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!!

Good BOOK!

Ever been enthralled with a good book? I’m smak dab in the middle of InkDeath, the third book in the Inkheart series. I started reading these books by Cornelia Funke because Brandon wanted to read them, and from the reviews I read, they were for older children. Well InkHeart was ok for him to read, so I read InkSpell and that was a bit graphic so we walked through some of the more physical parts together and talked about them. Oh, don’t get me wrong, they are not even as graphic as the Star Wars movies, but I still like to pre read things Brandon is interested in so that when he has questions about things we can talk about them parent to child. Call me overprotective! I fully embrace that title!

Well as I was saying, this was one of those pre-read books again and I’m finding myself really enjoying this one! I can’t seem to put it down! Who can think of reality when there is a bookbinder, his wife and his daughter that have all been pulled into their favorite story, forced to live out lives of poverty and mystery while they try and figure out how to be read back into their own story!

...The laundry is piling up, the dog smells, well, like a DOG, and the dry cleaners are probably wondering if I will EVER come back to claim Michael’s shirts!

Ahhh, the joys of a good book. When the weather gets cold, I grab a quilted throw, a hot cup of spiced tea, a pair of fuzzy slippers, and just curl up with a good book!


Happy Reading!

Brandy Slushies

Brandy Slush

INGREDIENTS
8 cups water
2 cups white sugar
4 tea bags
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen orange juice concentrate
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
13 fluid ounces apricot brandy

DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, boil the water. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add tea bags, and let sit overnight at room temperature.
In a large freezer proof container, combine mixture with orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate and apricot brandy. Cover tightly, and freeze, stirring every few hours, until frozen.


Fuzzy Navel Slush

INGREDIENTS
9 cups water
1 1/2 cups white sugar (optional)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 pint peach schnapps
1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

DIRECTIONS
In a large freezer container, combine water and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate and peach schnapps. Cover and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
To serve, fill glass 3/4 of the way full with slush, then top off with lemon-lime soda, and stir.

Beauty Secrets

Well ladies I finally did it. I succumbed to beauty treatments.

Ah, yes I have indulged in highlights and brow waxes, and pedicures this past year, but now, well, I'm getting older and noticing MORE!

Y'all know that last Friday I had a great jewelry show at the Optix Gallery, well, my Dear Hubby let me splurge with my earnings. I met a consultant for Catalyst Medical Center that night and she convinced me to come in for a consultation for aging skin.

I had my brows waxed and then my first ever facial. I'm in love. They exfoliated, masked, massaged, and oiled My skin glowed like a hollywood movie star and felt as smooth as a baby's bottom. It was just lovely!

I actually went out that day and for dinner that night with nothing on my face but some lip gloss AND I felt wonderful!

I also couldn't believe how inexpensive it was. It was only about the cost of a pedicure and it was a WHOLE HOUR! I'm IN!! Now, If I could only get the skin back of my 20's we'd all be good!

Speaking of which, I came across this article and couldn't believe it. I had been making several of these mistakes with my make up that made me look older.

Check it out!



Erase five years: Put away the shimmer shadow

Before
"As you notice lines around your eyes, avoid frosted or shimmery shadows," says New York makeup artist Troy Surratt. "The sparkle highlights wrinkles and crepey, crinkly skin instead of masking."

After
Silky, matte shadows blend into your skin and camouflage fine lines. Sweep "a light shade of champagne or peach -- universally flattering colors -- from lash to brow to brighten the whole eye area," Surratt says. This creates a full, youthful eye. But if puffiness, especially on your lids, is your problem, Surratt suggests you use a medium shade such as taupe on the entire eyelid to add depth and create a natural-looking crease.

Erase 10 years: Go glossy

Before
Lips get thinner and drier with age. Dark lip liner and matte lipstick draw attention to the fine lines around your lips.

After
"Lipstick usually has a longer wear than gloss," explains celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk, but gloss makes lips look more full. She suggests applying lip color, then topping with gloss for a fresh, youthful shine. If your color strays into lines, use a clear wax lip liner, like DuWop Reverse Lipliner ($19, sephora.com), to keep color from traveling.

Erase 10 years: Balance color with neutrals on your face

Before
Too much of anything is never good -- especially with bright makeup like red lipstick, rosy blush and jewel-toned eyes, which tend to look old, says New York makeup pro Nick Barose.

After
Color is necessary, but keep it sheer and strategic -- don't wear it all over. Example? If you go with a translucent punchy red or petal pink on your cheeks and lips, keep your eyes neutral to balance it out, Kashuk says. The same rule applies if you want to wear a dramatic eye; keep lips and cheeks neutral. Barose advises avoiding pale nude tones on your lips because it can make your skin look grayish. Use pink neutrals and berries instead.

Erase 10 years: Lighten up on foundation and concealer

Before
It's tempting to spackle coverage on to even skin tone and hide dark circles or problem spots, but cakey makeup can seep into wrinkles and make them look deeper, Barose says. Yet too little coverage can make you look tired.

After
"Always prep with a moisturizer before applying foundation. The extra bit of moisture helps makeup slide on smoothly and evenly," says Barbie Laurino, a global makeup artist for Laura Mercier.

Ideally, your makeup should allow your natural skin to show through, not blanket it. "To get the lightest, most sheer layer of coverage, use a damp sponge or synthetic brush instead of using your fingers," Kashuk says. These tools control the product so it's not applied too thick. Then, dot concealer on the spots that need extra coverage: under your eyes, around your nose and on any pimples. If you have dark circles under your eyes, avoid yellow-based concealer, which makes skin look green and ashy, Laurino says.

Erase 10 years: Define your eyes with a little liner and fill in your brows

Before
Know how your eyes look when you wake up? Squinty and slightly lower at the corners? While we'd all like to think going natural on our eyes looks fresh and clean, aging eyes will look too tired. A thick streak of liquid liner can make eyes dark and droopy too, Barose explains.

After
If you must ditch a product, let it be foundation; eyeliner is low-maintenance and high impact.

Liner makes eyes look full and wide open, de-emphasizing any signs of aging. "But dark black liners and mascara make eyes look hard, so consider switching to a subtle brown or brown-black," Surratt says. Use powder eyeliner instead of liquid -- it's a challenge to get a fine line with the liquid and too much can look retro, Barose warns. "Using an angled brush, work the powder liner into your lash line, getting in between all the lashes," Laurino says. It should be visible when your eyes are open.

Next, fill in sparse brows to make them more defined -- it sets off your eyes, Surratt says. It also creates the illusion of lifting by drawing attention up instead of down. Choose a powder color similar to your brows and apply with a small angled brush. Don't make them too drawn on, Barose says -- follow their line, focusing on filling in any gaps, not crafting a new look.

Also, never skip curling your lashes. This allows more light to get to your eyes, making them look brighter and less droopy, Surratt says.

PISTACHIO PUDDING DESSERT

PISTACHIO PUDDING DESSERT


45 Ritz crackers
1 1/4 sticks butter
2 boxes pistachio pudding, instant
1 1/2 c. milk
1 qt. vanilla ice cream, softened
1 lg. Cool Whip
2-3 Heath candy bars

Melt butter and crush Ritz crackers. Mix together and spread in 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake 10 minutes at 300 degrees. Mix pistachio pudding with milk until thick. Add ice cream and spread over cooled crumbs. Freeze. When solid, spread Cool Whip on top. Crush candy bars in plastic bag and spread over Cool Whip. Freeze. Thaw 10 minutes before serving.
Chocolate pudding can be substituted for pistachio.

Lovely, just Lovely

All the fun’s over and now it’s just time to rest.

We had a busy week of friends, football, and partying, but we are paying the price today.

4am, “MOM!!!! HELP!!!”

“What, hugh, Tyler?”

“I didn’t make it”

“Didn’t make what?”

“I didn’t make it to the bathroom”

“Bathroom, OH NO, where is it?”

“One’s in the bedroom and one’s in the billiard room.”

Mom, “Lovely, I’ll be down in a minute.”

Low and behold the child’s previous nights dinner of pizza and pop was lovely splayed all over and smelled oh so delicious just before dawn.

Out came the paper towels, carpet cleaner, and rags.

Tyler went back to bed with a bowl neatly placed by his side. Mom cleaned up and went to bed just as the crack of dawn hit the horizon.

7am...Tyler

“I don’t feel so good.”

Mom, “do you need to stay home?”

“Yeah, I puked like 4 times since I went back to bed”

Mom, “Did you make it?”

“Yeah, I made it.”

Mom, (thank GOD), “Go back to bed honey, and I’ll call the school.”

Mom, feeling a little queazy herself, calls the school, leaves a message and goes back to bed.

8am,...Brandon
“Mom, I don’t feel so good.”

Mom, “Do you think you can make it at school?”

Brandon, “Yeah, it’s not THAT bad.” “Oh, and the dog’s licking the carpet down here.”

Mom, “NO WAY, C-O-L-E!”

Up the stairs comes the dog licking his chops.....YUCK!

“In the bathroom, Cole!”

I take Brandon to school, leave the dog quarantined, and go back to bed feeling sick to my stomach.

12pm, retching sounds coming from the bathroom. I open the door and rush the dog outside. A lovely sight beholds my eyes, but at least it was in the grass. I return the dog to the bathroom quarantine area and go back to bed with my stomach doing flip flops.

2pm, phone rings

“Mrs Noffze?”

“Yes”

“This is Mr Olsen from Cheney Middle School. Brandon wasn’t feeling very well and didn’t quite make it to the bathroom in time. The office is working on his sweatshirt which took the brunt of it, but his pants look pretty bad as well.”

Mom, “Is he in the nurses office?”

“Yes, but the nurse has gone home sick with the mornings wave of retching children.”

Mom, “I’ll be there as soon as I can get my stomach under control. This is Family member number 4, down for the count.”

“Ok, he’ll be waiting for you in the nurses office, and the office staff will keep an eye on him till then.”

Lovely way to start the week, right? For all you Mom’s out there who’ve had the wonderful pleasure of experiencing this in your own households, a shout out for your Resolve!

Now...back to the bathroom!

Triple-Corn Chowder

Triple-Corn Chowder


Ingredients
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn
2 tbsp corn nuts or coarsely broken corn chips (optional)
1/4 cup chopped green or sweet red pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp chopped onion
1 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp pepper
1 cup milk
2 tbsp yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup chopped sliced dried beef or fully cooked ham
Preparation
In a medium saucepan stir together the frozen corn, green or sweet red pepper, water, onion, bouillon granules, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 5 minutes or till the corn is tender. Do not drain.

In a small mixing bowl stir together the milk and cornmeal. Stir into saucepan. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in the dried beef or ham. Heat through.

To serve, ladle chowder into individual bowls. If desired, garnish with corn nuts or chips.

Yield
Serves 2
Cook Time
Cook Time: 20 mins.

Pacific Rim Pork Loin

Pacific Rim Pork Loin
¾ lb Pork Tenderloin with visible fat removed
-For Marinade-
1/4c low-salt soy sauce
1/4c distilled white vinegar
4 med garlic cloves (crushed) or canned garlic
4tsp Dijon mustard
2tsp ground FRESH ginger (makes a HUGE difference)
dash of freshly ground pepper

Throw the marinade and pork loin in a zip lock baggie with all air removed for at least 20 min. (I leave overnight)
Remove Pork from baggie and discard marinade. Grill or broil pork for 7 minutes on each side or until center reaches 160 degrees. (will be a bit pink, but it is totally safe due to the temp readings)
Slice and eat as a main dish or serve over rice or green salad.

WOW good!!! Very kid friendly too!

Sixth Grade......Music???

Furniture

I’ve been knee deep in visitors the past few weeks and shallow on the posts. So sorry!
Last week I got a WONDERFUL delivery for the front porch. The Brazilian Cherry rockers came! I ran over with Pearl to pick out some beautiful fall mums to accent the porch and I finally feel like it looks like a H-O-M-E. Before it just looked so sterile! Now it’s a favorite place to read the paper and take a late afternoon tea!


Still no inside furniture, but I hope to post about that as SOON as it's made!

Turkey Lurkey

The turkeys were back this week and you can hardly tell which ones are the babies and which ones are the parents. Now they only visit about once a week during our waking hours, but there is some evidence that the neighbors have gotten some visits during the wee hours of the morning. They have been wreaking havoc on the neighbor’s new sod, peeling it back for something yummy underneath!

Football

Football practice is in full swing now that it’s late August. Brandon has been enthusiastically practicing three times a week and loving every minute of it. I can’t believe he joyfully goes to practice in 80+ temps with full pads, helmets and gear on. He’s a Football NUT! Saturday was his first Jamboree 10 min-game scramble. His team did great and scored several goals and prevented other teams from scoring. The long practice hours proved to be doing their job I guess. It was a beautiful cool morning and Tyler played photographer getting some really great shots. Go Tyler! I found myself shouting an rooting on our players with encouraging words. It was FUN, but then one of the other mothers looked over to me shivering in my little thin jacket and said, “Be glad we got this much, this will be the WARMEST one of the season. By mid October you’ll be watching the snow flurries fly!” OUCH I better get to quilting some football game blankets!

(I'll post more pix soon)

Playing Fetch

I thought I was done blogging for the week, but after dinner, when I looked out into the yard I saw the most peculiar sight!  There was my youngest son, Tyler chasing our dog around the yard.  This isn't a huge news flash.  They play chase and fetch every day, but this time Cole had found something in the yard that was a little unusual to play chase and fetch with.

This is what I saw:

A HUGE 7 foot branch had fallen out of our cottonwood trees and Cole decided it was as good as ANY stick to play fetch with.  Tyler would heave the HUGE branch up and throw it a few feet, then Cole would retrieve it (after finding out how to pick it up in the middle.)  Cole would bring Tyler the stick and the game would start all over again.

Cole weighs barely over 40lbs and the stick was nearly 7 foot long!  WAY funny!!!

Here and there and Everywhere!

This week Pearl has been dashing us here there and everywhere! Tyler has been attending a community education Art classes on different art mediums this week. He's been having a great time learning new things and practicing all KINDs of new art techniques. Right up his alley!


On the flip side Brandon has golf lessons with a golf pro this week. Matt (the golf pro) has a great ability to teach children. Today Brandon and Matt worked on form, stance, grip, and lots of practice. Golf balls were sure flying! (all straight and far of course!)




Both boys have been so happy to do something other than unpack, clean, and organize!
It's such a blessing to watch each child develop in their special areas of talents and interests.

New Du

Cole finally got a new hair du after a month of waiting lists at the grooming salons! No more girly pig tale ears. No more long straggly leg and belly hair. He actually looks rather dashing in his new tuxedo hair du!

Now if we could only get him to stop drooling!

Goes with the dog- territory I suppose...
ya got ta love him!

Which Disney Princess are YOU?

Thank you B. Smith for this inspiring look into my alter ego! I just got done watching Disney's Enchanted and listening to, "How do you know."
Which Disney Princess am I?



You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?