Photo-a-Day

Monday, Nov. 10th: The kids were out of school, so I had a house-full...but it was (surprisingly) a really great day. They played so well together and did lots of art and creating.

11-10 

Tuesday, Nov. 11th: My sweet neighbor, Donna, brought me some brown eggs from her chickens. They tend to roam into our yard most days...I love watching them peck around for bugs and such. Fresh brown eggs are simply the best!

11-11 

Wednesday, Nov. 12th: I spent most of naptime playing Candyland with Kaitlin. I usually exercise. or scrapbook. or get caught up on stuff around the house. or hang out waste time on the computer. It was nice. I so enjoyed our special time today.

11-12 

Thursday, Nov. 13th: Meghan was 'striking a pose' and being silly tonight. She just cracks me up sometimes! She's so animated around the house...but refuses to 'be in the limelight' in public. She reminds me of me so much!

11-13 

Friday, Nov. 14th: Kaitlin insisted I take a picture of her with her apple this afternoon. I guess it's a good thing I did...it was the only picture I took today. lol.

11-14 

Saturday, Nov. 15th: Shelby got a bath. Shelby got to come inside. For the first time. She loved hanging out in the living room with all of us. She did not like the camera in her face though. :)

11-15 

Sunday, Nov. 16th: I got a new game for the Wii. Kim mentioned it awhile back...either on her blog or at Just for Keeps...I'm not sure which. It's so fun! You're a chef and run your own restaurant. As you earn 'stars' (by impressing the food critic, having chef special's, etc.), you can buy new restaurants. Right now I'm running 'The Gravy Chug'. Great name, huh? lol.

11-16

11.17.2008

Outside my window...
the grass is a little frosty and the ugly brown leaves are littering the yard. I probably need to get out there and rake some.

I am thinking...
about everything I'd like to get done today. I'm trying to use every minute of my time to make the most of the day.

From the daycare room...
We're moving on to the letter F this week. We'll be doing some things with feathers and also talking about Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for...
each and every one of my daycare families. They're all so good to me! I really have a great group of kids right now!

From the kitchen...
I'm going to focus on eating better this week...healthier snacks...more veggies and fruits. I'm going to try to fill half my plate with fruits and veggies at every meal.

I am reading...
still nothing...except my Bible each day. I do have a new book called Creative Counterpart that I'm hoping to start. No fiction/novels. None of them are grabbing my attention.

I am hoping...
I can figure out how to get all of Austin's cub scout patches sewn onto his shirt. I've been procrastinating...and now I've run out of time. Gotta get it done this afternoon.

I am creating...
some layouts for the new mini album I've started called "20 Wishes". I'm really excited about it.

I am hearing...
quiet...except for The Wonder Pets song on the tv. Mondays are usually pretty mellow around here.

Around the house...
I'm going to start planning some things for Thanksgiving. I also need to work on the meal and grocery list for the next two weeks. Besides that...just the typical home blessing twice during the week.

One of my favorite things...
Oatmeal for breakfast each day. yum!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Monday - Austin and Troy cubscouts
Tuesday - the library and girlscouts with Meghan
Wednesday - might try to get into the chiropractor
Thursday - Kaitlin and I have dentist appointments
Friday - Troy will be grocery shopping
Saturday - I'm getting my hair highlighted! so excited! Church.
Sunday - Troy works, then life group and konnect.

I'll be back in a bit with all the photos from last week.

If you'd like to join in, please visit Peggy's Daybook blog here.

Have a great Monday, ya'll! :)

11.15.2008

This week I've been scrappy. It felt great!

Erin and I have decided to start a little challenge amongst ourselves...

First one to get to 100 layouts gets a
'free ride' on a Girl's Night Out!

Translation: the loser has to pay. :D

I don't like to lose...
just in case you were wondering.

So here's what I've gotten done so far...

1  3  4 2 5  

A few simple cards (every two cards count as a layout)...

6A  8A 

6B 

And also an album cover for a new challenge over at Just 4 Keeps...

Cover 

And there you have it, my scrappy week. Hopefully I keep up the momentum and kick some big sis butt.

hee hee.

Did I really just say 'butt' on my blog? yikes! :D

11.14.2008

My dear sweet sister-in-law, Jennifer, called this morning just as I was about ready to attack Meghan and Kaitlin's closet in their bedroom. And when I say 'attack', I mean that very literally.

For the past month or so, I've been ignoring it -- and by ignoring it, I've simply fed the monster that now currently lives in the closet.

Instead of battling with the girls to clean up the multitude of dress-up stuff, doll stuff, Barbie stuff, and dollhouse stuff that they tend to leave on the floor everywhere...

I've chosen to simply pick it up myself and throw it into their closet...in the hopes that when they couldn't find that specific pair of 'fancy shoes' or that particular Barbie, they'd have no choice but to clean the closet out.

Yeah. It was a great plan.

Until I realized that it wasn't really working out quite the way I thought it might.

So today, I decided enough was enough and I was about ready to take matters into my own hands.

I had no intention of documenting this on my blog for all to see, because quite frankly, I'm embarrassed by the state of the closet. But Jennifer (who shall we say, in the most loving way, is somewhat 'organizationally challenged), found it impossible to believe that I had a messy closet. And not just a messy closet...but a mess that I've basically created. YIKES!

So here is the photographic proof that she demanded of me...

Before:

1 

And After:

3 

Ahhh...the messy monster has left the building!

11.13.2008

Do you even feel like you're just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast?

Yeah, well, that pretty much sums up this week for me. It's almost over and I have no idea what I've accomplished.

I've got a few 'real' blog posts planned...I'll try to find the time to sit and type later.

Sorry this is all I've got for now. :) Hope ya'll are having a great week! :)

11.11.2008

After having a relapse of the sickies (thanks for all the 'get better soon' wishes from everyone)...I never got around to posting all the photos from last week...

So here we go...just a few days late...

Monday (nov. 3): Kaitlin was all into dress-up today. She dug out the LIttle Mermaid dress that Meghan got long ago on her 5th birthday. I'm now wondering why I didn't dig this out for Halloween. She looked so cute!

11-03 

Tuesday (nov 4): I went to vote...at the really old, now retired high school. The lighting was so bad, I could barely read my ballot...but I simply had to sneak a picture in anyway. :D

11-04 

Wednesday (nov 5): Meghan and I went to the library Tuesday night (after voting, before girl scouts) and they were giving away some stickers for a new-ish show on pbs kids called Martha Speaks. Kaitlin walked around all day sticking them on herself as well as me. I think I might have even had one on my shirt when I picked her up from school. lol.

11-05 

Thursday (nov 6): I took control of the candy. I tossed the stuff that was hard as a rock and probably leftover from last year. I tossed the stuff that nobody likes. I tossed the stuff that I don't think the kids should have. There wasn't much left. That's a good thing for me...trying to get skinny and all. :D

11-06 

Friday (nov 7): Curled up on the couch with my sweetie. Cross-stitching. Couch Potatoes. Comfy. Cozy. In my funny socks.

11-07 

Saturday (nov 8): Crazy day. Boy Scout community project. Cousin bowling birthday party. Shopping for a new oven. Me feeling cruddy and running a 102.8 temp. Sad to miss the pumpkin patch with our life group. And all I had to show for it all? A picture of all the papers we gathered while oven shopping. pathetic. (I am excited about getting a new oven though!)

11-08 

Sunday (nov 9): A day at home, to take some antibiotics and finally start feeling a bit better. The kids were so awesome, so helpful, and so creative in how they spent their time today. Meghan got really artsy. It's all about the horses lately. I love it. Brings back memories of my 'Razz-ma-tazz', 'Misty', 'Charlie', and 'Bud'...the four ponies/horses I had from the time I was 10 yrs old until I turned 18 and we moved to Oklahoma. That's a whole 'nother post though.

11-09   

And that's it. I hope get some 'Tasty Tuesday' photos edited and posted later today/tonight. Although, there's a pretty good chance it could end up a day late too. ;)

Sending ya'll some smiles for a great week! :D

11.10.2008

Outside my window...
It is cold and raining. Definitely a November kind of day.


I am thinking...
about what I want to do the rest of the day. Maybe scrapbook?


I am thankful for...
medicine! After running a temp as high as 102.7 off and on all weekend along with a horrible sore throat, I am finally feeling better today.


From the daycare room...
We're continuing our work on the Letter E and the Pets theme. We're making a fishbowl craft that's going to be simply adorable towards the end of the week.

From the kitchen...
I dug out some older recipes that I haven't made in awhile and also added quite a few new ones to our 2-week menu. I'm excited to refresh the old ones and try out the new ones.


I am wearing...
My 'comfy' clothes, a pair of black yoga pants and a white t-shirt. Nothing fancy.


I am creating...
a bunch of layouts this week. I was slowly getting closer to being only a year behind, but now, I'm waaay behind again. I think it's time to move scrapbooking a little closer to the top of my priority list...not at the top, but just a few notches up on the scale.


I am going...
Nowhere...until Friday. We actually have an empty calendar this week. Cubscouts tonight, then that's it until the weekend. Woo hoo!


I am reading...
Nothing...still. I'm beginning to think somethings wrong with me. hee hee. It's really rare for me to not have a single book hanging out on my nightstand.


I am hoping...
my doctor will call me back and tell me that I don't have to come in to see him simply to get a refill of the antibiotic that he told me to stop taking a week ago when my strep test came back negative. And now that I'm sick...again...with the same thing...I'm going to be 3-days short on pills.


I am hearing...
Kung Fu Panda playing the other living room. It's the third time in three days that the kids have watched it.

Around the house...
I'll be cleaning the kid's bathroom and the laundry room this week. I also need to go through the kid's books. Meghan's girl scout troop is doing a book drive for local foster kids, so we'll be donating some of the ones we don't read often anymore.


One of my favorite things...
slippers. fuzzy ones.


A few plans for the rest of the week...
send the kids back to school tomorrow and spend the rest of the week home, doing the usual laundry, cleaning, crafting, etc. It's been so long since we've had an empty week on the calendar, that I'm simply going to enjoy being home, every night, together. My favorite place to just be.

---------------------

Please visit Peggy at her new blog to join in or read other 'daybook' posts like this. :)

The Quilt

Many years ago (I don't remember exactly when it was) I was at Mom and Dad's rummaging through Mom's craft stuff, as usual. She expected  me to do it...every time. She was a collector of anything that might possibly be used on a craft project...fabric, vintage lace and trims, old notecards, playing cards, and various other knick knacks. I usually went home with a treasure or two.

On this particular day, we might've been working on a project, I don't remember, but anyways, we were going through her fabric scraps. I made a comment about how many different fabrics she had with stars on it and how it'd be neat to make a wallhanging for my living room (which was currently an Americana theme of sorts).

So a new project was started. We cut stars out of the many star fabrics. We used Wonder Under to fuse the stars to squares of fabric. Mom taught me how to do a blanket stitch around the edges of the star. And very slowly, I worked on it in the evenings while watching tv with Troy.

As with most big projects I start, I get tired of working on it and give up set it aside for awhile. It was the same with the stars.

Green-star 

--------------------------------------------------------------

Fast forward many years to last October. Mom has just passed away. Erin and I are at Mom and Dad's house, rummaging once again. Not trying to find treasures to swipe from Mom's 'stash'. Instead, we're looking for photographs, knick knacks, scrapbooks, things that meant a lot to Mom and represented her life, to put on a Memory Table at her funeral. It was a heartbreaking process.

We opened up the antique wardrobe where Mom kept all the old quilts, thinking that we could use one as a tablecloth on the Memory Table. Imagine my surprise when I unfolded this...

Whole 

She swiped the star squares from my house!

She finished blanket stitching around all the ones that I gave up on.

She found all the fabrics in her stash again and cut rectangles to match.

She assembled it all, not into a wall hanging, but into a quilt!

I had no idea she'd done any of this...or even when she did it.

But it didn't matter...still doesn't. It means the world to me that she did it. period.

I hugged it to my chest, showed it to Erin, and took it home with me that day.

----------------------------------------------------------

Fast forward to a year later, and the quilt top is still in my closet. The weather is getting cooler, and I'd love to be able to snuggle up under this quilt this winter.

Troy surprises me by talking to the Ladies' Quilting Group at Epworth Villa where he, and my Dad, both work. Troy told them the story of the quilt. They feel honored that we would ask them to finish it for our family.

Troy and I went shopping a few weeks ago. To the same quilt shop that my Mom used to shop in. Batting. Fabric for the border and binding around the edge.Fabric for the back of the quilt.

Purchases 

Troy's taking it all to work tomorrow to give to the wonderful group of ladies there.

They're going to hand-stitch around every single star that Mom and I also stitched around.

I know it'll take some time to finish...but I'm anxious to get it back already.

To curl up and be hugged by Mom once again.

11.05.2008

I really don't have anything for ya today...

I just wanted to be able to cross 'blog' off of my to-do list. lol.

I've hit the mid-week slump...where I really don't feel like doing or accomplishing much of anything even though there's plenty that I could and should be doing.

And now I feel guilty for doing nothing...

guess I'll go fold some laundry now. :)

Tasty Tuesday

So I made some creamy chicken noodle soup for our life group on Sunday night. I didn't take pictures of the process. But some of the ladies wanted the recipe, so I thought it'd just be easier to post it here since most of them pop in from time to time anyway. :)

Chicken-Noodle-Soup 

ingredients

1 – 1 ½ c. sliced carrots
½ - 1 c. chopped celery
½ - 1 c. chopped onion

Sauté in 4 T. butter with salt and pepper to taste until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Remove from heat and set aside.

2-3 lbs of chicken (with bone)
6-8 c. chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 (16 oz.) bag Reames frozen egg noodles
1 (26 oz.) Family-sized can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 T. dried parsley flakes

directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in large saucepan and cover with chicken broth. Cook over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside to cool.

Bring broth to a boil and add the frozen noodles. Cook 20-22 minutes or according to package directions, stirring frequently, until tender. Drain noodles, reserving broth to add back in later.

Meanwhile, remove chicken meat from the bones and cut into bite-sized pieces.

In large pot, combine vegetables, chicken, noodles, cream of chicken soup, and enough broth to make it as thick or thin as you’d like it to be. Keep in mind that the noodles will continue to absorb a bit more liquid as the soup sets.

Enjoy!

11.03.2008

Outside my window...
the sun is slowly working its way up into the sky. It's going to be a nice warm day.

I am thinking...
about how I can help the kids do their chores and help others with a happy heart (good attitude). This has been a struggle this weekend.

In the daycare room...
we're learning about Pets and the Letter E this week and next. I'm really looking forward to doing some adorable crafts with the kids. :)

I am thankful for...
the Proverbs 31 woman and the gentle reminders within that chapter to be the best wife and mom and business woman I can, with God's help. I can do better than I've been doing.

In the kitchen...
I'm going to bake some muffins to put into the freezer for quick breakfasts. It's also meal planning/grocery list making week.

I am reading...
The Power of a Positive Mom, still. I'm hoping to finish it up this week and start something new. As for fiction, I just can't seem to 'get into' anything right now.

I am hoping...
to achieve BALANCE this week in every area: quiet time, family time, time with just Troy, exercise, home matters, and hobbies.

I am creating...
time to scrapbook this week. I'm not sure how, but I'm determined to do it. Here's the plan for the week: Mon - scripture card, Tue - a layout, Wed - notecards, Thu - 2007 blurb photo book, Fri - organize photos.

I am hearing...
the kids chit chat over fruity pebbles and frosted flakes for breakfast this morning.

Around the house...
I'll be organizing and cleaning Troy's and my bedroom and bathrrom. I'm slowly weeding out to-big clothes. They're just in a basket in the corner right now, but I'm hoping to get them to the consignment store this week sometime.

One of my favorite things...
the smell of bed linens hung out on the line...I really want a clothes line. Maybe in the spring...

A few plans for the rest of the week...

  • Monday: Austin has a cubscout meeting at 7 pm
  • Tuesday: Kaitlin and I have dentist appointments at 4:30, Troy and I need to go vote, and Meghan has girlscouts at 6:30 pm.
  • Wednesday or Thursday: Troy will be going grocery shopping.
  • Saturday: We have Taylor's (J.R.'s oldest daughter's) bowling birthday party in the morning. Then a 'Family Celebration/Baby Shower' at a pumpkin patch for a couple in our life group that afternoon.
  • Sunday: Troy works. We have life group and konnect that night.

And just for fun...I thought I'd start sharing the 'Photo of the Day' from one year ago.

11-03 

Meghan, one year ago, riding her brand new bike from Grandpa and Grandma. She's changed so much! Her hair is short, her bangs grown out, and she's outgrown everything she's wearing here. wow.

I hope everyone has a great start to their week.

To join in or read other posts like mine, visit Peggy here.

11.02.2008

I thought maybe on Sundays, I'd start posting the 'Photo-of-the-Day' from the previous week...just as a little recap. :) Of course, don't be surprised if I'm not consistent with it. lol.

Monday, 10-27: Austin is really enjoying cubscouts...I just wish he would've started 2 years ago when I tried to get him to. Right now, there isn't a 'den' for his age group, so he's actually with boys a year or two younger than him. Troy's hoping to get him 'caught up' quickly so we can get him to the level he should be at...I think he should be a'Wolf' instead of a 'Tiger'.

10-27 

Tuesday, 10-28: Mmmm, my favorite lunch of the week. An 'everything' bagel with cucumbers, red onion, colby-jack cheese, a slice of roast beef, and some lettuce. So good!

10-28 

Wednesday, 10-29: It amazes me how quickly the leaves suddenly change. Just last week, this tree was completely green, and now they're simply golden, especially with the sun shining through them! Fall is definitely here.

10-29 

Thursday, 10-30: I wasn't feeling so great. Went to the doctor, had a strep test, it was negative. My throat was red and I was running a temp, so he gave me antibiotic anyway. The culture test results should be back Monday. I'm feeling back to my normal self finally today (Sunday).

10-30  

Friday, 10-31: Trick or Treating. Kind of a waste of time. The girl's had fun but wanted to go home after only 45 minutes. *shrugs* I won't complain about having a little less candy floating around the house. lol. Austin didn't get to go trick or treating...it's kind of a long story, but basically...he was very disrespectful to me all week. Troy gave him a 'homework asssignment'. He was supposed to write down 10 things he loved about his mommy. He didn't get it done before his deadline and the consequence (which he knew about ahead of time) was to lose trick or treating. So his pirate costume went back to Walmart and he just had to tag-a-long in his regulare clothes turning down any candy offered to him. We're such mean parents, huh? :D
Anyway...here's our Pink Pirate and Fair Maiden. :)

10-31  

Saturday, 11-01: You've already seen this picture...right down below this post. My Dad and Vicki's Wedding, so I won't post it again here.

Sunday, 11-02: A great day at home to catch-up on stuff and get ready for the coming week. The kid's have been playing 'pirate', 'vetrinarian', and of course, 'wedding'. They're imaginations just crack me up sometimes! Here's a pretty picture Kaitlin colored for her new Nana. She says she's done with it...looks kinda white to me, but I guess it's all about the bride and flowers. :D

11-02 

That's it. A week in our life. We're off to life group in a bit toting a HUGE pot of creamy chicken noodle soup...even though it's not really 'soup weather' today. Seems strange to eat soup while wear capris and flip-flops. lol. Oh well.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! :D

11.01.2008

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. I am feeling better...still a bit tired, with a few sniffles and a bit of a cough....but doing okay.

Today was a big day for our family. Dad and Vicki were married.

It was beautiful. Special. A happy time. A blending of two families.

I think my favorite part of the day was hearing Austin, Meghan, and Kaitlin call Vicki what her grandkids have always called her, "Nana", instead of "Miss Vicki". Kaitlin actually called her "My Nana." So sweet!

Of course there were tears...but they were happy tears! Tears knowing that we've been through a storm, but God has brought us out on the other side. I loved seeing Dad smile and filled with a true happiness!

Here's my favorite photo of the day (from the few that I took). I can't wait to see the ones April captured!

11-01

10.30.2008

I really don't like strep throat. It's not as bad as it usually is...but I still feel pretty cruddy. *sigh*

Trick-or-treating...

Dad and Vicki's Wedding...

it's so not a good time to be sick.

I had planned on posting about something else entirely different today...but alas, this is all I've got in me.

Sorry.

Praying the antibiotics kick it super fast! :D

10.29.2008

I haven't posted in quite awhile about how things are progressing with my weightloss. I can sum it up in one word.

SLOW.

For many reasons (excuses), I've been kind of lazy about things...making good food choices and exercising.

These habits tend to be forgotten when life gets busy, you have visitors, and your husband and kids like to have yummy treats in the house.

Like these cookies...

Cookies

Oh, they are sooo bad for you, but so yummy!

So last week, I took matters into my own hands, because it's my own hands that do all the cooking and snack-choosing around here.

I did a pantry makeover.

1

It was a mess, a big tempting mess. This cabinet wasn't much better. This cabinet is where I had decided at the first of the year to keep 'my' snacks (100 calorie paks, lowfat popcorn, etc.) I'm now wondering what I was thinking storing my healthy snacks right above the candy loot. lol. They've slowly been run out by other not-so-healthy snacks. Can't imagine why!

2 

So I moved some things around...cleaned out...reorganized. My baking supplies are now where my snacks used to be. I don't bake nearly as often as I used to, so I won't have to open this cabinet and be tempted by the candy very often.

3 

And the pantry is looking much better. See the white basket right there at eye level? Well, that's my snack basket. It's full of granola bars, Fiber Select Wheat Thin crackers, Light Ruffles, Lowfat Popcorn, and some 100 calorie Oreo treats (for when I simply must have some chocolate.) Now I have no reason to look down at the bottom shelf which is where all the husband and kid-friendly snacks reside.

4 

It has been so much better this week! It's working. So when I don't feel like having an apple or some carrots, etc...and I really want something sweet or salty, I know just where to go. No excuses.

Now if only I could get back to enjoying exercise again...

I'm doing it...some...because I know I have to in order to see the scale move in the right direction...but still...it's just not much fun. I'm trying though...and that's all that counts.

Teriyaki Pork Noodles

Icon 

This week, I made a new recipe. I actually got the recipe from a little brochure put out by the American Heart Association for kid friendly meals that I picked up way back when we went to the Wildlife Expo. I tweaked it quite a bit, to suit our family's tastes...but here goes...

Teriyaki Pork Noodles

1 tsp. canola oil
1 1/2 lb. boneless pork chops (trimmed of all fat)
1 large red pepper
12 baby carrots
6 green onions
1/2 a large bag of frozen sugar snap peas (12 oz.)
1/2 a bag of frozen broccoli
3 c. chicken broth
8 oz. spaghetti
1/2 c. teriyaki sauce (which I didn't have, so I made my own using a recipe I found online)

1 

Step One: Slice the red pepper, carrots, and green onions. I left the green onion in about 1-2" pieces. Then, set aside.

2 

See that bowl up at the top of the picture? I call it my garbage bowl. I wanna be like Rachel Ray. She always has a garbage bowl. It saves me a lot of trips back and forth to the garbage can while cooking. And what's one more bowl to wash, right?

Step Two: Cut the pork into 1/2-3/4" cubes, then set aside. I like to cut any kind of meat (pork, chicken, steak) when it's still slightly frozen. It's so much easier.

3 

(yes, I used the same cutting board, but I washed it first, promise.)

Step Three: Break the uncooked spaghetti noodles into 2-3" pieces. Carefly, they like to fly every which direction. lol.

4 

Oh, and a note about this pasta...I buy it because it has a lot more fiber in it which equals a lot fewer Weight Watcher points and it really tastes great!

Step Four: Heat a large deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the pork. The original recipe called to 'brown' it. Mine never got brown. *shrugs* So I just cooked it for about 3-4 minutes.

6 

Step Five: Add the carrots and red peppers to skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes. At this point, I realized my pan was not going to be big enough, so I changed to a larger one before continuing.

7 

Step Six: Add the chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, and noodles. Bring up to a boil, reduce the heat, and cover.

8 

You're going to let this simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occassionally, until the noodles are tender. Now would be a good time to attack the sinkful of dishes...lol.

9 

 Step Seven: When the noodles are tender, but not mushy, Add the sugar snap peas and broccoli. I actually forgot to mention that I steamed my broccoli already, simply because it was in one of those 'steam in the bag' packages. So I didn't add my broccoli at this point...

10 

Step Eight: After the peas and broccoli have defrosted a bit, probably 2-3 minutes, go ahead and add the green onions (and broccoli, if you're backwards like me).

11 

Stir in all together, gently, and allow to cook for 3-5 more minutes, just until the broccoli and peas are heated completely through and the green onions have wilted a bit. That's it...you're done. Isn't it colorful!

But just as a side note...I thought the sauce was a bit thin at first. But since I made this in the morning and we weren't eating it until dinner, I let it be. The noodles soaked up a lot of the extra yumminess while hanging out in the fridge all day. I suppose you could always mix a bit of cornstarch with cold water, add it to the pan, and thicken it that way. Or even easier yet, maybe reduce the chicken broth to 2 1/2 c. instead of 3. I actually like it sitting in the fridge all day. More flavorful, I think.

And what love most about this dish...it's adaptable to whatever you like. Add or subtract veggies. Use chicken instead of pork..or even no meat at all. Anything goes.

12 

Oh, and for all you weight watchers out there, I figured this to be about 8 servings at 6 pts. each. :) 

10.27.2008

Outside my window...
The sun is shining and the leaves are falling. I love Oklahoma in October!

I am thinking...
about how busy we've been lately. I think we need to start saying 'No.' more to stuff even if we want to say 'Yes.' to it.

From the daycare room...
We're planning to paint pumpkins on Thursday and bake some pumpkin or candy corn cookies on Friday.

I'm thankful for...
so many things! My husband and kids, our life group, new blue jeans and haircut, fresh veggies...

From the kitchen...
We have a baby boom happening in our life group, so I'm planning to get some muffins and meals in the freezer for those families. I'm making rainbow pretzels...again...for Meghan's snack day on Thursday. And I've got a few things planned for Tasty Tuesday blog posts.

I am reading...
Nothing. I really just can't get interested in any books right now for some strange reason. I've picked up 3 different books from the library in the past 2 weeks and haven't been able to get past the first chapter. *shrugs* Austin wants to start reading the Harry Potter books...so I think we're going to try to start the first one this week...aloud together.

I am hoping...
-Troy's ENT appointment goes okay
-things will slow down a bit in the coming weeks

I am creating...
-a list of things I want to blog about and haven't had the time to actually type and post yet.
-a book of our 2007 Photos of the Day
-a wedding card for my Dad and Vicki

I am hearing...
baby Jonas gabbering and playing with toys.

Around the house...
I'm sorting through summer/fall/winter clothes. The closets and dressers are a mess! I also have to get ironing done before Saturday.

One of my favorite things...
Laughing Cow cheese wedges. Seriously. So good on some crackers!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A few? Just a few? How 'bout a bunch?

  • November Daycare newsletter
  • finish the little 'ghost' necklaces for the girls to wear to school Friday
  • findclothes for the kids to wear for all the different 'themed days' for Red Ribbon Week
  • clean out the fridge in the garage (didn't get done last week)
  • make more rainbow pretzels for Meghan's snack day on Thursday
  • work on our 2007 Photo-of-the-Day book on blurb.com
  • file already-been-scrapped photos into my category drawers
  • find the kids' trick-or-treat bags (they're up in the attic in a box somewhere)
  • take the kids' pictures in their costumes before they wear them to school on Friday

Here's a picture I want to share...

10-26 

This is the Promise Ring Troy gave me one lovely April afternoon at a park near Hefner Lake 13 1/2 years ago. It's been too small for a long time...and yesterday, I tried it on. And now it's almost too big! It slide and twists all around on my finger, but I'm still going to wear it! :D

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To participate in this Monday 'meme' (is that what it's called?) go visit Peggy at The Simple Woman. :)

10.26.2008

Let's see...a quick little random update for a busy weekend...

Kaitlin's bedtime has improved remarkably. The chart is doing it's job...

An open bag of these cookies is NOT a good thing...(more coming about that in a few days)

10-23 

Pumpkin Carving Parties are so much fun! Lots of pizza...lots of yummy sweet treats...lots of kids running around...lots of moms and dads carving pumpkins...lots of cool pumpkins lit up...

10-24 

Family-pumpkin 

Ali is so talented and did a great job making our family handsome/beautiful! I LOVE my new haircut...of course, I haven't had to style it myself yet though. lol.

10-25 

New jeans...3 sizes smaller...I no longer feel feel like I'm wearing clown pants. :)

Firepoof. The Movie. Go see it, seriously!

That's all for now. :) Praying everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

My husband rocks!

...because he won tickets for this from a local radio station this morning!

Cds_posters_saltimbanco

I'm so excited...it's going to be so cool!

Anybody want to baby-sit our three munchkins? Erin? Can we say sleepover? hint hint. :D

10.22.2008

Meghan had Brownie's last night. Her leader, Ginger, is so great and had 12 girls painting pumpkins. Meghan named hers 'Mommy' and decked her out with pink dangly earrings and everything! :D

10-21 

This morning, I couldn't resist taking this picture. When I got home from taking the kids to school, I decided to tackle the mess on the art desk. Here's what I found...a T-Rex looking like he's ready to attack a few innocent little ladybugs. lol.

10-22 

It just cracked me up!

I'll be back later, I hope, with a post about my Wednesday weigh-in and what plan to do about it. yikes!

Rainbow Pretzels

It's time for...

Icon 

I know, it's been awhile...but it's hard to remember to slow down enoug to take photos while I cook. lol.

Today, I wasn't really 'cooking'...but I was making a quick and easy snack for Kaitlin to take to school tomorrow. Meghan's requested them for her snack day next week as well.

So here we go...R A I N B O W   P R E T Z E L S !

Step One: Gather all the ingredients. Hold onto your hats, it's a LONG list...

Pretzel Rods
Almond Bark
Fruity Pebbles

:D

1 

Step Two: Melt Almond Bark according to package directions in large glass measuring cup or bowl. I did mine in the microwave...

2 

*DING!* It's all done.

Simply stir it until no lumps remain. You may have to zap it for an additional 15 seconds or so.

3 

Step Three: Dip the pretzels into the almond bark, using the spoon to help coat about half of the pretzel.

4  

Step Four: Moving quickly, sprinkle fruity pebbles all over the coated pretzel. I found that it helps to shake off a bit of the excess bark so you don't drip. (I found it's also difficult to do it and take pictures at the same time. lol.)

5   

Step Five: Place on wax paper to harden. Stand back and enjoy the rainbow prettiness! :D

6 

Be sure to eat one too. They're quite tasty...and I'm not-so-much a fan of Fruity Pebbles.

And just imagine the possibilities...crushed oreos, candy sprinkles...using melted Baker's chocolate instead of almond bark. Mmmmm.

I just might have to head back to the kitchen and experiment some more. :) 

 

Check this out...

JSprague-StoriesInHand-Flyer425 

Go. Sign up. I think it's going to be great!

Click here for more details.  :)

catching up...

Finally, actually posting pictures here. :)

Tuesday, Oct. 14th: Cozy-ing up on the couch during naptime with a good book, wearing my favorite faded and frayed pair of jeans. They're at least 3 sizes too big and look like clown pants...but still so comfy!

10-14 

Wednesday, Oct. 15th - Friday, Oct. 17th: Troy's mom and stepdad, Tom were here visiting from Indiana. We had a great time, simply hanging out around the house, doing a bit of shopping, going out to eat, and playing video games. Troy's Mom even hopped on the back of his motorcycle for a ride! I guess I really don't have any excuse not to do it myself now, huh?

10-15  10-16  10-17 

Saturday, Oct. 18th: A nice day at home as a family...went to the library and thrift store, cleaned the house, took naps, and then church and a trip to Walmart. Here's Meghan and I coloring a picture from the coloring book we bought at a new toy store downtown in Guthrie.

10-18 

Sunday, Oct. 19th: Troy worked a CNA shift and the kids and I stayed home. I got a lot of daycare paperwork done, make Kaitlin's bedtime chart, changed bed sheets, washed a ton of laundry, and worked/played outside with the kids. It was a great day! The kids thought it was a good idea to wind-down before bed by lounging in the laundry baskets. lol.

10-19 

Monday, Oct. 20th: Today I had an extra little one (thanks Kim for letting me play with Jack!). I also finished up this book for the writing circle I'm in. Peggy started it awhile back, and I just got my first set of notes the other day! It's so fun and exciting to get hand-written notes and get to know these great ladies! I made a card (forgot to scan it), wrote a note, and sent them all on their way to the next lady in the circle. I can't wait for it all to come back to me again! I'm going to keep all the addresses, as well as little details in this book so I can remember who's who. :)

10-20 

And now I'm off to do a bit of curriculum planning for November and maybe make a card or two.

Hope ya'll are having a great Monday!

10.20.2008

Outside my window...are some freshly tended flower beds (pulled out all the old, 1/2 dead plants yesterday) and a few fat pumpkins.

I am thinking...how nice it is to just have 3 little ones this morning. Babies are so much fun!

From the daycare room...we're learning the letter D and talking about fall this week.

I am thankful for...Kaitlin finally going to bed easily last night. We've been having some pretty serious bedtime battles...but thanks to a new chart for her routine, smiley faces, and fun rewards, she's on the right track.

From the kitchen...I need to bake some banana muffins with some mushy bananas. Kaitlin's snack day is Wednesday, so we're planning to dip some pretzels into white chocolate and then roll them in fruity pebbles. FUN!

I am reading...The Power of a Positive Mom...still. The chapter I just read this morning was about friendships. Such good stuff. I may post more about it later this week...it's something that's been on my mind a lot lately.

I am hoping...for balance this week. It's impossible to get everything done every day...but I want it to all balance out throughout the week. Oh, and to get caught up posting pictures here on the blog too. :)

I am creating...a book for the writing circle I'm a part of, a few cards, and hopefully a layout or two. I've been feeling pretty crafty/scrappy lately.

I am hearing...Sesame Street and Baby Jack's jabbering. so cute!

Around the house...I'm planning to clean out the (neglected) fridge and freezer that are out in the garage. ewww.

One of my favorite things...hot apple cider. Mmmm.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Girl Scouts, Grocery shopping, Pumpkin Carving Party, a trip to Ada (maybe?), a birthday party at Incredible Pizza, Life Group, and Konnect.

Take a peek at other posts like this here.

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