More than I bargained for!

I called the doctor today and they are three weeks out for an appointment.

I just had to LOL!

So, me and my Nyquil will have a nightly date until the coughing aching stuffy head fever passes and I can rest on my own.

So far the kids have missed the boat with this one, hopefully we can keep it that way!

SAY AHHHH!

Weather, Weather and more fun Weather!

We arrived in Fort Wayne to inch think ice on everything. The trees were giving way, the roads were slippery, and everything was BEAUTIFUL! It was like walking through a crystal wonderland straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.





For several day we watched the sparkle of the ice as it coated everything, then the weather changed. It got a bit colder and the ice became covered with a coating of snow. Now all the ice sculptures were FLOCKED!

Within 24 hours after that the snow departed we got more freezing rain, sleet, rain, and pea soup fog. Hmmm, I think it’s winter, right?
At the point in which the green grass began to show through the snow, an then completely dissappeared, we knew we weren’t in Fargo anymore!

I was ready to get back to my negative 30 degree temps and 4 foot snow drifts instead of this crazy weather that changes every day from -6 to 67 degrees in the short 6 days that we were there!

Wasted Saturdays

Brandon and Tyler were discussing church tomorrow and if it was actually going to take place because last week was canceled due to the blizzard.

 They have been practicing for a month now on a play that they were supposed to perform last Sunday when services were canceled.

Brandon said, I want there to be Church and perform tomorrow so that a whole month of Saturday's won't be WASTED on nothing!

Gotta love the reasons kids go to church, right? 

Any motivation is motivation at that age I suppose!

Photos' from the Blizzard of 2008

The poor Neighbors as soon as they would get themselves dug out, the plow would come by and bury them again!



This guy, TIM was almost done, and the plow dumped another 2 feet of snow on the end of his driveway. OUCH!


This is what TIM had to clear earlier, just to get his car out. It was about 1/2 way up the car!
This is our front door from the inside. You can see the snow sticking to the windows and covering the trees on the porch.
This was yesterday's view of the neighbor's houses through the blizzarding snow.

An insurance agent came to the front door today and was wondering how to get to the door bell, and also how to traverse the 4 1/2 foot drift in front of the front door. I ushered him through the garage. There was no way that I was going to get the door open with all that snow!




We just stayed inside yesterday, playing board games, wii, wrapping presents, doing laundry, cooking and laughing together. It was kind of fun to be stuck in the house for a day along with the whole city!

This morning our driveway plowers came and cleared a path and he'll be coming by later today to clean up after the plow, do the sidewalks, and remove that huge mound from in front of the door. Gotta love them!

The kids are off of school this morning as the whole city gets cleaned up after the blizzard. They are ecstatic about having a snow day, but a little disappointed that they can't go sledding in all this new white powder. It's only -35 below zero! So MEAN MOM said, NO to the toboggan today. Later this week when it warm's up to around the zero mark, they can go sledding. Until then they will just have to be content in the house! Next year I'm going to have to invest in 'sub-zero-gear' so that they can play outside on days like this!

The locals say that this is a 'once every 10 years' event.  We'll be here to see if that's right!

Lime Sherbet Punch

SHERBET PUNCH

1/2 gal. lime sherbet
2 qt. bottles 7-Up
1 c. pineapple juice
lime, sliced
maraschino cherries for garnish

Put all ingredients in punch bowl and stir. You can freeze part of the 7-Up into an ice ring (I use my Bundt pan) to keep the punch cold longer.

A little cold in North Dakota

Detailed Forecast:

Saturday Night: Snow and Blowing Snow. Very Windy. Sharply Colder. Blizzard Conditions Developing. Low near 0° Wind North 25-40 mph

Sunday: Frigid with Snow and Blowing Snow. Blizzard Conditions. Five to Ten Inches Accumulation. Travel could be extremely difficult or nearly impossible in open country. Falling temperatures through the day. Wind North 25-40 mph. Wind Chill Values to -40°

Sunday Night: Snow Ending. Still Blowing Snow. Low near: -15° Wind Chill Values to -40

Monday: Partly Cloudy. Very Cold and Brisk. Areas of Drifting Snow. High: -8°. Wind Northwest 10-25. Very Low Wind Chill Values.


If low winchill factors are -40, what does, VERY low wind chill values mean for MONDAY?

EEK!

It's a little cold here in North Dakota. Just thank GOD you are where YOU are and NOT HERE! :)


I have never seen this before. Click on the little map-key. Red dots for the roads mean they are closed or ill-advised travel. The WHOLE STATE is red today! EEK!

Hadley's Artichoke Dip

Artichoke Dip

1 can drained artichoke hearts (diced)
1 cup mayonnaise
1tsp minced garlic
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

In a casserole dish dice up artichoke hearts, add in the other ingredients mix well. Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes. Best served with bagel chips, tortilla chips or pita chips.

Honeywell House Wassail

Honeywell House Wassail

1 orange
1 lemon
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
3 sticks cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 gallon fresh apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1 cup fresh lemon juice

Peel orange and lemon, making a spiral of the rind as much as possible. Insert cloves into the rinds.
Combine the rinds, cinnamon sticks, sugar and apple cider in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
When it is time to serve, add orange and lemon juices. Warm to steaming. Do not boiling. (I have a large crock pot I use to keep punch hot until time to serve).

Learned to be an Angel

The youngest of our family has learned a thing or two from his older playmates.

The boys have taught Cole how to make Snow Angel's.  It's quite funny really.   

He RUNS out the back door and heads for a nice piece of clean white snow then buries his head in the middle, sprawls out his forepaws and hindlegs, then starts waving them back and forth all the while devouring natures frosty goodness.

It's really hard to watch him and NOT laugh out loud!

If your ever in need of some entertainment, just stop by, he likes this activity SO MUCH, it occurs about every 50 minutes!

One tiny problem...He has long hair so he comes in COVERED in snow!

Who wouldn't LOVE this mug, right!

LWML Christmas Party

I hosted the annual LWML (Lutheran Women's Mission League) Christmas Party last night.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  We ate all kinds of home-made goodies, exchanged white elephant gifts, sang Christmas Carols, took up a collection for the needy, and just LAUGHED all night long!

Comedy Night at the Petco

I saw a guy today going through Petco looking rather suspicious. He had a box stuffed under his arm and he was going from isle to isle. He would walk behind people like he was going to talk to them, then he’d shake his head and keep moving through the isles.

I was looking diligently all over the store for something my trainer had seen in the store so I had bumped into this guy several times.The guy didn’t look scary. He had dark hair, medium build, 40 something, nice coat and sneakers on. The only thing peculiar was his behavior and the strange box under his arm.

Well, finally he caught me looking at him and started walking toward me, then turned, then turned back and again approached me. I didn’t sense that he was malicious or mentally deranged so I stood my ground and welcomed him forward.

He said, “Lady, can I ask you a question? You can walk away if you want.”
I Said, “Yes, go ahead.”He pulls out the box from under his arm and covers it while opening the top just a smidge. He then pulls out one of the contents, but only enough for me to see the very corner of it.

He said, “This box of 10 is $8. Is there any chance I can get the same thing at the grocery store for less? My dog is in heat.”

I smiled, but tried to keep my giggle bottled up until he had left.

I simply replied, “Yes, you will want the Stay Free brand, and the overnights would probably be best for her.”

He replied, “Will the ones at the store still have this sticky thing on one side?” (they fit inside an underwear type doggie pant as pictured on the box under his arm)

I replied, “Yes, they will look just like those, and they won’t irritate her skin like the plastic ones.”

He hurriedly closed the box and put it back on the shelf while saying, “thanks lady!” as he passed me to hurry out of the store.

I now had my back to him and just couldn’t contain my amused silent laughter. I quietly chuckled. Poor guy didn’t have a clue!
Ahh...... the Lord must have really enjoyed looking down on “comedy night at the Petco!”

Creamy Herbed Pork Chops

Creamy Herbed Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops

1 tablespoon margarine or butter

1 cup shredded carrot

1 tablespoon snipped parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)

2 teaspoons flour

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

2 beef bouillon cubes (crushed)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cup milk or light cream

2 tbs red wine or apple cider vinegar (optional)



Trim fat from meat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet cook chops in margarine or butter over medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn chops and add carrot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes more or till no pink remains. Remove chops, reserving drippings and carrots.

For sauce, stir parsley, flour, basil, bouillon and pepper into drippings and carrot. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Add optional vinegar. Return chops to skillet and heat through.

Got Picky Eaters? Try this, you might just be surprised! I love it because it uses stuff I already have in the pantry!

Enjoy!

BOYS Weekend!

Oh my goodness, we had the best time!
Friday both boys were given our family business cards to give out to one friend at school that they wanted to spend the night. Each friend then gave the business card to their parents and were instructed to have THEM call us.

Friday after school no calls came. The boys were getting antsy finishing up their homework and finally the phone rang. It was Tyler’s friend Achilles. His mother was hesitant to let Achilles spend the night because he had never done that with a friend before. I told her it was our first time too! She agreed to come over and meet us and let Achilles play for a while before she made any final decisions. Cautious, Gotta admire that in a parent! A little while longer the doorbell rings and in comes Achilles with his Mom. We greet each other and start chatting in the foyer. Achilles asks his Mom if they can go to Tyler's room and play. She speaks to him in Greek and then says in English, “have fun”. Achilles was TOO CUTE, he responds back to her in English saying, “See, I told you there wasn’t any drugs here Mom, this is TYLER's HOUSE!” (as if the mere mention of his name should explain everything)

Her face flushes as she explains that they are from Canada and have strong Greek roots. They are just getting used to American culture and she had said to Achilles when he inquired about WHY she had to go in with him. “I just want to make sure they aren’t druggies or weirdo's or anything.” Well it seems as though we passed the Canadian, Greek, Newly American test and Achilles got to spend the night.

Meanwhile...Brandon’s friend Davis calls. His mom had been to our house before to drop off Brandon, so Davis got to spend the night too!

Four boys, two clueless parents, one dog and a whole night of fun!

First we had pizza together and listened to all the boy chatter going around the table. We talked about all the gross stuff we had ever eaten, all the scary movies we had ever watched, all the funny stuff you see people doing in their cars (eating their boogers) and the like. It was quite entertaining to see them go on and on about all the stuff that goes on in a boys mind. Our two are pretty quiet compared to FOUR boys with limitless imagination frenzied potential!


After dinner the boys played while I cleaned up the dinner mess, then we all piled into the theater room and watched Indiana Jones and the Crystal Scull. The boys were awed by the big screen and comfy chairs. It was fun to watch them make animals, monsters, and hero poses against the blank screen as they waited for the movie to start. During the movie their was constant chatter like, ‘did you see that’ ‘the part that comes next’ ‘oh man, and holy cow!’ reactions.
All in all, it was an entertaining movie, but the boys said the book was better of course!

NExt up was popcorn, Legos and a ‘wii’-off until after midnight. They got along great and had such a good time! At 12:30pm it was our ‘deal’ that lights would be out and they could still talk, but they had to try and sleep till morning.






At about 9am we heard the first one’s get up, soon to be followed by the second pair and then it was time to make waffles. It’s our Saturday tradition, of course! The older boys whisked their way to the perfect waffles while the younger boys stayed on the lower level as long as possible to get out of any domestic work. Having just completed Home Ec, Davis and Brandon proudly called everyone together to sample their culinary delights. They made remarkably GOOD waffles! Kudos to you boys!

Alas, I was again saddled with the dishes as the boys raided the ‘winter wear’ drawer and outfitted their friends with the most fashionable Fargonian attire. I didn’t mind because I got such a kick out of seeing all four boys rolling around in the snow as the dog chased them down to play. There was only about an inch of snow, but the boys made the best of it and played outside for nearly an hour.







Hot chocolate was waiting for them as they shivered in from the 30 degree temps. Apparently we needed to invest in some snow-pants because their little legs were just frozen! A little stint by the fire and they were thawed enough to pack up their things, clean up their toys and head for home.

What a BLAST we had! Now the boys beg the question, ‘when can we do it again!’
As a well seasoned Mother, I simply reply, “soon boys....soon.”

Michelle’s pinco de gallo olive salsa

Michelle’s pinco de gallo olive salsa

1 Fresh (or frozen) jalapeño (I buy a bunch in the summer and freeze them whole, then pull them out when I need them)
1-2 cloves garlic
3 bunches green onion
1/2-1 cup black olives
6 medium roma tomatoes (or firm tomatoes)
Salt & fresh pepper to taste
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp olive oil

In food processor:
Start on highest setting
Drop in jalapeño and garlic while blade is running to ensure maximum mincing
Stop Blade
Quarter tomatoes and green onions
Place in resting food processor with olives and previous mixture
Pulse the blade until desired constancy (3-4 short pulses)
Pour in storage container
Add salt, pepper, vinegar, and oil
Refrigerate overnight for best results. Keep in fridge for up to two weeks.

Chicken Enchaladas

This is NOT spicy hot, and IS very kid friendly! I serve it with my homemade salsa on top and Dene's tortilla Soup. Check the recipe list for the soup and salsa recipe. Enjoy!


Chicken Enchiladas

1 can cream of mushroom soup
16 oz sour cream
1 can green chilies
½ c diced green onion
2 c cooked chicken (I use Tyson grilled frozen chicken thawed)
2-3 c shredded cheese
6-8 large tortillas

In medium bowl mix mushroom soup, sour cream green chilies, and diced onions.

Place on each tortilla dollop of mixture, ¼ c cheese and ¼ c chicken. Roll up tortilla and place in 9x13 baking pan. Spread remaining mix on top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 350 until cheese in melted and golden brown. (25-40 min)

Things that make you go "Hugh?"

There are times in your life where you just can't believe your eyes. We drove by the gas station Thursday and Brandon noticed the gas price. I quickly swung around my head and said, "hugh"? Then we passed another gas station and another. Sure enough, all of the gas prices were 1.99. This spurred a discussion about the price of gas when both boys were born. For Brandon's birth, gas was about $0.89 and for Tyler, $0.98, a far cry from what we had been seeing lately. Now at $1.99 we are actually GLAD and EXCITED and SHOCKED. In the past year I remember paying over $4.00 a gallon and praising ANY drop in gas prices...this is just unfathomable, but I'm soaking it up all the same! Something for the scrapbook and worth a mental note...gas, from over $4.00 a gallon to $1.99. Happy traveling again everyone!



Get your fill: Gas drops below $2
Benny Polacca, The Forum
Reprint of article Published Thursday, November 06, 2008

The price per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline dipped below the $2 mark Wednesday at some North Dakota gas retailers, including in the Fargo area.
Stores, including the M & H Gasoline Co., 1602 Main Ave. in Fargo, and the Sooper Stop on Sheyenne Street in West Fargo, had their prices set at $1.99.

It’s the first time since February 2007 that gas has been available to area drivers for less than $2, according to AAA North Dakota.

Jennifer Swanson, who works at the M & H, described Wednesday’s business as “very busy. Wednesdays are usually pretty slow.”

Despite the decline in gas prices, down about $1 compared with early October, experts say the low prices may rise again when the economy situation improves.

Benny Polacca Archive “Due to the weak economy, the demand for oil dropped,” said AAA North Dakota spokesman Gene LaDoucer. “It’s all tied to the health of the economy.”
The average price of regular unleaded gas in North Dakota was $2.38 as of Wednesday, according to AAA.

The state’s average price a year ago was $3.08 and reached an unprecedented high of $4.08 on July 17.

The national average price of unleaded gas was $2.37 Wednesday, a drop of two cents from $2.39 Tuesday, AAA reported.

LaDoucer said Jamestown stations also reported prices less than $2.

“These guys are giving consumers a heck of a deal,” said Mike Rud, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association. “Unfortunately, it comes at the price of the economy.”

Fargo has one of the most competitive gas markets in the country, LaDoucer said. The prices usually follow those set in the Twin Cities, he said.

Minnesota’s average price for unleaded gas was $2.13 Wednesday with Minneapolis-St. Paul’s average at $2.06: the same price many Fargo gas retailers charged for regular unleaded this week.

LaDoucer said he does not expect another drastic price reduction for some parts of North Dakota while other parts may decrease their prices.

Rud said gas prices could start rising once the economy starts recovering and people start driving more. He also said breaking news events, such as “a bomb here and there can change things in a heartbeat.”

The Associated Press reported The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties said it would start cutting production by 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. The price per barrel Wednesday was $66.

White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

PREP TIME 

25 Min

COOK TIME 

50 Min

READY IN 

1 Hr 15 Min

INGREDIENTS 

9 lasagna noodles

1/2 cup butter

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups milk

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups ricotta cheese

2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.

2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside.

3. Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

Happy Halloween Yall!

Tyler's 3rd Grade Teacher's Husband came in today to paint the kids faces for their holiday party. He did such an AWESOME job. My teachers were SO NOT that cool when I was a kid!

Kids say the oddest things!
Tyler introduced me to Achilles today at school during the Holiday Party (pictured above). The child has a noticeably bald head except for a few hairs growing out of the top. After school I ask Tyler if the child in his class has cancer. He said, "well he's got some kind of disease, he's from Greece and his name is Achilles, and he told us the first day of school, but I don't remember."

While we are out trick or treating Tyler saw Achilles and RUNS up to him screaming the kids name. Achilles stops and greets Tyler then Tyler asks him, very loudly. "Achilles, My Mom wants to know if you have Cancer or Leukemia or something." Achilles, very matter-of-factly turns to me (a little way down the street) and shouts. "I'm not sure what kind of disease it is, but it's NOT cancer. You can ask my MOM, she's right there, she'll tell you WHAT the thing is!"
I wanted to crawl in a hole! Luckily his Mother was deep in conversation with a friend and was oblivious to the whole scene. Achilles just went on trick or treating with Tyler like noting happened....What can I say? That's my Ty, Cancer, Blue, Purple, Orange...it's all the same in his world. Achilles is just his friend. Gotta love him!

Brandon went as Justin Timberlake for Halloween and attended his FIRST REAL party with girls and boys. He danced, trick or treated, laughed, and goofed with the guys around the fire pit. When I picked him up he was SUPER tired, hungry, giggly with all kinds of info on the party AND his FEET HURT from wearing his church shoes all night. I said 'Welcome to the BIG TIME kid!'
It was hilarious to hear him describe the party and most of all THIS explanation:

B... Mom
M...    Yeah
B...    I think I got popularity 'points' tonight.
M...    What are poplularity points?
B...    Ya know, if your the quarterback on the football team, you got like a million popularity points, if your only the kicker it goes WAY d-o-w-n.
M...    Oh, so how did you get popularity points tonight?
B...       Well, I was invited to a party by a guy from the football team.
That's like a point right?
Then there were girls there, that's gotta be worth at least a few points.
M...    Ok, I think I'm getting it.
B...    Then we had a dance off. I did ok, but not REALLY well.
M...    So what does that do to the score?
B...    NOTHING! I HOPE ....I didn't loose any!
M...    Laugh!

My son is now entering what's know as the 'tween' years. It's like the twilight zone of child hood where everything that goes on in their heads has to be put through the filter of reality to be understood.

I'm lovin' every mom-ent!!