I was just reading the news flash on Yahoo and sure enough the secret recipe for Coca Cola has been purportedly revealed. In a world of big corporate secrets…this is huge! Anyone who has witnessed Sponge Bob protect the Crabby Patty recipe from Plankton’s evil little pinchers, knows that guarding a secret recipe has been enough to keep Bikii Bottom in Turmoil for over 10 years. In truth, this recipe has been protected since 1886 when “merchandise 7X” was invented by John Pemberton. Could you imagine having a recipe so good that the only two people in the world who knew it at one time couldn’t travel together over fears of a simultaneous death? I could think of a few that stack up to it: My mother in law’s sugar cookie recipe and Cindy’s mom’s recipe for her meatballs. Although they are not guarded by someone’s life, the recipient of the last sugar cookie must forge a fierce battle to claim it. As for the famous meatballs, they mysteriously show up at every gathering like something sent from heaven. My grandmother went to heaven with her secret recipe for rice pudding. Hopefully someone up there is enjoying it. This photo, taken in a balmy Mexican marketplace, depicts Peter through a steam-coated lens as he contemplates what’s in the Coca Cola recipe. If you are curious, then take a look. Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP Citric acid: 3 oz Caffeine: 1 oz Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity) Water: 2.5 gal Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart Vanilla: 1 oz Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup): Alcohol: 8 oz Orange oil: 20 drops Lemon oil: 30 drops Nutmeg oil: 10 drops Coriander: 5 drops Neroli: 10 drops Cinnamon: 10 drops
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While typing in the chat section of Facebook the other day, I was informed by a very funny friend of mine that Jen, “You really do suck at typing,” After a good laugh, I vowed to visit Mrs. Hurlbert, Kate’s middle school computer teacher for some quality time with a keyboard. But then the reality struck me, where will I find the time to do this? Truth be told, there are many things I many never achieve even though I would really like to. I don’t think I’ll every be able to whistle properly, figure out a pogo stick, really understand fractions, dance without making a fool of myself, effectively remove piles of clutter from my life, draw a realistic portrait, get an A+ on attire or speak another language effectively. These shortcomings are just the tip of the iceberg. Which brings me to today’s photos. I will never be a tight ropewalker either. Watching Dexter Tripp was fascinating, because everyone in the crowd knew that they would most likely never achieve his amazing feats. (Make a note that Peter will give almost anything a try, especially when the all powerful dollar bill is at stake…Look closely in Dexter’s hand.) But even if there seems to be a long laundry list of unattainable accomplishments in life, there are many that can be reached within the shadow of a doubt. My small bucket list of the things I got right include: finishing an Ironman, not once, but twice (even if the second one wasn’t so pretty). I have made running a household activity among many of the youth in our town, and I think I have figured out how to create some photos that are “keepers”. These proud accomplishments are rooted in the idea that it is what we fail at that makes us work so hard at trying to achieve. Finding balance between our strengths and weakness make us who we are, like it or not. So I guess the moral of the story here is to accept our weaknesses with grace and humbly build off our strengths. Fail, but never give up. Share our talents and leave room for others to share theirs. Most important, never compromise on your dreams, because you just may achieve them.
Well, today is the day when Americans spend way too much in the name of love. As I write this, it is difficult to compress all of the thoughts about love in my life and turn it into a zipped size paragraph about all things good. Looking at the two photos, it is easy to see where the good in my life comes from. Every year I try to picture the kids in a way that shows their true colors. In this year’s photo, I like how Kate’s smile shows confidence and knowing, two traits she will need desperately as she grows into adolescence. Her beauty comes from within but has become apparent, both inside and out. For those that know Peter, they may realize that there is no better photo that could define him than this one. On any given day, Peter spends most of his time with both of his feet off the ground. He is consistently high on life, I think because he feels loved. Peter loves to move and does so with ease, hence the smile on his face. The three of us feel this contentment because of the man that makes it his great purpose to help us feel this love. Most think of him as quiet, mostly focused on his sport. In reality, while he does love to burn calories, he always finds time to make me feel important and his kids feel like they have someone who has their back. Truth be told, our cat really doesn’t like anyone very much, but he loves my husband. Now that’s saying something. Rather than buying some silly gift this Valentine’s day, pull out the red construction paper, a couple of doilies and tell someone how you really feel. This little tangible sentiment will be just another way to help someone realize what one probably already knows. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.
As we wait for the snow to melt and wonder where it will all go, I have a better idea. Here, they have snow on the roof, but your skin radiates from the warmth of the warm Florida sun. This year we decided to forgo the pile of birthday presents for the kids and surprise them with a trip to Harry Potter World at Universal. We told them we were going to the dentist, but 30 miles later, as we drove through Danbury en route to the airport, Kate asked if we had changed dentist as this new one seemed so far away. We usually take the self-centered approach and travel to a race, but this time we thought we would dedicate 5 days entirely to childlike bliss where one never stops moving, spinning, flipping, or using all 5 senses at the same time. My husband quietly rolled his eyes at the thought, knowing he would feel green from a week of roller coasters. We met up with our closest friends and we now realize that friends make life experiences so much more fun. Our kids buddied up and had a blast drinking Butter-Beer, while even I had a play-date with one of my closest friends away from all of the monotony of our normal routine. Even my eye rolling husband that squawked at the idea of a week of Micky Mouse behavior, seemed to relish the time with kids and friends as he giggled his way down the log flume chute. My son Peter had a flame lit from within, that has carried him through the winter. This trip inspired him to read the Harry Potter series. Only minutes ago, he walked past me dressed in his HP robe and round glasses with book 4 in hand. Most rewarding was seeing my daughter, with tears in her eyes, as she walked thought the World of Harry Potter saying "thank you for the best trip of my life". We all have these moments that make us realize that we need to have these experiences with our family. They are vital in making the boring routine days have the hope that just around the corner is adventure. These experiences stay with you, whether it be a trip to Wally World or a trip to the Grand Canyon. So as we shovel snow off our roofs, this photo brings me back to a blissful place where leaks don't happen, magic overcomes boredom and kids and grown-ups alike, relish in being a family. 6th grade. Do you remember it? I do. Here are some words that come to mind: awkward, insecure, inexperience. I recall the feeling that burned deep when someone gave you the look similar to the one coming from the girl in the left of the photo. While Kate navigates adolescence, I find it amazing how she stands tall among the trials of her age. She feels comfortable in her own skin and has a knack for helping others feel comfortable in theirs. Over the past weeks, I have been teaching some 6th graders about photography. We are been learning about different personalities and the art of being good observers before we ever click a shutter button. If you can remove the adolescent beyond the giddiness of the group, we quickly learn that each child is bursting at the seams trying to exhale into the adult they want to be. But the puzzle is a work in progress. It is like being 500 pieces into the 1000 piece puzzle that you hope you can complete without losing your mind. You know that when that puzzle is completed, you can look at it and know that your job is done and you can be proud. That is…unless you have lost some pieces under the couch. As this happens to many a puzzle, if the entire family gets gown on their hands and knees and searches the floor for the missing piece, someone will inevitable stand up and proudly and say…ahhhhaaa, I got it. Love and support will ensure that our children aren’t missing any pieces of their life puzzle. This young girl on the train, her pieces are coming together to make a beautiful picture.
In January, we welcomed Hazel Jane into the Schulten/Slater family. It is funny, how we rush to get over to the hospital to see the little angel, even though we will see her countless times in the future. The fact that you get to see her all wrapped in the little pink and blue striped blanket, see through bassinet with her "baby girl' tag affixed at the top, makes you feel fortunate to have been there. It is one day where it is all about this new life and very little else matters. No distractions from what we call home. I was fortunate to be there when dad showed up with big brother. He came into the room so curious and excited. Watching him watching her was a joy. Grandma's, and dad oogled, and mom looked proud and beautiful. Any parent never forgets this moment, when the older sibling says hello for the first time. It represents the beginning of lifelong experiences to be shared together. Sarah, Scott, Nathan and Hazel...may it be a beautiful life.
It has been a long winter. We are all tired of...too much snow for the kids to play in, too much snow to go to school, too much snow to bike commute, to much snow for our general well beings. But we need to stop and see what has happened around us. We have been given some of the most beautiful snowfalls that we have ever seen. We have been given more time with our families. We have been given endless time to reach the end of the internet with a hot chocolate in hand or to exercise to an entire tv series. Personally, I have had endless amounts of laughter watching our our dog Miles navigate 6 feet snow banks. I have seen Peter tackle 4 Harry Potter books and Kate has read more books off her Kindle than we can afford. I believe the sky in this photo reflects the idea of the glass half full or the glass half empty. I guess I could have cropped the photo better to portray this. But either way, mine is half full.
Who would have thought a funny little kitten would hold my attention for so long in the freezing cold. I met this little guy off of Stagecoach Lane in Durham. My main focus was on a giant horse who was very curious and beautiful, but ultimately this guy captured my heart. He crawled all over my head, my camera, my car, my feet and I felt like a little girl giggling along with him. I love that every old barn seems to have a barn cat. I have never met one that was this willing to give me the grand barn tour. While he thought I should check out his great farm, the truth is I needed to look no further for today's miracle.
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