NutHouse

My Currently

2012-01-30T12:14:00.000-08:00

Recently, I came across a couple blogs (Lemonade Makin' Mama and Little For A Little While)that shared things currently in their worlds. I enjoyed their posts and am a shameless copier, so here goes.

Currently, I am...

Loving that Sugar Plum Fairy has discovered that she too loves to read chapter books...and CAN!

Reading Mitch Albom's For One More Day...I just started it and think it might be a tear jerker.

Excited About Hubby and Lollipop Pop getting to spend a few days together on a magical island...can you say "Aloha"?

Missing the days when Shaggy thought I hung the moon.

Trying to be a more patient mom of teens...this I am struggling with.

Working at becoming fit...walking when the sun rises is truly magical.

Enjoying watching my daughter play high school basketball....I had no idea it was so exciting!

Using my I-Phone like there is no tomorrow...this coming from a person who fought tooth and nail about getting one in the first place.

Wearing Jeans and a sweater....and cute heels that hurt like the dickens.

Singing "The United States, the United States, I love my Country, the United States...there's Alabama,Alaska......"(I spent the morning in Sugar Plum Fairy's class and they sing this song naming each state in alphabetical order every morning...every Monday, I have it stuck in my head)

Snacking on frozen blueberries that we picked in the spring and a dash of milk...turns slushy and yummy!

Needing some gumption....it has been in short supply recently.

Planning on painting and decorating the girls's "playhouse"...problem is, no gumption!

Learning to make soap...first attempt coming soon.

Listening to birds chirping. I have the windows open and there are no other sounds...except me typing. (Perfection...no other sounds, not my typing)

Praying for guidance and patience in raising our children to become happy, responsible, kind and productive adults...

Dreaming of summer vacation without the heat....a girl can dream, right?

What's happing currently with you?

Hubby took this with his phone in the desert several weeks ago.

Allie

2012-01-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

Whenever I travel, I ~~steal~~ collect the shampoos, lotions and conditioners from the hotel in which I am staying. I used to bring them home for my personal use.

Now, I donate them to a battered woman's shelter in Northern California. You see, I am a sentimental fool. Before I was born, my parents became life long friends with Bob and Allie. I E-Mailed my mom last week and asked her to remind me how they met..I remembered the basics, but had forgotten the details. This is what she wrote back to me. (Dad had just been hired as a U.S. Forest Service District Ranger)

"We arrived in Mt. Shasta in the middle of a record setting blizzard......just the new boss and his wife. The movers left and the next day I was unpacking, when there was a knock on the door. There stood Allie, with half a cake that she had baked. She lived across the street and had waded through the snow to bring us a smile and a welcome gift. She said, 'I am sorry this is only half a cake, but I had a baby 6 weeks ago and this is the first baking I have done since Jeff was born.....if I gave the whole thing away, my family would kill me.' That was in Jan. 1965 and we were the closest of friends for the next 45--whatever years until she died"

And Allie loved babies...any babies...

(This is me at 14 months of age)The friendship remained strong through long, handwritten letters and phone calls after both families transferred to other towns. We would visit when passing through Redding to visit my grandparents. When my parents were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, my sister and I wanted to do something special. Hubby and I were dating at that time and my sister was in college and dating her future husband. We decided that a party wouldn't be practical, but celebrating with their closest friends would be. I called Allie and Bob and told them of our plan. There was another couple to be invited as well who were just as close to my parents. Long story short, Bob and Allie made the 9 hour drive to surprise my parents for dinner. My sister and her beau met us in the restaurant lobby and Mom and Dad were over the moon excited to see them. We were shown into the private wine cellar for dinner where Bob &Allie and Sharon & Dick were waiting. Needless to say, it was truly a night to remember. Over the next few years, we saw each other at weddings...mine and my sister's...Jeff's. We then decided that we needed to make our visits an annual occurrence...which we did every year until Allie passed away several years ago.

When that happened, we all felt a profound loss. She was a friend to all of us and the sister my Mom never had. She was a mentor and a kind and caring woman. When she and Bob travelled, she ~~stole~~ collected the shampoos, lotions and conditioners and took them to her local battered women's shelter. So each year, I pack a box of goodies that I have collected and mail it to the shelter in her home town. This year I wrote a note on my Mom's note cards. Seemed fitting.

I am merely carrying on.

A Linky Party!

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

I always feel relieved once the Christmas decor is packed and put away. I love when it is all up, but when it is gone I feel that the house is a clean slate and that feels good. I don't decorate a bunch for other holidays and when I looked back on this blog, I discovered that I have not changed much for Valentine's Day. Oh well. Beth at Home Stories A to Z is amazing and has created a lovely and different mantle this Valentine's Day and I must say I am in love...check it out...I'm linking my very predictable mantle to
her party and if you have not been to Beth's blog before, you are missing out. She is kind, gracious and supremely creative.

Mozzarella Cheese

2012-01-25T14:04:00.000-08:00

When we moved to the country, I had definite ideas of what I wanted to do. Think along the lines of Caroline Ingalls. I wanted to raise chickens

and have fresh eggs. I wanted horses. I wanted to make my own butter

(not that I could not have done that in town nor did I use a churn, but it fits into my country dream nicely). Anyway, living here has been better than my dream and last weekend I checked off another piece...I made cheese! Creamy, white Mozzarella cheese! I can not believe how easy is was and I must say, had I not read what The Coupon Goddess, Melanie wrote, I would have put it off. The directions from her friend Rebecca's blog were simple, honest and straightforward.

You MUST try this...your life is not complete without this knowledge...AND it is super easy...truly! I used the source that Rebecca suggested to order the Rennet and Citric Acid. It cost just under $15.00 and I have enough to make cheese for many moons!

I was so nervous when I started...I had the recipe and instructions on the counter ready to refer to at any moment and refer, I did...a bunch!

I got my thermometer in the pot and added the milk...here is when I got very nervous and took no more pictures.

I was checking the temp...looking at the instructions...checking the temp...looking at the instructions...I did I mention I was nervous? Anyway, everything did what it was supposed to when it was supposed to do it and I ended up with a success. When I added the salt, it looked like too much so I removed a bit...shouldn't have. The amount in the recipe would have been perfect.

I made little (walnut size) balls from 1/2 the cheese and once cooled, put in a Mason jar with one of my Pesto Sauce "muffins" and covered with Olive Oil.

Sublime!

I rolled the other half of the cheese into a log and once cooled, wrapped it tightly in plastic wrap. Slicing pieces off as needed or wanted.

Caroline would be proud.

Learning

2012-01-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

I read this over at 320 Sycamore and it hit a nerve. When we forget these simple things, life can become chaotic and difficult. It is never to late to learn...or remember.

Learn to like what doesn't cost too much.

Learn to like reading, conversation, music.

Learn to like plain food, plain service and plain cooking.

Learn to like fields, trees, brooks,

hiking, rowing, climbing hills.

Learn to like people, even though some of them

may be different...different from you.

Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction

of doing your job as well as it can be done.

Learn to like the songs of birds,

the companionship of dogs.

Learn to like gardening, puttering

around the house and fixing things.

Learn to like the sunrise and sunset,

the beating of rain on the roof and windows

and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.

Learn to keep your wants simple

and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

Lowell B. Bennion

A Funny

2012-01-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

My sister just sent me the following E-Mail. Rachel is her daughter and one of my two favorite nieces.

"Rachel had a CJSF (California Junior Scholastic Federation) installation ceremony at her school last night.

The teacher in charge congratulated all the kids for their academic achievement, and then went on to let them know that if their grades fell, they would be dismembered.

While I knew what she meant, I certainly got the giggles. That's some pressure! She ended the ceremony by asking us to give the kids 'a round of a hand'.

I sense a theme."

Happy Friday!

2012-01-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

I picked these resin pine cones up at Target's Clearance years ago...they were under $1.00 each and I have loved them for some reason.

Over the years,, however they have been chipped and become no so purty.

Enter a can of white spray paint...

Voila...a new lease on life.

Patience and Lessons

2012-01-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

Smokey is a dog with oodles of patience...she minds her own business...

When among comes Miss Mattie...

Now, Rudy lack the patience gene when it comes to Miss Mattie...

So far, Miss Mattie has learned that the dogs are good pals....the cats and chickens, not so much.

A Wish

2012-01-14T13:27:00.001-08:00

I wish you a tremendous weekend!

Weekends

2012-01-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

I am still trying to post this from Monday...please bear with me and my lazy server...

I adore great weekends. We (I mean my Hubby) moved the horses into the brand spankin' new arena to run in for the day. Chloe, the lighter one is beautiful when she runs..and fast. She needs work from a skilled horseman to ride...a "horse whisperer" is coming soon. The darker horse, Hannah, is Chole's Mama and is mostly content to just be.

Poor Scout was minding his own business, just trying to be, when our new pup decided to see if she could climb a Lab...she could and did.

Bikes were ridden and when asked why it was left in the orchard, the answer was "because I was looking at the oranges". Makes perfect sense to me.

Shaggy and Lollipop Pop started school again on Monday after a wonderful 3 week break and 2012 has officially begin at the Nut House.

I love perfect weekends.

Giggles

2012-01-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

There is no sweeter sound than little girls giggling and laughing when they don;t think anyone is watching them.

Oooppps...I was caught.

What I Read in 2011

2012-01-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

Books are a part of me and I don't know what I'd do without them. As I did last year, I am posting a rundown of the books I completed over the past 12 months along with my thoughts after finishing each one. I am amazed that I read so many! Maybe you will find something that might interest you.

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke - Loved it!
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - This story is set in England and is of a retired and widowed Major. It is a love story and I enjoyed it greatly.
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore - LOVED this true story about faith, trust, perceptions and friendship. I read it in a day and a half.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I really enjoyed this. I think it shed a bit of light on what it was to be a black maid in Mississippi in the 1960's. Very heartfelt.
Art's Blood by Vicki Lane - This was suspenseful with lots of twist and turns. I immediately began the next in the series. I love the author!
Old Wounds by Vicki Lane - This is another in the Elizabeth Goodweather series. This explains Elizabeth in more depth and is filled with suspense and further solidifies my enjoyment of this author!
The 19th Wife: A Novel by David Ebershoff - This tells a story of the "19th wife" of Brigham Young, her crusade to end polygamy as well as the "Firsts" in today's society. I found it interesting.
Blue Willow by Doris Gates - This Newberry Award Winner was written in 1940. A great book to read with Lollipop Pop. The story is told from a child's point of view as the daughter of a migrant farm worker in California. Our hometown is even mentioned. (KlutzyMama...you might enjoy this with your daughters)
Bloodroot by Amy Greene - I enjoyed this book. It is set in Tennessee and is a story that spans 4 generations of a family and how they weave together.
In a Dark Season by Vicki Lane - This one was very good as well. I found myself talking outloud to the characters. I am hooked, I think.
Last Dog on the Hill by Steve Duno - A terrific story that follows the 16 years of a man's life with his extraordinary, rescued dog. Enjoyable.
Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George - I really enjoyed this book...especially this time of year...Easter
The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer Purcell - This is a very easy read about 2 New Yorkers who buy a historical farm and then try to make it as gentlemen farmers.
The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Life by Kristin Kimball - I loved this! It is a couple's story starting a self sufficient farm. I am not sure I could do what they accomplished.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - I enjoyed this story of an American Missionary Family in the Congo at told by the daughter and mother.
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas and Micah Sparks - I really like this. It is a true story as told by these brothers as they travel around the world intertwining stories of their life with the trip.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - This was good. It is set in California's Gold Country in the 1850's. A prostitute, the man who loves her and her struggle with God.
A Quiet Hero by Rita Crosby - I LOVED this story of a Polish POW in WWII. Rita is his daughter and the story is told as he tells her.
Journey to the Well by Diana Wallis Taylor - This novel is based on the Bible's Marah...the woman at Jacob's well. I enjoyed it.
Room by Emma Donaghue - Excellent! The setting is very disturbing, but is told from the eyes of a child with innocence, wonder, amazing love and power. Very moving book.
This Fine Lady by Eva Marie Everson - A young privileged girl marries her true love. He becomes a minister and her faith or lack of, is examined through this story. I enjoyed it. (This was my first Kindle book)
Solitary by Travis Thrasher - This tells of a 16 year old boy moving with his mom to her childhood home. Mysterious things have happened and continue to do so. Cultish. I read it all, but was not a favorite.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - I knew nothing about this or the movie. The main character (an elderly man, now) tells his story of life in a circus. This was easy to read and to become completely absorbed in. I loved it!
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks - A good romance and summer read.
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum - This story is told from 2 perspectives...one, a young German woman during WWII who did what she had to in order to keep her young daughter safe. The second perspective is from that daughter as an adult in the USA. It was very good and thought provoking.
Save Me by Lisa Scottline - A friend loaned me several books by this author. I almost put this one down after a few chapters. It involves a mother volunteering at her child's school when there is a devastating fire. She is challenged on the decisions she made. I ended up finishing it and did enjoy the twists and turns it took me on. The subject matter bothered me enough to lose sleep. Read at your own risk.
Look Again by Lisa Scottline - Okay, after reading Save Me, I was not sure about this. A single mother's adoption might turn out to be invalid. It is twisty and turny as Save Me was, which I enjoy, but the subject matter bothers me. The author is a fantastic storyteller...I felt as though I had vested interest in the characters and liked them...maybe too much...I was an emotional wreck.
The Thirteenth Gift by Charlene Costanzo - This shows how the 13th Gift affects a woman and her life as a reporter and wife. Enjoyable.
Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo by Heather Wardell - This was an easy read and okay. The main character learns and evolves as a person and has to decide if her marriage is worth saving.
The Scarlett Letter by Nathanial Hawethorne - I had never read this classic. It is not what I normally enjoy...but I did.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller - I knew nothing of this going in. It is based on the Salem Witch Trials. It explained the "why" and "how" they occurred. I liked the characters and enjoyed this.
A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory - I enjoy this author and her historical novels. This tells the story of a lonely woman and her husband who has turned his shipping business into a save trading one. It is set in England and offers excitement, romance and intrigue.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - Shaggy was reading this for school. I enjoyed it, although the ending is not what I expected or wanted.
The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy - I loved this one! The story tells of a woman who literally feels the hand of God on her shoulders. There is an accident and a mystery...vengeance and faith. AND it is set in the area where I live.

Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading?

"A room without books is like a body without a soul"

-Cicero

Family Fun?

2012-01-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

Update...results are at the bottom of this post.

For Christmas this year, my brother in law and husband received identical boxes from my parents. The box was this pretty puzzle, which appeared to be great, since Bev Dolittle is one of our favorite artists.

image from Amazon

Now, at first glance, one might think that oh, how nice...a family puzzle at Christmas...nice and relaxing family activity. One might be WRONG! The sweet, innocent puzzle pictured above is the same image as the puzzles we received, but ours each have 600 hundred pieces AND apparently two pieces make one piece...one nestles inside the other to form one puzzle piece. I say APPARENTLY, because accompanying the innocent puzzle, were RULES! They are as follows:

Puzzle Contest Rules

1. Puzzle box must remain closed until designated start time (hence the word apparently)

2.No fudging of the start time is allowed!

3. Starting day, hour and minute must be jointly agreed upon by both the L and C families. (10:00am today is the start and Lollipop Pop has set alarms on our phones to be official)

4. Only L and C family members are allowed to participate. Interlopers will be shot at sunrise (Put a kibosh on puzzle wizard friends coming over)

5. The first family to complete the puzzle will hold bragging rights for one year.

Well, my thoughts of a nice, fun family project came to a screeching halt when I received this text from my overly competitive sister and her overly competitive daughter yesterday at 3:44pm.

"We're in training"

And then at 9:49pm last night, I received this text with my overly competitive nephew in on the action.

"Worried yet?"

To which I replied, "Not a bit!"

What I really wanted to say was "Ummmm, yeah."

Wish us luck!

Results:

Well, I must say that the puzzle was fun. Very challenging, but fun.

When the alarm on my phone sounded, we opened the box, (as did my sister's family an hour away), the interior bag and dumped out the pieces. We had already formulated our plan on where edges, small pieces etc. would go. What we did not anticipate were some of the small pieces still being attached to their mates in the box...hmmm, wonder if this fact will come back and bite us?

This was about an hour in...

About 3 hours...

After 4 hours of solid puzzle-ing, DONE.

I texted my sister and was asked if we took ALL of the small pieces apart when we opened the box...negative. She had indeed sent me a text earlier asking about this and Shaggy had only just discovered that message. The Official Puzzle Ruling Committee (our parents) deemed our success null and void and we would have to restart because of "fudging" on our part. Hmmm....We did so at the official new start time and after another 4 + hours, I went to bed. My sister and her family finished the puzzle at 10:00PM...12 hours after the original beginning. Ours is still not finished.

Oh well, they have official bragging rights for the year, but we are already looking forward to a rematch next year!

New Year's Day

2011-12-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

Growing up, we spent Year Year's Day watching the Rose Parade, football and eating...all day long. Mom made gobs of snacky type foods and left them out all afternoon. We would graze and graze and be stuffed at the end of the day. My sister does this with her family and I have begun as well. I planned my menu yesterday and hit the grocery store for the goodies. Then, this morning, my smart sister mentioned that the Rose Parade and Bowl games are on on Monday...not Sunday...Really? I guess we will be celebrating New Year's Day on January 2nd...this is certain to mess up my internal calendar at the get go. I thought I would share what we will be eating and a recipe here and there.

Pioneer Woman's Burgundy Mushrooms
I make these in the crock pot and they work very well...the house will smell divine, too!

Kalamata Olive Spread
Process a jar or deli container of Kalamata Olives in food processor until a paste forms. Drizzle Olive Oil in until just spreadable. This is yummy on a sliced baguette.

The following dip is fantastic, but the memories that accompany it are even better. I think those memories might deserve a post of their own...for now, the recipe.

Napa Dip
4 ounces cream cheese - softened
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 can artichoke hearts , drained well and chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed (I confess to using 2 cloves unless huge)
1/2 tsp dill
Mix all in a bowl. I have only served this cold but the recipe says it can be hot as well. Ritz crackers go really well with this.

This is a favorite of mine, but I don't make it often...ringing in the second day of a new year seems appropriate.

Sauteed Shrimp
1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail on
1 TBL Herbes de Provence
Salt and fresh pepper
Mix in a bowl to coat shrimp evenly with seasonings. In a large skillet, heat 2 TBL olive oil over medium high heat. Add shrimp in single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove to serving plate immediately. Serve with dipping sauce, if desired.

Dipping Sauce
Mix together:
1 1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 TBL Mayonnaise
2 TBL whole grained mustard
1 1/2 TBL maple syrup
1 tsp turmeric
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (I only add these if basil is available in my garden. Nice, but not a necessity, in my opinion)

The next 2 recipes come with the same memories as does the Napa Dip. Sheesh....I am such a sentimental sap. I serve the dip and a store bought hummus with fresh veggies.

Allie's Dill Dip
(This makes a ton...I usuallys 1/2 it and make a day ahead)
1 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1 1/2 cup sour cream
2TBL parsley (I usually use dried)
2 TBL Beaumonde (this is the only recipe I have that uses this)
2 TBL Dill
2 TBL onion, finely diced
Mix all together. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Keeps for several weeks...truly it does.

Sharon's Spinach Balls (stop laughing)
These freeze wonderfully!
2 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
2 cups herb seasoned stuffing mix, thoroughly crushed
1 cup (about 5 oz) freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup butter, melted
5 green onions, ends trimmed and finely chopped
4 large eggs
1 tsp poultry seasoning mix
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

In a large bowl, combine all well. Shape spinach mixture into into compact 1 inch size balls. Arrange slightly apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a 350* oven for about 20 minutes until golden brown (If freezing, freeze balls uncooked on a sheet pan and store in a freezer bag. They can then be pulled out as needed and baked) Serve with Mustard Sauce if desired.

Mustard Sauce
Stir together 1/2 cup Dijon Mustard, 1 Cup nonfat sour cream, 1 TBL dry white wine ( I usually omit this) and 3/4 tsp sugar.

I have not made the next recipe in years, but it is so good and the neighbors brought us fresh, raw almonds for Christmas.

Teriyaki Almonds
Melt together:
1/4 cup butter
2 TBL soy sauce
2 TBL sherry
1/4 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
Pour over 2 cups almonds.
Bake 325*, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
This usually takes between 15 - 30 minutes until nuts have absorbed the yumminess. Sprinkle with garlic salt and spread evenly on a brown paper bag to absorb excess butter and cool. Refrigerate or freeze.

So...there you have it. After all this food throughout the day, I am planning on making French Onion Soup for dinner...simple and lightish.

May the New Year bring you much happiness and joy.

A Peek Into Our Christmas

2011-12-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

Good Golly, Miss Molly! I have been trying to post this since Monday! This silly server works sporadically and stops about the time I have the photos ALMOST loaded. Grrr.... Anywho...Christmas at the NutHouse was wonderful and filled with much family, food and laughter. It began on Christmas Eve Morning with a brunch at our home. My sister in law and her family would be spending Christmas Day with her in-laws and this way we get to visit with them. I must say that brunch is my favorite meal to entertain with. I find it easy to prepare and it is usually a relaxed atmosphere. We had yogurt with homemade granola and fruit...

...our dear friend Sharon's Cinnamon Coffee Cake along with bacon and French Toast Strata. Throw in some hash browns and juices and we were good to go.

The white tulips from our party the week prior still looked pretty, so I added some fresh greenery, chrysanthemums and replaced the candles with cranberries and the centerpiece was done.

We had a twirling, swirling Sugar Plum Fairy...

...and the three grand-daughters posed.

Christmas Eve dinner is served at my parents home and Santa paid us a visit again.

My sister and her family make this dinner complete

After dinner, we head home where the kids sprinkle Reindeer Food on the lawn. My brother in law has made this to send home with our kids since Shaggy was a small boy. My niece Rachel has taken over this very important task.

Now...BEFORE I got this shot,

I was treated to this one. Three things to look at:

1. Lollipop Pop looks grossed out and disgusted.

2. Shaggy looks guilty as all get out.

3. Sugar Plum Fairy is trying her hardest to smile at the camera.

I will leave what just had happened to your imagination.

You are welcome.

After spending Christmas morning at home with just us, we were able to visit with Hubby's Mom and his other sister's family. I took NO pictures, but we had a lovely time. Our two nephews have grown into very special young men.

Christmas night is spent again at my parents' house. This is when we read the Prayer for Children and feast on turkey sandwiches and relax. If you look closely, you can glimpse an elf delivering gifts.

Now, I included this picture, not to watch my sister open a gift, but to offer a glimpse at the nuttiness that is my family...that is my husband watching with a golden star garland on his head.

(As it turns out, my sister's gift was pretty perfect for her...she is a lover of books)

I love that my teenage nephew is so patient and kind with his 7 year old cousin. He is assuring her that she CAN read his book on becoming a sports' journalist.

I love that my daughter knows and loves her grandfather...

I love that my Mom has a door on which she measures every child who has entered her home over the years...

...and that she has backup when a said child has grown to more that 6 feet tall.

We were very blessed to be able to be with so many people we love and make us laugh. It was a great Christmas indeed.

A Christmas Tradition

2011-12-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

Recently, our two older kidnicks were asked at a function to share a favorite Christmas memory or tradition. Lollipop Pop talked of going to her grandparents' home and reading a prayer from a special book.
Since my sister's children and our's have been little, the adults in our family have taken turns reading this poem each year. Now that the grandchildren are old enough to read they are included in the honor of reading it.
This year, it was Shaggy's turn.

A Prayer for Children
We pray for children
who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
who like to be tickled,
who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,
who sneak Popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those
who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
who've never squeaked across the floor in new sneakers,
who never "counted potatoes,"
who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children
who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish,
who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,
who cover themselves with Band-Aids and sing off-key,
who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,
who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those
who never get dessert,
who watch their parents watch them die,
who have no safe blanket to drag behind,
who can't find any bread to steal,
who don't have any rooms to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
whose monsters are real.

We pray for children
who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw tantrums in the grocery store
and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed
and never rinse out the tub,
who get visits from the tooth fairy,
who don't like to be kissed in front of the car pool,
who squirm in church and scream in the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at
and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those
whose nightmares come in the daytime,
who will eat anything,
who have never seen a dentist,
who aren't spoiled by anybody,
who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children
who want to be carried
and for those who must.
For those we never give up on,
and for those who don't get a chance.
For those we smother,
and for those who will grab the hand of anybody
kind enough to offer.

On a side note, the book we read from resides at my mom's house, so I began to use the internet to copy it for this post. I discovered that many people have copied this prayer and taking the liberty of changing words...maybe to make parts less painful and other more politically correct...who knows. Anyway, I went to Mom's and borrow her book.
What you see here has been copied verbatim from the author Ina Hughs' book "A Sense of Human".

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T02:00:00.000-08:00

From the NutHouse to you...

We wish you a Christmas filled with Love, Laughter, Joy and Peace.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

I am not nearly as organized as I had hoped to be by today, but in my old age, I have come to realize that what didn't get done, didn't REALLY need to get done in the first place. Right? The festivities at the NutHouse begin in a mere 4 hours and I am calm and excited! We will be hosting brunch this morning and I had fantastic helpers yesterday...all three jumped in without asking and we had fun...doesn't get much better than that.

I even received word yesterday that Santa might be making an early appearance again this year.

Let the fun begin!

Christmas Babies

2011-12-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's plans to get the last bit of errand running was postponed because of some new arrivals. Ginny gave birth to this little guy. Baby goats are so stinkin' cute when they are trying to stand for the first time...we were all watching and cheering him along until success...even the cat was interested.

Almost.....

Nope...

Yeah!!!

While buckling #1 was learning to stand, Orchid was giving birth to twin boys...

Sugar Plum Fairy deemed it "the best day ever...I just wish one was a girl"

Lovely Weekend

2011-12-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

Update - link to making the ladder at the bottom of this post...Christmas brain..sorry...

What a wonderful weekend we had here at the NutHouse. School is out for 3 weeks which means no Algebra or Literature Books on my dining table. No forgotten lunch boxes in backpacks. No making of breakfast in the dark. You get the picture...I am thrilled! I even completed my card ladder! It is not perfect and no one else in the family is as pleased with it as I am and that's okay. Getting the mail at this time of year with all the Christmas cards is a highlight.

Hubby and I had 2 couples over for dinner on Saturday and it was fun to just sit and talk with adults. We laughed until we cried and wondered why we don't do things like that more often. I planned on a simple centerpiece of Christmas colored flowers but when I got to the grocery store I discovered tulips at a VERY reasonable price and a picture popped into my head. Tulips are my favorite flower on the planet so I went with it. A collection of small vases (and a few salt shakers from the dollar store) mixed with white candles and the red vine ball thingies were perfect. I have had the round mirrors for years and use them as place mats. They look so pretty with the candlelight reflecting in them.

Every year, our small local museum has a train exhibit in December. Every year, I forget. This year I didn't. So Sunday, Sugar Plum Fairy and I enjoyed our time together. The exhibit consists of model trains set up and running. There are two chugging away overhead and several others throughout the room. The display cases are filled with toys from years gone by...some, sadly, I even remember...in a museum...from my childhood...

Every child who passes through this museum gets a kick out of this contraption. It was used, not widely, in shoe stores to size feet properly. The person stands on it and looking through the viewer on the top, were able to see an actual x-ray of their feet, thus making it easy for the shoe salesman to properly choose shoes.

Today the X-Ray in the viewer are those of some gargantuan person and make the kids laugh.

I love perfect weekends!

Here is a terrific tutorial for the

ladder. Super simple and fun.

Almost...

2011-12-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

...Christmas vacation is almost here...we can not wait! Finals, basketball, baseball, cooking, cleaning, decorating, shopping, wrapping...I'm pooped...the kidnicks are pooped, but once Friday afternoon hits, we are prepared to slow down and enjoy this magical week of Christmas with each other..

Mini Members and Sugar Cookies

2011-12-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

After our marathon cooking meeting, the Mini Members joined us for some fun. We had already baked sugar cookies and made the icing. Each little person was able to decorate three cookies in anyway they saw fit and take them home. There were some very creative and pretty ones.

I also set out dry ingredients on the table with jars, tags and cookie cutters. I placed a measuring cup or spoon alongside each ingredient. My cooking kidnicks helped each mini member place the proper amount in their jar and tie an instruction tag and cutter on top. It was super fast, fun and once I chiseled the dried icing from my counter, easy!

I made the icing from Big Red Kitchen's kits...her kits are fabulous as well and I made them for gifts last year.

Here is the recipe I used for the Cookie Jars.

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

Cream together sugar, butter, vanilla and egg until smooth. Add dry ingredients. Chill dough. Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut out desired shapes. Bake 10 minutes or so at 375*. These will spread if too thick and you might end up with blobbed shaped cookies....tasty, just blobby looking...not that I have done this or anything.

No Pictures, but a Special Day

2011-12-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

Several weekes ago, I learned that a mother whose daughters are and have been members of our 4-H Club has been diagnosed with cancer. As I do when a crisis hits, I turn to the comfort of food. I feel the need to cook for whomever is hurting and try to make everything better with a casserole...I only wish the fix were something so simple this time. For several days, I let the knowledge of this family's struggle sit with me as I wondered exactly what to do...this was bigger that a casserole. I know that this lady is a very private person and was not sharing her diagnosis with many people yet. I don't know her very well and I did not want to make her feel uncomfortable or overstep my bounds so I contacted a mutual friend and together we formulated a plan. I wanted to have the kids in my cooking project prepare multiple meals for the family's freezer. Last Saturday was the day and we went to work. I worried about this meeting more than usual and wanted it to be organized and smooth. Lollipop Pop and I had already figured out what food to make, but I needed a plan of attack. I sat down with my recipes and began making tally marks for things like number of carrots, celery, shredded cheese, etc. I then created a master list and time line which I taped to the cupboards about the work stations. As a kidnick completed a task, they crossed it off and moved on. (I took a picture of this, but must have deleted it)

It worked like a charm and gave the kids a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that they were contributing to something larger than just chopping carrots...and they were. Not only were they prepping items to be added into a specific recipe, they were adding love, compassion and support to a family in need. Throughout the day, I would find myself talking to one kidnick or another. They asked questions and shared their thoughts with me. Most of them have been touched very closely by this devastating disease and I have could not be more proud of a bunch of kids. They are remarkable now and I look forward to witnessing the type of adults they will become. They will be awesome!

Here is a list of what these 6 kids prepared and links to some of the recipes.

Chicken Soup (from scratch)

Baked Potato Soup (we did not add the bacon this time)

Baked Oatmeal (Terrific for breakfast or a snack... I thought I have posted this before, but can't find it...I will share the recipe soon)

Ham Filled Crepes (The kids made this at our last meeting. It was fun to see them make it on their own this time)

Taco Meat (I can not find the original recipe source...ground beef, cooked rice, Peach/Mango Salsa and Black Beans. We froze this in 3 cup servings)

Ravioli Casserole (I will share this recipe soon)

I also made a batch of sugar cookie dough to freeze.

In addition to preparing, packaging and labeling these items, they jumped in and dried the dishes as I washed and in no time, the kitchen was put back together...just in time for the Mini Member Meeting that I scheduled...seriously, they are fantastic young people!

Magic

2011-12-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

I have been trying in vain to upload photos for this post few days...our Internet service has been sporadic at best and I am beyond irritated and frustrated...but this IS the Christmas season and I will not complain...much. I was determined to get all of our Christmas decor up by the 1st of December and I did pretty well... I was done on the 2nd. I am certain that if I were not so sentimental, the decorating would go much more quickly, but every box I open is a memory.

The ornament my best friend made us for our first Christmas as a married couple...

My favorite Santa and Nutcrackers...

The snowman coffee can that Lollipop Pop made in the first grade and is beginning to show little rust spots...she is in high school now...how did that happen?

The manger scene figurine that my former boss gave me before I was married...

Her daughter is the one who made the "before we were married" ornament...such fun those days were...it is because of my boss that I met my husband.

My flamingo who has an outfit change each season and a simple bowl of ornaments are among the things that make me smile.

The stockings are hung and the mantel is complete with a figure that my brother in law presented me with.

The snowflakes are falling...

...the magic has begun.

Thankful

2011-11-26T06:04:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving with my family was held in our home and I am so thankful that we were all together. I made the turkey (which received compliments from some pretty good cooks) and stuffing while Mom and my sister brought sides and desserts. I am thankful to have a sister who makes the best mashed potatoes on the planet and a mom who makes desserts that not only taste yummy but were chosen with love. She made a Pecan Pie that was my Grandma's Jean's recipe and a Pumpkin Chiffon Pie that was my Grandma B's. While they are no longer with us in body, they were with us in spirit.

I am thankful for a discreet husband who, when carving the turkey, discovered the paper bag of innards still in the beast...and said nothing to anyone!
I am thankful for solutions when my local store no longer carries the 18 inch taper candles I need for my hurricanes. A simple piece of oasis cut into a rectangle worked just as I had imagined.

I am thankful for bloggers who are so very talented and kind. Kim at Sand and Sisal offered a tutorial that was the basis of my centerpiece. I have a table that is quite long, so I used two baskets, end to end and ended up with something pretty and organic. Oh, and the place card idea came from Jen at Tatertots and Jello. Such inspiration in blogland!

I am thankful for skies that are so brilliantly bright and little girls who love animals more than anything.

I am thankful for a son who gets up before the sun on his own to help me bring 3 truckloads of Christmas decor from our storage to the garage...without a single complaint...and yes, I did say 3 truckloads.

I am thankful that Hubby and our son get to spend the day together doing something that they love.

I am thankful for beautiful leaves and beautiful daughters.

Most of all, I am thankful for these people!

Attitude

2011-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Attitude: everyone has one. In the blink of an eye, our attitude can lift a person's heart to soar or plunge them to a miry pit. We cannot choose what each day entails, but we can choose the attitude in which we respond. How I desire to choose an attitude that brings life to the moment. I know I fail often, but it's an aspiration worth pursuing. Be encouraged today as you seek to influence your sphere with an attitude that wows!

Andrea Sharp's Seeds of Encouragement

Easy Gift Idea

2011-11-21T05:12:00.000-08:00

Sugar Plum Fairy was recently invited to a birthday party for a 6 year old classmate that included a list of what the child wanted for her gift and where it could be purchased. Because I like to go against the grain sometimes, I decided to venture out and helped Sugar Plum Fairy make a gift that the birthday girl would enjoy just as much. My daughter adores writing letters and coloring, so we decided on a Letter Writing Kit. I have done variations of this over the years and young kids always seem to get a kick out of it. The kit always includes mailing labels with the child's own name on them (I just use a Window's program to customize them), a pen, crayons or pencils(depending on the child's age) and stationary and envelopes. The birthday girl was asking for Calico Critters, which I had never heard of, but there are a plethora of images online. We found a site that offered free coloring pages of these critters, so I cut and pasted several onto note card templates in Window's Publisher. I made the appropriate size adjustments and Voila...note cards!

We made a label for the folder and placed everything inside. We also created several Penny Pendants and attached them to a chain. My daughter was so excited to present her friend something from her heart.

French Toast Apple Strata

2011-11-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

With the holidays coming, planning menus are a must for me in order to keep what little sanity I have left. The following recipe is one I found on All Recipes years ago and has become a family favorite. The ingredients are the same as the original but I put it together a bit differently. Because of it's flavor, I serve it for our Christmas breakfast...Shaggy requests it for his birthday breakfast and because of it's ease in preparing, I have taught my 4-H kids how to make it.

French Toast Apple Strata

1 loaf Cinnamon Raisin Bread

1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened

2 apples, peeled and diced (I like Granny Smith)

8 eggs

2 1/2 cups half and half

6 TBL melted butter

1/4 cup maple syrup

I begin by spreading the cream cheese evenly on 1/2 of bread slices.

Top with the other 1/2 bread, essentially making sandwiches.

I then cut them into cubes and toss in a greased 9X13 dish along with the diced apples. I have found that by doing this, the cream cheese is evenly distributed throughout the strata.

Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over the bread and apples. Press a piece of plastic wrap over all to submerge the bread in the liquid. Cover and let entire thing sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, preheat your oven to 325* and bake strata uncovered for 45 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. My family likes this served with warm maple syrup.

I hope you enjoy!

Pesto Sauce

2011-11-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about summer is fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden. Well, the nights have been getting cold...finally...and the summer garden was hanging on by a thread. I have oven roasted my last maters for the season and I harvested enough basil to make pesto to tide us over until next year. Here it what I do...kinda easy.

In a food processor, add:

8 cups of washed and packed basil leaves

8ish garlic cloves (depending on their size and your level of garlic passion)

1 cup Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup toasted walnuts (pine nuts are traditional, but walnuts are what we have)

Start machine and drizzle olive oil in until contents form a paste. I usually use 3/4 cup to 1 cup of oil.

At this point, your kitchen will smell like summer in Italy and you will be smiling from ear to ear. I spoon the sauce into mini muffin pans and freeze until they are solid...or until I remember they are in the freezer and then pop the individual yumminess into freezer bags and back into the freezer.

When I am ready to use one, I set one or two out to thaw for about 15 minutes before stirring into a bowl of rice or a kettle of soup throughout the winter. One of our favorite ways to enjoy the pesto is to add one to pan fried potatoes...seriously, fantastic!

2011-11-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

Whew! This past weekend was a full one! The crosstown rivalry football game was on Thursday night in which Lollipop Pop marched and did well...as for our football team, well...not so much. Veteran's Day in our town is a wonderful time. I shared it last year here. The weather was cold and quite windy in the morning but the rain did hold off for the parade.

I was playing with the settings on my camera because I am determined to get out of the manual setting...well, lets just say I am still learning and can't quite wrap my brain around it all. I have to mentally draw a picture in my head as to what the settings should be and by the time I have it figured out, the moment has passed, as has my daughter in the parade. I liked the Civil War Veteran on his bike, though...

..and this one is neat...the little boy of the back of the bike was flapping his arms the entire way.

Following the parade and lunch, we headed out to watch the bands. This is where the rain decided it couldn't hold back any longer. The Queen and Princesses were dry and warmish, but their poor Boy Scout escorts were not so lucky.

While the bands played the songs representing each branch of our military, soldiers and sailors rose to their feet. It is always a special sight and even more so this year in the rain...everyone was chilled and wet, but stayed and paid tribute to these men and women. Very moving.

Saturday night involved the final band competition of the year. It has been a wonderfully full fall, thus far and we are enjoying a bit of a breather this week.Oh, on a side note (as most of my posts are) I located by accident, a radio station that is already playing only Christmas music! Sugar Plum Fairy and I are thrilled...the others, not really.

Because...

2011-11-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

Because of you, I am able to sit on the side of a street and watch bands and floats in a wonderful parade. Because of you, I am able to live in the greatest country on this planet. Today, we celebrate all of you and honor your sacrifices. Thank you.

Happy Birthday...

2011-11-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

...and Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

(Make sure you turn off my music at the bottom of the page first)

Seven?

2011-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have NO idea how this has happened so quickly...

Sugar Plum Fairy celebrated her 7th birthday over the weekend. Hubby and I had to be out of town for most of the weekend, but made it home in time to spend most of the day with her.Being gone near one of our kidnick's birthdays has never happened before and I was a bit flustered in the beginning. I made a list and went to work. Last week, I baked her cake and attempted to decorate it. Blondie got a fondant bodice and a goofy looking collar before she went into the fridge for a chill. The rest of her dress was made and stashed under a soup kettle in the fridge until the big day...yes, I take suprising my kids VERY seriously.

I also baked and froze the cupcakes we would take to school. I decorated them yesterday morning and they were a hit with the kids.

(May I also mention that this invention is one of the greatest? I remember buying it at the grocery store several years ago, AFTER I had taken cupcakes to Shaggy and Lollipop Pop's classes in flimsy boxes and cookie sheets that were never quite large enough for the number of kids in the class...this is genius!)

Since it was a school night and dinner had run longer than anticipated, we had her take a shower before opening her gifts and a cutting her cake. The wet hair photos will forever be a nice reminder of a hectic, but super fun day with our young lady!

(I loved the cake, but candle placement is challenging as to not melt arms or hair)

Walnut Harvest

2011-11-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

We own and raise about 10 acres of walnuts and yesterday was the day they were harvested. We have rain coming this weekend, so it is perfect. Strangely enough, we harvested exactly one year ago...that date usually varies a week or two from year to year The first thing that happens at harvest is these shakers arrive. They are short, efficient and fun to watch. We have several walnut trees in the yard and these guys are always good to shake them as well for us...note the brushes on this machine...they move the nuts so they are not crushed. (If you want to watch the videos, make sure you turn off the music at the bottom of this page first)

Once the shaking in the orchard is done, it looks like this.

The sweepers are next, but the video stunk. It is a machine that comes up one side of the row and back down the other. It has a huge revolving brush that sweeps the nuts to the center of the row. It is also an extremely dusty machine. After the sweeper gets most of the nuts in a windrow, people come and rake the wayward nuts into the middle. I took this from the garage...I didn't want the workers thinking I was a stalker.

The Jack Rabbit machine now drives down the center of each row and sucks everything up...basically a big vacuum cleaner. It then unloads the nuts into the orange hoppers.

Yesterday was a particularly busy day here...we are FINALLY putting some fencing in the back and everyone showed up at the same time...had a bit of a traffic jam on the driveway for a bit.

This last video is the exciting one...we see the result of a year long job come to fruition. We harvested about 18 hopper loads...this set of trailers is the second that was here...the first set left full while I was gathering children from school.

It is a good feeling and we are truly blessed.

Chocolate Pies

2011-11-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Band Parent Group that takes care of Lollipop Pop and her friends has served dessert to the band members after every home football game since the beginning of the band. This is the first year I have been involved with the band since I marched in it many moons ago and chose this committee in which to help with. I make something and get to be around the kids, which is the best part. Each week, a different dessert is served and this week pie in on the menu. I will miss the game, but still wanted to send my dessert. Serving pie to kids in a hurry seems to be a messy job, so I changed mine up a bit. I bought individual graham cracker crusts and filled each one with a yummy and easy chocolate filling. They are delicious, pretty and something different. I hope the kids think they are a hit.

Chocolate Pie Filling

Gently melt 8 ounces milk chocolate together with 1 1/2 cups marshmallows and 1/2 cup milk. Cool. Fold into 2 cups unsweetened whipped cream. Fill pie shells and chill.

Is it Naptime yet?

2011-11-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks around the NutHouse have been, well...nuts! We harvested the orchard yesterday. Actually, I use that term LOOSELY...we hire a crew to harvest and we watch...and I take pictures. I am working on a post sharing that. The weather has been in the 80's but they are promising cold and rain this weekend. The flowers are loving the weather and the leaves are just beginning to turn. I am so very ready for fall temeratures to come and stay with us longer than a day or two. We survived the football games, a big band competition as well as Halloween. Lollipop Pop was grateful that she chose NOT to wear her Wilma Flinstone costume to school on Monday. Seems her band director was dressed as Fred and she would have been MORTIFIED! (Snicker, snicker) We carved pumpkins (I copied Lemonade Makin' Mama's idea. My Sharpie didn't work, so I used paint) and had some friends over for a brunch...that is a whole post in itself...they are moving and I may just sneak in a box and go with them. Lollipop Pop's twice weekly, night band rehearsals ended...only once a week now, but she started basketball 5 days a week yesterday and we have an additional teenager staying with us for the time being. He is an awesome young man and loves my cooking...can't ask for much more than that. Take a gander at the madness.

I Want My Money Back!

2011-11-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

This calender is defective!

There is NO way that this is correct!

It's Operation Christmas Child Time

2011-10-31T02:00:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that a year has passed since we filled our first shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, but it has. I have been collecting items throughout the year and stashing them in the closet. It was fun to see what we had collected throughout the year...flashlights, socks, paper and pencils, toothbrushes and games were some of the goodies.

Our 4-H Club is participating this year as well, so we will sending 6 boxes to children around the world. When the representative spoke to out 4-H group, she shared a story of a child receiving his box and being thrilled...his mother then took the plastic box and went to fill it with water for her family. An added blessing.

We made also made a small donation last year and were able to follow our boxes to the Phillipines. The kidnicks even received letters from the children who were given their boxes. Sugar Plum Fairy drew pictures for each box this year and we wrote a message with our address to include as well.

The National Collection Week is November 14 - 21 so you still have time to participate and help a child. Click here to find your nearest collection site. This is truly a simple and rewarding thing to do and bring joy to a child.

What Sewing Has Taught Me.

2011-10-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

When Sugar Plum Fairy decided that she wanted to be an Indian for Halloween, I decided that I would make the costume. As I have mentioned, the fabric lady told me sewing was like riding a bicycle and even after the 10+ years since I had sewn, I would be okay. I believed her...kind of. I then procrastinated. After all, as long as I had the fabric, pattern and notions purchased, it would magically appear finished before tonight's Halloween Carnival, right? Nope! I knew I had a worried little girl when she asked me to go home on Tuesday morning and not wait with her before school started. "Mom, PLEASE go home and make my costume....please?" I went...I made...I remembered...

Ceiling Fans are not your friend when pinning the pattern to the fabric...

...reading the directions on the pattern are your friend...acknowledge and respect them...if you don't, you WILL re cut...(not that I know from experience or anything)

I learned that making fun of my mother and grandmother when they could not thread a needle without my help will come back to haunt me. This occurred to me when I had to have Shaggy help me thread the needle.

I learned that the lady in the fabric store was correct and that I have thrilled a 6 year old young lady...in time for the Carnival tonight. (I even made a candy bag)

Air Show, Part III...and final...I think...

2011-10-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

We have some major changes occurring in our lives right now and while I sort through them in my mind, I thought I'd leave you with yet more Air Show pictures. Yeah! There were many planes to see on the ground as well as in the air. The re-enactment of a bombing and fire fight from WWII was exciting and informative as well. These are 2 F-16's with what was our best fighter from that war. Amazing how far we have come.

The F-16 demonstrated how fast they can fly...faster than the speed of sound. This jet flew in front of the crowd and it was completely silent...a second later, the ginormous sound hit us all with a cheer from the crowd...very exciting!This photo is not during the pass...this is when he was flying upside down.

There were lots of people for this 2 day show and as always, I adore people watching. This family caught my eye and sat near us. It was comprised a man, his wife and 4 boys....all but the mom were decked out in Steeler jerseys and that is what grabbed my attention first. What kept me intrigued was the interaction and care in which the parents had with the boys. They were more than patient and the boys were perfectly behaved and respectful...there was never a raised voice or a complaint from any of them. The oldest boy was probably 8 and the youngest about three. As the father and his boys were walking back to their seats, one lagged behind quite a bit. I watched the Dad simply raise his hand and the youngest came scampering back in line.He knew right where his son was and gave him the tool to find his way back...I wish I were more like that...I would have been yelling at mine to stay together, hold hands, don't dilly dally. I want to be like the Steeler Dad when I grow up.

I have seen the Blue Angels once before and am in awe of their...well...awesomeness! The precision these guys fly with is amazing. I honestly get chills and giddy when they fly.

The team flew various patterns in front of the crowd...

At this point, each plane is separated by 18 inches...INCHES, people!

If you ever have the chance to see the Blue Angels, you must attend...and call me...I''ll be right over.

Air Show, Part 2

2011-10-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

What is it?

A bird? Or 6 birds?

Plane? (We are at an air show, after all)

No...these are 6 Navy Seals who have willingly jumped out of an airplane and are free falling and speeding toward earth at 180 miles per hour.....

Very cool and Sugar Plum Fairy's favorite part of the show...they were quiet!

Air Show...Part 1

2011-10-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have always loved airplanes...don't know much about them, but I know that fighter jets flying overhead give me chills...I love flying...Top Gun is the movie that almost convinced me that the surround sound speakers my husband wanted in our home were a necessity. Note I said almost. Last weekend, I took our three kids and a friend to see an air show that was being held on a U.S. Naval Base nearby. Okay...add soldiers, American Patriotism and a w to the airplane mix, I was one happy camper. It is going to take me a bit more time to sort through the 200 photos I took, but here are a few.

Scattered and Random

2011-10-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

This week was busy and FAST! I had such plans for when Hubby was out of town and but kept scaling those plans back.

Gone were the plans to redo a room...gone were the plans to paint our front door. I adore the purple it is now, but no one else in the family does. I think a glossy black will be nice, although the dents will show more, I fear. What to do...what to do?

As far as a project this week while he was gone...none. I spent one day hitting antique and thrift stores with my Mom. That is something we have not done in eons...lots of fun! Meetings almost every night, 4-H stuff and a server that is STILL kicking me off whenever I get involved in something, just didn't allow much of anything else. Oh well.

Several weeks ago, I won a book from Erin at The Whatever Girls.

I adore Max Lucado and The Crippled Lamb is a sweet story. Sugar Plum Fairy is even able to read parts of it to me! Thanks, Erin. We love it!

Have I mentioned that our dishwasher doesn't work? For some reason, I haven't even minded too much...weird.

Sugar Plum Fairy has decided that she wants to be an Indian for Halloween. In a weak moment, I decided that I would make her costume. The lady at the fabric store assures me that sewing is like riding a bicycle...we'll see. I have not sewn much since I made Shaggy's Lion and Jester Costumes when he was a toddler.

(Lollipop Pop as a hydrangea in a pot)

(Shaggy as a Jester)

(Sugar Plum Fairy in the Lion Costume I made Shaggy)

And to cap off the week, I get to see these guys tomorrow!

AMAZING!

SQUEEEEEEEKKKKKK

2011-10-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

I may just lose my mind...actually, since I have inadvertently posted this twice before it was finished, I think I have officially lost it. The farmer who owns the field across our driveway will be planting walnut trees this winter. We have mixed emotions about that, but the preparation of the field that has in the past grown cotton, wheat and corn is an interesting process. The first thing they did was to "laser level" the field. There was a lot of soil moved in the field to gain the proper slope for irrigation and planting. It was a VERY dusty job and much of that dust ended up in our house, pool and plants over the course of several weeks...on Monday another machine arrived to begin "ripping" the ground..(Hubby is out of town so I can not ask for his help in proper farming terms) This contraption takes 9 minutes to travel from one side of the field to the other and is in SERIOUS need of WD-40! The driver begins at 6:30AM and leaves between 3:00PM and 4:00PM. If you are so inclined to watch and spend a minute of your life listening to what may just be my demise...feel free...it is quite amazing how much power this thing has to dig so deeply in the earth(turn off the music at the bottom of this page first, or you might lose your mind as well!) Oh, and an added benefit now that he is in front of the house is that it feels like an earthquake...the dogs LOVE it!

Sorry

2011-10-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Not sure how I did it, but posted a post before it was done...please forgive me and check back in a bit....

The 4-H Year is Under Way!

2011-10-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Well, my first 4-H Cooking Project Meeting is over and was a lot of fun. I have the perfect number of kids in it this year. I have had, in the past, too many to fit in the kitchen and have everyone be hands on. As a project Leader, I get to read the kids' 4-H Books at the end of each year and see their suggestions. Last year, one young lady thought it would be fun to learn about foods from other countries. What a great idea! I knew that I wanted to teach them how to make the glorified pancake called a crepe...well, there was France! My Mom made a dish growing up called Palacsintas or Hungarian Pancakes. It involved a mixture of ground ham, olives, sour cream layered with crepes and made a tower of yumminess topped with buttered bread crumbs and baked to perfection. It is then cut into wedges and served. With a salad, this is really a great meal. Several weeks ago, I dug out the recipe to make it for my family. Something happened...schedules changed and we weren't going to have dinner together that night. Rather than pitching a fit and stomping my feet, I changed direction. The crepes were made and rolled around the filling and placed in a pan, like enchiladas. I plopped that into the freezer and went on with my life. Days later, when I was ready (and the family was home), I tossed buttered bread crumbs on top of the crepes and baked until hot. They were devoured and declared a new favorite. While the presentation was not nearly as unique and pretty as the original, the flavor and ease was great. (I have also discovered that if you fill and roll these, place them on a cookie sheet to freeze and then place the individually frozen pieces into a freezer bag, they can be defrosted and heated in the microwave for a quick after school snack for hungry kids) Okay...back to my international 4-H Cooking meeting. I also wanted to teach the girls how they can use the crepe with a sweet filling as well as a savory one, so they made Blueberry Crepes as well. Here are the recipes, if you would like to try them.
Crepes

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in1-1/4 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup water. Whisk until smooth and add one beaten egg and 1 TBL melted butter. Continue whisking until there are no lumps. The batter will resemble a very runny pancake batter. Heat a small 7 or 8 inch saute pan (nonstick is ideal) over medium high heat. Add 1/4 tsp butter to hot pan and then 1/4 cup batter. Swirl pan slowly to coat bottom of pan completely. Cook until edges begin to curl back...about 1 - 2 minutes. I used a spatula to flip the crepe over and cook about 30 seconds more. There will be large air bubbles present when done. (The girls thought they looked alive) Slide crepe onto a plate and continue. This recipe makes about 12 crepes.

Blueberry Crepes

Mix 2 cups blueberries (I used the frozen ones I had from picking with Sugar Plum Fairy) with 1/8 cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Heat until sugar dissolves and set aside to cool slightly.

Place crepe on a flat surface and center about 1-1/2 TBL of the berries on top. Fold two opposite sides of crepe toward the middle and roll entire thing. Place seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the berries. Pour remaining juice over all and bake at 325* for 20 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy. (This amount of berries makes about 6 filled crepes)

Palacsinta Filling

10 ounces ham

1/4 cup black olives

1 green onion

Place all into a food processor and process. (You can also just chop this very finely)

Add a scant 1/2 sour cream, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce and S and P to taste. Mix all together.

Place crepe on a flat surface. Arrange 2 TBL of filling down the center of crepe in a "log" shape. Roll like an enchilada and place in a baking dish. Toast 1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs with 2 TBL butter in saute pan and top the crepes. Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Oh, yes...and because I was a teacher in a previous life, I will be subjecting these lovely children to a test at our last meeting. They will need to remember such nonsense as from whence the term "crepe" and "Palacsinta" come. They will also need to identify common kitchen utensils, terms and food items that they use throughout the year. The details of this are still whirling around in my mind, but it will be fun, not very serious and there WILL be prizes. Can YOU identify each item?

As much as I love 4-H and all that it represents, I am glad to get these first 2 meetings done. I am spending the day with my Mommy today and have changed my mind on the redecoration of the small room while my husband is gone...it will happen eventually, but it was turning into a larger job than I want to battle this week. I intend on enjoying my Thursday and I hope you do as well!

One Down...

2011-10-12T06:07:00.001-07:00

...one to go. The first 4-H Meeting this week went well, but holy moly, do 6-8 year old boys have a lot of energy! I purchased plain wooden frames that my Teen Leaders primed white. I also found wooden shapes that represent some of the projects our club offers...sheep, poultry, horse, rabbits, etc. These were primed prior to the meeting as well. I then set up tables in my garage and covered them in butcher paper (I bought a roll when Shaggy was about 6 for crafts and am just now coming to the end of the roll. That was a great purchase a decade ago! Anyway, as the kids arrived, I talked about the different projects they can choose from when they are older and let them pick any 3 cutouts. They painted their frame any color they desired as well as the decorations. I also had letters that they could used to customize their frame. All but 3 kids were able to come, so I took pictures of them and will place on in their frame for the fairs in the Spring. They really turned out well and cleanup was a cinch! Today, my cooking project will travel to France and Hungary to make Crepes and Palascintas! Curious? Will fill you in tomorrow!

Busy!

2011-10-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

This photo has nothing to do with anything, but I thought it was cute...this is Rudy.

I have 12 kids between the ages of 5 and 8 coming to my house this afternoon for a 4-H Mini Member Meeting. The project involves paint...and glue....wish me luck! In all honesty, I really enjoy these kids, but always fear that I have forgotten something. I also planned the first cooking meeting for tomorrow afternoon...figured the house will be clean, so went for it. Throw in hubby leaving in the morning for 5 days, the plans for a redecoration of a small room while he is away, as well as the normal everyday running around I am just hoping I don't forget to pick up a kidnick from something.

Happy Tuesday!

Christopher Columbus Parody

2011-10-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Take a couple minutes and give this a listen. I enjoyed this and hope you do as well.
Christopher Columbus Parody

A Birthday Party AGAIN? (How did the year pass so quickly?)

2011-10-04T05:26:00.000-07:00

(This post was written on Wednesday...then our server decided it just couldn't handle staying connected for more that 2.54 seconds at a time...I thought I was behind here before...I am further behind now)

Shaggy will be 17 this week and he had some friends over last weekend. First of all...17...HOW did that happen so darn quickly? I JUST brought him home from the hospital in my arms...and he fit!

Anyway, I digress. Having kids over at this age must involve food...and enough of it. I made 2 pots of beans...Spice Rack and Re-fried. Add in some baked tortilla shells, Fritos, hot dogs and toppings and voila, you have a spread that allows the kids to go in various directions...Frito Boats, Chili Dogs or Taco Salads. I added my Deviled Eggs, some Veggies and Indian Relish and the kids went to town. I knew I didn't want to typical cake and since I am on a Mason jar kick lately, my mind went to work. I made individual Blueberry Cobblers and Lemon Meringue Pies. I also made two of the Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies, and served them next jars of milk in a vat of ice...THAT was a hit!

I made the chalkboard thingies from some coasters I snagged from my yard sale pile (did I mention I am also cleaning things out for a yard sale this weekend? Well, I am...actually NOW the yard sale begins in 30 minutes) I taped the cork side of each coaster, drilled a hole near the top edge and and spray painted the rooster side with chalkboard paint. I added some twine and wrote in my messy handwriting. Love them!

There were kids here that were here 10 years ago AND the girls located photo albums...funny. Everyone seemed to have a good time.They played volleyball, hide and seek (really?) and sat around the fire pit. My niece and nephew are freshmen this year, as is Lollipop Pop and it was both strange and comforting to see all of them included in this gathering of their older brothers' friends. I got a glimpse of them as adults when they are not the "little brother and sisters" anymore. Super fun to see. (I am still in denial about my baby boy being 17, though)

I'm posting now, before the server gets tired...Have a great weekend!

Finally

2011-09-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

The weekend is here.

Enjoy!

Fall? Please?

2011-09-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

Although the calender says that fall has arrived, mid 90* temps have me begging to differ! I am hoping, however, that if I decorate our home for fall, the weather will immediately change for the better...I'll keep you posted on how it works out.
I keep a lot of my kidnick's art from school and like to display them from time to time. The scarecrows are from the girls...the one on the left is Lollipop Pop's from 1st Grade and the wreath is from kindergarten...she is now a freshman. The framed flowers were done by Shaggy in 1st grade...he is a junior! Are they hokey to have displayed now? Maybe, but I love them. The hunk of cedar wood on the fireplace is from a dear friend and comes with a story I'll share one day.

Recently, I came across yet another blog that I fear may take up any spare time I have...both in reading it and trying to create things she has made. This wreath has been so much fun to make! I had a 10 inch foam wreath already and went to town. It was super easy and probably took a total of an hour our so. I did it in spurts. I used just over 1,200 tacks, but at $1.00 per 300, it is a bargain!

I think it looks lovely on the mirror over our fall mantle.

In the end, I decided the scarecrows needed to be moved...still displayed, just not here.

So, Fall....I am ready...will your PLEASE arrive soon?

I am linking this up with Beth's Party. On a side note, this woman is full of wonderful things...she is super taleneted and creative, but she is also kind and helpful. So, take a bit of time and visit Beth is you haven't before. You are sure to catch the creative bug as well.

Seriously...

2011-09-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

...go see this movie.

...ASAP...

...take tissues.

(they will be less harsh than the napkins in the theater that were available to me)

Mammoth Chocolate Chip Cookie

2011-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

I love to cook..bake, not so much, but this cookie may have changed my mind. It came from One Ordinary Day and was fantastic! Michelle's photos and blog are gorgeous and everything looks so tempting...check it out. Anyway, I baked this in a cast iron skillet and it came from the oven with a crisp exterior and a soft and gooey interior...perfection!

One Ordinary Day's Skillet Cookie

Whisk together:

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Cream together:

3/4 cup softened butter

3/4 packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

Add 1 egg and 2 tsp. vanilla to the creamed mixture. Mix completely.

Add dry mixture and stir just until incorporated.

Stir in 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Press into a 10" oven proof skillet, covering bottom. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 35 - 40 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and cool 15 - 20 minutes.

I cut into wedges with a large pizza cutter and they were devoured after school...keep in mind, that the wedges should be small..very rich. They kept perfectly and were just as nummy the next day for lunch boxes. Make this soon...you won't be sorry.

Fun at the Fair

2011-09-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

How did this happen?

2011-09-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Lollipop marched in her first high school football game field show last night. She is in the same band I marched in way back when. She is playing my old instrument. She was nervous as a cat. She survived AND had fun...makes my heart happy.

I am Such a Sap!

2011-09-14T13:36:00.001-07:00

I am quite certain that normal people do not tear up in the produce aisle at the grocery store when they see and smell Bartlett Pears for the first time each fall. They remind me of my childhood in a teeny, tiny Northern California town. Pears and walnuts were, and still are, grown there. They remind be of Doober. They remind me of growing up as a Forest Ranger's daughter. When our walnuts are harvested in another month and a half, I am prepared to stroll down memory lane once again.

Meanwhile the Produce Man has something to talk about today.

San Diego

2011-09-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

I am so behind on posting...I hope you will bear with me. Just before school began, we spent 3 wonderful nights in San Diego. I told you about the wonderful cupcake stop we made...still thinking about them...they were delicious! Anyhoo, we stayed on Shelter Island at The Bay Club. This is a nice hotel and met our needs nicely. Our room looked over the bay. It was fun to watch various ships come into and out of port.

and the dining room and pool is on the harbor.

Shelter Island is a few minutes driving distance to the downtown area and a nice choice if you don't want the hustle and bustle of a city. Hubby and Shaggy played golf one day and the girls and I decided to venture into the city. We took a shuttle from the hotel to near the USS Midway. We toured this Air Craft Carrier several years ago and if you are ever in San Diego, it is a must! The docents on board are mostly elderly military men and they are a wealth of information and full of stories. We spent hours there last time.

This time, the girls and I decided to walk toward the Gaslamp Quarter for a bite to eat. We happened upon The Grant Hotel which I fell in love with...it was built in 1910 and someday I would like to stay here.

The Horton Plaza is located across the street from The Grant and is a 5 level mall. Now, I am don't particularly enjoy shopping, but this was fun. It was open air and had escalators to each level. One level was a neat food court with numerous choices. Everything appeared to be very clean and the bathrooms even offered a strange looking hand dryer...a bit intimidating, frankly. Oh...did you know that the skyline in San Diego is sometimes referred to as a "tool box"? Many of the skyscraper's architecture resembles tools...screwdrivers, socket wrenches, etc. I did not.

One one level of the mall, there were ginormous chess and checkerboards. The girls began a game of chess which ended in a tie...kinda.

The following day, we all spent the day at Sea World. It was PACKED!!! There were announcements throughout the day that one show or another was filled to capacity. We decided which shows and attractions we really wanted to see and were able to do so. This show was an acrobatic/comedy show...cute...there is a member of the audience in that big ball being pushed along by the jet ski. Turkey legs and Shamu shaped pretzels staved off starvation after a bit.

I have no photos of the Shamu show itself, because the girls and I sat in the Splash Zone...I must tell you that we were drenched...dripping wet with squishy shoes. Part of the fun with that was watching the lady sitting in front of us who got angry when she got splashed...she stood up and started up the stairs every time a whale or dolphin came near...seriously? There were signs everywhere and announcements made throughout the show stating that you would get wet...We just had to laugh...

This was Sugar Plum Fairy's favorite show...Blue Horizons. I loved the Pilot Whales...both they and Beluga Whales look like the are smiling.

Sea Lions Live was okay...the animals and their trainers did a bit as though they were on Dancing with the Stars. Cute. The "opening act" had me in stitches a couple times...the "stage hand" got into the music and sand as though he were in the particular movies...Dirty Dancing, Grease (He playing both Sandy and Danny)

We visited the new Turtle Reef

...and even rode a ride...this is like the Teacups at Disney...was going to be a gently spinning adventure until Shaggy joined us at the last second and spun us so fast, I was nearly green!

We were hot and exhausted, but really enjoyed the day. Having a swim in the bay and perusing a Farmer's Market was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

No Words

2011-09-10T02:00:00.000-07:00

(Make sure you turn off my music player at the bottom first, please)

Have You Forgotten?

2011-09-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

Lollipop Pop came home from school yesterday (high school) and had watched "The Falling Man"video. The class took notes and then discussed it together. It told the story of a man who had jumped from the North Tower 10 years ago. A Canadian reporter had been assigned to find out who this man was. By using clues from photos, he discovered the man's identity and spoke with his family. My initial response was that of a mother wanting to protect her child from all the ugliness in the world. We have talked over the years about the attack on our country and what that meant, but never got into the nitty gritty. She (as well as Shaggy) have been fortunate enough to visit Ground Zero, but I fear I tried to keep the personal devastation so many people felt, from her.

I was wrong.

She is by far old enough to hear these stories and in doing so, she will also be reminded of the amazing strength and pride that this great country is blessed with. As the 10th anniversary of this horrific event approaches, I will be glued to the television watching the documentaries and remembrances as we honor those who died and the families left behind...

I will do so with my family.

Even though we did not lose anyone personally on this day, we did lose part of our American Family. This song has been a favorite for years, but I had not seen the video until now. Regardless what your political beliefs are, this video speaks to us all as Americans. We must not forget what we felt that day and what was done to us as a nation.

(Scroll down to the bottom of this page and click the pause button before listening to this song and watching the video)

Finally!

2011-09-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

Miss Sugar Plum Fairy has wanted to take ballet classes for 4 years.

Seriously, with very fiber of her being, wanted to take ballet.

She practices the two positions her sister and grandmother taught her.

Yesterday was the day.

She is over the moon excited.

Thank You!

2011-09-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to give you all a quick update on my Dad. His surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours and when he emerged, his spine had one less disk (what was left of it), a few less bone spurs, a relieved nerve (it had been pinched for quite a long time), 2 new rods and 4 screws. When Mom, my sister and I were able to see him in his room, he looked great and had no more pain...other than from the surgery itself. They arrived home today and I am forever thankful for your prayers and sweet words and thoughts...my parents are as well.

A Favor

2011-08-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

When I began blogging, I never imagined that I would learn so much and "meet" so many wonderful people. I truly treasure the fact that you read whatever I may be blathering on about and wonder if you will do me a favor. My Dad will be having back surgery in Los Angeles tomorrow and I would greatly appreciate your prayers and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery. He and Mom will drive down today and my sister and I will join them tomorrow. My parents are the type who don't like to have people make a fuss over them and argued that we did not need to make the drive and wait during the surgery....well, they raised two very stubborn daughters who treasure their parents. (Besides, it gets me out of helping with a night of high school and first grade homework!)

Oh, and in the comments on my last post, the lady named Ann who said I must come from a very bizarre family....well, duh, she is the matriarch! Love you, Mom!

So, if you would send up a quick prayer, will be profoundly grateful.

Thank you!

Messin' with my Kidnicks

2011-08-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Last Monday marked the beginning our our SECOND week in school...yes, that means we are halfway through our first month now and I don't think it should have even begun yet. Sorry, I am just missing summer vacation.

Anyway, last Monday afternoon, Shaggy was particularly pooped. He had completed the first week of school, but he had also spent several days in an Off Road Race (in which his team came in 1st in their class...very big and exciting stuff). He came home and promptly started his homework and then crawled onto his bed. At 6:33PM, I went in to rouse him for dinner. He was sound asleep and I decided to mess with him. The kids usually rise around 6:30AM for school and the light outside might be close enough to be convincing. I told Shaggy to wake up or he'd be late for school!

After several trips back to his room to wake him up, the girls were on board with comments like, "Shaggy, breakfast is ready," and "C'Mon, we'll be late for school!" He was beginning to come back to the land of the living when I asked if he had completed all of his homework last night (remember, this is STILL "last night") He mumbled that he still had a bit to do, so in my Mom voice, I told him to to hustle up and he'd have time to finish it after he ate. Well, the girls were sitting down to dinner of Mac and Cheese when Shaggy came shuffling from his room...he looked at his plate and said, "Oh, come on!"...translation "Really? Mac and Cheese for BREAKFAST, you must be kidding!"

He flopped down on the couch behind the girls and his brain began working..."Mom, what time IS it?" I replied, ever so sweetly, "6:45, honey". He got up, ran to his room , looked at his phone and discovered that it was 6:45PM...not AM. The girls were in hysterics by now and Shaggy was actually amused. He said I needed to take a picture of his clocks so I could post it on my blog...that's the true sign of a successful joke! Loved it and laugh whenever I think of it!

Prayer

2011-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

We are praying that those who may be affected by Hurricane Irene be kept safe.

Confusing?

2011-08-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

I would like your thoughts. Below, is a copy of my first grader's homework from earlier this week. This lesson is teaching students the terms "before", "after" and "in between" as they pertain to math. Now because my daughter is perfect and is working on fine tuning her calculus skills,(please know that I am kidding) this homework was not a problem. However, as I was looking at it more closely, I see that the number line lists only even numbers.

How does this help students when there are no questions that this applies to?

Am I off base?

I very well might be...just curious.

Thanks!

Krispy Kritters

2011-08-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

I have had this recipe since I was going to travel school in Los Angeles more than 2 decades ago...good grief I feel old today. Anyhoo...this is written on a scrap piece of paper and came from one of my roommates who was from Michigan. They are a hit everywhere I take them and never last very long. Enjoy!

KRISPY KRITTERS

1 cup sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

18 ounces creamy peanut butter

6 cups Rice Krispies

3/4 of a 12 ounce bag of chocolate chips. I never measure...just eyeball it.

Bring sugar and syrup to a boil - barely. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Stir until smooth and pour over cereal. Mix until combined and spread into a greased (I use Pam) 9 X 13 pan. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over top. No need to be precise. In about 5 minutes, the chips will be melted and can be spread to cover all. Cut while warm.

I usually stick the pan in the fridge to quicken the setting up time. Not much better tasting than chocolate, peanut butter and a tall cold glass of milk after a long hard day at school..

Bathroom Project

2011-08-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

I take after my mom in many ways and one of them includes completing projects around the home front when a spouse is out of town. Growing up, when my dad was gone on business or a fire, he never knew if he would have a new wall in the house or new paint color somewhere. when he returned. Surprising Dad when he returned almost made up for the time he had been away. I definitely inherited that "surprise gene". I have had a plan in mind for months this time my hubby was to be gone, but the night before he left, I changed the plan! Our main bathroom is the one that is a guest bath as well as the kids' bath. For several years, it has been kid friendly and fun with colors that appealed to girls as well as the boy. I loved the circles in blue and green (they added a punch of color without damaging the walls, as they had some sort of low adhesive backing on them).

I decided that this room needed a mini makeover and went to work. The sticker thingies came down as did the shower curtain and towels. I changed the towel bars and T.P holder to a brushed nickel finish, rather than the bright brass ones. I would love to change the faucet and light fixture finishes as well, but that was a bit more than I wanted to tackle and spend this weekend. I covered the glass doors above the toilet with Washi Tape to hide the contents and used it on the black pillar container on top for decoration as well. (search washi tape online...super cute and a gazillion ideas) I added the clock to manage certain offspring's time in the bathroom a bit better. I played with fonts to make initials and placed in existing frames. I had the white "love", "live" and "laugh" vases and added the silver, mirrored twigs from as old wreath I had. I love the shadows on the wall that they create.

The saying is something that is so important to kids to know and believe...I hope seeing those words every day will help mine be true to themselves. I down loaded it from Aimee. She has a lot of wonderful free downloads.

New towels and shower curtain are perfect for what I want and some items form other areas in our home.

Anyway, I am in love with this room again.

Hope my husband is, too.

Necessity...

2011-08-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

...is the mother of invention. Hubby's favorite dessert is Lemon Meringue Pie and I make it for his birthday, Father's Day or before he leaves on a trip. The other day, I made a pie crust dough and stuck it in the fridge to chill before rolling it out and baking. I then started making the lemon filling, attempting to get is all done prior to pickings kidnicks up from school. As the filling was cooking and thickening, I mentally thought of what else I needed to do before the pie was done. Hmmm...might have been nice if I had baked the crust BEFORE the filling was ready to be poured into it. Crud. I was rapidly running out of time. Then it hit me! What would happen if I poured the lemon filling the a small canning jar and then piping each individual jar with the meringue. I had nothing to lose and it would be better than nothing. I then rolled out a chunk of pie crust, cut it in strips with a pizza cutter and baked them.

Voila!

Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Pie!

I am linking this up here today!

Satisfying and Labor of Love

2011-08-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

Is there a more satisfying sound in the world than that of a "ping" when canning? I think not. I have made some Jalapeno Jelly for peppers in our garden...the only reason I did not make more is that the store only had one package of pectin! Glad to know others are doing the same thing around town. I have used the recipe from the Los Angeles Time California Cookbook that my sister and her new husband gave me for my birthday when I was newly married...150 thousand years ago! My copy had a broken spine and is falling apart...in my opinion, a sign of a truly loved book.

Anyway, this jelly is yummy!

I also made a hextuple (don't know if that it a word or not) batch of Red Pepper Relish. This is truly a long labor of love that I do once a year. It begins with 12 red bell peppers and 6 sweet onions (these were ginormous...another pretend word, so I only used 5)...

6 cups of sugar, 6 cups of white vinegar and 9 tablespoons red pepper flakes. When making this large a batch, I always worry that it will fit in the pot.

The the waiting game begins. I simmer over a medium heat, stirring occasionally until it cooks down...

...way down. This is after 3 hours...

This is getting closer after 5 hours. There is still too much liquid, though. At this time I stir often as it will begin to stick. Notice the change in color...it turns a beautiful jewel tone.

This is the time when the liquid is nearly gone and the vinegar smell is no longer present. Time to place in jars.

I have kept this in the fridge in unsealed jars for months before. Last year I began canning it and it is just as good. The best combination, in my opinion, is with Wheat Thins spread with whipped cream cheese and this relish on top...seriously... sweet, spicy and creamy...perfection!

(The original recipe calls for 2 bell peppers, 1
sweet onion, 1 cup each of sugar and white vinegar and 3 tablespoons red pepper
flakes...cook approx 30- 45 minutes)

Again...WHY does Blogger add these silly extra spaces? What am I doing wrong?

Oven Dried Maters

2011-08-16T02:00:00.000-07:00

UPDATE (check bottom for some clarification, please)

I made these last summer and they were a wonderful treat throughout the year. I gather as many ripe cherry tomatoes from the garden as I have, slice them in half (the larger ones were cut in quarters) and add fresh chopped basil, salt and a bit of olive oil. Spread all in a single layer on a sheet pan, and set in a 200* oven the oven for a couple hours. They will shrivel up and look icky, but put in a Mason jar in the freezer. I will continue to do this throughout the summer and just add to the jar. Grabbing a few to add to an omelet or pasta in the dead of winter is a something special!

After I toss everything together, I spread the mixture, cut side up in a single layer...if you just dump it all on the sheet pan, there will be too much juice and will take FOREVER to dry. Once I place the yumminess in the freezer, I just grab what I need from the jar, when I need it and return the jar back to the freezer.

Hope that helps.

It Really Happened

2011-08-15T08:46:00.001-07:00

I dropped two off at a humongous (to me) high school for the first time before taking the other to her comfy, cozy school.

All seems well.

I have the windows open and my classic rock blaring in order to keep me from thinking how quiet it is around here.

Happy Monday!

Am I Ready?

2011-08-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

School around these parts starts tomorrow, whether I want it to or not. I don't. However, no one asked me, so I was forced to move forward and get my family prepared. Every year, since Shaggy was in 1st Grade, I have made arrangements so take each child school shopping by themselves. Not only is it easier to focus on the shopping of one child at a time, I get to take each of them to the restaurant of their choice for lunch and visit with them...and only them. I truly look forward to that special time every year. Shaggy and I went several weeks ago and had a nice day visiting and a super lunch at The Olive Garden.

Shopping for Sugar Plum Fairy is something that could cost a small fortune if I let it...EVERYTHING is so stinkin' cute for 6 year old girls! She chose Chili's for lunch because she likes their Mac and Cheese...Kraft Mac and Cheese...that I can make at home...that she adores!

Lollipop Pop and I just went shopping a few days ago and what fun! We splurged and went to a "big city". Going into high school is quite stressful (for mom as well as daughter) and getting some cute clothes will help, right? We had success, but oh my goodness, is there a whole bunch of inappropriate clothing out there for young ladies! Seriously, why would parents allow their girls to dress like that? Anyway, we had plans to eat at The Elephant Bar, when she saw The Cheesecake Factory and asked if we could change our minds...absolutely. Neither of us had ever eaten there before and what a treat it was! We both had a yummy pizza and gorgeous salad before partaking in a cheesecake masterpiece! She had a peanut butter cup concoction and I settled on a chocolate one. Boy, oh boy, were they fantastic!

The other thing I had to do before school started was get back to my weekly menu planning and grocery shopping. With the various activities we are involved in, it is critical for me. During the school week, I try and have dinner at 6:00 every night...that gives us time to visit as a family before the rush of bedtime for Sugar Plum Fairy begins. Many times, with various practices and meetings, this time is tweaked a bit. If I have planned dinner ahead of time, everything runs smoothly. If I have meetings after school or in the evening, the crock pot saves me. I planned for lunches, as both Shaggy and Lollipop Pop will take theirs this year. After school snacks are vital for survival as well....mine. The kids will attack if there is not food available for their ravenous bodies. I also make breakfast for them...knowing ahead of time what we will have saves time and money. I have made my baking mix for pancakes and waffles...

I have made a double batch of Baked Oatmeal for the freezer...

And Granola...

Hmmmm...as I am reading this post, I have discovered that getting ready for school seems to revolve around food!

So the question remains...am I ready?

In all things practical, yes.

All things emotional...no quite.

A Bakery and a Nursery...Who Knew?

2011-08-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

We recently had the opportunity to travel to San Diego as a family. Once the plans were made, I jumped online to research where we would find the best things like...chocolate! I discovered a bakery in the town of Encinitas (which was about 30 minutes from our destination) which turned out to be the perfect location to pick up a snack and head to the hotel. Elizabethan Desserts is located about 1 mile off the freeway and super easy to get to and find...believe me...after travelling through Los Angeles at break neck speeds, we were ready for some ease.

The bakery is in a building inside a nursery with all sorts of treasures. The wood carvings are done there and are stunning. I want that bird house/tree house thingy!

I had never seen a black bell pepper plant...the Heliotrope instantly returns me to my Grandma Jean's garden...had we been heading home instead, I would have come home with it numerous plants...and pots...and...and...

BUT...I was on a mission for nourishment...the bakery is delightful and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Shaggy and Sugar Plum Fairy opted for the GIGANTIC creations. Hubby chose a normal size cupcake and Lollipop Pop and I decided to each get two mini cupcakes...in order to sample more offerings.

Back row...Diggity Dang and Boston Creme Jumbo Cupcakes

Center row...Ho' Daddy Chocolate Cupcake

Front Row...Churro Mini, Grasshopper Mini, Colin's Peanut Butter Wag Mini, Mr. Bean's Cup O' Joe Mini

Each cake was beautiful to look at and sweet smelling.

Because we were all antsy to check in at our hotel, we decided to save this decadence for a bit longer. Well, let me say that it was quite warm and when the box mysteriously tipped over while in my care, this is what we arrived with.

They still tasted fantastic and make for a funny memory.

Sugar Plum Fairy for World Leader!

2011-08-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer our 6 year old came up a recipe for a cake. I think it might just solve all the problems in our world!

Last Camping Post...I think.

2011-08-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

We took a hike up to a waterfall and saw lots of pretty things. It was beautiful!

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-10T02:00:00.000-07:00

My mother in law is a woman who adores babies, her grandchildren, makes the BEST Potato Salad and Portuguese Sweet Bread and loves her family.

Today we are celebrating her 88th birthday.

Amazing Sequoias

2011-08-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

I am sure I have droned on about one reason I love living where I do...in bout 3 hours, I can be soaking my toes in the ocean, riding a Cable Car, hugging Mickey Mouse or enjoying the cool, fresh mountain air...the latter being my favorite. The area in which we camped recently is on private land adjacent to the Sequoia National Forest and has a trail leading to Grant Grove, which is home to one of the world's largest living trees...the General Grant Tree. President Coolidge named this tree the Nation's Christmas Tree in 1926 and it is also the only living memorial to those who died in war. Just take a look at the fun facts about this tree...seriously amazing!

This entire area is filled with trees that soar overhead and calm the soul.

I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that these trees are so old, majestic and have survived disease, fire and man. These sequoias are fire-adapted and actually thrive with natural fire cycles (lightning fires that naturally as frequently as every 5 - 10 years). Fire opens the cones and releases tiny seeds into the rich ash and mineral soil. Fire also thins other vegetation and trees while opening the canopy overhead to sunlight. Thousands of seeds scatter after fires, but most of them will not germinate. The small number that do sprout will still have a lot to overcome to survive more than 10 tears. It amazes me that the trees that do survive the battle of finding water and sunlight over the years, will drop their lowers limbs to protect themselves from future fires. Throughout this particular Sequoia Grove there are signs pointing out more facts.

If you look very closely in the tree below, you can see through to the other side...fire scars.

The fact that firefighters work so hard and risk their lives to save these treasures also amazes me. See the moss covered tree on the right? Well, fire fighters climbed that tree in order to jump across to the Sequoia on the left and fought the fire from above! Seriously!

I can't remember the name of this log, but walking through it certainly makes you feel very small. (There is another one nearby that is so large, you DRIVE through it!)

If you are ever in California and have the desire to see something magnificent and amazing, you must visit this area...you won't be disappointed.

(I know I overused the word - amazing-, but they just are!)

A Challenge

2011-08-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

I challenge you to take 10 minutes from your day, spend 44 cents and make some one's day. Telling someone across the country or across the street that you are thinking of them at that moment WILL make them smile. Maybe you know a mom who will be sending her kids to school for the first time, maybe a Military wife who feels lonely or a family who has just moved. Maybe just a note to your Mom or Sister or teacher or...or...the possibilities are endless.

So, grab a note card or a piece of plain paper and jot down a good wish or prayer to someone today...it will do your heart good!

Me? Sentimental?

2011-08-06T02:00:00.000-07:00

Nahhhh... Doesn't everyone buy a particular liquid fabric softener because their Grandma liked the spokes-bear?

Don't people buy the bottle and never use it...move it with them to a new home where it sits for 8 MORE years on a top shelf where it only fits when pushed in at such an angle that it deforms the bottle?

They don't?

Well, I did and it still makes me smile.

Camping...finally!

2011-08-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

The first thing that Sugar Plum Fairy said when asked what she wanted to do over the summer was, and I quote, "We have to go camping twice because we didn't go last year." Hmmm...she was correct and I had not realized how much she enjoys it. We were not able to go twice, but we did go once and it was a great time. We have friends who are the caretakers of a privately owned lake and forested area that butts up against National Forest property. There are summer camps around the lake that rent cabins and we were told to come on up and they would put us in the meadow. Sounded intriguing and meadows next to a lake, out of the heat are few and far between, so away we went.

The setting was ideal and we were even able to visit with our friends over dinner one night. I also did NOT burn the biscuits like I did the last time I attempted baking them over a campfire...that is one of those memories that my kids like to bring up whenever they can. Fishing was attempted with no success...

There were plenty of hams...

The setting for quiet, family time together could not have been more perfect.

There were walks taken and flowers brought back to fancify the table...

There was a girl walking past carrying a tree...don't see THAT very often.

After the sun went dowd, we had S'Mores and a rousing game of Apples to Apples...that is one of the all time best games for family fun!

We visited the Giant Sequoias (yes, you are right, Becky) and I will post about that soon...want to make sure I have my facts correct...being a forester's daughter, I would NEVER live it down if I was wrong. Love you, Dad.
When it was time to leave, everyone jumped in and did their fair share...getting the remaining air out of an air mattress is taxing and takes teamwork!

I loved this place!

Blogger Help

2011-08-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

HOW can I get Blogger to stop adding an insane amount of spaces to my posts?

I delete them, save, save, save, save, publish post...

...and THERE THEY ARE AGAIN!

A Pioneer Woman Dinner

2011-08-02T02:00:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, my sister introduced me to the world of blogging by turning me on to Pioneer Woman. I did not blog and at the time, knew nothing of it. I would read Ree's blog numerous times a day to make sure I missed nothing. Many of her recipes from the blog have become favorites and when her cookbook was in the works, I pre-ordered copies for myself and my Mom. I sent them to the ranch for her autograph, along with a thank you note for taking the time to sign the books. With that note, I also sent a box of my Mom's Notecards. I was giddy when this was posted! Anyway, Denice has become a fan as well, and since our families love to eat, we thought a PW Dinner night would be fun and delicious and it was. I am such a dork, however, that I took NOT ONE photo of the food!

Suffice it to say that everything was a hit and devoured.... Denice made a batch of Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Thingies. She did half with a peach glaze and half with BBQ Sauce...they were both yummy! She also made Pico de Gallo and Guacamole and served them with fantastic chips from Costco..(I must find them...super thin and crisp)

For dinner, I made Pastor Ryan's Mexican Lasagna. While not technically a PW recipe, it was on her blog so I think it counts. I doubled the recipe in order to have extras for the freezer...it makes a ton, so be prepared. Once the meat is cooked and the rice made, it is simply an assembly line process. By doubling the recipe, I made 7 half steamer pans of future dinners. Yeah!!!

Dessert was something to behold. I made her Chocolate Sheet Cake, Peach Crisp and Blueberry Cobbler. (I linked to her original post, rather than just the recipe...fun reading) I make the Chocolate Cake as directed, but bake it in a 9 X 13 pan...takes about 10-15 minutes longer to bake and it decadent! I made the crisp and cobbler in canning jars for individual servings. The Peach Crisp was super and there may or may not have been drinking of the Maple Cream when all was said and done. The Blueberry Cobbler is one recipe I make often and is requested by Shaggy for his birthday instead of a cake.

Jason and Denice's boys are super cute and fun...they loved Shaggy's mad bubble blowing abilities!

What a perfect way to spend a Saturday night...great food and even better friends!

(By the way..the cute "Eat" napkins are from Lemonade Makin' Mama. She will have her Etsy store

re- opened in September after taking a month long break to spend with her family. She is so creative!)

Sopas and Pride

2011-08-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hubby's family has a very strong Azorean heritage, which is celebrated throughout the year. Each June, the small town he grew up in (and in which his Mom and a sister still live) holds a Festa. This tradition began in Portugal and is known as the Holy Ghost Festa and is still the center of the Azorean Culture. The legend dates back to 2 centuries beginning in the late 1200's when there was much famine and poverty in the country. The struggling families gathered in their churches and prayed to the Holy Spirit. Queen Isabel was determined to help her people and set out to sell the crown jewels, (some versions of this legend say that she was carrying bread, but I like this version better), when she was confronted by King Diniz, who was not so compassionate. He asked the Queen what she was carrying in her apron. Even though it was mid-winter, she answered, "Roses". When she opened her apron to show the king, the jewels (or bread) had been turned to roses! This miracle allowed the Queen to sell the jewels and feed the Portuguese people. Today, the Espirito Santo Festa has evolved into an annual celebration of thanksgiving for Queen Isabel's unselfish gifts of food for the poor. Young girls are crowned queens and the Mass is followed by a free meal to the community of Sopas. Sopas translates directly to mean soups and was an inexpensive and practical way to feed hundreds of people. The "Festa Season" here begins in June and ends in August. In that time, there is a Festa in a different Portuguese community throughout this state each week. Sopas are served en mass at halls as well as delivered to the community who can not travel. This way, any person who wants to be fed, can be fed.

My father in law, along with his brother in law, made Sopas in their community for years before their deaths and were rumored to be among the best. In addition to the cultural aspect of this Celebration, it is very personal to our family and we enjoy the day. It begins with the parade...Queens and their court travel from Festa to Festa, representing their community. Our parade begins at the Portuguese Hall and travels several blocks to church. At this time, the first round of Sopas are served. After Mass ends, the parade reverses its route and the second round of food is served. The men who prepare the meal have been working on it for 2 days and take their roles very seriously. The hard work of preparing the food is over and the cooks can relax a bit and take in the scene and be proud of their accomplishment.

At this point, the bowls of food are lined on the counter and delivered to the tables with precision. The taller man in the right picture below, is directing the other men to the proper tables. The bowls are feeding many people and they have it down to a science on where to place the food. If a bowl is emptied, a fresh one will be delivered before you can even ask. Really amazing when you think about it.

The first bowl consists of slow cooked beef and cabbage. The second is thick sliced day old bread in the broth...can I tell you that this is not the prettiest of meal, but it is stick to your ribs nummy!

After the food is all served, there it time to visit with friends and family...

...and time to reflect on the past.

(This plaque was placed next to the kitchen after my father in law passed away)

I am proud to be a part of this tradition and help teach my children of its importance.

This Girl

2011-07-31T02:00:00.000-07:00

This girl...my Heart...

Comes home today!

(She has been off at the beach since Wednesday with a friend...HOW am I going to handle college in 4 years?)

Planting by the Signs Update

2011-07-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post to update on the first cucumbers we have from Tipper's Planting by the Moon Signs Test. The "good day" plant is enormous and has gobs of blossoms.

The "bad day" plant is smaller, but just as healthy looking. The blossoms are numerous as well.

The first cuke that is ready to eat came from...can you guess...the good day plant! It was about 6" long and delicious...Sugar Plum Fairy and I ate the entire thing before anyone else got home!

(The good day cucumber next to a bad day one)

You can see how these plants had progresses prior to this week here and here.

A Senitmental Princess No Longer

2011-07-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

From the time Sugar Plum Fairy could speak, she wanted to be a Princess when she grew up. Not a silly princess that plays dress up, but an honest to goodness princess who lives in a castle and treats her royal subjects well...no prince necessary.

For the past several months, she had done away with that notion. Now Sugar Plum Fairy wants to be a Veterinarian and have a clinic with her cousins. Animals definitely adore her and she loves them with her whole heart. When we were getting ready to go camping, I found her under the trampoline, in tears, holding Annie. It broke her heart to leave the pup for a few days.

When we arrived in the mountains, our friends have several wonderful dogs who she naturally gravitated toward anytime we saw them.

One of the dogs is a 17 year old Border Collie named Jake...her stuffed animal's name is Jake...named after our beloved Border Jake.

I think being a Sentimental Vet fits her to a tee.

Home again...

2011-07-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

We spent the last 3 days in a place that simply makes my heart feel good. No cell phones...no schedules...no laundry. Many birds chirping...cool breezes and the scent of Heaven.

Today, I am back to reality, however...MUCH laundry and schedules to keep...

I will teach you all about the largest trees on earth soon...

Favorite Things

2011-07-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

Camping in the mountains, fishing for dinner and being together with no technology...sounds like perfection!

Gotcha!

2011-07-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last spring, the girls and I decided to egg a house belonging to one on Lollipop Pop's best friends. This family has 4 kidnicks and are no strangers to a good practical joke. We knew they would all be gone one evening when we went to work.

Some of the plastic eggs had candy in them while others had a slip of paper with a characteristic we enjoy about each member of the family.

This can be printed from Eighteen25. (They always have such great ideas)

We did write how many eggs there were to be found...(I am not completely out of my mind)

Lollipop Pop had to keep her straight face on several occasions in the days to come as her friend talked about the trickery...
Sugar Plum Fairy was worried about giving the secret away to her friend as well.

A couple days ago, we mailed copies of these photos to the family....they had had no idea we were the culprits.

Mission Accomplished!