Lights, Camera, ACTION!

 

These photographs were taken on Fremont Street over Memorial Day weekend.  Fremont Street is a pedestrian street in Old Las Vegas.  Multiple casinos including Four Queens, Binion's, and The Golden Nugget are located within a short walking distance of one another on Fremont Street.  I personally enjoy Fremont because it's less expensive than the traditional experience on the Las Vegas Strip.  Where else can you buy beer in a glass shaped and sized like a football for only $8.00?  Certainly not on the Las Vegas Strip!!!!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

A friend made these sweet potato fries for me recently and they are fantastic!  The recipe actually comes out of The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries:

Prep Time: 5 Minutes     Cook Time: 30 Minutes

-Sweet potato makes these golden oven fries much healthier than the fried white potatoes we all grew up eating. If you want to add a spicy touch, use Hungarian hot paprika.

Ingredients: 

-2 Medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried

-1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/2 teaspoon paprika

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Slice each sweet potato lengthwise into 8 pieces.  Toss with oil, salt, and paprika.  Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until lightly browned on the bottom, about 15 minutes.  Turn slices and bake until bottom is browned and potatoes are tender, about ten minutes more.  Serve hot.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Take 2

After my most recent post of facts about the tomb of the unknown soldier, I have received some requests to further explain the significance of the historical monument located in Arlington, VA.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a national monument that has been dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Services who have died in combat without their remains being identified.  It contains the remains of unknown soldiers from World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War.  There are three people total inside the tomb.  Each soldier was presented with the Medal of honor at the time of internment.  These medals and the flags that covered their caskets are on display near the tomb.  I do not know why they do not have a soldier from the Iraq War or Afghanistan.  I personally believe it is because war was never officially declared by the President in either situation.

Here is an article I found online that does a wonderful job explaining the significance of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier:


In Rememberence of Those not Remembered, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
by: J.G. Sparks
          The Tomb of the Unknowns is a stunning and momentous memorial. The meaning of it is unlike any other, honoring those unidentified who have fallen and served for our country along with anyone who served during WWI, WWII, Korean and the Vietnam War. The tomb has a great importance; it represents the soldiers who lost their lives and their futures so we could have better ones. The soldiers represented at the tomb are those who were buried with no name, the Tomb was given so that they could be honored even without a name the only one who knows who they are is God, as stated in the Tomb's inscription, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier, known but to God." I am very inspired by this Tomb, having the once in a life time privilege to lay a wreath at it would be a treasured memory. I greatly desire to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to give my respect for those who have fallen for the freedom of America, to show my appreciation for those currently serving in the military, and finally to show how proud I am of my country and the men who have served in wars being represented by the Tomb of The Unknowns.
          Those who have fallen for freedom of America have given more than we can ever hope to have received. Because of our soldiers, we have the freedoms and rights we have and have come to take for granted today. Because of the freedom they gave us, it is important for us to honor them and give our respect. Many things that have come from their sacrifice are freedoms such as the freedom of speech. Its important that we are able to let our views and opinions be known and to not be persecuted because of them. America has many rights and privileges that we could not have if not for the bravery and sacrifice of American soldiers. The Tomb of the Unknowns is a memory of those soldiers who have fought for freedom and to protect the achievements of America. To lay the wreath in respect for their sacrifice and valor would be a memorable experience.
Also to show my gratification to those who are currently serving in the armed services, I would like to lay the wreath. They have left their families and homes to serve for what they think is right, to let Iraq know the rights and the freedoms that we are so fortunate to have. To protect America and its amazing people and rights, American soldiers are simply Americans who care enough and know what they want to protect. They are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and friends serving us proudly.
          There is no greater love as stated in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." They deserve to be honored and respected, they are able to wear the uniform and be called a Soldier of America. I think each one is different; each one has a different reason why he joined the military, some for glory, some for college money and most because they wanted to serve their country. I believe even though each reason is different, deep down inside each soldier has a person or persons they want to protect. To lay the wreath for them would be the most rememberable thing ever!
          Finally, the Tomb of the Unknowns is a significant monument. I would be proud to love to lay the wreath at this Tomb to gibe my thanks and to show those who may look down from heaven and see that I truly do care. Even though I do not know who they are, and don't have any idea what they went through for my country, that I have the privilege to live here. The tomb is guarded twenty-four hours a day, seven days of the week, through winters and the rain, sun and scorching heat by the Old Guard. To be part of the Old Guard is an excellent achievement and one of the highest honors to receive in the military. The Old Guard are talented soldiers who guard the Tomb and are precise in everything they do, from the way they walk, to the way they handle their clothing and their perfectly white gloves. Everything that the Old Guard does has symbolism, from the 21 steps to the uniform to how the guns are held. They are an example of how essential the Tomb is, there is a continual vigil, a constant watching. The Tomb is so important and is a statement about how important the military is to America. and we keep honoring our fallen soldiers and hero's to high standards because they are crucial to us. The Tomb of the Unknowns is a tomb that represents our Heroes our soldiers. Every soldier that the Tomb stands for is a hero, some heroes only God can name. I want to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns so I can show how proud I am to be an American because of them, to show my thanks and to give my love.
          In conclusion, I would like to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor those who have served for America, those who are serving and to honor the men who have served in any war at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I greatly hope you will let me lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to give my respect to those who have fallen for the freedom of America, I want to show how proud I am of this country, and to show my thanks and my love.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

A close friend got engaged over the weekend so it inspired me to make more cards!  This card can be used for either an engagement or a wedding.  It can even be used for a wedding shower!  It is super cute with words like tuxedo, wedding, engagement, bride, groom, and honeymoon cut out of black paper and placed on top of pink card stock.  Grey rhinestones sporadically placed give it an extra sparkle!

I also made some cute cards to send to Nick.  I don't want him feeling neglected in the desert!

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!  Please take time today to remember why you have the day off of work and are grilling in the nice weather.   Remember those that have served for our country.  Remember those that have died to protect our freedoms.

I miss my hero and am so thankful that he is safe even though he is in a dangerous place.  Thank you for serving our country honey. I love you!

"We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies."

-Moina Michael

Grandma got ran over by a reindeer...

Last night I went to see Grandma Lee at the Palace Station Casino.  You might remember her from America's Got Talent last summer.  She is the most inappropriate and funny Grandma I've ever met.  Unfortunately, she lost to Kevin Skinner on America's Got Talent.  (He was the redneck chicken catcher.  Yes, you read it correctly.  He catches chickens for a living.  I'm pretty sure he only has three teeth as well.)

Here is some information about her off the Palace Station Casino website:
Grandma Lee was seen on "America's Got Talent", "Last Comic Standing", HBO & "Comic View" with Lisa Carrao. Grandma Lee is America's funniest and most outrageous grandmother who is not close to being ready for the rocking chair. Lee electrifies the stage from the moment she bursts from the starting gate until she crosses the finish line in a blaze of glory. This sassy senior has mastered the art of entertaining audiences of all age with her unorthodox views of family, television and life in general. Grandma Lee is most recognized from her recent appearances on "America's Got Talent". She has been so popular with TV audiences that she has been a special guest on three different seasons of "Last Comic Standing" including being Top Ten Favorite Comic on the show and won the Las Vegas Comedy Festival at the MGM Grand Hotel. 

Preparing for Memorial Day

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in D.C and is guarded 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  I recently learned that once you become a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown solider, you can never drink alcohol again nor can you swear.  I decided to research this and discovered the following interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.
-The guard takes 21 steps across the tomb of the unknown to signify a 21-gun salute.  This is the highest honor given to any military dignitary.
-The guard also hesitates for 21 seconds before his about face to also signify the 21-gun salute.
-The guard's gloves are wet to prevent the rifle from slipping from his hands.
-He carries his rifle on the shoulder furthest away from the tomb.
-Guards are changed every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
-There are very strict physical requirements for the guard.  They must be between 5'10" and 6'2".
-There waist size cannot exceed 30".
-They must commit two years of service to the tomb and live underneath the tomb in barracks during that time.
-They can not drink alcohol once they become a guard of the tomb of the unknown nor can they swear.  This isn't just while they are serving as a guard, this is for the rest of their life.
-The first six months of duty the new guardsman cannot speak to anyone or watch television.  They must learn the names of all 175 notable people lain to rest at Arlington Cemetary and where they are interred.
-The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.