speed until foamy Add the cream of tartar and extract and continue to beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue holds stiff peaks. (The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.)

Transfer the meringue mixture to a large ziplock bag (or large pastry bag) and cut medium size whole in the bottom corner of the bag. Pipe cookies onto the cookie sheet, I make mine about an inch or so in size. The meringue's will NOT expand, so you can place them pretty close but not touching.

Bake for appx. 60-70 minutes The meringues are done when they release easily from the parchment paper. When the meringues are baked, turn off the oven, open the oven door slightly, and leave the meringues in the turned off oven for about another half hour.

ENJOY!