Brandon's Art Brick

Brandon: Hey MOM see what I made. Isn't it COOL!
Mom: That's wonderful Brandon, what's it made out of?
Brandon: Clay and paint, THUNK (as he puts it on the table)
Mom: WOW that's heavy!
Brandon: See there's even a hole in the back so you can hang it up.
Mom: Gee, that's G-R-EAT....We'll have to find a spot for it in the Next house.
Brandon: OK (as he dashes out of the room to play)

As a MOM, everything is precious from clay painted brick masks to the coating of orange, blue and purple paint that now lines his brand new shirt that he wore to school this morning.

Hmm, ok perhaps precious and another 'p'd' word as well. But I smile because when I look at this precious little brick I'm reminded of Brandon's heart and his ever present enthusiasm for life. The shirt, well it's replaceable, but this square-toothed hand-carved smile on the brick...not so much. I would give a 1000's shirts for that outlook every day of my life! Love you kid! You made your Mom's day!

Do you really want to know?

Crime in Rochester

A while ago I found this website that depicts the crime in Rochester by address.

Initially I was anxious about putting in my address.  Did I really want to know what goes on in my neighbors houses?  Well, you guessed it, I'm TOO NOSY ...not to find out!

If your in the Rochester area and want to be nosy too, the 'Crime in Rochester' title will take you to the link.

Not too bad on my street, but I really like living here, so it's all good!

Rocks Jewlz for all Seasons

The Rock Crystal I got today in the Twin Cities was SO GORGEOUS I had to spend the evening creating.  Here is a sneak peak at what will soon be up on the website for sale....

Ready?

Just Yummy!  Oh, and way FRESH!  Luv it!

What could be better?

Ahhh, Calgon took me away today!  (Ok, ok, technically it was Dene, but same concept!)

My GRL-friend and I went skipping out of town soon after the little munchkins went to school and spent the day chatting about politics, theology, friendships, relationships and family while driving to the cities.  Upon our arrival a plethora of gemstones (straight from the international gem show in Tuscan, AZ) met us with glimmers, glitz, ooohs and ahhhs that only a 'beader' could understand.  We spent hours developing designs in our heads while we touched the gems and picked up and put down many due to the increase in price.   The big find for the day for me was a table complete with oodles of ROCK Crystal.  

Can you say WOW!  They were like rough little drops of ice.  Some even had facets making them stunningly attractive in the light.  So watch out clients, new designs will be adorning the www.impressivelysimple.com website soon!!!  THEY are just too HOT and cool looking to resist making something from them VERY SOON!

After our HIGH in the beading store Dene spotted a Baja SOL and I made a 'v' line for this awesome restaurant complete with Fish-Tacco menu and Salsa bar.

  The spicy food and divine pungency of the onions cut right through my headcold and made my day!

Is there anything better than a 'girlday' with a mexican lunch, no kids, no husbands, and NO interruptions?  NO WAY!  Thank you Dene!

Ode to Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Bars

Stephanie A. you're the-BOMB!  

Steph graced our house yesterday with the most divine dessert bars I have EVER had.  They are so unbelievably scrumptious I HAD to share the recipe!  Watch out you WONT want to SHARE them! :)

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Bars

2 cups finely crushed creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (about 24 cookies)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. peppermint extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate because that's what we had!)

1 package chocolate mint candies, chopped

1.  Preheat oven to 325*  In medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter; mix well.  Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13x9 baking pan.  Bake 6 min.  Cool.

2.  In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and peppermint extract until smooth.  Pour over cooled cookie base and bake for 25 to 30 min.  Cool completely.

3.  In heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and drizzle over the top of the bars.  Sprinkle chopped chocolate mint candies over the top.  Cut into bars.  Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Makes:  1 1/2 to 2 dozen bars.

Enjoy every bite!

The Table of Contention

Tyler made me laugh the other day after school.
He’s working away at his homework and every time he went to answer a question and put his pencil to paper the table would go, “Clunk, Clunk” as it rocked back and forth on two legs. (we recently took the leaf out which stabilized the table).

So after about the 5th time of the table rocking back and forth he gets up with a big “URG” and grabs two WADS of paper towel. He then proceeds to lift the table with his back and shove the paper towel under both legs in turn. All satisfied with his fix he wipes his hands together with a big smile on his face and sits back down to finish his homework. The moment he put his elbows on the table you could hear a soft, “bump, bump” and he says, “Well at least it’s quiet enough to get my homework done NOW!”
I laughed so hard my side nearly split!


When we were little we had an antique kitchen table with so many ‘isms’ that they were too numerous to count. One ism was the fact that every time you touched the table it rocked back and forth like an old annoying restaurant table. My father made us eat with our elbows off the table to avoid any of the rocking and my Mother tried not to fix anything for dinner that required a steak knife. Just think if of it, 5 people with steak knives pushing down on the table at different times. It was like eating on a seesaw!

So when my dear son came up with his wad of paper towel I just laughed at my own childhood and wished I had his bravery and ingenuity. I might have learned how to use a steak knife before the age of 15 if I HAD!
☺

Go Tyler!

Grandma Margaret’s Pork Chops and Potatoes

Grandma Margaret’s Pork Chops and Potatoes

 6-8 bone-in pork chops

6-8 potatoes

4tbs butter

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

½ can water

 

Original Cooking method uses a Cast Iron Dutch Oven on a stovetop.

Crock pot or deep stock pot works too!

 

Caramelize 6 bone-in Pork Chops in 2tbs butter on both sides in the bottom of deep pan on med-high heat.

Meanwhile peel 6-8 potatoes and slice thick. Rinse.

Remove Pork Chops and set aside.

Caramelize outsides of potatoes by adding 2tbs butter to stock pot and stirring constantly until potatoes have a golden glaze from the left over pork chop bits and butter.

Reduce heat to low.

Add pork chops back into pot.

Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup

Add 1 can cream of celery soup

Add ½ can water

Stir

Cover stock pot and let simmer for several hours on low or transfer stock pot contents (with all the bits at the bottom) to crock pot on low setting.

 That’s it.  Simple Easy, and YUMMY!

 For you campers, this meal works well over a fire in a Dutch oven.

To clean Dutch oven, remove all food, tip upside down on fire and let the fire consume any remaining organic matter in the pot.  Rinse with water and wipe dry.

 

Optional add ins:

Cooked Bacon Bits

Green Beans

Cream of Chicken may be substituted for Cream of Mushroom for picky eaters

 

How COLD can you go?

-9° Dew Point: -16 Wind Chill: -40 Humidity: 70 Wind: 30 WNW Barometer: 30.20 Visibility: 1.25 mi. Precip: 0.00 in.

In Minnesota, it's not how LOW you can go....it's how COLD can you go!

Ice Ferns

I awoke this morning to the most beautiful sight.  There were thick fern-like crystals covering the trees in the grandest of fashions! 

First I took a few pictures, then I did a little digging to see what these gorgeous wintertime wonders were called.   I found out that they are called Hoarfrost.

Dew and hoarfrost accumulate on objects when there is more moisture in the air than the air can carry. If, when air is cooled down, it contains enough water to cause the dew point to be above freezing, then dew forms. But if the air is sufficiently dry that the dew point is below 0°C (32°F), then hoarfrost forms.

Say it with me now....ooooohhh, aaaaahhhh, ooooooooooooooh.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

God's marvelous Glory revealed in the everyday ordinary life and observation of Michelle Noffze.  Who knew? :)

Please Pray

A new friend of mine named Jill was stricken over the weekend with intense pain in her abdomen.  If you could please keep her in your prayers this week as she undergoes tests and possible surgery.  I adore her dearly and it grieves me to see her in so much pain.

Thank you friends and family for being such prayer warriors with us!

Got Legos?

The boys spent most of last evening in the famous Noffze Lego Bucket.  (Just a side note, if you have boys make the lego investment....it is literally hours and years of imagination fun!)

Brandon created a new Colts stadium complete with windows to let light in on the field and the Colts emblem emblazoned on the side of the building.  I believe this about the millionth Colts stadium he's designed, but never the less special.
Tyler chose a building as well, but his was created with the guise of being the 'tallest' lego building.  He finally capped it with a spire late yesterday only to remove the spire today and continue building on a chair to get more height.  

Two boys and a lego bucket for HOURS.....Who knew they could be this entertaining!

Snow Day

In and amongst all the career news Friday the kids were home for a teacher work-day so I decided to take them sledding. We had fun trying to sled in the fresh 3 inches of powder that fell yesterday.  With a little scooting and a little path-making we managed to get through the powder and pick up speed enough to sled down the hill.  It was a balmy 20 degrees and we felt like we were in heaven all snugly and warm in our winter gear.  It's times like these that I treasure because I know that in a few short years it won't be 'cool' to be seen with Mom, let alone enjoy sledding with her.  I soaked up every moment and even took a few spins myself.  What a fun time!

Quote of the Week

Mom: Brandon, when we get home you have to find and assemble a whole lot of things for the over night blast...a sleeping bag, tooth brush, tooth paste, swimming suit, towel, pillow, sweats to sleep in, bla, bla bla.....
Brandon: What was that last one?
Mom: A plastic bag to put your suit in after you wear it and it's wet.
Brandon: Do you think you could make a categorized list in writing so I can remember it easier?
Mom: Laugh!


News Report on TV: On highway Bla Bla a semi lost control and overturned in the icy conditions today. It was carrying over a ton of paper products from Waseau, Wisconsin headed west to northern Minnesota.
Tyler: That's a WHOLE lot of paper cuts right there!

An Honor, A Privilege, and a Girlfriend!

My girlfriend runs into me this morning and says, "Have I got a proposition for you!"

She proceeds to tell me that our local fabric store is having an 'event' and needs quilt samples of their current fabric to display on the walls.  Ok, so what does that mean to me?

They need samples, I quilt, free fabric and pattern to make them with.....COOL!

I was so honored to be asked to participate in the quilt sampling!

So, tonight I went in and picked out the 'freshest' fabric and some down right neat patterns to make quilts for display.  One is made with the 'Strip Happy' quilt book and Escargot Fabric Sticks.  This should be fun!

I'll post my progress pix so everyone can enjoy, then hopefully announce when they are on display.  Way fun!  BTW, the fabric is SO much nicer in person....you know how it goes!

It's Race Day

The coveted Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby car race is tonight!
The boys are really into the race this year after having to miss last years race due to our 3 month rotation in Jacksonville, FL. They are all geared up for a WIN in this years race. With tons of research under their belt on kenetic energy, gravitational pull, weight distribution...and a little design help from from the Teeples family, the boys can't WAIT to see how their cars stack up against their peers. Grandma and Grandpa Noffze have gotten in on the action and are driving all the way from Indiana to watch the boys race. It should be a FUN night filled with graphite powder and screaming elementary students. Wish them luck!

Brandon's Americana Scout Vehicle

Tyler's Lizard Gremlin Vehicle

Sea Monkeys

Tyler got these little things for Christmas and they have been fascinating the whole family ever since. I remember a friend having them when I was a little girl and I remember thinking they were ‘neat’ but I had NO idea what they were or where these little swimming monkeys came from.

Sea-Monkeys® are a unique species of brine shrimp, known by the scientific name of Artemia NYOS. They live about 2 years, but start producing offspring when they reach ½ inch long at 4 weeks old. What’s most remarkable about them is that they exist in suspended animation inside their tiny eggs for many years until they are hydrated and given the proper nutrients to thrive.

With a little sunlight, some packaged bacterial food powder and a little H2O these things just thrive.

Hugh, you just never know what wonder each new day brings.

From our house to yours. Enjoy!

It's almost complete...

Brandon was hard at work this weekend putting the final touches to his architectural 'dream house'. It has a nice sized master suite, kitchen, and HUGE garage just to name a few features. When you see him, ask him about it! He'll be thrilled to tell you!  (You can also email him directly,  just put a request in the comment section and I'll be sure to send you his email. )

Now that's Minnesota COLD!

Now is the time that Minnesotan's start putting on their winter jackets!

1° Dew Point: -5 Wind Chill: -19 Humidity: 75 Wind: 16 WNW Barometer: 30.42 Visibility: 10.0 mi. Precip: 0.00 in.

Um, just in case you were wondering, 19below IS cold! :)

Mom's been peeking:

I woke up the other day to find my two boys deeply entrenched in their passions.
We have definitely moved on from cars and trucks to a whole new plane.

First I came into the kitchen where my son Brandon was pouring over this HUGE pile of building and architecture books.

Some of them were books that he owns, and another portion were from the library. With titles like, “Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture, Structures- or why things don’t fall down, and 50 buildings to draw” I definitely knew something was up!


Also on the table were sketches of bedroom layouts, sofa and chair diagrams, along with open sketchbooks of his continuing masterpiece, “the ultimate dream house”.

In all of my growing-up years I never remember being this focused at the age of 10. It’s like I’m looking at a grown man in a little boys’ body. He has a fire within him like I have only seen one other time in my life. That was the fire within my second son.

After marveling at Brandon, I look over to the living room and sprawled out on the floor with his new art set is my 8 year old son, Tyler. I said, “ What’cha doing Tyler.” He replied, “Organizing.”


I then notice that he has taken all of his acrylic paint tubes out of their holders and was arranging them by color, hue, and intensity. I just laughed, a big belly laugh.


Tyler looked up at me in confusion, with his head cocked to one side. “What are you laughing at Mom?” “I’m laughing because God has given me two miracles in the form of sons.” Tyler just cocked his head again, and went, “hugh?”, Brandon meanwhile just chuckles in the kitchen. I reach over and hug each of my children and thank God for the wonderful, and sometimes unbelievable, blessing in these two little boys. I definitely see God’s Glory revealed through these two creations!

Michelle's Christmas Present

Hey everyone, remember this quilt?

I made the top this summer and I was supposed to give it away, but I LOVED it so much, I just had to keep it. (I ended up making another one to give away:)

I gave the local quilt artisan quilt the top and I was able to open it at Christmas and see my long awaited surprise. I had NO idea how she would quilt it, I just knew that there was a paper bag in my office with my name on it - all stapled shut with like a million staples so I couldn't peek! On Christmas morning I found it lying over me, just as if Santa had dropped it off over night! Oh, I was thrilled! Brenda did a GREAT job quilting it with a yummy cinnamon swirl pattern. Now all I had to do was finish the binding. Well, yesterday I finished the binding and it's BEAUTIFUL! It's more than I could ever have hoped for! Thank you Brenda for making this quilt so special!