Caroline Friday's Blog, page 873

Book Review - The Picture of Dorian Gray

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/674604925I've always wanted to read this classic, and wasn't disappointed. Oscar Wilde was a talented man, to say the least! Here's my quick review on Goodreads:

At first this book seems eerie and morbid, but as I got further along into it, I realized it was a very good study on the destructive power sin has on mankind. The enemy is portrayed cleverly in the character of Lord Henry who lures and entices Dorian Gray to live for himself and the pleasures of the day, valuing the freedom of youth and earthly beauty above all things. Dorian latches hold of this temptation and spirals down into a life where a wake of innocent victims trail behind. Yes, sin has its momentary pleasure, but judgment and death are there waiting to claim what must be paid. This truth stares Dorian in the face both literally and figuratively in the portrait that reveals his awaiting fate. Actually, you could use this story as a format for a bible study to illustrate the power and preciousness of what the Savior did for us on the cross.

Varsity Cheerleading - It is a sport!

My daughter, Rachel, a Walton High
varsity competition cheerleaderWhen I was a cheerleader in the late 70s, cheerleading was really an activity based on popularity, beauty, and who was the most limber. What I mean by most limber, is that one needed to be able to master a cartwheel, round-off and finish it off with a split all the way to the floor with no bent knee. Then there were the jumps that followed each cheer - a spread eagle and a hurkie at the very least, following by a winning smile. Only one girl on our squad could do a back handspring and that was because she taught herself on the trampoline. The rest of us didn't have the courage to even try - it seemed almost impossible!

But now, in order to be a varsity cheerleader at many large high schools, gymnastic tumbling is obligatory. The cartwheel split is passe and the hurkie is no more (it has actually been altered to a front jump that looks a bit strange to my mind). Back handsprings are nothing to the varsity cheerleader these days, and the tuck (standing back flip) has become standard. Now, ambitious cheerleaders work toward their front-punch (running front flip), lay-out (back flip in an extended position), and full (full twist in the air).

Wow, how times have changed! "What in the world has happened?" many mothers of wannabe cheerleaders say. "It isn't fair! My child can't do those flips in the air, etc.!"

Well "hello," my child couldn't either, but with the dawn of competitive cheerleading, good coaches can teach ANYONE to tumble. My daughter isn't the most limber girl on her team and has had back issues to work through (not to mention a broken finger, sprained wrist, and sprained shoulder!), but she has worked her little behind off on her tumbling skills. Not to mention, mom and dad have driven her many times (and far away when gas prices were at their peak!) to tumbling and cheer classes where she worked on her skills week after week. It isn't easy and takes time and hard work, and then there is the financial commitment, all of which go with the territory. Why? Because cheerleading has become a sport!

Yes, there are big, flirty smiles, dance moves, pom poms, shorts skirts, ponytails and bows, and drama of course (from both moms and girls), but the athleticism required for the modern cheerleader requires much more today than when I was young. First, there is strength (lifting girls above the head!), endurance, great cardio durability, tenacity, and perseverance. Then there is the element of fear that one must get over. Falling and being dropped and having a pulled muscle, etc., are part of the game, but if a girl loves cheerleading, it will all be worth it. Personally, I have seen how the sport has built my daughter's confidence level and has brought with it great friendships and the ability to be part of an athletic team.

As a mother, and not just a former high school cheerleader, I absolutely love everything about cheerleading. In particular, I have really enjoyed seeing it develop into a full-fledged sport that is team building, fun, and entertaining for the spectator. There are some who want to bring it back down to the popularity/beauty contest/activity of the past, but I sure hope these people aren't successful. The girls who work hard and hone their skills should be rewarded for their efforts every bit as much as a quarterback or point guard is rewarded for their hard work and ability on the football field and basketball court.

So here's to cheerleading! Yay team! As we say at Walton High, "Go Raiders!"

It's All About the Music!

Summer is almost over and school looms ahead for the Friday children. The oldest goes back to UGA and the other two are at Walton High. My son, Braxton, is a senior this year and is one of four drum majors for the band.
 
Band has become this boy's life. I don't think I've ever seen another human more in love with music and marching than Braxton Friday. A week at drum major camp in Indianapolis and then another week of band camp in Lagrange, GA, have convinced him that perhaps this is a career he might want to pursue. Just this weekend, he and some of his band geek friends went to a DCI (that's Drum Corp International) competition at the Dome and entered what he described as band heaven! Mainly because there was a band that marched to all the Les Miz tunes. 

It's a whole different world from the one I knew in high school. For me, it was cheerleading, clothes, and boys, not necessarily in that order. But for him, it's all about music. 

Chicken Francaise with Linguini - Delicious!

Another delicious chicken dish loved by all. With butter, garlic, lemon juice, and a bit of sour cream, it wasn't hard to make this recipe a winner. Try it and let me know what you think.

Chicken Francaise with Linguini
1 regular package of linguini, cooked and drained
3-4 chicken breasts cut in half and pounded thin. (I put mine in a plastic bag and pound with the end of my rolling pin.)
1 egg beaten, placed in a small bowl
Small bowl of 1 cup each of flour and planko - add a bit of garlic salt, black pepper, and a few dashes of Cayenne. Stir together with a wire whisk
Olive oil in a large pan (about a quarter inch deep)

Heat the olive oil to sizzling and keep the heat high so the meat doesn't soak up the oil. Dip each piece of meat into the egg, then the flour mixture and cook on each side until brown and done. I sprinkle a bit of garlic salt and pepper on each side while cooking. Drain on paper towels.

To make sauce, heat over the stove:

1 stick of salted butter
2 T olive oil
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
dash of Cayenne
1 small container of sour cream
1 extra large garlic clove, crushed
Mix together well over medium heat, but make sure cream doesn't curdle. Add the garlic last and cook a bit more, adjusting salt and pepper if needed.

Mix sauce over cooked linguini, tossing well and making sure to reserve a bit to cover the meat. Slice the chicken and place over the linguini, drizzling remaining sauce on top. Add some scallions and shaved Parmesan cheese for the finishing touch. You might want to place in a hot oven for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Yummy Orange Chicken

Panda Express, watch out! I just made my own orange chicken tonight, and the entire family loved it! Tastier than take out, cheaper, and healthier too, plus it was a lot of fun. Try this recipe and enjoy!




Orange Chicken Recipe:
3 or more large chicken breasts cut in bite sized pieces
1 egg, beaten
small bowl of flour
small bowl of planko
olive oil

Salt and pepper meat then put in egg mixture and dredge through flour and planko. Fry in batches in really hot olive oil, browning on both sides. You may need to change the oil between each batch. Remove meat and drain on paper towels.

Cook the rice as you prepare the orange sauce. I made white long grain.

Cook in a sauce pan:
1 1/2 c water
1/2 c orange juice
1/2 c vinegar (I used white wine bc that's what I had)
1 c brown sugar, plus a bit more for taste
4 T soy sauce - a bit more or less for taste
1 tsp ground ginger
several shakes of garlic salt
several shakes of black pepper
Cayenne pepper to taste (I did 2 large pinches)
Several good shakes of gravy flour to thicken
2 spring onions, chopped
Cook to a consistency that is to your liking
(You can see I don't follow recipes exactly!)

Dump chicken back in and mix in with sauce. Cook for a few more minutes until it has the consistency you like. Sprinkle with a few more green onions and Serve with white rice. Enjoy!

The Great Gatsby

Read my latest movie review at christianfictiononlinemagazine.com. Here is the link:
At the Movies - The Great Gatsby

Enjoy a good flick with Leo taking the helm as the doomed Jay Gatsby.

Happy Birthday, Rachel - Sweet 16!

A fun time of celebration!Yesterday was my youngest child's Sweet 16 Birthday! She's our Fourth of July baby - born in the UK. Can't believe she's grown up into such an awesome young lady. We had a fun day, despite the rain, with dinner at Olive Garden and our own fireworks.

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Happy Fourth of July!

What a wonderful country we live in! Despite all the problems going on in the world, how comforting to know that God has blessed us with this great nation to call home. Yes, it is not perfect, and yes, there are things that need to change, but what better place on earth is there to live than the Great US of A? I've lived in Europe and have traveled all over the world and have to say, there isn't a better country than America. It is blessed by God despite its sins and shortcomings! Just considering our birth is evidence that the Lord's hand was in our inception. And the fact that we survived a civil war and other world wars and emerged stronger is greater proof still. I'm proud to be an American and proud to call this country home!

Also, it's my youngest daughter, Rachel's, birthday. She was born on the 4th of July in merry ole England - how's that for irony? Today she is sweet 16. Happy Birthday Rachel!

Where Love Runs Free - Available Free on Kindle!

My second novel, Where Love Runs Free, is available free on Kindle until midnight July 3rd. Go to this link for the free download: 
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Love-Tales-Upcountry-ebook/dp/B00A3K3Q0S/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372482691&sr=1-5

Here is a summary:

A feisty, southern belle’s dream becomes a reality when her long-lost love returns to Laurel Grove, South Carolina to work as a horse trainer on her family’s farm. But has he really returned to reclaim her affections or is he more interested in settling a score with her evil fiancé? 

In the year 1890, Angelina Raeford breaks off her engagement with the wealthiest man in the county to pursue a relationship with Ben Eagle-Smith, a wild, half-breed Cherokee, who she has loved since her youth. But when her jilted fiancé retaliates by challenging Ben to an impossible wager, Angelina risks losing Ben forever. Only the power of their love and a miracle from God can restore what was lost and protect the bond that has united their souls since childhood.

What readers are saying about Where Love Runs Free: I have just finished reading your book “Where Love Runs Free”. It is wonderful!!!!!!! I couldn't put it down for the last 10 chapters. The story was great and it had an awesome ending! I look forward to seeing it published and a best seller!! T Lane
Caroline, this story is amazing! Find me a boy like Ben! Goodness, finding a horse savvy man is difficult, let alone one who Fears the Lord as Ben does. I started this book last night around 8, and finished around 2am. I was sucked into it--and couldn't put it down! C Henry
This book has the breathless, ultraromantic feel of Gone with the Wind. The setting itself is romantic--a horse farm in South Carolina. And Angelina, the heroine, is as feisty and headstrong as Scarlett O'Hara. Friday has a nice, easy pacing in her storytelling, using exposition and dialogue and action and description with equal ease, and introducing various characters quickly and vividly. I enjoyed the immediate romantic tension that the author sets up and wanted to read more. DM, Editor

Official Eagle Scout!

Several months ago, I posted on my son's Eagle Scout project completion, which was a huge milestone for our family, but tonight he was made official by the Boy Scout Council. Whoo hoo! Congratulations to Braxton and all of his hard work - it paid off! Now, for a ceremony which will happen at some point in the future. Congratulations, Eagle Braxton!