Therapy Dogs got all the charm!

Cole and I went on a site visit to Ronald McDonald house today. It was just an initial visit to see if there was anything we needed to work on (smells, temptations, noises etc) before we start our resident visits with them. The have two families who travel quite far for their little one's cancer appointments on a weekly basis who are particularly interested in visiting with therapy dog Cole. The kids are both under the age of 5 and have so little to look forward to when they come to Fargo because of their medical condition. The house staff and administration is excited about Cole too. They have never had therapy dog visits in the past. He will be their first!

It was so cute, the administrator that was supposed to show us around was very upset and harried because of a family that wanted to stay at the house and her inability to find them a room in the timeframe they needed. She was franticly calling other places to house them while we were standing in the conference room waiting for her. She got off the phone with apologetic words and a very troubled face. After shaking my hand in greeting she leaned down to say a brief hi to Cole. He put his paw on her arm and just sat there being petted while she explained to me how sorry she was about her busyness. Within moments she was seated in her pant-suit on the floor with Cole leaning into her just offering comfort and gently wagging his tail. He definitely made a friend in her. Oh my lil rescued puppy has come so far this year! He's settling down into such a great therapy dog. Three years old must be the charm with labs or setters!

Cleaning a room Tyler Style!

All you mom’s out there. Can you relate?

We are getting the house ready to sell, and I asked Tyler to clean at least 1/2 of his room one day, and then he could clean up the rest the next day.

I came in at night to say goodnight and this is what I found. He said, “Well YOU said I only had to clean 1/2 today!”

Tyler, my little mathematician went out to the garage in the morning and grabbed the painters tape, sectioned off his room into 4‘ths and cleaned 1/4 in the morning, took a break to watch tv and have lunch, then cleaned the 2nd 1/4 in the afternoon.

Eventually he cleaned all of his room over two days, but the painters tape was too cute. Bite sized pieces for such a BIG job!

HA! Gotta love him!

Horse Show with added umph!

Ever rode a horse in a thunder and lightning storm? How about during a horse show? What an exciting Labor Day holiday I had! I was in my first dressage horse show and just as I'm about to do intro test a and b the claps of thunder shake the arena. The rain pummels the steel roof, and lightning lights up the only windows. Did I mention my horse is skittish, oh and a young 6 yo thoroughbred? Ahhh, the fun! The judges ordered all the other horses out of the arena except my super spaz Brandonburg. I did my test with canters instead of trots and when it was all over and I gave my final salute, I hugged my dear gelding and said quite loudly, "you didn't kill me! Thank you!" As I passed by the judges, one said, "we all have our own riding goals!" Yeah! Mine was just to stick like glue, and get away unscathed!

Despite all the trauma and drama, I had so much fun with the horses and riders. The boys did amazing and both took home ribbons! What little equestrienne buffs they are becoming!

So my question to yall, is what did YOU do for the Holiday?

I'll post pix as soon as I get them from the photographer!

Bean Dip

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (11 ounce) can condensed cheese soup
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 1 (16 ounce) jar picante sauce
• 1tsp Garlic Salt or minced garlic clove
• 1/2 pound processed cheese food, cubed

Directions

1. Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
2. Drain beef and place in a large, heavy saucepan with condensed cheese soup, refried beans, picante sauce, garlic and processed cheese food. Cook on high until boiling, then reduce heat to low. Stirring constantly, cook until mixture is melted and bubbly. You may combine ingredients (cooked ground beef) and cook or reheat in crock pot for parties! Serve with tortilla or pita chips.

Before and Afters

Don't you just love those reality TV shows that show the before and afters.

We'll, I've had my own bigest looser theme going on this spring and summer.

Down 60 lbs between January and August. With horseback riding and exercise, my new size 10 butt never felt better!

A little bit of credit has to go to my friend Carolyn who taught me how to exercise smartly, and just do things you love to do. For me that's definely the horses! I groom, scoop poop, throw bails of hay, and of course ride horses, all with a great big smile on my face. I've never knew exercise could be so much fun. Now to keep on, keepin on, with the fun!

Before (late January 2010)

After (mid August 2010)

More Family Photos

New photos of our Family!

This summer the boys have grown SO much!

Enjoy the new photos!

Rasberry Swirl

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 teaspoons sugar
• FILLING:
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1-1/2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen sweetened raspberries, thawed

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press into an 11-in. x 7-in. dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for filling, in a small heavy saucepan, combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Set aside.
• In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining water and sugar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed until mixture reaches 160°. Transfer to a small bowl; beat on high until soft peaks form.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in egg yolk mixture. Fold in whipped topping, then egg white mixture. Drain raspberries, reserving 3 tablespoons juice. In a small bowl, crush half of berries with 1 tablespoon juice. Set remaining berries and juice aside.
• Spread a third of cream cheese mixture over crust; spoon half of crushed berry mixture over the top. Repeat layers. Cut through with a knife to swirl raspberries.
• Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with reserved berries and drizzle with remaining juice. Cover and freeze for 5 hours or until firm. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 217 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 71 mg cholesterol, 164 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.

Photo Tyler

Ty reciently got a camera of his very own. (Very proud he purchased it with his own money)

He's been exploring different photo angles and settings and getting quite good at capturing unique images! Check out these two. Now all I have to do is get them framed. Awesome! Way to go Ty!

Boys and Toys!

Brandon and Tyler were in Ft Wayne, IN at my friend Traci's house. She has a few toys laying around the farm and my boys dove right in. From nearly missing the propane tank to wiping out on the gravel roads, lets just say my boys had FUN FUN FUN!

so sorry Traci for the broken wheel....Ty's got it covered! EEEEk!

Quilt Oddesy

Mom and I went to a Quilt show in Hershey, PE this summer. WOW did we learn a lot about different quilting techniques and the artistry associated with quilting, not to mention the AMAZING chocolate that was doled out everywhere we went. Chocolate and Quilting. Is there any better combination? HA!

Like Mother like Son!

When I was a little girl, I used to revel in going to visit my Mom at work at Red Lobster. It meant surely that there would be crab to eat! Now my son Tyler is just as thrilled with this delectable little delicacy that is ever so evasive to crack. I love 'downing a pound' with him when we get our special Mother-Son dates together, and laughing as we finish with smiles on our faces. Ahhhh, it's the little things that make me smile!

Parmesan Rice

Parmesan Rice

Ingredients:

1Tbsp real Butter

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (13 3/4 ounces) chicken broth

1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1/4 tsp of fresh cracked pepper

1 1/2 cups MINUTE® Rice, uncooked

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

HEAT butter in bottom of medium heat pan. Add onion; cook and stir until well browned or caramelized.

STIR in broth, basil and pepper. Bring to boil. Stir in rice. Return to boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 8 minutes or until liquid absorbed. Stir in cheese and serve immediately.

Note: May substitute chicken broth with chicken bouillon and water.