Tip Junkie give away

The tip junkie is having the 12 days of Christmas and is giving away things to 2 people each day. the stuff she gives away is made by women. Check it out and maybe you can win something for youself for Christmas.

Realization

My Uncle Steve is laying in a hospital right now on life support waiting on his daughter to get to Arizona to say goodbye before they take him off and let him pass. This makes me very sad. Not so much because I will miss my Uncle, I have not seen him in twenty years, it is because it is another piece of my childhood gone.
The childhood that I have been missing so much lately, the days filled with nothing but fun, a few chores, laughter, love and general happiness. When all was right with the world, and I did not have a worry in that world, at least not any more than what I was fighting with my older brother about. As I have written before, growing up in the late 60's and early 70's, was a different time. A time when it was safe to go about but I will not speak of that now. What I will speak of is the family time spent with my mom's side of the family, including Uncle Steve. He was married to the first of three wives back then, Betty. They had three kids. My Aunt Jackie and her husband Jim had two. It was so much fun to get together with the whole family for the holidays and other occasions and play with my cousins. I learned to wrestle and play rough like a boy being one of only two girls in the group. I remember being at my grandparents house and my Uncle Steve came through the door with Tracy, my cousin. She had a stuffed Eeyore that she took with her everywhere. Christmas eve's spent there opening presents, having dinner. Easter egg hunts, laughter, so many good memories. I cannot describe the feelings of peace and happiness it gives me to remember all of it.
Years later Steve and Betty divorced. Steve then married Marsha, had another cousin, Ashley. Then they divorced, and he married Melanie, and had two more cousins. Jim and Jackie divorced. The whole family was different................wrong. It wasn't the same carefree fun filled family anymore. It was changed, I was changed, my eyes were opened.
So even though I have a wonderful life, great husband and happy carefree little children I miss those days, and Steve is just another reminder of what is gone.
However, as I write this I realize that I need to stop longing for those feelings of happiness and security in the past, and enjoy the happiness I have right now with my own family. So I guess I will just focus on where I am now and what I have, and make the life of my children as great as my parents did for me. I want them to grow up happy, full of laughter and hopes for a bright future. And I will take my joy from this, because I am happy and years from now I will think of this time with my hubby and kids just like I am now thinking of my childhood.

Sunday Baker Blog

I found another great blog site, she has tons of great recipes, and some giveaways. Today she is giving away a beautiful clutch. check it out. I know I will be trying her recipies.

Recipe- Penne w/Chicken Strips & Broccoli

Don't you just love a yummy home cooked dinner that tastes like you went out to a restaurant? Boy I do, and this one is it! Add a salad and some garlic bread and you will think you were at your favorite Italian joint. Now I like to change things up a little, so instead of putting exact amounts I just wing it. Go with it.

Oil & butter
3 boneless chicken breast
flour
salt & pepper to taste
garlic powder/ or 1 clove garlic peeled and minced
3/4 lb penne
4 C. broccoli FLORETS
1C grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 C BUTTER ( not margarine, that will taste yucky)

In large pot bring 5 Quarts of water to a rolling boil, and add pasta. Cook till al denta. when done Reserve 1 cup of water (Very important)
Cut chicken into strips. Heat some oil and butter in a skillet. In a large Ziploc bag, add flour and pepper, then add chicken to coat, shake off excess. Immediately place in hot skillet. Lightly brown on both sides, Stir in garlic but do not let garlic brown. Cover and keep warm.
Steam or Microwave broccoli until tender yet still a little crisp. When all has been cooked, mix gently in a large bowl.
Make sauce by melting 1/2 C butter, add Parmesan cheese and the cup of water from the pasta. Stir together, then pour over the rest and stir gently to not break up the broccoli. Serve with additional cheese.
This is a family favorite, even the kids LOVE it. The picture above was taken after we had devoured most of it. And as the old commercial said....."Try it you'll like it!"

Please leave a comment and let me know how you liked it.

Spencer's 6th Birthday

Back in October, yes I said October that is how far behind I am, Spencer celebrated his 6th birthday. He had a wonderful time with the cousins during his party on Sunday. Here he is driving them around in his "new" Chevy Silverado. He also drove around Carly, and Jordan. He is actually pretty good at driving that thing. A lot better than he was when Logan got his last fall. Craig and Gigi's neighbor still have a dent in their garage door from his inexperienced driving abilities. Now he can back up like a pro.
The theme was Speed Racer this year, and his cake went along with that theme. I was sicker than sick, so the cake was not near as nice and fancy as I had planned, but he was happy with it, and that is all that matters.
Uncle Craig and Aunt Gigi and their kids introduced him to transformers, and now he is a big fan. Thanks to all who came and made it a great birthday for Spencer.
Happy Birthday Spencer, we sure do love you.

I've Been Bitten By A Vampire

If you cant tell by the new look of my blog, I'm a complete Twilighter at heart. I am addicted to the Twilight books and cant wait until the movie comes out. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! The commercials on tv are killing me, I cant wait!!!
I have even gotten Lee hooked, he loves the books too, and is about the finish the third one. As he reads he shares what he is finding funny. The sad thing is, I cant remember a lot of what he is relating to me, I guess that is not so sad, I guess I'll just have to re-read all the books. Oh Darn :)
Thanks for getting me hooked on these Kate.......Best thing ever!

the Pink Cupcake

I found a blog site that is having a great give away. Dont you just love those kind of sites!! This one is called the Pink Cupcake, and I have a link on my sidebar, check it out.

Use the Force, Luke

Long ago in a galaxy far far away,

ok, maybe Detroit 2001

The force

union local UAW 251 in between breaks and lunch

was used to create a superior machine.

A Chevy Silverado Z71

This machine was taught the ways of the force, then sent out into the galaxy

Indiana

to shuttle the human masses to and fro

Lee to work around the Midwest

It was a hard working machine, but soon became tired and worn

371952 miles

and needed a little extra help to keep it running.

Jedi Master Lee using the force (At least that's what John and D say he uses to keep it going)

And so the machine was retired from active duty

Now just carting the kids and I to church, school and walmart

But still is a beloved, and famous part of the force.

Our family and anyone who finds out how many miles are on that thing

And so, like the energizer bunny, it keeps going, and going, and going....

Knock on wood

knock knock..............

knock

knock knock knock

Boy that feels better

I did something very unlike myself today, and boy was it nice.
My day however did not start out nice. I have felt upset, fed-up and every kind of other bad up out there today. So I counted the hours.......... minutes....................seconds until my little squabbling rugrats were dropped off at school and I went out to lunch...BY MYSELF!!! I never do that. And to top it off, I then went Christmas shopping and spent a ton of money on gifts for the nieces, nephews, and yes even the squabbling rugrats. Boy do I feel better, which is weird because I usually don't like shopping, don't like spending money, etc......but this was nice. Maybe it's because I know we have the money in a Christmas club account tucked away at our local credit union, or maybe it's just because I did not have to hear yelling, fighting and general, well...squabbling!
Do you think I could ship the squabbling rugrats off to boarding school on a measly Christmas club savings? ;) JK

October Blessings

*My Husband and Kids
*Celebrating our 12th anniversary
*Celebrating birthday's-- Spencer's 6 and my Dads 73
*Driving to fast and not getting caught
*New tv season--Fringe, Ugly Betty, Pushing Daisies
*The beautiful fall colors
*Smart kids, and great report cards
*Substitute teaching "job"
*Cooler weather
*Halloween fun and trick or treating
* A truck that still runs great with 372000 miles on it

Trick or Treat Smell my Feet

Ghosties and Goblins and Monsters galore. Speed Racer and Kitty we went to each door.

This year Kate decided not to trick or treat for the first time, so Spencer and Jordan had to take up the slack, and boy did they. Their little tubs were overflowing. Earlier in the day they wore their Halloween shirts, and put on costumes after dinner. Let me tell you, it is a wonderful thing to be able to threaten them with no trick or treating if they did not stop fighting, did not clean up toys, or eat dinner. About as good as the Santa threat.

Lee is now trying to get them to brush their teeth, put on jammies and get ready for bed. Poor sucker, good luck. I dont think they are going to sleep until next week.

Busy busy busy

It seems I never have time to post blog's anymore. I have several that need to be done, but you know. time time time, or the lack thereof.
Here is what will be blogged about eventually. Spencer's 6th birthday, and party. black olives, 1976, Halloween, parent teacher conference.
Keep checking back, eventually these will come to fruition.

Another one bites the dust....sort of

Spencer has had another loose tooth for a while now. It has been hurting and he cant wait for it to come out. He knows all about the tooth fairy coming from his last lost tooth, and knows not to expect a whole dollar this time, but he is still excited.

Well, it happened this afternoon. He was eating a snack, a roll to be exact after school and he said to me "Mom, I think my tooth just popped out, and I think I swallowed it!" Sure enough, I looked and there was a big ol' space where his tooth had just been. I informed him that the tooth fairy would not be picking up that tooth. :) We all got a good laugh out of it, and he got .50 to boot. You cant beat that.

Halloween Party on the 18th

Last Saturday night was the Fall/Halloween party at church, and even though I was too sick to go, my little goblins dressed up and had a great time. Look on.....

Spencer was Speed Racer, and had a ball running around as such. His friend Keegan that had moved away was there and they had so much fun together. Spencer won first prize for his costume in his age group, and received a pumpkin as a prize. He also won some cupcakes in the cakewalk. He came home full of stories and was so thrilled to have gone.

Kate dressed up as a nerd.....

but I don't think she can look like one no matter how hard she tries, she's just too pretty. She tied for 1st in her age group. Hey Kate, Where's your pocket protector?

Then there's Jordan, our little ballerina. She is just so gosh darn cute, and look at those eye lashes. She had a great time, and won some cupcakes in the cake walk. She was so excited, and came home rifling through her candy. Thanks to the YM & YW for all of their work, and making it a great time. The kids and Lee really enjoyed themselves, and cant wait for Halloween.

October 11, 1996-The start of Time & Eternity

Yesterday we celebrated our 12th anniversary. I cant believe 12 years have come and gone, it seems like just yesterday that we were driving on our way up to Chicago to get married.Wow, time flies. 1996 was much like it was Saturday, sunny and warm with the beautiful fall colors all around, yet some of the summer flowers still blooming. What can I say, fall is the best.

I have spent a lot of time the last couple of days thinking about the last twelve years and the joys and sorrows it has brought. Luckily, most of the memories are joyous. I am not going to put them all down, it would take to long, and most are just personal. Who wants to read about my day to day going on's, anyway, but I am going to list twelve things I love about my wonderful husband being twelve years and all.....get it?

1. He saw me for who I was back then,(and still now) not just the extra pounds I was carrying around. and loved me anyway.

2.He makes me laugh

3.He is kind and considerate, and always thinking of way to make me happy.

4.He gave me three beautiful children.

5.He is a great father, who loves his children dearly.

6. He respects me.

7.He is my best friend.

8. He has beautiful blue eyes.

9.He is a good provider.

10.He understands me, and is willing to tell me when I am wrong.

11.He is willing to stick up for me when I am right.

12.He makes life fun.

I could go on , but I will stop with the twelve. Maybe next year I will list more, like at least 13. Thanks babe, you have been the best husband I could have ever asked for. Here's to 12 more and beyond.

Christmas wins

My last poll question was, Which Holiday is your favorite? Expectedly, Christmas won, Yeah!!
Thanksgiving came in a close second, with Halloween coming in third. Thanks to all who voted.

Jack-O-Lantern Pancakes

Today is the tool man and my anniversary, so I woke up in a very good mood, told tool man I would make breakfast (He has always made big breakfast's on Saturdays) and got to work. SURPRISE!!! I made jack-o-lantern pancakes. I am used to making snowmen, turtles, trains, cats etc.. I learned that from my mother in law, but this was a whole new experience. A lot more work than I expected, but the happy little faces and big smiles were worth the effort, and I'm not just talking about the smiles on the pancakes.
The more I made the better they got, then I started doing different faces. You can see them on my griddle that was by the way a wedding present from my brother Craig. It is old, the legs were long ago broken off, but it keeps on cooking, but I guess it seems apropos that I should use that griddle today. Great gift Craig, we have used it a lot.
You can see Kate and tool man putting the blueberry syrup that I made with the blueberries we picked on theirs. I called them bloody pancakes, as it is almost Halloween. Big mistake, Spencer picked up on it and would not let it go. Ew gross, that had to be put to a stop fast. It was a lot of fun to make these for my little family. I'm glad I could make you guys happy. Thanks for the idea Gig.

Great blog spot I found

Something I do every day to amuse myself is check all the blogs I am following, and as I was reading the pioneer womans latest epic, I found a blog spot in her comment section. It is a lady that gives something away every day! "Wow" thought I, maybe I could actually win something in my lifetime. It is a really cool blogspot, and it can lead you to her personal blog which is really cute, and who knows, maybe you can win something too. Here it is if you are interested....
agiveawayaday.blogspot.com
Good luck, just dont steal away the prize I want :)

Shiver me timbers, I've a pirate in the house

This afternoon I have been hearing pirate talk around the house. Has Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom come to my home you ask? Sadly no. It isn't even National talk like a pirate day, that was September 19th. Instead it was Spencer, saying things like "Shiver me timbers", "Arrgh matey" and "Walk the plank". That one was to his sister, much to her dismay. He even let me know that "pirates look mean." And even though one of the pictures is a little fuzzy, I thought they were cute.
Spencer and his class are studying the alphabet and today was the letter "P". So Mr. King had them color bandanna's, eye patches, and parrots and they all became pirates and went around the classroom talking like one. When Spencer came home he wanted to dress like a pirate, but unfortunately his Dad does not believe in boys owning blousey white shirts with big fluffy sleeves let alone wearing them. so alas it was into his Halloween shirt that he changed. Maybe if we can't find a good Speed Racer costume for Halloween he can go as a Pirate..........?

Fall comfort food on a cool evening

Today is a perfect example of just why I love the fall best. The last few days it has warmed up again, yet the evenings and nights are cool, I can have the windows open, pile on the blankets, and snuggle in. Oh I love it!!! But today, oh today it has been raining, and with it came a cool front which makes me crave the comfort food of my youth. Every Thanksgiving we have chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes, so I thing that is something I associate with cool days and happiness. I know people in the west who say ew "starch on starch", but oh my gosh that starch is the best tasting starch in the world! So with the cool weather comes a yearning for that wonderful starchy comfort.

I love a good long rain shower like we have had today, it is just so darn relaxing to be inside and listen to the steady drum of the raindrops on the windows and know that I am inside, warm and happy. Add the cool weather and that brings me to the other comfort food I am craving, chocolate brownies warm from the oven with a big glass of cold milk. Either that or a nice cup of hot chocolate. Open the windows let the cool night air in and relax with some hot chocolaty goodness. Again, being able to be cold, but wrap up in a blanket is the best. I just cant describe how great this weather makes me feel. So if you will excuse me, I am going to go and put on my big flannel Jammie's and take those brownies out of the oven. Ah, this is the life.

The big dance

The big fall dance was Saturday night at Kate's high school, it's called the Evola dance. What the heck does that mean anyway? The tool man and I call it the Ebola dance :) Kate has been preparing for this dance for a long time, going to the mall and other stores to find just the right dress which in this case means one that is not slutty and cut clear down to her belly button and up to her waist like most of the other girls, and it also has to pass the Dad test. Anyway back on subject here, finding just the right dress, shoes, fingernail polish etc.... I don't think I have ever seen her so excited, she was running around the house making everything sure everything was just right, into the tanning bed for one last session......Oops, that is where she had her first problem. The button on the tanning bed has been sticking, and instead of being in there for the 20 minutes that is normal, she was in there for 45. Luckily she is pretty tan, but alas, she came out looking something like a lobster. Into the shower to cool down, off to the hair dresser to get her locks just right then into the dress.

Kate's date Greg was running late, so her friend Brook came and picked her up and off to the restaurant where the guys were waiting. Just when I thought they would not be back for the promised pictures, in they came!!! Aren't they a cute couple. Isn't she just beautiful. She makes a mother proud. Proud that she would pick a decent dress, a decent guy, and still be home my the midnight deadline.

Of course her daddy still does not like that dress. She's just too gosh darn pretty in it, and had to many compliments from the guys. Ha ha ha, payback for him being a teenage boy himself. I love it.

Blueberry Pie---Love on a plate

My kids love to watch this show called Word World. In it everything is made up of letters, literally. If you want a boot you get the letters and squish them together and walla, you have a boot, house, animals whatever. The other day, someone on the show made a pie, my husband loved it, it actually said p i e, he thought it was so cool that I should do it. So ..OK! I did, tonight I made the tool man the best blueberry pie around and made it to say P I E. The kids of course thought it is so cool, even Kate my 17 yr old. My tool man loved it. Enjoy the pictures, and if you want to make it yourself here is the recipe.



CRUST--
2 1/2 C. Flour
1 heaping C. Crisco
1/2 C. ice cold water w/
1/2 t. vinegar in it

Cut shortening into flour, then gently mix in water. Roll out yadda yadda yadda.

Blueberry Pie Filling

4 C. fresh or frozen blueberries
3/4 to 1 C. sugar
3 T. flour
1/2 t. grated lemon peel
dash salt
1/2 t each cinnamon and nutmeg
2-3 t lemon juice
1 T. butter

the recipe says to combine then put into pie shell. but personally I can never get this to work, the blueberries seem to still be runny at the end. So......what I do is combine all but the butter in a pan, cook it until thick, add the butter, let it cool then put it into the shell and bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes. It comes out perfect every time. Add a scoop of ice cream, and you got yourself love on a plate. Enjoy

Blue Birds, a feast for the eyes

I was opening the blinds in the kids playroom this morning and got a wonderful surprise. I blue bird flew over to our nectarine tree. Then I noticed that there were lots of blue birds in our back yard. Now to some that may be a "big deal" kind of moment, but to me it was wonderful. I have only seen one other blue bird in my entire life, and that was over in Nauvoo, IL just across the river from IA, and I think that was about 10-12 years ago. We have lots of blue jays here and I am used to them, but the blue bird is a much calmer, nicer bird than the jay and it was quite a treat. Maybe they were migrating, I don't know but I just can't get over the rich blue hue and the rust chest on these things. It really showed when they were in flight. Thank you God for the inspiring sight.

Kitty the world's weirdest cat

Can you touch your nose with your tongue? My freaky Gene Simmons tongue clone brother Craig can, but I can't. Maybe it's because I don't have the freaky G.S. gene or maybe my tongue is just to fat, whatever the case, I don't have that strange ability. But my cat does. Yeah yeah yeah, I know all cat's do, but I was just outside taking pics of her, and just happened to catch her in the act. I didn't know I had the pic until I was inside and pulled them up to look at them, and got a big laugh out of it. Hope you do to. Here are some more of the my weird cat

Rolling around scratching her back. Getting ready to spring on an unsuspecting, helpless, defenseless leaf,








Then chewing on said leaf. It never had a chance. Ahhh victory

Fall is Finally here!!!

Did I mention that I love fall, that it is my favorite and my best? You bet your booty I did!! I thought that now that Fall is actually here you might like to read about it. Just go to blog archive and check out "Thoughts on Fall" Enjoy