Inspired by my brother-in-law BB (I think I'll call him Bubble Butt), I'll be going about this list style.
1) Friday took off work early and drove 2.5 hours south to watch my niece cheer at a football game.
2) Discovered that high school is exactly as I remember it and she is graduating exactly 20 years after I did. I swear I do not feel that old.
3) Went to Niece #2's soccer game out in the Fuh-reeeeezing cold. She made 1 assist and 1 goal. It was really awesome. My little one played with his new umbrella the entire time. It took me over a month to actually find a kid sized umbrella.
4) We then went to the giant yellow store (aka IKEA) and it was awesome. Seriously. I couldn't even traverse the entire store b/c it was too huge. Anyone want to go back?
5) Brought home all kinds of goodies. The best was the tiny tiny espresso cups complete with saucers, a creamer pitcher, and a pretend sugar bowl. My little one loves to make coffee for me. He's going to be thrilled.
6) Fingers crossed that Santa actually brings him the kitchen he keeps asking for. ;)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Spud Special Soup
I got this recipe from Keeper of the Home
Spud Special Soup
3 Tbsp butter
1 large onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 garlic clove (or more, if you like it, which I do!!)
4 cups diced potato
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. parsley flakes
2 cups milk ( you could also use yogurt in a pinch-I used soy milk)
(My own addition to this recipe is chopped sausage-I have used smoked and breakfast)
1/2 cup grated cheese for garnish
Put first 5 ingredients into a large pot and saute veggies until onion is soft and clear.
Add potato, chicken broth, salt, pepper and parsley (and sausage, if desired). Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer slowly until all cooked, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the very end, after turning off the heat (do not allow it to boil once the milk has been added).
Garnish with cheese. Serves 4-5.
Stop by Gayle's for more recipes
Spud Special Soup
3 Tbsp butter
1 large onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 garlic clove (or more, if you like it, which I do!!)
4 cups diced potato
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. parsley flakes
2 cups milk ( you could also use yogurt in a pinch-I used soy milk)
(My own addition to this recipe is chopped sausage-I have used smoked and breakfast)
1/2 cup grated cheese for garnish
Put first 5 ingredients into a large pot and saute veggies until onion is soft and clear.
Add potato, chicken broth, salt, pepper and parsley (and sausage, if desired). Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer slowly until all cooked, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the very end, after turning off the heat (do not allow it to boil once the milk has been added).
Garnish with cheese. Serves 4-5.
Stop by Gayle's for more recipes
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It's ok
This is the time of year when I normally sit down and reflect on what I want to accomplish before my next birthday. I'm not really in that place this year. Autumn is normally my new year. It's when I thrive surrounded by vibrant colors, cold crisp air, wide flung windows, warm apple cider, and the crunch of leaves under my feet. This year is different. I've spent a lot of time lately thinking and allowing myself to trust. My faith has been tested and has grown. It's been a very personal time for me these past few months. It's been unlike anything I've ever experienced. I was reading some poetry today by Jen Lee and it opened something in me that made me want to sit down and write. So I am. I'm also going to go out on a tremendously long limb (for me) and share.
I hope that one day I am able to look at myself the way I look at my son. I forgive his mistakes quicker than I forgive my own. I don't believe his angry words that he spits out at me when he doesn't get what he wants. I have hope for his life. I know his strengths and weaknesses, and am constantly surprised by what he is capable of doing. I hold no grudges against him. I can see him for all that he is and all that he is not and I have nothing but love for him.
I know that one day he's going to look at me and realize that I am not perfect. I'm okay with that because I'm slowly starting to realize that it is ok not to be. It's ok to want my space. It's ok to dance when I want and to sing loudly when it hits me. It's ok to want to use my energy to be creative. It's ok to forgive and forget. It's ok to cry when music moves me. It's ok to be over the moon for my husband. It's ok to allow myself to be sad, to hibernate and really feel it. It's ok to be vulnerable even though it hurts me down to the core. It's ok to ask for help even though it makes me even more vulnerable. It's ok to constantly make lists of things I want to accomplish but then never mark them off. It's ok to like knowing that the list is out there. It's ok to live simply and delight in the beauty all around me. It's ok to want more memories and not more "stuff".
Since having my son and almost losing myself, I have learned that I also don't like being right all the time anymore. I hate to think of all the energy I have wasted throwing up walls, giving up my empathy, arguing, holding grudges, & generally thinking I'm better than some people. In the end, who cares? My phone used to ring off the hook with people that called themselves my friends. Now it sits silent most of the time and when it does ring, I'm excited because I know it's someone I love. I used to love to be the center of attention. Now I enjoy comfortable silences. I used to love to talk just for the sake of talking. I used to think that that was the only way you learned. Now I know that you learn more by getting your hands dirty and walking your talk.
I don't think I'll ever stop pushing people's buttons. I like to watch people accomplish things they never thought they could. Maybe now I just won't push them into getting in trouble...though who knows?? I think I'll always be a mischevious little monkey. I'm intrisically curious and you'll be hard pressed to fit me into a stereotype. I'm the girl that will listen to IIIrd Tyme Out, Motley Crue, and Shug Avery's gospel music all in the same hour. I'm the one that will weep for The Color Purple, Lloyd Dobbler, and puppies wrapped in toilet paper. I'm the one that will befriend the freaks with multi-colored hair and tattoos, the dirty hippies, the queers, and the Mormons. I'm the one that will always believe that when my left hand itches I'll get some money soon and you'll never see me walk under a ladder. I'll be the one that will always have a story and I'll never stop believing that everyone has something good inside of them. I'll never stop trying to help them see what I see. I'm learning to see what people are and what they are not and having nothing but love for them.
I hope that one day I am able to look at myself the way I look at my son. I forgive his mistakes quicker than I forgive my own. I don't believe his angry words that he spits out at me when he doesn't get what he wants. I have hope for his life. I know his strengths and weaknesses, and am constantly surprised by what he is capable of doing. I hold no grudges against him. I can see him for all that he is and all that he is not and I have nothing but love for him.
I know that one day he's going to look at me and realize that I am not perfect. I'm okay with that because I'm slowly starting to realize that it is ok not to be. It's ok to want my space. It's ok to dance when I want and to sing loudly when it hits me. It's ok to want to use my energy to be creative. It's ok to forgive and forget. It's ok to cry when music moves me. It's ok to be over the moon for my husband. It's ok to allow myself to be sad, to hibernate and really feel it. It's ok to be vulnerable even though it hurts me down to the core. It's ok to ask for help even though it makes me even more vulnerable. It's ok to constantly make lists of things I want to accomplish but then never mark them off. It's ok to like knowing that the list is out there. It's ok to live simply and delight in the beauty all around me. It's ok to want more memories and not more "stuff".
Since having my son and almost losing myself, I have learned that I also don't like being right all the time anymore. I hate to think of all the energy I have wasted throwing up walls, giving up my empathy, arguing, holding grudges, & generally thinking I'm better than some people. In the end, who cares? My phone used to ring off the hook with people that called themselves my friends. Now it sits silent most of the time and when it does ring, I'm excited because I know it's someone I love. I used to love to be the center of attention. Now I enjoy comfortable silences. I used to love to talk just for the sake of talking. I used to think that that was the only way you learned. Now I know that you learn more by getting your hands dirty and walking your talk.
I don't think I'll ever stop pushing people's buttons. I like to watch people accomplish things they never thought they could. Maybe now I just won't push them into getting in trouble...though who knows?? I think I'll always be a mischevious little monkey. I'm intrisically curious and you'll be hard pressed to fit me into a stereotype. I'm the girl that will listen to IIIrd Tyme Out, Motley Crue, and Shug Avery's gospel music all in the same hour. I'm the one that will weep for The Color Purple, Lloyd Dobbler, and puppies wrapped in toilet paper. I'm the one that will befriend the freaks with multi-colored hair and tattoos, the dirty hippies, the queers, and the Mormons. I'm the one that will always believe that when my left hand itches I'll get some money soon and you'll never see me walk under a ladder. I'll be the one that will always have a story and I'll never stop believing that everyone has something good inside of them. I'll never stop trying to help them see what I see. I'm learning to see what people are and what they are not and having nothing but love for them.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pork & Cider Stew
INGREDIENTS
2 medium sweet potatoes (1 1/4 lb), peeled and cut in 3/4-in. pieces
3 small parsnips or carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2-in.-thick slices
1 cup chopped onion
2-lb boneless pork shoulder, cut in 1-in. pieces
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each dried sage and thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup apple cider
PREPARATION
1. Layer sweet potatoes, parsnips, onion, pork and apple in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker.
2. Stir flour, salt, sage, thyme and pepper in a small bowl to mix. Add cider; stir until smooth. Pour over meat and vegetables.
3. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until pork and sweet potatoes are tender when pierced.
Taken from Woman's Day Magazine
For more recipe ideas, please visit Gayle
2 medium sweet potatoes (1 1/4 lb), peeled and cut in 3/4-in. pieces
3 small parsnips or carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2-in.-thick slices
1 cup chopped onion
2-lb boneless pork shoulder, cut in 1-in. pieces
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each dried sage and thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup apple cider
PREPARATION
1. Layer sweet potatoes, parsnips, onion, pork and apple in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker.
2. Stir flour, salt, sage, thyme and pepper in a small bowl to mix. Add cider; stir until smooth. Pour over meat and vegetables.
3. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until pork and sweet potatoes are tender when pierced.
Taken from Woman's Day Magazine
For more recipe ideas, please visit Gayle
Chicken & Vegetables with Creamy Mustard-Herb Sauce
INGREDIENTS
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups sliced scallions
4 whole chicken legs (about 2 1/2 lb), skin removed (I used breasts)
4 medium new potatoes (about 12 oz), cut in 1 1/2-in. chunks
8 oz baby carrots (1 1/4 cups)
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp each snipped dill and sliced scallion (I used dried dill)
PREPARATION
1. Stir soup and leeks in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker until blended. Add chicken, potatoes and carrots; stir to mix and coat.
2. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until chicken, potatoes and carrots are tender when pierced.
3. Remove chicken and vegetables to serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Add mustard to cooker; whisk until smooth. Stir in the dill and scallion; spoon over chicken and vegetables
Taken from Woman's Day Magazine
For more recipes, please visit Gayle
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups sliced scallions
4 whole chicken legs (about 2 1/2 lb), skin removed (I used breasts)
4 medium new potatoes (about 12 oz), cut in 1 1/2-in. chunks
8 oz baby carrots (1 1/4 cups)
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp each snipped dill and sliced scallion (I used dried dill)
PREPARATION
1. Stir soup and leeks in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker until blended. Add chicken, potatoes and carrots; stir to mix and coat.
2. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until chicken, potatoes and carrots are tender when pierced.
3. Remove chicken and vegetables to serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Add mustard to cooker; whisk until smooth. Stir in the dill and scallion; spoon over chicken and vegetables
Taken from Woman's Day Magazine
For more recipes, please visit Gayle
Friday, September 11, 2009
My week of firsts
1) First new tires and first new brakes on my newish car $807
2) First new windshield in my car thanks to a stress break $100
3) First new a/c fan for my a/c on my house $460
4) First time I wiped out my emergency fund
5) First time I've had to replenish emergency fund just so it could be wiped out again
6) First time I paid cash for all of this
7) First time I didn't have to pull out the credit card to pay for an emergency
8) First time I had to tell my child "no" b/c we didn't have the money
**Edit to #2-windshield can't be fixed b/c bolts that hold in windshield have either been stripped or not replaced properly. I am not going to have to contact Firestone to figure out what in the world is going on.**
2) First new windshield in my car thanks to a stress break $100
3) First new a/c fan for my a/c on my house $460
4) First time I wiped out my emergency fund
5) First time I've had to replenish emergency fund just so it could be wiped out again
6) First time I paid cash for all of this
7) First time I didn't have to pull out the credit card to pay for an emergency
8) First time I had to tell my child "no" b/c we didn't have the money
**Edit to #2-windshield can't be fixed b/c bolts that hold in windshield have either been stripped or not replaced properly. I am not going to have to contact Firestone to figure out what in the world is going on.**
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Gee Haw
My daddy is in Asheville right now and as per this post he is hopefully picking me up some pickles.
Don't worry Karlaanne...I will share with you.
And hope beyond hope that after he finds me some greasy beans he will also find me a gee haw whimmy diddle stick
Hours of entertainment shall ensue!
Don't worry Karlaanne...I will share with you.
And hope beyond hope that after he finds me some greasy beans he will also find me a gee haw whimmy diddle stick
Hours of entertainment shall ensue!
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