Laurie Holcombe

My new (old) flexibility.....

2012-02-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

Awwww....flexibility.....that implies changes.....changes to my routine, changes to my plans.....it was the keyword when I was on mission trips in high school; it was the keyword when I was working a camps in the summer; it was the keyword when I was in ElPaso by myself; it was the keyword when the girls were much younger; and it's still the keyword!

Our duct taped together washing machine started leaking water form the bottom. So, we went and found one today. But it means my weekend schedule is all messed up. And I know some of you have heard me talk about Coy and his routines and Grace and her routines and JoGail's lack of routines, but I am just as guilty as Grace and Coy! I guess Grace comes by it doubly naturally! And yet as I sit here typing this I realize that laundry getting done on a certain really isn't a big deal. But it is to me! It means I will think it's Saturday tomorrow afternoon when I am doing it!

We end up buying a huge machine. It was weird to hear Coy say," You know it's big, but we have to think about when the girls are gone." I don't even want to think about that!

Sidenote.....We pulled the old machines out and I pleased to only see dust back there--I was expecting socks, etc that had fallen behind the machines! At that moment I felt like I had won the lottery!

Back to flexibility, we just found out when JoGail's post season basketball tournament is and it is, of course, when we had planned a trip to Lubbock to see both of Coy's sisters. So we are trying to reschedule a long overdue trip. We are hoping it will work out. (There's that word flexibility again coming to mind.)

So I guess I stretch my mind and try to be flexible without griping.....

Fiesta Chicken Bowl

2012-02-05T11:33:00.001-08:00

Fiesta Chicken Bowl

1 package chicken meat (can be breast, tenders or thighs)

1 package taco seasoning

2 can rotel

1 can corn

1 can black beans

Brown rice, cooked

Combine all (don’t drain anything) in crock pot and cook on high 4 hours or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over brown rice.

New twist on an old recipe

2012-02-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

I saw a recipe on pinterest and decided to try it out. We were already having salsa chicken for lunch, so I decided to try my idea out. I made the regular salsa chicken and added some corn and black beans to the crockpot. Then I cooked some brown rice and we ate the crockpot mixture over the rice. It wasn't bad! The girls like it plain, so I left some for them. Next time maybe I will have some cilantro to throw in it! I didn't have any and didn't want to make a trip to the store just for that (because I knew I would buy other stuff, too!)
We've been busy! Coy's back from his Midwinter conference. He said it was one of the best he's been to in a while. Basketball is winding down for Grace and track is getting started. JoGail's basketball team isn't doing too bad. They are fun to watch. Those girls have improved so much.

We're still waiting on winter weather. Not sure if we are going to have any this year or not. We need it! The bugs and allergies will be horrible if we don't. After the rain last week everything looks green and springy.

We're still counting calories. Both Coy think our clothes are fitting better, so that's all the at matters! We are both more aware of what we eat now. I"m boycotting counting calories today...I think I just need a break !!!

Chocolate Oreo Dessert

2012-01-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe off pinterest, but didn't follow the directions. So I guess it's a Laurie original! Definitely an awesome dessert!

Chocolate Oreo Dessert
1 large box instant pudding, prepared
1 package oreos (I used the store brand)
1/2 c butter , melted
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
8 ounces cool whip

Crush oreo cookies and spread in the bottom on a 9x13 pan. Save a few for topping. Pour melted butter over oreo layer and mix to make a crust. Mix cream cheese and prepared pudding together. Fold in cool whip. Top with reserved crushed oreos. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

Crash Sweet potatoes

2012-01-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

Now these take a while to put together, but it is sooo worht the effort! This would be great to make on the weekends to take in a lunch! In fact, if I had more fresh sweet potatoes, I would be making them to take this week!

You put 2 quarts of salted water on to boil. Peel 2 sweet potatoes and cut into about 1 inch widths. Drop in the hot water. Start the timer for12 mins. after 12 mins drain and let potatoes cool about 15 minutes.

Get out a cookie sheet and cover with foil. Then spray with pam. Place each piece of cut sweet potatoe on the sheet -leaving room around.. Get out a glass or bowl and mash (hence the name 'crash') the sweet potato-it may go everywhere, just put it all back in a circular shape. Spray with low calorie butter spray. In another bowl mix 1 1/2 T brown sugar, some cumin, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well then put on top of each sweet potatoe that has 'crashed'. Bake sweet potatoes another 15-20 minutes or until tender.

This was pretty low calorie and was really good. They were devoured around here with our ham sandwiches and kale chips.

WOW~~ It's Saturday! Ramblings that go on and on and on

2012-01-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah! We made it! It's always a tough week in this house when there's no school on a Monday! Seems like the week just drags on out and out and out! But we made it---all in one piece (barely) but we made it!

For those who have asked and are owndeirwo, my sinuses continue to be a bother. I have an appointment Tuesday in Dallas with my specialist. They are better, but I know from experience that it has to be completely cleared up or it will just keep reinfecting and growing. I 'm betting I have that lovely fungus again, but we'll see. At least the fungus is treatable!

Today is going to be pretty relaxing. JoGail has 2 basketball games later this afternoon, but other than that we're good to stay home and just chill. Trying some new recipes and making some kale chips later on! One I am trying is a lemon chicken! I hope it turns out great, I love that stuff! Thanks to pinterest, I have a whole new batch of recipes to try~~!!

Yesterday at work we had a meeting so of course we all brought food. Traci brought these things called taco crescents (as soon as I get he recipe I'll share). It was basically taco meat, refried beans and cheese in a crescent roll. They were good! Gina made 'topless brownies'--brownies and then she had sundae toppings. I had a skinny piece of brownie and then put some sugar free carmel sauce on top. It was AWESOME! I need to try that around here!

Coy has downloaded an app that tracks his calorie input, etc. He think he needs to lose some weight.....So after he's done it about a week he's all over me to do try it. So today is the first day! One thing I can say about it is that I am more conscious about what I am eating. We'll see how long I can keep it up! A new favorite in our family right now is pistachio nuts. Rachel (I call her Mother Earth) from work gave me a big bag for a birthday present and we have all enjoyed them! Anyway, Coy's basic premise id thay if you eat fewer calories than you will lose weight. I know from experience that it doesn't work that way with me, in particular, but we'll see. It is always interesting to log what's being eaten and look at patterns, etc. IT just occurred to me that counting calories is sort of like weight watchers, you just count calories instead of points. I am also going to try and up my water drinking. Personally, I think I consume too much sodium. But that' s just a guess on my part. I need to watch that. I count carbs in my head pretty much all day long. I try to get about 40-45 per meal to help keep my blood sugar in check. Yesterday was a wild blood sugar day. For some reason, mine was low several times. That's kind of unusual for me. During the morning was I was eating all the carbs I could get my hands on....it was still wild last night when I went to bed. I know I probably should, but I don't keep high carb snacks around for when it goes low. Typically mine goes haywire as in too much blood sugar, so this was new. My morning readings have been a little lower than usual, but I still want them lower. I know all my sinus meds play into the blood sugar picture, so I'm not getting too worried. Usually the meds make it go too high. It's all a balancing act and sometimes I can do it, but sometimes I can't! Getting it low after it's high can be very hard. Usually I try walking, but that doesn't always help. I am anxious for winter to really be over. I want to get back into the couch to 5k program. I still want to fly out to Amarillo and do the 5k out there with my sister. We'll see.....

Told you'll I was rambling on and on this morning!

Star Awards

2012-01-17T02:04:00.000-08:00

Well, let me catch you up! I have a major sinus infection-going on about a week and a half. Because of my health history, these things always make me nervous. Now I love my doctor, but when I went in with headaches and I got a diagnosis of strep, I knew it was going to be trouble. My currect doctor (of about 5 years) doesn't know or remember me when I had all my sinus problems. He doesn't remember the hospital stays and PIC line for sinus infections. It's been about 6 years since I have had them, so they are even dissolving away from my memory! (Thank you, Lord) But anyways, I have been back on prednisone, budesinide and 2 antibiotics. To say I am jittery and even mor random than usual would be a major understatement. As in the past I know I get more done correctly in teh morning thatn at night, so I try to front load my days ight now. Which brings me to another point. We are missing Grace's game tonight. Coy has board meeting and I just don't feel right driving the backroads to Buffalo in the dark. Last year I tried it and it took us forever because I was going slow , missed a road, had to turn around and go back...I think we beat the school bus back by maybe 5 minutes. But anyways, I get nervous missing. I don't think she minds at all. She told us when we were talking about it that she played her best volleyball game ever when we weren't there, so we'll see. I don't doubt she'll be loved and taken care of. Between her coach, his mom, and Mak and Carley's mom someone will take care of her. She kind of breaks my heart that I'm not 100% to try and go. Anyways, I'll be nervous all day about that. Plus they need to win to stay in the running for 1st place. And I guess if she thinks she plays better without us there once then she had better. She plays really well most of the time anyways. She's getting consistent and really is a joy to watch. JoGail is a hoot to watch. She is becoming a beast for rebounds. And she aint' letting letting go of the ball, either. It's kind of surprising if you know her. But she knows what to do and she does it. I am just amazed at how grown up these two are getting. But on to the Star Awards....

Being on prednisone, I often have weird dreams and this morning was no exception. I woke up at 3:23 and haven't been back to sleep yet. Every year of office (I work in Mabank) has a theme for the school year. One year 5-6 years ago, our theme was 'SuperStars'. This year, its about getting up when you are knocked down and carrying on.....kind of like this. I guess you would call it resilience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEBLt6Kd9EY

So anyways, I was dreaming that I was chosen y Eustace ISD to give out STAR AWARDS to people that have impacted my life-not Coy's, not the girls. Mrs. McKee (from Mabank ) had charged me with doing this. So, I started going through the list-
JW-for always putting up with Coy no matter what the mood
Mr. Sowers-for always being there for Coy
Coach Brown-for connecting with Grace
Mrs. Abbott-for ALWAYS feeding the girls and Coy
Coach Herman-for challenging the athletes and making the fact that we go to so many sporting events fun
All of the girls' teachers......I think I dreamt of everyone they have had here in Eustace. If my girls make the top ten banquet as seniors they are going to have a HARD time deciding which teacher to honor....
I though of Mrs. Beasley, but in this dream she has actually retired from EISD with 50 years of service.
Then I remembered it was about who had impacted MY life. And I came up with two people.

Now, these two people are behind the scenes people. One keeps the district straight financially and the other keeps us in line with TEA. These two ladies have helped raise my girls and have helped watch over the love of my life. They have watched them grow. JoGail could barely walk when we moved here and now she's twelve. These two are my lifesavers when Coy is at a conference or something and I have to get from Mabank to Eustace to pick the girls up. And yes, there have been a couple of times that I forgot to do that and I think it was because I knew they were taken care of! It's not uncommon for Coy to be in a meeting and JoGail to to go to the admin building and Coy find her drinking a soda and a handful of chocolate candy when he comes out. They have been known in the past to sneak candy to the girls, as well. These ladies most definately put up with Coy on a daily basis. They f cook for him. listen to him and accept him. They have taught my JoGail to eat tomatoes for breakfast and pickled okra on whatever they have at that time. I'm giving my two Star Awards to Karen Thompson and Carol Warren. They have withstood many tests and are greatly appreciated!

Then (and I kid you not) in my dream Carol had to put on her shoes to come forward to get the award because she was running around in he socks!

Thank you, Karen and Carol for always helping to take care of my family.

So there you have my random ramblings and my dream........

TacoChili

2012-01-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

Taco Chili-Holcombe Style!

We got a package mix of this for Christmas from someone who isn’t supposed to get us a gift (ahem, Karen Thompson), and it was great. SO I googled it this was my first attempt at it and it wasn’t too bad! I decided to change it up a bit with the beef broth and of course, here in Texas, we don’t have beans in our chili! 

So here’s my version………

1 pound hamburger, ground and kind of minced….I have a special tool that chops it up really good!

2 cans Rotel tomato sauce (this is a new favorite find of mine)

1 can chili fixin’s Rotel

1 can diced tomatoes

1 32oz. container beef broth

1 teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon cumin

1 package taco seasoning

1 packet ranch seasoning mix

Mix together and simmer as long as you can, stirring when you walk by.

You can add water, ketchup, etc but wait until close to time to serve because it will absorb some of the liquids in it.

I serve this with a pan of cornbread and some fritos because Grace likes to make frito pie.

2012-01-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

What a week! Seems we were all on track to getting back into a routine and wham, here comes the strep throat again. I think it affects me more everytime I have it. I am still not sure I am over it, but I am getting better! Of course, me being almost a year older wouldn't have anything to do with me taking longer to get over it!

Both girls played extrememly well in their ball games. JoGail managed to accumulate 4 fouls in about 5 minutes of playing time. But, hey, she was aggressive! My coach had me stay back on the offensive end when he thought he realized what was going on. Sure enough the next two fouls were on me and I was all alone at the offensive end.

We have two birthdays this week, then we are finished with that for a while! It's hard for me to believe my baby girl will be 12. She was just so tiny when she was born.....but more on that next time I post.

I am trying a new recipe for lunch. I am going to go ahead and post it, though. I also made some peanut butter cornflake candy to take to Sunday School this morning. I can remember Nanny Hyatt and the cafeteria ladies making that in the cafeteria when we lived in Evant. They would make HUGE batches of it and they always made sure I got some! I'm sure that if they made it now it would be illegal with all the sugar in it!

Cornflake Candy

6 cups cornflakes
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

Cook sugar and corn syrup over medium heat stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Add peanut butter and continue cooking till it is well combined to the mix. Remove from heat and add cornflakes, stirring rapidly to coat the cereal with the penaut butter syrup. You can either drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper to cool or press the mixture into a pan (I used a 9x13 pan) then cut into squares once cool.

Hints:
Fresh cornflakes work best.
Spray measuting cups and bowls and pans with pam for easier cleanup and to get the syrup and peanut butter to slide right out of the measuring cups.

Italian Chicken --We are trying this for lunch today...It sounds delicious!

2 cans cream of chicken soup
8 ounces cream cheese
4 chicken breasts
1 package zesty Italian seasoning

Put all in crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours. Then serve over cooked noodles.

~Laurie

Catching Up!

2011-12-31T16:23:00.000-08:00

Thought I would catch up on some recipes we've enjoyed over the break. The punch recipe is from Grace's AP English teacher. She made it for the class when they had an Oscar Wilde party. I've made two complete batches this break. The girls really like it. I made up the stroganoff recipe this morning. I needed to use some thawed out beef and just started throwing thing sin the pan. Turned out pretty good. The cookies are pretty much pure sugar. Not much hiding it in this recipe. I've made something like this before but never had the flavor from jello. I'm thinking i can make these for any holiday--just adjust the jello flavor. They are really simple since I have a stand mixer. Just turn it on, do something and then when I come back it is ready!

Almost Champagne Punch
1     2 liter Ginger Ale
1     2 Liter Club Soda
1     Jug White grape juice

Mix together and serve. I buy the ginger ale and club soda in 1 liter bottles and make 1/2 batch at a time. I have no clue if it almost tastes like champagne or not!

Jello Cookies

3 eggs whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 T any flavor jello (I used strawberry)
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon vinegar

Heat over to 250 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with pam. Beat salt and egg whites until foamy. Add jello and sugar and beat til stiff peaks form--may take as long as 10 minutes---it will also be glossy! Gently add in vinegar. Drop onto cookie sheet or pipe onto cookie sheet. Bake 25 minutes., Turn oven off and leave in oven for another 20 minutes. Cool completely before eating--I can never wait that long. Just remember it's like eating pure sugar!

Stroganoff

1 1/2 pound beef--I used steak fingers and cut them into chunks after tenderizing
2 cans cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic
1 cam french onion soup
wide noodles

Sear, season and cook beef in skillet. When done, add soups and simmer til ready to eat. Cook noodles and serve stroganoff over noodles.

This month we have 2 birthdays--mine and JoGail's! I still think it's cool that Grace shares a birthday month with Coy and JoGail shares one with me. JoGail was due (they thought) and my doctor was going out of town, so they took her about a week early. According to the sonograms, etc she was supposed to be an already big baby. Well, I think they missed everything on her. She was only 6 pounds and have major difficulties breathing, so off to the NICU she went. I went and saw her for the first time after the finished the c section. Then I told my doctor to knock me out and he did. She was out of NICU pretty quick--I think like 24-36 hours, once she could breathe well. Amazingly, she has not had trouble with her lungs ever since.

There are so many things to be thankful for this New Year's Eve. As a family we have a had a fun year. We have grown-especially the girls! Grace has adjusted to being a freshman and JoGail has ventured into Junior High. We vacationed in Florida and came back ready to tackle yet another school year.

IF I were to make a New Year's resolution, it would be to enjoy every minute and live so that others see God in me. That includes listening more and talking less, and loving others. Oh and I want to journal more in my book, so that the girls can reflect on it later in life and maybe remember some memories that may have gotten tucked away.

Happy New Year's!

What a wonderful Christmas!

2011-12-28T17:03:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Christmas we had! It was so laid back and relaxing. I love those and hope we are teaching the girls that it's ok to just be us and do things our way! Everyone go ttheir gifts then played mopst of the day yesterday. Coy has had fun playing JoGail's new keyboard.I'm betting he teaches himself how to play before long. Luckily Santa brought head phones!! --The old fashioned kind--neither girl knew what they were!

For lunch we had ham, dressing, gravy, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes. green beans, rolls and cranberry sauce. Then later we have strawberry cheesecake and pumpkin pies. The girls made the pies on their own this year! They did a really good job, too. So now Grace san say she can 'cook' cereal, spaghetti, and pumpkin pies!!! JoGail's favorite part of the meal is the sweet potatoes and I must admit these were pretty good. I followed JoLynn's recipe and they always turn out great. You wash then boil the sweet potatoes 2-3 days before you want to serve them. After they are tender, cool them. Them wrap them in saran wrap and place in a bag(to catch drips) in the fridge. When you are ready to cook them, just slide the sweet potato out of its 'jacket'. Seriously, they just slide right out. Then cook as normal. I mash them then mix them with butter and brown sugar before I bake them. Then I top with marshmallows. You will have the best sweet potatoes ever. There's something that happens to the sugars with them when they are in the fridge.

Normally I use Stacia's cheesecake recipe, but I was preusing my cooking magazines the other day and noticed one that I wanted to try. It, like Stacia's, was simple. It turned out good and now I have two cheesecake recipes to fall back on!

Simple Cheesecake
2 packages, 8 ounces each room temperature cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

graham cracker crust-9 inches

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanill until smooth. Add eggs, beating until just combined. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or til center is set. Cool on wire rack. Chill for 2 hours. Use whatever topping you would like on top.

Weather wise, its still yucky and rainy. You think of winter when you look out the windows...luckily it' snot below freezing here. My sister Missy says there's snow up in Amarillo and I saw pictures where Lubbock had a white Christmas as well!

I have enjoyed getting up to a pretty quiet house, not having to think about what to wear, what's on the list to do at work. It's nice having a break.

~Laurie

I'm up!!!!

2011-12-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

I'm up and ready to get some final things done today! Lots of cooking going on today--making strawberry swirl cheesecake, more cranberry salsa, icing sugar cookies, making Karen's taco chili mix she gave us, cooking the sweet potatoes, and who knows what else! I am ready and willing though to get going. Coy's getting his truck door handle fixed (don't even ask me how he broke it opening the truck door). The girls are sleeping in for a bit. Seems like we have had something to do or somewhere to go every day of break so far. And that's ok... it's still been nice. We feel like we have accomplished many things already!

Lately my oldest daughter has been posting some things on facebook that have made me feel proud. She is posting things that show she is thinking for herself and that she realizes the love of God and having a relationship with God is the greatest thing. These are two things Coy and I have prayed she would learn as she grows up. I guess that means she is growing up. She amazes us with her depth of understanding.

JoGail is growing up, too. her body is looking more like Grace's (athletic) every day. She follows her sister and is outside alot kicking a soccer ball around or dribbling the basketball. She is witty and funny. I laughed yesterday as I watched her play her nintendo game while we were at Children's. She was holding it and looking over her glasses to see it. Made her look funny!

Made a date yesterday to see Coy's sister Judy and her husband Jerry and his nephew and his wife (Todd and Michelle). Always love seeing them--we have ALWAYS have fun! We are trying to plan a spring trip to Lubbock to see JoLynn. Of course Coy and I have different spring breaks this year, but I think we have a plan. Just waiting to hear back from JoLynn when her spring break is! Excited because it's been a couple of years since we have ventured out there. Coy was calling it a 'road trip'. Of course it also hinges on the track schedule..

I heard something the other day that I wished we had thought of when the girls were young. Only giving three gifts per person. The guy's reasoning was that three gifts were good enough for Jesus so it should be good enough for us. Made me think.

Ok, it's time to get moving.....it sure is quiet around here............I kind of like that!!!

A completely random post

2011-12-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

Wahoo!!! Christmas Break has started here! I almost hate to see it coming because it seems like we are just adjusting to high school life and middle school life! Seriously, though, we are thankful for the break and grateful for our family time. The time is flying fast. I sit here on the couch sometimes and think about how fast time is going by and how it won't be long til it's just me and Coy sitting here...ahhhh but I MUST enjoy the moment!!!

But before I get to that let me just say how thankful I am to the staff at Eustace ISD. I know I have said it before, but I cannot IMAGINE my kids having a better second family than the staff at the school and church. I always fret before my kids go to a new campus, but I shouldn't. God always sends someone to help my girls adjust and look up to.

I made this new recipe the other night when Coy was at board meeting--hence all the cheese! It was a hit and the girls liked it. I think I got it off pinterest--not really sure because like any good recipe, this one is written down on a stray envelope.

1 box cooked penne pasta ( I found the kind that cooks in 3 minutes)
4 oz sour cream
1 jar chicken alfredo sauce
small container ricotta cheese (I used cottage cheese to save $2)
1 pound cooked chicken
2 eggs
1/4 cup paremeson cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Mix together everything but the mozzarealla cheese and put in prepared baking pan. Spread mozzarealla cheese on top and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

We finally got some rain in this part of the world. Hoping for even more. Missy (sister in Amariallo) and I have a weather thing going right now. Dallas forecasters are calling for a sleet/thunder snow on Monday for Amarillo. Amarillo forecasters are just calling for rain...............We will see who's right!!! Guess we could have at least betted a coke or cup of hot cocoa or something.

Our annual dish exchange was yesterday at work. Unfortunately I didn't get to stay for the party since I was taking JoGail to the doctor, but there was lots of food and neat dishes there! Jill brought back some cheese curds from her weekend trip home to Wisconsin. I had never had them until she brought some last year and they were really good! Gina made a lighted up pumpkin roll for Bob and Jane made some candy for her person. There were lots of other goodies as well! We always have such a good time doing that. We draw a name and then literally buy a dish that person wants and then cook something in it (we have a little questionaire) and then we eat buffet style and you get to take home the dish and whatever's left in it. It's so fun!

Some of you may have heard about the nativity scene activity in Athens--we were unable to attend the rally but have heard wonderful things about it and are proud to be Americans.

Washed Grace's two ankle braces this morning....She pulled them out of her basketball bag and oh my! Those things could have walked to Dallas by themselves. They were wet, too. She said she sweated alot last night during the game in Leon. Man.....it's bad when SHE comes to me and says that they stink and need to be washed ! (Told you this was a random post!)

We have been watching alot of ICarly, Victorious, and even Drake and Josh (all nick shows for teenagers) as a family. They really are funny and of couse Grace and Coy catch things no one else does! In alot of shows their characters overlap.

I didn't get my bed remade this morning. I was going to take off the wool blanket and put the electric blanket on....while I love snuggling under three layers of blankets Coy is not so fond of it and actually I don't like it when my foot sticks out. Somehow I usually end up with all the wool blanket on my side of the bed. I have daylight time left so I might get that done before the night's up!

I'm making chicken soup for Sunday lunch tomorrow.....it's going to be good and I hope it gets our JoGail to feeling better! She has strep again....yes, AGAIN....

I haven't even started the Christmas meal menu yet...I know we are having ham though....I figure I have a week! I'm sure Coy will want dressing and gravy and JoGail will want sweet potatoes....rolls and tea....have lots of sweets but Coy and the girls will make some pumpkin pies too.

I am truly happy Melissa ISD won the the football championship for our division! We played them in the Area Championship and lost to them. It's nice to be able to say we were beaten by the state champs!

I am glad I am not a chef. I don't think I was designed to handle the pressures they go through on a daily basis. Yes, I have stress at work, but it's unlikely I would kill someone or put someone in the hospital with food poisoning during a routine day as they might.

I'm late getting photo cards out this year. No real reason why, just haven't done it. I did get out the photo albums with all the photo cards from years past out, though! Some go back as far at 1993!!!! It's so fun to look back and see how kids and families have grown. Just looking at how our girls have grown amazes me! But, I still put my favorite pictures of them with Santa on the mantle! Every year!

I don't care about politics. Really I don't. I know it's important to our country and state and all it just isn't me. Never really has been. I read it on the internet a little, but really don't pay much attention to it all. I have always tried to live by the by the 'be nice to others' and treat others they the way you want to be treated" theories and they don't seem to do that. Neither do the news stations. And that completes my thoughts on politics.

I'm thinking about buying some kale and making kale chips.....you just break it up and put some olive oil on it then bake. Anybody tried this????

I am getting used to my glasses. They are a pain when I want ot read something up close, because I have to take them off, but other than that no main problems. You'll be glad to know they really make a difference when I drive!

~Laurie

Chocolate cherry bars

2011-12-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in a Gooseberry patch cookbook. We like them! They were super simple to make!

1 box chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon almond extract

Mix together (You can do this by hand)
Then stir in 1 can cherry pie filling.

Bake in 350 oven for 20-25 mins. Let cool completely.

In a saucepan on low mix 6 tablespoons butter,
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons milk

Heat over low til boiling. Boil 1 minute .
Stir in 1/2 c semi sweet choc chips until smooth. Spread over bars.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

I've been reading about how everyone else does Thanksgiving cooking, etc. I'm not sure what different between me and them, but mine seems alot smoother! I get everything for the turkey out the night before. Then I set the alarm and get up and put it in the top oven. Now I admit I cheat a litle, but that'd because I don't like dressing. I buy the prater's frozen dressing and thaw it out. I mix two pans of it together and cook it in a cast iron skillet because Coy likes it crispy. Don't ask me why, I just don't like it. So if I buy it already made. then I know it'll be good and Coy loves Praters dressing and gravy! My sweet pototatoes are simple. Kim, Coy' sniece, told me how to do them and they turn out beautiful everytime. You wash and the potatoes and leave the skin onYou boil your sweet potatoes at least 2 days before. After they turn soft. Let them cool. Then store, wrapped in saran wrap in the fridge. I put them in the bowl to catch the drippings. The morning of the meal. take them out and let them get to room temperature. Then you just slide the potatoes out of their jackets. Mix in some brown sugar and melted butter. Heat. Them top with marshmallows and broil til marshmallows melt. (Watch them carefully they burn easily). I promise these are the best sweet potatoes! I cheat and use sister schubert rolls, too. Last time I tried making something withyeast in it turned out harder than a hockey puck. So I just don't go there!

I clean as I go and start with an empty dishwasher and an empty trash can. I think that is a big key to keeping the clean up under control.

I guess the main thing I try to not make it more difficult than it has to be. If I can cheat with premade things, and my family likes it, then it's good enough for me. I like drama free holidays!!!! No family dressing up (we usually just all have on jeans), eatunbg early (usually before 12), and everyone gets seomthing they love on teh menu.

So there you have it. How we do Thanksgiving....and we love it!

Grace

2011-11-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

Grace, you were the baby who drank the each bottle like it was the last one you might get. You were the one who has been reading since the first day of your life when you proud daddy sat you in his lap and read the newspaper to you. Later, he and I would sit in the rocking chair in your bedroom and read to you. You have always loved books. You were the toddler who saw 'rectangles' instead of bricks. You were the one who would yank anything out of your hair your mama put in it. You were the one who remembers mama dressing in a matching outfit with JoGail (I think you are still mad at me about that). You were the one who took on the job of soccer goalie and never looked back-even when your mama was crinching during a shootout.
You are growing at church and in your faith. You have handled the changes well there. With David leaving and Bro. Paul stepping in, you haven't missed a beat. I am very proud of the young Christian lady you are becoming. I have enjoyed watching you go thru the crossover ministry.

This year you have started high school. You have hit it going full speed. Cross country wore you out alot but you stuck it out, even with bursitus in your knee. You have admitted that you enjoyed volleyball more than you ever thought you would--mainly because of your teammates and coach. Academically you are in all the PreAP classes you can take and are learning Spanish and about Ag. You still make me smile when we ask what you learned at school today. I have seen you get spitting mad becasue you didn't 'learn' something sometimes. You have always gone to school with the expectation that you woulld learn something that day.
Your personality is coming out. You aren't as shy and have participated in pep rallys-even rapping the Freshman Rap! You've competed in your first FFA competition as well.

I pray the you never forget how special you are--not only to me and daddy but to God as well. No matter how much Daddy and I love you, God loves you more! You are special talented and unique! Happy 15th birthday!

7up biscuits

2011-11-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

My sister found this recipe on pinterest and shared with me.........these biscuits rock! They are good! And Easy!

7up biscuits

2 cups baking mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7up (I used sprite)

Cut sour cream into biscuit misx. Add 7up and combine well. Roll out and cut into biscuits. Bake in 9X9 pan the has some melted butter in it. Bake at 450 for about 8-10 minutes.

2011-10-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful relaxing fall day! Laundry is about finished and cooking is pretty much complete!
I made some stew last night (it's in the fridge for lunch tomorrow) and taco soup. I'm just learning to make taco soup and I must say that this batch is pretty good! At supper it was quiet except for the sound of spoons clanking against bowls! I made this dessert for JoGail. I though tit was something I remembered her liking, but she says now she didn't like it. Coy likes it thouhg, so it's still a good deal. I'm expecting JoGail to change her mind once she tries it-especially with a little honey on top!
Grace went to the doctor with her knee problems. It was diagnosed as pre pataller bursitus. Dr. Rich thinks she probably (at some point) pushed her knee pads up (without realizing it) and then dove for a ball. When she hit it inflammed the bursae sac. She is icing it and is styain goff it for 2 weeks. Hopefully that will help with her pain. They have just finished the 2nd 6 weeks of school. I'm telling you her freshman year is flying by! JoGail is her usual happy self. She is a little bummed out that her dad won't allow her to go trick or treating this year...guess it's just part of growing up. She wants to be a hobo. Grace was eeyore. They wore their costumes to school yesterday.

Taco Soup

1 can green chilis
1 pound hamburger meat browned
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can chili beans, drained
1 can rotel (we love this stuff!)
1 can chopped stewed tomotoes
1 can drained corn
1 can tomato soup

Mix all together and simmer in crockpot. Makes a good sized pot. Very low fat, too!
It's really good topped with some cheese!

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 packages crescent roll dough
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat first three ingredients together until smooth.
In 13x9x2 pan unroll first package of crescent dough. Lay flat in bottom of pan, pressing seams closed.
Top with cream cheese mixture. Unroll 2nd package of crescent rolls and lay on top of cream cheese mixture, pressing seams together. Mix butter, cinnamon and sugar together. Pour over top of crescent rolls in pan. Bake for 30 mins at 350. Really good heated and topped with some honey.

They did it!

2011-10-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

Eustace swept the cross country contests today! Both the varsity girls and JV girls had perfect scores! The Varsity boys and JV boys also won first place! The middle school teams rocked it as well! Both the varsity teams will be advancing. If I am not mistaken, every high shcool kid from Eustace who ran medaled....that's pretty awesome!:) I have pictures of Grace I just haven't uploaded them yet. I'm telling you, my baby is growing and learning to have fun.

Tonight I threw together a Cowboy Casserole. Some of you may know it as tatter tot casserole. Not sure why I like the name change, but I do!

1 package hamburger meat
1 can whole kernal corn, drained
1 can cream of something (whatever you have) soup
1 bag tater tots
shredded cheese--if you want

Cook hamburger meat until brown. in an oven proof skillet. Mix will corn and cream of something soup. Return ot oven proof skillet (I used a cast iron) --you can add cheese her eif you want---and top with tater tots (cover it good). Bake according to package directions. You can add seasonings however you want.....I usually throw some slap ya mama seasoning on the browned hamburger meat.

The girls and Coy love this....so simple and yet so good!

wow..where has the time gone??

2011-10-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

I was driving the other day and thinking...outlloud...like I like to do. I realized that almost half of Grace's freshman year of high school is almost gone! Poof! Gone! Then tonight she was on the couch watching 7th voyage of SInbad iwth her dad and it hit me again that in 3 1/2 years she probably won't be sitting there doing that!

And I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I love hearing stories from my girls during their junior high years...they are just good stories! And I don't have much longer for that, either!

Oh yeah and only 6 more years of working the ocncession stand.............haha...you ladies know I enjoy that! Can't beat those BBQ nachos!!! (Now before you go, eeewww, let me just state that our concession is well known fo rthe products we sell. It really is good, and we have a specific way of making nachos, BBQ or not......maybe one day I can tell our secret, but for now you just have to trust me on this! )

Good things are happening at EHS these days....Band perofrmed well at competition, FFA is in full swing of showing animals, etc, the girls volleyball team is playoff bound and the football is 7-0! That's alot for a small school, but the BIG action is Monday.....the district cross country team. The cross country team here is a dedicated group of indiviuals. They train all summer long, run in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes double back and run again at night. Cross Country in Texas involves a team of 5-7 runners running a course. The higher you place the lower your score. The boys run 3 miles while the girls run 2 miles. The team with the lowest score wins. There's not alot of cheering at cross country meets. It's like, as a parent, you see them start as a huge group. Then you move to finish line to see them finish, dying from exhaust. Some courses are chilly, others straight. Some courses are on grass/dirt, some go on sidewalks and tracks. And rain or shine, hot or cold you run. (unless there's lightening). I've seen shoes unrecognizable because the runner ran through the mud. I've seen runners covered in clothing from head to toe and I've seen runner with as little on as possible. They just run and LOVE to run. And Eustace has kids who love to run. Both in high school and middle school. Kids that you look at and think that kid's not very athletic looking that will kick your tail in a cross country race. Kids that EXPECT to medal in a cross country race. Kids that pour their heart and soul into running. And I have one of those kids. Try as we might, she loves to run and train with the others. She can recite times and tell you when and where she was when she broke her fastest time. A kid who comes home from cross country meets exhausted for the rest of the day becuase she gave it her all. A kid who really doesn't want her parents at her meets because it might jinx her and her routine....(yeah, we went to the one here and we're going to the district race on Monday)...I love that girl and am proud of her dedication to the sport. She's a pretty good girl if I do say so myself! I hope to have some pictures to post from the district meet next week. All too soon this will all be over and Coy and I wil lbe sitting here just looking at each other....well, him at the tv and me at my computer!

Lucky me!!!!!

2011-10-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Coy and the girls has last Monday off (Fair day).....I got to work.....My district's fair day is tomorrow.....and yep, I'm pretty sure I have strep throat....so I get to go to the doctor...I ahd planned on Hobby lobbying and birthday shopping.....not sure now what I'll do. Just depends on when I can get in at the doctor. I already know my regular doctor is out tomorrow (tried to schedule my thyroid checkup), so it'll just have to be whoever can see me, gag me with the strep test and write a good prescription.

My girl.....JoGail

JoGail and Justin

JoGail was recently asked to Homecoming for our local EASA football team. Now I'm not sure how other small communities do this, but it is a rather elaborat aaffair here. Football players and cheerleaders have someone walk them out on the field. There is no queen or king, everyone jsut gets to walk on the field. The girls get the guys garters and the guys get the girls mums. MIne was th eLAST order the florist was taking at Memories of Elegance......thank you ladies!!!)It's kind of interesting and neat to watch. JoGail was asked by Justin. Now JoGail and Justin go waaayyy back .They have the longest perfect attendance streaks in their class. They both go back to Headstart days. Now before you can ask how she has perfect attendance for so long, let me assure you that iIdo not send my kids to school sick. If they get sick it's over the holidays or spring break.She has had antibiotics only one time in her 11 years. My girls just really don't get sick. She did get poison ivy last year and the doctor assured us more than once that she wasn't contagious and I asked her about staying home and she went beserk. "How can I miss a day? They might teach me something good today? "So. How do you argue with that 5th grade logic???? So off she went. She broke her arm....at school....on a Friday, so she was good to go Monday. Anyway, back to my story, she fixed her makeup and got all ready and off we went at 6:30. She looked beautiful. They had them all lined up in numerical order...he was number 18.....it started sprinkling on number 1......we made it to player number 3 before the bottom fell out. It was mad chaos. People running everywhere...me trying as hard as I could to put my camera up. I waited to try and find her and ran then figured if she didn't have enough sense to ge to the car (There really wasn't anywhere else to run to get dry) , well, I didn't know what I would do. I got in the car. I am soaked, sore throat, the works. A friend's mom called and had JoGail. They knew I was trying to get sick and offered to take her to their house and change her clothes then bring her back (there was a 30 minute delay). So I went home. So here's some pictures of my baby.....love this girl and her heart....and her love of life....she has taught me how to have fun....I am not sure why it posted them all twice........

Community

2011-09-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

This has been an emotional time for the community we live in-Eustace. A 13 year old was tragically killed in an ATV accient last Sunday. Heath was lovable and loved very much. Knowing he is in Heaven with Jesus has helped my girls understand. Well, sort of. JoGail doesn't really understand why everyone is sad if Heath is with Jesus. I tried explaining it was because the people left behind will just miss him. But I think all she could think about was the fact that Heath has already seen Jesus.

I am so proud to be a part of this community. God has definately put people here for a reason. People who wouldn't normally visit with one another were visting. Junior High kids were being nicer to each other. And there were people praying-at school, at church, on facebook.....pretty much anywhere you look. Community has a new visual picture in my mind.....I picture people hugging and helping each other. I picture someone putting a slide show together. I picture someone helping get baseball boys all together in their uniforms. I picture an overflowing church. It's the high school kids circling around the middle school kids at the see you at the pole prayer.

I am so proud to be a part of Eustace.

Pepperoni Rolls & Pumpkin Muffins

2011-09-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

I've been amaking some recipes from pinterest! I have found two winners at my house. Both are super easy!

Pepperoni Rolls

Crescent roll dough
Mozzarella string cheese (enough for half a stick to be in each crescent roll)
pepperoni ( I used the little ones because I love them)

Unroll crecsent roll. Cut String cheese in half. Place half of cheese stick and some pepperonis in each roll. Roll up and bake as usual. I served with jarred mariniara sauce.

Pumpkin Rolls
(JoGail is making some more of these as I write!)

1 box spice cake mix (Can use butter as well)
1 small can pumpkin ( not pumpkin pie filling)

Mix together and bake. We used JoGail's cupcake maker, so I'm not sure how long! These things are truly addictive! Especially with a cup of coffee!

It's been a long, emotional week here in this house. I'm hoping things settle down next week. But if not that's ok. My God is bigger than any problem!

aaahhhh fall!!!

2011-09-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am so hoping I have more days of trying to do the couch to 5k with the same kind of weather I had yesterday! it was wonderful yesterday! It's been a little humid around these dry parched parts, but no rain yet. We are still watering the little itty bitty trees transplanted from my MawMaw and PawPaw's pond. I just realized that if only one of those trees makes it that we will have a tree from both of my sides of grandparents in the yard! I have a transplanted part of a fig tree (that was mailed all the way to New Mexico and then here) from Maw Maw Collin's yard (Thanks, TAC). Those are about the only trees in our yard (except two in the front)...so I'm hoping they make it.

Wow!!! We had an awesome experience here in Eustace yesterday.....cross country varisty boys and girls won first place in their meet, all the volleyball teams won, and we won football! Honestly, I am not surprised! We have an awesome group of kids who are devoted to what they do and coaches who love the kids.

Today has been a day of rest for most of us here. (Grace reffed some soccer games.) It has been wonderful laying around, lazily doing laundry and watching Texas football. Yes, I still need to mop, but that can wait, besides, we really aren't sticking to the floors when we walk yet.

This week was Homecoming and my girls got all giddy when they got their mums from Melissa in the mail. She always does such a great job. They just got all giggly and excited this year....guess they are growing up and turning into young ladies! I'll try to upload some pictures tonight.....I am resigned to the loveseat with my ankle on ice...hoping I can get some swelling down. Ok, I was leaving the ball game last night and had an armful....I made it to the end of the aisle and a kid (i have no idea who) was running up the bleachers and hit my shoulder and i fell down. I think my ankle is just a little sprained...we're icing it today...hopefully it won't be as sore tomorrow....we'll see though! But for tonight it's me and bag of peas on the love seat!

I refuse to stop doing the couch to 5k because of this. I have done it for two week sand KNOW that the first time I have an excuse and don't do it will make it tens times harder to do.....

Speaking of couch to 5k....anyone know of a local 5k I can plan on doing? I know there's some in Dallas but I prefer a smaller, not in Dallas one.....

I am cravin gpumpkin mnuffins and pumpkin crunch......just can't bring myself to make it yet...I am also craving one of Mrs. Adams fresh apple cakes....she made the best when we were in Evant. They were so moist !!!! I'm so happy fall is here.....hope the rain comes and temperatures stay out of the 100s!!

Labor Day!

2011-09-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a restful day this has been!!! Got up, took Grace to workouts then got some stuff done around the house. Cooked a good do it yourself breakfast--breakfast burritos-- and got some more stuff done around the house. Ate some leftovers for lunch then made a good Monday night supper. Lately we haven't been home enough for me to do this, so it felt really good to do. We have had a good family day today....watching tv and movies....very relaxing. Here's my super supper menu.....

Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken (From Mommy's Kitchen scroll down)
Rachel 's San Antonio Squash Casserole
Deviled eggs
Roasted red potatoes
Kool Aide (Lemonade) Pie (http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

I have never eaten at a Cracker Barrel ( I have been told this is a sin that I must correct) so I can't tell you if it really tasted like theirs! Coy and I loved the chicken. The girls, not so much....Strangely there's no leftover chicken...It would be easy and great for me to cook up and take in my lunch. I did switch out the lime juice for lemon juice (I thought I had some but I didn't)...oh the joys of aging! The squash casserole hit the spot for an easy side dish full of flavor. I still didn't put cheese in it but put some on top of mine.

Well, it's time to get everything ready for the rest of the week. I might get a chance to cook again on Thursday...we'll see! Tomorrow's a volleyball dual match (FYI they take forever, because it's basically a 3 team thing), then church, then a break then volleyball and football in Edgewood on Friday. Whew! I get tired just thinking about it all!

ahhhhh!!!! Random thoughts....

2011-08-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yes that's me screaming! We are so busy.....but I really wouldn't have it any other way! I think I fell into the bathtub awhile ago....the house is about as clean as it normally is and laundry is just piling up....But I have spent time with my girls and even got to watch Grace play volleyball....I was thinking today how 'proficient' I am getting at leaving work at 4:00 on the dot on Tuesdays and Fridays (ball game days)....there will be a couple I will miss....(just too far-I would have to take off half a day to get there by 4:30!) Both girls are just blossoming at school. I feel so priveliged to have a school family like the one in Eustace for my husband and girls. I know they are the superintendent's kids, but still....I never have to worry abouy my girls--I had someone tell me tonight that she was Grace's 'mom' at school (Focus Family) and it just made me realize how special this district is..even the cafeteria workers watch out for my girls....(thinking about chocolate chip cookies here).....and it's not just for my girls...they do it for others as well...I truly feel blessed......

I even feel blessed in the concession stand--everyone always gets along, laughs and gets the food out. I think I enjoy working it becasue we do have so much fun! OK scrubbing the crockpots is not always fun, but we don't mind......kids always come up and say," Can I have.....?" I always want to say I don't know, can you???? The booster club ladies are always doing stuff for the kids....it is really amazing....making goodie bags, painting paws, going to buy concession stand food, designing and ordering shirts......they do an awesome job. I am limited in time, but I don't mind helping when I can.

I feel blessed....very blessed!

Sunday Evening

2011-08-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday evening and we are preparing for another busy week ! We are in the full swing of high school volleyball and conccession stand working....truly making memories...The Lady Bulldogs won consolation at the tournament here in town. They only lost one game, so we still have a great record going! More volleyball and lots of cross country running this week. It still blows my mind my daughter has the energy to do all this....) Get up, run 3 miles or an hour, 3 hours of volleyball and then back that night for another 3 hours of volleyball. While I can't imagine it, I know she has been preparing for it for years....Never in my wildest dreams would I think Coy and I would have a daughter who absolutely loves volleyball and smiles her heart out when she spikes the ball down someone's throat....just shows that God has bigger plans than we could ever imagine!

JoGail has been a huge help, cleaning around the house, making goodie bags for the volleyball girls and cheering her sister on at the games. She and another younger sister have pompoms and stand in the corners like the high school cheerleaders do at basketball games.....yes, folks, our freshman volleyball team has their own cheerleaders! I cooked this afternoon so the kids will have good food to eat for lunch and I have stuff to take in my lunch. It's the last week before school start!!!! We will officially have a high schooler and 6th grader!!! :)

My new meds are lining out. They started me on a thyroid medication and a new diabetes medication. SO far so good for both. One is a shot and I have been pretty good at giving myself so far. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. It's been wonderful feeling good. Really, it's something I don't take for granted.

I survived a full week back at work last week. Even worked the concession stand Sat. But boy I felt it this morning. I was wiped out. Yet we went to church and something spoke to. It was about asking God what he wants us to do when we have already pretty much made up our minds.....we should ask him to guide our minds to the right decision. That really made sense to me and is something I will incorporate. It really amazes me sometimes what you can learn from the Old Testament. You think it's just stories, etc. But there's so much in there that is so applicable to today.

I'm rambling today so bear with me....I have realized today (probably not the first time) how lucky I am to have wonderful friends here in Eustace. Yes, I left good friends-Cathy, Stacia, Lisa) in Evant when we moved over ten years ago, but I am realizing I also have friends here in Eustace. No we don't live in Eutopia and we aren't perfect, but my goodness what a family type environment both Coy and I have at school. Both schools put family first and mean that. I have seen both schools demonstrate this. We take care of each other and love each other. I am so thankful for that.......

Changes.......

2011-08-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Gosh,m there are so many cahgne sin our family right now!!!! Some we were preparing for and others that just happen! You know, I have always heard that change is good.....and that change means you are growing.....we'll see!!!

A few of our changes.....

Grace is a freshman and JoGail is a 6th grader.....no more mandatory meet the teacher nights to see who their teacher is.... :(

Volleyball.....games 2 times a week now......

Volleyball.....2 a days......someone has to take her and pick her up four times a day.............cross countrey workouts are included in these trips

No more dropping a kid off a tthe intermediate school....

Binky (cat) has left us.....we do not know where he is, but we are certain he is not in the house, attic or garage....so we are believing he snuck out (he rarely got out) to quietly pass on......(This is a huge change, especialy for Coy and Grace) .....

Grace has finally finished her AP reading assignment so the change is my not having to ask her to go finish it! :) '

I'm back at work on a regular basis......so that's another change.

JoGail managed to shave part of her eyebrows....so that's a change.....

The youth minister at our church resigned, so there's another change.

JoGail can reach the shelf the gluegun is stored on....yes, we have a new glue gun queen! She even made us some designs that were just the hot glue in a certain pattern.

No more family supper right now......Grace is at volleyball so she gets all the leftovers! (Hopefully this will change again to where she can eat with us!)

Like I said change is good.....it means we're growing.....means it will take time to adjust and reset our sails. But trust me, we will, and onward we will sail together (insert picture of a sailboat here).....

2011-07-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

Man, it's been a while since I blogged......
It's crazy around here~~especially for Grace. She is trying to finish her Summer Reading for her AP courses and is currently at running camp. It's the cross country team at a lake house. They run about 3 times a day. If you get a chance say a prayer for her and Makenzie because I 'm sure she and Makenzie are getting tired. They are the only two freshmen there. Then when they get back they have volleyball camp and 2 a days.....while cross country is still going on. It's going to be crazy! I am truly thankful she has a friend like Makienzie to go through it with. Both are Christian girls and lift each other up.

JoGail and I hvae been going ot VBS at night this week. She hurt my feelings when she came home and said that her favorite parts or the mission stories and Bible stories. Then I realized she has her priorities straight.....mine were a little querky! She has such a love for learning about the Bible. She is looking forward to Church camp next week. She loves going to Fish camp. She is helping me with some of the baking for snacks tomorrow-we're baking cookies to turn into pennant cookies.

Coy is busy finalizing the budget, personnel~~ everything he has to for the upcoming school year. I get spoiled in the summer being able to go visit him and give him little breaks. We took the girls to see Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh last weekend. They were both good movies. It was so fun listening to the girls giggle in Winnie the pooh. Of course Grace came home and dug out the book to reread Winnie the Pooh.

I got 'the letter' (actually it was acute poem this year) announcing my return to school date. I' mready to see everyone but not have the stress! Lots of loose ends to tie up from last spring, so we will hit hte ground running, so to speak!

The girls and I were able to go visit some kinfolk in Louisiana. We saw TAC, Joey, MawMaw, Toot, Dino, Baby Joy, Mr. Miller. We took TAC and Joey out to eat at he Mongolian Grill. That wsa interesting (first time we had been to one). Then we cruised the mall for awhile....Got to play and hold Baby Joy....such is a sweet baby. Of course we s[pent time with MawMaw and Toot. Maw Maw is doing pretty well. The thing that amazed me this trip was her attitude. Doesn't bother her that someone has to tell her to pretty much do everything. She just does it. Equally amazing is how much Toot and Dino do for her. Our family is VERY BLESSED to have Toot and Dino be willing and able to take on such a rsponsibility. Thank you!

This is JoGail, MawMaw and Grace......

Vacation 2011

2011-07-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

We're home!!!!! We had a great vacation but of course are glad to be back! We started off headed to Ft Walton Beach when Coy got in from his conference in Austin. We made it to Jackson, MS the first night! We chose to eat at Sonny's BBQ (chose it form an app). The service was quick. JoGail made her salad and didn't even get to take a bite before her meal was served! It was really good and had a great smoky flavor. All four of us sleeping in one room was an adjustment. Those who don't snore talk in their sleep or flop around all night. The next day we ventured up to Tuscaloosa to see the tornado damage. It was unbelievable! Like on house is perfect but he next one may have a car through it. It was a good reminder to be thankful. We travelled some back roads to Florida, stopping at Fat Girls BBQ for lunch. We just saw this one on the side of the road and stopped. Coy and I knew it would be good when we saw the cook. And let me tell ya she can cook! I had the best fried squash and field peas I have had in a long time! Coy said the BBQ was also awesome. We also saw a Piggly Wiggly!This was one of our favorite places to eat on the trip. We made it to Ft Walton that afternoon and we wandered around the beach. We had had supper at hte Old Steam Bay Restaurant. Most fo the food was steamed. Grace tried the steamed oysters, but said she would rather stick with the raw ones (YUCK).JoGail ordered a child's plate of something and ate all the leftovers off everyone else's plates! I had grilled fresh pineapple and shrimp and it was good. The next day we hit the beach. all. day. long. There wasn't hardly anyone there, so it was very peaceful. I think this is the day my family realized that I truly meant to sleep and read on vacation this year! We picked Pandora's steak house for supper that night from the app. We were not disappointed again. I knew the steaks were good because both Coy and Grace didn't even put A1 sauce on their steaks. We tried Fried Blue Crab Claws and were hooked. Those things are awesome! Our waiter said they were so good because they were fresh and have never been frozen. Regardless of why, there were awesome and fun to eat. We also tried some FRESH key lime pie, too..Grace was so surprised she liked it! Some where in here we visited the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB. That was interesting. Coy loved that. The next morning we found algae (we think) all over the beach. It was the texture of wet tissue paper and very green. We didn't get in the gulf much that day. It was everywhere. We played goofy golf that afternoon, visited an Army/Navy store and washed clothes that afternoon. We ate at a local cafe, the Seaside cafe that evening and enjoyed that. We followed it with baskin and robbins which the girls had never tried. The next day was beach day again. Somehow the algae was ALL gone. Coy and the girls (I was sleeping) saw lots of dolphins playing just watching from the beach. The beach was so clean. White sands and emerald green water. By now more people were getting there, but we still managed to boogie board and stay in the water most of the day! JoGail announced that when she grows up she wants to live in Ft Walton Beach and be a lifeguard...even though we didn't see any lifeguards there.....The next day we left and ventured to Baton Rouge, via New Orleans. Grace had travelled there once this summer already with the youth group. No one else can remember going there. Well, let me tell ya. New Orleans is just one LONG bridge after another. You just never really get off the bridges! By the way, this is where Grace has wanted to live when she grows up for a long time, so we will see. If we can just get her to quit calling beignets 'bayonnets' we will be ok! We stopped in Gonzales at an outlet mall and got some great deals on some back to school clothes fro the girls. They are getting sooo close to the same size. It's amazing because their body types are so different at this point! We got the see Death Valley and where Braden will pitch. (Braden's a Eustace kid who signed with LSU as a pitcher.) It was kind of neat. Then this morning we got on up and came on in. We picked Crawdaddy's kitchen to stop at for lunch from the app again. And again we were not disappointed. Awesome cajun food. The girls tried fried alligator tails and absolutely loved them. The stuffed shrimp wasn't bad either!!! Again JoGail ate a little of everything off everyone else's plate! IT was a good trip, full of good memories and lots of laughter and that's what counts! (Oh and the fact that we didn't get a phone saying someone had done doughnuts on the turf football field made it a great, too!)

~Laurie

Rachel's San Antonio Squash Casserole

2011-06-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

I made an 'alternate' version of this casserole. Rachel friend from work, made a 'modified version'. For those who know about the various versions of TAKS tests, this is a play on words. She orignally modified it for what she had in her pantry and I did the same. So feel free to do this as well!

San Antonio Squash Casserole

2 large squash-cut up and boiled til just tender
1 can rotel drained (Rachel used a cooked down onion and a can green chilis)
1 can cream celery soup
2 cups cheese (I didn't use this)

Mix and heat in oven til bubbly. (350)
Ten minutes before serving sprinkle top with bread crumbs and bake til golden.

Summer Squash-A blessing!!!

2011-06-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

Summer squash is everywhere in my kitchen!!!!!! What a blessing for someone who loves the stuff! (we do!) At some point I concocted this recipe. I'm sure someone else already has a name for it but I am calling it Summer Squash Chicken! I will probably double this and get out the extra large cast iron skillet next time. This will become a summer staple around here!!!

Summer Squash Chicken
2 medium sized squash --washed and diced
1 can rotel, drained
2 large chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
Splash chicken stock
salt/pepper to taste
Splash olive oil

Heat olive oil in skillet. Salt/pepper chicken and pan fry for just a minute. Add other ingredients and cook with lid on about 15 minutes or until squash is tender and chicken is cooked. JoGail and I also topped ours with cheese.

My summer of Blessings

2011-06-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

Some people I know choose a word to focus on throughout a year. Well, I am simplifying it. I am choosing a word to focus on this summer. First and foremost, I give thanks to God my Father for all these blessings. He
blesses in so many ways so often that I often overlook the little things. But the little things often add up to BIG things, ya know? So I will focus on the BIG and little things that I perceive as blessings. You may or may not agree with my perception, but it's my blog so my perception counts on this.

First of all my family is my blessing. Coy is such a blessing. So calm and collected when I am ranting and raving about something or MORE LIKELY when I am obsessing over something.

The girls. Each is so special in their own way. I really don't even know where to start.

My extended family...my parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles....each has accepted Coy and I as we are and loved out girls unconditionally. That is a blessing. Being far away from each other, it's easy to overlook this. But trust me. IT is a blessing.

My friends and 'family' here in Eustace and Mabank. Wow. God has prepared some neat people to bless here. This includes our work family and church family. So many have taken us in and loved us. Thank you!

Some little blessings.......my couches that the girls cleaned....the feel of clean sheets on my bed when I slide in.....free books to read from the library....sweet tea....bath soap that smells good....an air conditioner that's working....a netbook that works!!!!!

I'm planning on a few more posts that highlights my blessings this summer.......stay tuned!

2 new recipes

2011-06-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

Saw this recipe and new I had to try it for the girls one night when Coy wasn't home to eat supper with us. Oh my goodness.......we all three loved this. I will be making this again--probably on a school board meeting night! I have seen this recipe all over the internet so I am not sure who to really give credit to. I'll go with The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond at Tasty Kitchen. I omitted the meat in ours and some of her spices...I personally thin kthe bowtie pasta is what mimics the lasagane noodles so well and make syou think you are eating lasagne.

BowTie Pasta
1 box bowtie pasts
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 small tub sour cream
2 cups grated mozz cheese
Italian seasonings

Cook bowtie pasta. Drain. Return to pot. Add other ingredients. (Can add cooked hamburger meat if you want). Stir. Heat on stovetop until cheese melts.

My other new recipe is really a chicken marinade. My friend and co worker Gina saw this on a Paula Deen episode and sade it was awesome, so I had to try it. Lots of sodium in it, so be ware! It is awesome though! I will use it alot this summer for grilling chicken! Super simple, too!

Chicken Marinade
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce

Marinat chicken in this at least 30 minutes before cooking, grilling, etc.

Happy summer!!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

2011-06-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

My measurements may be a little off in this recipe. I fed the family spaghetti and then tried this recipe with the leftovers. It was good!!! and not too difficult!!!

chicken breasts
italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
cooked spaghetti
spaghetti sauce
mozz cheese

Pam spray a baking dish. Preheat oven to 350.
Pat chicken dry then dip in eggs then bread crumb.
Place in pan and bake until chicken is done-depending on how much chicken about 30 mins at 350.
Take chicken out of baking dish and let rest on a plate.
Put cooked spaghetti n baking dish and pour sauce over. Put chicken back in pan. Heat in oven. When almost ready to eat, put mozz on top of chicken and heat til cheese melts.

Yummo!!!

Getting ready for summer !!!!!

2011-05-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's almost summer time!!!! We had a mini cookout today. Coy cooked and the girls had friends over. My girls are so blessed. They have good, quality friends. They pretty much wiped out a half gallon of bluebell!!!!(In their defense there were 5 of them!)

Ok, confession time....I have started watching Pawn Stars and American Pickers on television. I just can't believe some of the things these people bring in and actually want money for. It's a guilty pleasure....but I figure it's better than watching other things on television. You have to admit it IS interesting and better than watching those extreme couponers and feeling guilty when I go to the grocery store (even though I know I do not have 6-8 hours to devote to EVERY trip to the grocery store.)

I am almost finished at work.....almost!!!! Wednesday should be my last day if I get everything done. It'll be close ... and I will try.....we'll just have to see!!! I am starting to get excited. I love summers. I walk more, get to see friends I don't normally get to see, and try new recipes. I'm thinking about trying to let JoGail pick and try a dessert recipe every week. I don't know if she's quite ready for that yet--planning, making a list, etc. We'll probably try it and see how it turns out. Last summer the girls learned how to do their own laundry-and do most weeks. That has been such a blessing! I'm not sure what their life lesson will be this summer. Any suggestions???

It's been a year since we learned about Grace's illness. She's come so far! She is sleeping through the night now and is mostly having very good days. She absolutely can't miss her meds and we still have to remind her every night to take them, but we're making improvements. She hasn't had any side effects, which is a true blessing. She has summer workouts, finishing up spring league volleyball, and church camp this summer. Her church camp is M Fuge which focuses on mission activities.

JoGail is signed up for Pre AP classes next year. We have to let her try and you know, she is always one who performs when she is expected to, so we'll see. I'm suspecting it will be challenging but that's ok. I just can't believe my BABY is going to the middle school!!!!!!! Friday will be her last day at her beloved intermediate school!!!! She has volleyball camp and Fish Camp (Church camp) this summer. She absolutely loves church camp and feels like she is a pro at going! She's also going to do part of the summer workouts (the agility parts). She also gets to spend a few days with Jaci in a couple of weeks and she is SOOOO looking forward to that!

Coy has a lot to do this summer. He still doesn't know what the state legislature will do for its part of funding Eustace ISD, he's still in a holding pattern for completing his budget. That's one of the big things he accomplishes in the summer, so I know that's frustrating to him. He and I always talk about how he does more in the summer than the rest of the school year!!!!

We are going to celebrate our 17th anniversary in a couple of weeks. That just seems unbelievable to me. What seems even more unbelievable is that I love him more today than when we got married. Just amazing!!!!!

Blessings Are All Around Me

2011-05-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, all around me in little old Eustace Texas! Let's see.....I got to see JoGail perform in a talent show this morning...Alyssa sang and she did her version of sign langauge to the song "Mine" by Taylor Swift. In addition to seeing her perform I got to see and catch up a little with the best teachers in the state of Texas! Some of my dearest and best friends are still teaching there. I love how they make every kid feel important every day. Then I got to type some more reports! Now I finally realized that the blessing in this is that I got another one finished!!! I am slowly and I mean slowly eating the elephant called initial referral reports. Another blessing is that I am beginning to feel like the end of the school year is near. It's a good feeling. Then I was blessed by having a room full of friends to work with today! Almost every spot was taken by someone! We were all little worker bees, though. Not much chit chat today. A surprise blessing was Jayme making dips, cheese balls,. etc and bringing them to work! I love her corn dip....love, love , love it! Then I was blessed to be able to come home and cook supper (it's been awhile since we have been busy). They ate just about every bite, too....even more blessed to cook squash and zucchini from our garden! Coy blessed me with spending time with me. I cherish every minute we have alone and truly enjoy catching up with him. I had a headache coming, so I went outside and was blessed by the sunshine. I pulled weeds in the front flower bed....my blessing there was that they sure are easier to pull when the get tall and it has rained! Then I came in and JoGail wanted to cook. So we found a new recipe in a new cookbook from my Secret Sister at church -Philadelphia cream cheese recipes--and made cherries in the snow. It's sweet but good!!!! Now it's my turn to bless.....I 'm going to surprise Coy and get his attire ready for graduation on Saturday. Trust me, he'll be surprised it's done before Saturday morning! :)

Cherries in the Snow
from Philadelphia Cream Cheese Recipe Book
1 brick cream cheese room temperature-or microwave a little
1/2 cup sugar
1 small tub cool whip (Grace ate a bowl full of this, so I actually used a little less and it turned out ok)
1 can cherry pie filling--you can use others but you will have to change the name!

Beat cream cheese and sugar. Stir in cool whip. Place a little in a bowl and top with the pie filling.

Laurie

Saturday night!!!

2011-05-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today I feel.....very proud. Proud to be a BULLDOG!!!!! Just got in from the sports banquet. It was awesome watching the kids all dressed up.

I am thankful......I got a nap in today. Not sure what I am going to do next week when we have a teacher workday on Saturday! :(

Tomorrow I am....going to church and hopefully taking the MSAN (Mandatory Sunday afternoon nap)! Of course I have a gajillion other things to do, but church and the MSAN come first! :)

I am wearing..my marcy ladybug shirt! No shoes!!!!

I wish......it would just rain and rain and rain. No storms, though. Just rain! Unfortunately we have had storms lately. We came home from volleyball last night to the electricty being out due to storms. I went on to bed. Grace downloaded a flashlight app for her phone, so she stayed up awhile. JoGail had the crank flashlight and played with toys. It sure was dark! Made me really think about the days when there was no electricity. No tv. No fans. No lights. Just darkness. It was a good time to just BE STILL.

My schedule this week includes..one more banquet (the Top Ten Banquet....I know I'll cry at this one!), more volleyball, a school board meeting for Coy, Baccalaurate, and more volleyball. Oh and a workday at school on Saturday. Makes for a long week, but it is what it is....

I am reading.....another Lauraine Snelling book. This is a book of four Christiam romances back at the turn of the century in the Dakotas. The grasshoppes keep eating all their crops!

I laughed today....oh gosh, which time? Coy provides me with a reason to laugh amlost daily. His personality isn't wuite as straight and stiff as some people like to believe. He is full of one liners and keeps us girls laughing.

I am working on.....or rather should be working on......reports for work. So many to complete and so little time. I got quite a bit done this past week and hope this coming week is just as productive.
God really kept my distractions to a minimum and gave me the words to type.
Yesterday I.....celebrated Boss's week with the best friends anyone could ask for at work. We are truly a family in our department. We finally got to explain what CODFISH meant to our fearless leader!We had so much fun teasing her with clues all week. I am still impressed that we all kept it a secret all week!

I am hoping..that my girls know how much I love them. Yes, I love their accomplsihments, but even more I am proud of the personalities and love for God. Yes, Grace had the highest GPA and was selected as best all around girl.in her class. And JoGail won the sack race at field day. But even without this, I would love them as much as I do. They are precious!

I bet you didn't know..it's rare for me to be awake at 10 p.m. Acutally 9 p.m. I have always been a person who needed sleep and still am. I don't like to get up either. Just ask Coy. So I am neither a late night person or an early morning person. I have been that way as long as I can remember, too.

Have a good week!

Mama's Breakfast

2011-05-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

I generally take my breakfast to work and eat it there. I usually get there around 7:40 so I have time before 8:00. Since I am not a 'morning person', this gives me a little more time to wake up and get going before I eat. I have been making my own version of egg mcmuffins and taking them. Make a little egg omelet, take 1 piece of cheese and some ham. Sandwich between an egg muffin and microwave. Pretty good. But alas, I am tired of eating that. I am not my husband who has probably eaten the same thing for three years in a row, pretty much every morning. So I decided to try and make a recipe my mom used to make when we were growing up and travelling. She would make these things up and we would just eat them from the bag. I have no idea where she got the recipe. Take a package of sausage and brown it. While still in the pan, add in a jar of Old English Cheese. Stir til melted and well blended. Spoon onto English muffins. Refrigerate until ready to eat. She would cut them into small bite size pieces. So I went to the store to get the ingredients. Sausage-check, muffins-check. Old English was $3.84 a jar!!!!!! And that's that little itty bitty jar!!!!! So I opted for the $1.57 jar of cheese whiz......we'll see how they turn out! I told Coy it's amazing how the price of groceries has gone up. Just a simple box of spaghetti has gone from 89 cents a box to over two dollars a box! I am not a Wal-Mart fan.....at all.....but I am I am hoping I can save us some money this summer by ad comping. Maybe if I start in the summer when I have more free time I can get in the swing of it. I have tried couponing but there aren't many coupons for the things we use on a routine basis......turkey ground meat, spaghetti, ranch style beans, hungry jack biscuits, english muffins, etc....if you have any suggestions or tips, please feel free to leave me a comment. I need organizational tips.....any advice is appreciated!

I really should write an original post, but......

2011-04-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have typed ALL week at work and it just isn't in me!!!! So you get the template again......

Outside my window..it's 91 degrees. Severe storms are headed this way! We still need rain! The radar is colorful again tonight !

Today I feel.....pretty relaxed. Worked on school work this moirning and got a little of that out of the way.

I am thankful..my washing machine!!!Yes it is duct taped together, but it's still agoing!!!!

Tomorrow I am....going to church and hopefully taking the MSAN (Mandatory Sunday afternoon nap)!

I am wearing..UT t shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes!!!! Finally I am wearing shoes!

I wish......it would just rain and rain and rain. No storms, though. Just rain!

My schedule this week[end] includes..resting, making rotel chicken for lunch tomorrow, going to church and MSAN.

I am reading.....The Seeker. It's about the Shakers in Kentucky during the Civil War. Did you know that the Shakers believed there was a lady who was equal to Jesus? Yep, Mother Ann....Interesting. Also bought a Reader's Digest to read. I'll probably read all of that tonight!

I laughed today....while eating with the family. We really are quite a hoot if you just sit back and listen to us all. JoGail thought a sign we passed said Vetarinary Clink. Oh the joys of living with JoGail! Can't beleive she is going into the 6th grade!

I am working on..trying to figure out my menu for next weekend. My parents are coming!

Yesterday I.. worked and finished some reports at work. Had two meetings and worked on a ton of little things. TAKS testing is over, so now we just have the pack out! For those not in education, the pack out can be every bit as grueling as the actual testing. Everything has to go in specific boxes, in a specific order, using a specific amount of tape. It's also we were figure out if everyone got all the accommodations, etc they were supposed to.
I am hoping..that I always remember the fun times this little family of four has. I want to always remember our fun times!

I bet you didn't know..Rachel didn't get to go camping so she missed out on seeing the fields of blue!!!! Maybe next year! Here's another one.....every year I send the girls balloons, a coke, candy bar etc....on one day of their TAKS testing. (They get it at the end of the day) Just kind of a little reward for working so hard. Usually I make it and take it myself, but I ran short on time. So I went down to Memories of Elegance in Mabank and they did an awesome job! (Plus the price was right!!!!!) Thank you!!!!!!

Just a day in the life!

2011-04-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Outside my window..it's 91 degrees. Sever storms are headed this way! We still need rain! The radar is colorful tonight !

Today I feel.....happy. There's so much to be stressed about that I am just laughing at it all!

I am thankful..for my friends. The ones I work with! They will get me through this last month or so of school! The ones at work who keep me laughing and make me feel important. They appreciate (well some of them) that I am trying not to wear clothes that are too springy (or white on the bottom) until after Easter. I told them today it's cramping my style since I can't wear that until almost May this year!
Tomorrow I am....having meetings, testing a kiddo, and going to AWANAS tomorrow night.

I am wearing..grey shorts, lavendar shirt and NO SHOES!!!!

I wish..we didn't ahve taks testsing herr ein the great state of Texas. TAKS testing is the federally mandated testing that Texas administers every year. It's so much stress on the kids and it's just a one day snapshot of how a kid can really do. One day. If the kid heard mom and dad fighting all night and didn't sleep, got himself up and off to to school and didn't eat breakfast, he could blow it. Just seems we would be better off without it. I will be sure and tell the apporpriate people when they ask me, though.

My schedule this week[end] includes..Easter out to eat.....Easter church service....relaxing getting ready for teh TAKS testing week.....I have so many reports to write, so pray I can focus and get them done.
I need to start..walking. Enough said.
I am reading.....The Homeplace by Gilbert Morris. It the prequel to a book I read last month. I'm headed back to the library tomorrow. (Yeah!)

I laughed today....just visiting with Coy. I am so thankful for him. yeah, he's older but sometimes that experience helps me chagne my viewpoint. I just love him so much. He's a great provider for the family and keeps us all in check.

I am working on..paperwork so I Cna write reports next week during the downtime!
Yesterday I.. worked, went to a meeting at church and make Easter peep mests with GRACE!!!! Yes, I bribed her ot help me--she got all the leftover peeps!
I am hoping..JoGail finds out soon if she passed her reading and math TAKS tests. She is chomping at hte bit to know and is a little miffed that Grace was told already and she hasn't been told! She has bene praying hard that she passed and won't have to reatake them.

I bet you didn't know..II love Texas bluebonnets. I mean, absolutely love them. I am jealous of my friend Rachel going down to Central Texas this coming weekend because I KNOW she will get to see some gorgeous blue fields....She's from OK I have been trying to prepare her for how gorgeous it's going to be! Yes, I am turning green with envy.

Strawberry Jello Pie

2011-04-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Well most of you reading know how much of a Friday night partier I am (yeah right) so here are my plans for tonight......nada.....nothing....catch up reading blogs and go on to bed. I know-- you are surprised!!!! (NOT)

That medicine I took last night fro the hives really threw me for a loop. I slept for almost 12 hours and woke up in a fog. I don't think my brain woke up today until after lunch. Coy and Grace said the smoke alarms went off last night (they do when they get dust in them and we have to clean them out). I have no recollection of them going off.

Tomorrow Grace refs and we clean (again). This time we are cleaning floors and dusting in the living room. Come on over if you want!!!! Binky is accumulating cat hair everywhere right now. Right now my cleaning strategy is to clean on the weekends and then do as little as possible during the week. It works for us (most of the time!)

Tina brought jamablaya for lunch today and it was so good and so filling! It was chicken and sausage and really good!

I have taken the subtle hints (OK maybe not so subtle!) from God that I need to start counting carbs again to make sure my blood sugar is under control. I found a neat app for my phone that will log it and create graphs etc. We'll see if that makes it a little more fun. So anyway, I am going to commit to working on my carb intake. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist at Baylor in Dallas in May to wee what can be done about the two 'buffalo humps' on my neck and the hives. My initial feeling is that they are related to my blood sugar. but we'll see. I don't think the humps are dangerous, other than they are putting pressure on my spine and hurt.

I found this recipe in an old Taste of Home magazine. I'm sure there are all variations of this on the internet.

Strawberry Jello Pie

1 small box strawberry jello
1 cup boiling water
8 oz (1 brick) cream cheese at room temperature
8 oz whipped topping (like cool whip)
1 prepared shortbread crust (or graham cracker crust)

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Cut brick of cream cheese into chunks and mix with mixer with dissolved jello and water. Use a splatter guard if you have one because it will go everywhere! Fold in whipped topping and pour into crust. Refrigerate 2 hours before sesrving. (It will get firm)

Carb count for me ( I made me some without the crust)

Total carbs:
Jello                                19 carbs for whole box
Crean cheese                   3 for whole brick
Whipped topping            100 for entire tub

So, 122 for entire pie, if I ate it all by myself in one sitting. I am not and will not do that, so I figure there are 8 servings......so that's 15 carbs per serving and 6 servings would get me just 20 carbs---not bad for something satisfying and sweet.

I'm getting older!

2011-04-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

Sitting on the couch with my feet propped up! This has become my after supper ritual! I have been testing alot at work and let me tell you that just wears me out. I know, you would think we don't do that much while testing, but I think it just wears me down mentally. Actually y mind is going 90 to nothing from the moment I meet the kid.

I started itching on my arms this afternoon and looked down and sure enough there are hives coming. So I am taking some meds and heading to bed tonight. We had a long night (for us) last night since we attended the final running events of the district track meet. We saw some awesome races and had a good time catching up with friends. Of course, we sat on the brick wall (near the finish line), so my butt feels like it has bruises or something on it. You should have seen Coy keeping up with totals and figuring out all the possible scenarios.....those that really know him know what I am talking about. The varsity girls won for Eustace and the boys came in a close second! There are lots of Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs going on to regionals.

Coy emailed me the basketball schedule fro Grace this afternoon. Yikes!!! Do I really have a daughter going to high school next year? Plus my baby (and I mean BABY) is leaving the intermediate and going to the middle school!!!! Yikes!!!!!!!!

Grace had a flex day today and both of the girls have them tomorrow. I was wishing this morning I had flex days.......flex days is a program Eustace participates in through TEA. They are allowed so many "optional flex days" per year. The way Eustace uses them is for TAKS preparation (I think it's a reason their scores are so consistently good). THey plan theirs around TAKS testing and when they need more tie for the lower kids. There s criteria, like behavior, grades, attendance, etc, for a student to get the flex days off. If you get them off, you are basically counted present. If you don't you have to go and are counted absent if you don't go. EISD has participated in this for about 4 years and it seems to work well for both the students and teachers. Even if you earn a flex day you can still go to school that day for enrichment. (Ask JoGail-we've made her go just to get her AR points). Teachers seem to like it since, they get more one on one time with the kids who need it right before the testing.

Well, it's medicine time.....I guess that means I'm getting older!!!!!!!!

Taking a deep breath!

2011-04-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Outside my window..it's 87 degrees and we are waiting on thunderstorms. Hopefully we will all be asleep when they all roll through. We desperately need rain.

Today I feel.....relaxed. Ready to take on the challenges I have waiting for me at work.

I am thankful..for my family, especially Coy. Words cannot express how my love for him has grown. From someone I prayed for daily because I hated him so much to someone I cannot imagine living without. We didn't grow up together or even in the same generation for that matter, but we have created some special memories together. He takes care of me and loves me regardless of my flaws. He even eats my cooking every now and then! (just joking)

Tomorrow I am..working and making meat patties in gravy for supper. Laurie B's recipe!!!!!

I am wearing..navy shorts and a blue shirt. No shoes!!!!!

I wish..Stacia and I still lived close to one another. She would have my big butt out walking every day! I miss talking with her and Cathy. I know we can never go back to the way we were since we are all spread out, but I miss being myself with them. I thought of those two soo many times last week when I wore a lime green shirt. I felt like I was wearing lime sherbert all day! I could have told them that and they would have had a smart remark !

My schedule this week[end] includes..Not much! Pretty quiet week here. Coy has a board meeting Tuesday night, church Wednesday and that's about it. I suspect I'll be tired when I come home from work since I am planning to work with some kids this week. testing kids wears me out. i guess since the whole time they are testing I am trying to figure them out and what makes them tick.

Just side note that Grace did awesome at her track meet! I was so proud of the effort she put out. She was all smiles and that's what I love to see! We got in around 10:30 then she had to get up and go ref Saturday!

I need to start..remembering that God has made me an encourager and you can't do that if you're griping. Just sayin'!

I am reading..Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson. It was really good. It's a story about a prodigal sister and how hard it is to let the past be the past even when everyone involved has pure hearts and wants to let the past go. The sad part is that life doesn't usually involve both sides having a pure heart.

I laughed today....while talking with JoGail. She cracks me up and is a gift from God. She can lighten me heart up quickly. I also laughed when Grace picked on me. She's smiling so much these days!

I am working on..accepting that when God tells me he will will take care of something that he will. Doesn't mean I get to sit on my duff and do nothing, but rather I am to be still and listen to what he's guiding me to do.Being still and listening is sometimes the hardest part. Guess I am still working on that, too.....I tend to ramble on and on and on.....

Yesterday I.. cleaned house with JoGail. We did the laundry, grocery shopped, birthday shopped for Zoie and just generally cleaned the house together. I had so much fun with her.

I am hoping..I never forget how special my relationship with Coy is. He is so much more than I ever imagined, even the day I married him in the sweltering heat in a small Nazarene church in Buffalo Gap, TX. He is my best friend. His love for God has gotten stronger and stronger and I am so thankful. Our relationship continues to get better and stronger. I love him so much!

I bet you didn't know..I love barbeque chicken and my PawPaw Cole used to make the best. But my mom would also make it in the oven and I loved that and asked for it as my birthday meal for many years. I eat it over rice and with corn as a side. Nothing else--just BBQ chicken, BBQ sauce over the rice and corn on the side. Another thing my mom makes the best of is potato salad. Yes, potato salad. hers is the best and I really never even try anyone else's. My parents are coming to visit in May and I can't wait to eat some of her potato salad!!!!!!! Of course I can't wait to see them either! There's just something about sitting around the table or living room visiting with your parents and your kids. Ok I am going on and on now, so I guess it's time to close.

I have two specific unspoken prayer requests, please. Friends are hurting and our family needs to have the wisdom to know how to minister to them. One lives close and the other lives way far away. Both families have been crucial to our family as we have grown.. thank you!

Sunday night 4/2/2011

2011-04-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

Outside my window..it's 73 degrees. Supposed o have a cold front come through and the high tomorrow is 68. It's nighttime, so the stars are shining bright here in Texas!

Today I feel..... Puny. No other way to put it. Medicines are messing with me. Doctor is working on an appointment fro me to see the endocrinologist. Hopefully that doctor can give us some answers and direction. I have been praying fervently the whoever I get referred to will have the wisdom needed to help me feel good all the time.

I am thankful..my sister stopping by and visiting yesterday and Coy. He rubbed my neck tonight and it felt wonderful! I am also thankful I work with people I like. I know I say that a lot, but really the people I work with make it all better. ....afterall, we are a WOLFPACK!

Tomorrow I am..working like a mad woman at the office. Lots of reports to get caught up on. I will also be praying continuously for my duaghters who are taking their state mandated math test toorrow. Not sure what planet TEA way on when they decided to give a test on a MONDAY, but that's the way it is.

I am wearing..my most comfortable Marcy t shirt. It's huge. I love sleeping in it. Makes me think of her and reminds me that we never know how much tie we have here on earth. We have to make the most o our time here on earth. She sure did. Let many memories and smiles!

I wish..I was all caught up at work. I know, that may never happen, but still a girl can wish can't she? I also wish everyone could see how Coy organized the pantry. Came home from the grocery store and he was helping me put things up when HE decided it was time to reorganize. i wasn't particularly in the mood to do that at that specific moment, but I must admit it looks much neater. Who knew we had 8 cans of rotel????

My schedule this week[end] includes..Cheering my girls on as they take their reading and math tests. Then celebrating their finishing it on Tuesday by going to the movies (during the week, oh my) to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid II. Then we have the junior high district track meet on Friday. Haven't decided for sure if I am going, it's about two hours away and since it can't start till after school it will take all night! We'll just have to see. I'll probably go if I am not too puny or wimpy.

I need to start..walking in the afternoons. I want to be going good when our gang started meeting up to walk this summer at the track. It's an 'odd' group of ladies, but oh the stories we tell! It's ladies I rarely even see during the school year. What's said at the track stays at the track!

I am reading..mostly magazines. I am reading another Lauraine Snelling book as well. It's set in the civil war era and quite frankly it's hard to read. She spells like the slaves talk. I just finished a book called The Cradle. It was ok. Weird ending, but otherwise ok. It was short.

I laughed today....when we watched the Andy Griffith Show as a family. My girls are the only kids I know who thought Barney was Barney Fife, not the big purple dinosaur. I also laughed when we watched America's Funniest Videos.

I am working on..realizing the my husband and daughters have a special relationship. While it's not like the one I had with my dad, it's definitely a special one. Yes, I can tell the girls to put their clothes up or clean their rooms unti Li am blue in the face. But when he tells, they listen. Shopping with mom is also not like shopping with dad. Grace loves to clothes shop with Coy. I took her Easter dress shopping and all I heard was will daddy like it? So, they are planning on going Easter dress shopping next weekend, if time allows. I am coming to the realization that she will also want to prom dress shop with him as well. While it hurts me a little, I also realize how special it is between them.

Yesterday I.. went grocery shopping then the reorganizing of the pantry began. Then we stopped and went to Dallas in hopes of meeting Mike and Amanda. It didn't work out, but that's ok because we'll get to see them again soon. (plus we got to eat at Hook Line and Sinker!) Then I did a ton of laundry. (Like so many I am surprised my duct taped washing machine is still holding up!)

I am hoping..that the rest of the school year flies by. I am ready to start walking full time again!

I bet you didn't know..I rarely eat cake. Not sure why. I just don't. My family loves it when I make a double layer devil's food cake. (Probably their favorite dessert) But I don't even lick the bowl and never taste it.

Green Light Salad

2011-03-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is a salad I often forget about, but I love it ! I made some this weekend and it's good, even as a breakfast salad!

For those that read my last post. I got most of the things on my list done. I didn't get the work computer out though, I just had too much to do. I went nonstop yesterday! The garden is pretty much planted. Yes, Grace and I helped. I even got a little sun! We'll see how my allergies hold up! Plus I got a ton of stuff done on the inside of the house. Grace reffed most of the day. JoGail and Jaci played outside all afternoon. The weather was beautiful! Then the cold front came through and it was chilly today!

Church was wonderful this morning! It was senior adult day ( I think). We got to hear some interesting testimonies about what God is doing in some lives. So neat to hear those stories. I listened to them and thought about how much these people went through and yet God still USES them....

Ok, the Green Light Salad Recipe. I think I got this from a diabetic cookbook a long time ago.

Green Light Salad
1 small package green jello
1 small can chunk pineapple, drained
1 carton cottage cheese

Mix all together and refrigerate before serving!

A day in my life.....

2011-03-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

Saw this on another blog. She does it every week and I thought it was interesting. Hehehe For those that wonder what I' really doing and thinking......beware......I am honest with it!

Here's where I borrowed the template from....http://4evermom.blogspot.com/

Outside my window..it's 76 degrees. It was a beautiful spring day here-enjoyed a good walk in the sunshine to eat lunch today (We went to Shorty's, Rachel and we missed you! )

Today I feel..... Tired. I am very surprised I am even still awake! This first week back from spring break has been a booger bear and now there's 9 more weeks!

Tomorrow I am..cleaning out the fridge, doing laundry, and hopefully at least looking to see where I am at on my next report. Maybe, just maybe I will get a little more of it done.....I'm not holding my breath though !

I am wearing..an old USA shirt and gray shorts. No shoes. I am home and I am comfortable!

I wish..Some people would realize that when you hurt others you ultimately hurt yourself. Being mean gets you no where. Nice matters.

My schedule this week[end] includes..cleaning, laundrying and generally catching up on stuff and of course church. Grace is reffing Sat and then has a banquet at church Sat night. Jaci is coming over to spend time with JoGail. They'll be outside and upstairs!

I need to start..trying to figure out what in the world I am going to do with all the pictures I have in the computers. Yes, they are backed up on a external drive. I am trying to decide if I should just buy albums, get them printed and try to put them in some sort of order. Scrapbooking blows my mind and I have no where to really work on it. Any ideas???? Seriously I have been thinking about this for awhile......not sure what the best thing is.

I am reading..I actually just finished three (series) Lauraine Snelling books from the library. I went to he library after school and got another of her series. She's christian fiction writer and I really like her. Not sure what I am going to read when I finish all her books the library has.

I laughed today....when Beverly called me and asked me to put something at the beginning of the IEP goals because she has been studying the book of Phillipians in Sunday School and she has learned that they always put their names and title at the top of the scroll so people would know who wrote it. We are also studying it in Sunday School but are already behind (We started the new unit the first of March)...I think we are only to verse 8 or so......we're a slow learner group..... (work joke)

I am working on..trusting God He has told me not to stress about something and I am trying to just let him have it. I also read something on some blog today about a guy who was given the assignment by God to take three rocks up the mountain in a wagon. He stopped and visited on the way up and everyone asked him to take something up for them and the load was so heavy he couldn't make it. Made me wonder how much extra stuff I a carrying up the mountain......God only asked the man to take the three rocks....yet he ended up with a load he couldn't handle!

Yesterday I.. saw my baby sister and her family! And let me tell you she looks good!!!! Alex was as honory as ever, but I'll still take him! He did drive her here afterall!!!! I just have so much fun around her and her family. We visited, ate and took pictures. Then I sent her on to MawMaw's! I am jealous that she got to see Baby Joy though !

I am hoping..To keep enjoying my kids as they grow up. I am truly blessed with two unique individuals and love them both dearly.

I bet you didn't know..I don't watch many movies. I can't sit still and always irritate my family with questions because I just can't figure out why people would do or say certain things ! Just easier not to watch!

A family favorite...corn pone pie

2011-03-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the recipes for something different to fix tomorrow and realized my corn pone pie recipe isn't listed on the side bar!!!! Of all things!!!! On the first Monday back from spring break no less!!!!!!! So I knew that tired as I might be I have to get this recipe posted..Otherwise I would lay awake in bed and wish I had taken the time to post it. Not sure if this is what we will have tomorrow night or not, but I must get this posted.

This recipe is a family favorite. There is NEVER any crumbs left in the skillet. Sometimes JoGail and I put cheese on it, sometimes not. It's always good and always turns out! I always cook it in the cast iron skillet.

Corn Pone Pie

1 pound ground hamburger or turkey (I use turkey)
1 can rotel ( I drain this too)
1 drained can ranch style beans
1 package corn bread mix prepared or make you favorite cornbread

Preheat oven to directions on cornbread mix package. Mix hamburger, rotel and beans together. Put in skillet or oven proof dish. Pour prepared cornbread mix over all. Bake according to cornbread mix directions.

Laurie

Well...we got the tiller started but he's still not put on overalls!

2011-03-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hehe....girls are laughing . They so believe it can't be close to spring if Daddy hasn't put on his overalls to work in the yard! Right now they are out tilling and moving cut grass...windows are open to let the house air out.....chicken pot pie is in the oven....can't believe spring break is over and I didn't go more than 30 miles from my house!!!! Evan Grace said it was nice to just hang out at home! I know, we'll pay for it next week when we hit the ground running with school. work track meets, etc. But it sure has been nice. I'm very thankful God gives us times of rest.

I made this new recipe from Gooseberry patch for supper.....oh my gosh is all I have to say!!!!! They called it Easy Peasy Fruit Cobbler. It's in their Slow Cooker Recipes book. I like them on facebook and saw the recipe there and knew I had to try it! It really does say, bring on the spring.......and daddy's overalls!!!

Easy Peasy Fruit Cobbler
1 can biscuits
1 bag (16 oz) frozen fruit
1/2 cup sugar
cinnamon

Put frozen fruit in crockpot. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar. Lay biscuits on top. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of biscuits (I think cinnamon sugar would be great, too) . Cook on high for 3 hours.

I told you it was easy! And it smells good while it's cooking, too!

Smothered Pork Chops

2011-03-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Monday of spring break......got a little done today....finalized vacation plans....worked on taxes....went to the phone store with Coy (2 of them, bless my soul) and made an awesome supper! We had baked potatoes for lunch and they were soo good! I got was reminded about them from a friend here in Eustace and I am so glad I was reminded! Thanks, Lee Bobbitt!!!!

For supper I took some recipes off the Internet and thought about them. (insert picture of thinking man here) Then decided to try the Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup that Laurie Boerner introduced me to and some CCampbell's french onion soup. Bought some pork chops. I opted for boneless because I liked their thickness, but you could just a easily use bone in and get more flavor. I seared the chops in a cast iron skillet, then removed them from the pan. I sliced some onion, caramelized that a little then added the soups. And mushrooms because my family loves them. I cooked the soups down a little then added the chops back in and covered them with the gravy, and then baked at 325 for about 30-35 minutes.

While those cooked JoGail cut up some red potatoes and we seasoned them and roasted them in another cast iron skillet in the lower oven (I LOVE having two ovens). They were ready about the same time as the pork chops.

Speaking of JoGail, she made scrambled eggs for everyone for breakfast by herself! It's so wonderful having a junior cook in the house! She is learning about cleaning up after she cooks, slowly. She made some chocolate chip muffins in her cupcake maker for dessert for supper.

I must confess I am being a 'meany' to the girls right now. I didn't feel like reminding them all weekend to get their laundry done, so I said nothing. I am wondering when they will run out of underwear! hehehe Coy just told me there is a mound of laundry in their bathroom. Guess I best make sure all mine is caught up before they realize what they need to do !

And I entered Coy's broccoli slaw recipe in a gooseberry patch search for recipes for their cookbooks, so wish me luck! I love my Gooseberry patch cookbooks and have almost all of them. Having a recipe of HIS in their would make me a giddy......and you know how often that happens!

Three people.....Cathy K, Alex and last but not least--Melissa

2011-03-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! Day two of spring break and I haven't done ANYTHING that isn't absolutely necessary! I have finished 2 1/2 books, caught up on my googlereader reading and searched for new recipes. And i took a nap this afternoon. Tomorrow is the day it ends, though.....back to finishing the laundry (there's a load either in the dryer or washing machine, I can't even remember which, dusting, sweeping and mopping, and vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and maybe cleaning out some in the garage. Plus whatever Coy comes up with. He has told the girls they have to move rocks tomorrow, but we'll see. (He tells them to move them then has them move them back to the exact spot. I don't know why. They hate it and he loves it.) I DO see the girls point on this one, though! But this post is not about my to do list. It's about three special people celebrating something today, March 13.

First up is Cathy K. (notice I didn't even try to spell her last name....) She is the daughter of a very special person to me-Mrs. Yarbrough. Mrs. Yarbrough was an awesome lady and a true teacher. she was the elementary principal when Coy and I got married and moved to Evant. She was more than an elementary principal. She had done a little bit of everything in that school and touched so many lives. At that time Cathy was a first grade teacher in Hamilton, a little ways down the road. When they moved me from PE to 1st grade, it was Cathy's classroom i went to visit. She was organized and everything looked wonderful. Little did I know how inept I would be as a 1st grade teacher! But there was a goodto being to being in 1st grade that year. Cathy switched to teaching 2nd grade in Evant and was there to answer my MANY questions. Fortunately I was 'returned' to PE and Cathy and I grew even closer as her boys were naturals at sports and games. Cathy and I continued our friendship once we moved and she even came to visit me once! Cathy is the kind of friend I can tell anything to-any of my Laurie ways aer considered juts that and usually not offensive to her. She has always seemed to 'get me'. She remarried after we moved and I went back to her wedding. We don't always talk alot now. but I know I can count on her. (man, I miss that playground!) She is someone I can call in the middle of the night if I needed to and she and Mike would be here when I woke up the next morning. Happy Birthday, Cathy!

Ok, this next two come as as a pair, literally! Alex married my baby sister Melissa7 years ago this afternoon! Their wedding was one of the most beautiful I have ever been to. She looked beautiful, Alex looked stunning and Ben and John were just adorable! Alex and Melissa have been a true asset to our family.. They have stepped up when someone needed to, often at a cost to their family, both money and time wise. Their house is where Mom and dad go when they doctor appointments or generally need something. She is the most creative person I know and he is the most talented person I know. She can make anything and he can pretty much fix anything, especially things on a vehicle. I never will forget my shock when Marcy passed. I looked in their garage and there sat a hippy van. Yes, he was working on a hippy van at the time!!!! They have definitely been through some tough times-tougher than I want to go through and have come out stronger. They are two of teh most giving people I know. I never know when I'll find a box by the door from them. And let me tell ya it makes my day! Melissa has become a best friend over the years and I never would have thought would happen. I always have felt like I missed a lot of her and Mike growing up because I was away at college during their teen years. I am so thankful we have become great friends and someone each other can count on. She can make anything and organize and clean anything she can't make. She is so talented and special!!!!! I love you both and am very proud of you both!

Broccoli Cole Slaw

2011-03-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Oh my!!!! Coy has gotten into the kitchen this afternoon! He had this salad at work. He loves it and made it himself! I bet we make this alot this spring and summer! I think he got the recipe from Debbie Myers.

Broccoli ColeSlaw

1 bag broccoli cole slaw (from store-has shredded broccoli, carrots and red cabbage in it)
2 Tablespoons ranch dressing
1 avacado

Split avacado open and scoop out the insides. Mash in a bowl. Add ranch dressing and mix well. Stir into broccoli coleslaw.

Waffles

2011-03-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

HOO-WHEE ! This is my 301st post!!!!!!!! Spring break has sprung and so far it feels great! I stayed up to finish reading a book last night! JoGail wanted waffles this morning, so she found a recipe online and to the kitchen we went! They turned out really really good. It was a great way to start spring break!

Waffles
from allrecipes.com

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Beat egg together, add rest of wet ingredients.
Slowly mix in dry ingredients-be careful not to over mix.
Cook in waffle iron.

I finished my menu planning (finally) for the coming week. I'm cooking up some favorites and some new recipes. So Coy and I will go to the grocery store this morning and hopefully get everything we need for the week. I soooo do not want to go back to the store!

It's a beautiful day here, so I'm getting outside this afternoon.....maybe....if I'm not napping!

Jane and Jodie's Pulled Pork

2011-02-27T13:20:00.001-08:00

I have been reading for a LONG time on the Internet about people raving about pulled pork. I wasn't even sure what it was. Then somehow we got to talking about it the other day in the office and Jand and Jodie told me how they make it. I kind of took their two recipe and combined it into one. I cooked it in the crock pot most of yesterday and then on low this morning while we were at Sunday School and church. It was sooo good! I'm already thinking this will be a great summertime recipe. Cook the pork, get some buns, baked beans and chips and you've got an easy meal! It wasn't too expensive, either. I got a larger than usual pork butt (it was the smallest the store had (4 pounds), so we will get two meals out of it. it would take at least a 2.5 pound one to feed our family of four. The pork was about $10 and everything else totalled about $6. So it still came out as a pretty cheap meal-especially when you consider the leftovers. Grace said she can't wait to put the meat in a tortilla and eat it as a wrap! Even though I liked it, when we go out to eat BBQ, I don't know that I could get myself to order pork instead of beef!

Jane and Jodie's Pulled Pork

1 pork butt (at least 2.5 pounds)
1 large jar BBQ sauce (I used the kind with chipolte in it)
1/2 20 ounce bottle Coke (Jodie uses a whole bottle)

Throw in crock pot and cook 6-8 hours or until pork tests done. When you lift the meat out of the pot, it will literally shred, so be careful and be ready!

Enjoy!

Beef tips (sort of ) over noodles

2011-02-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

It has been beautiful weather here! Sort of overcast but highs in the low 70's.....I cleaned out my closet and did chores around the house yesterday then cooked for lunch today. With both girls not wanting to play soccer this season, looks like more easy Saturdays may be in my future once we get finished with JoGail's basketball season! I can't wait!!!! Looks like her tournament is the weekend of March 5, so bring on the spring! Maybe we will be able to get some day trips in as a family, too! We've been wanting to do that more.

I need advice.....we are looking into Florida and Disneyworld for our vacation. Where do I go to look for great discounts, etc? We've always said we wold take the girls when they were about this age, so that time is coming-either this summer or next. We just don't know where to start! Any websites, books, etc would be appreciated!

Making Laurie B' s beef patties in gravy got me to thinking.....why not try something like that with cheap round steak bites? I'm really not sure if I used cheap round steak or not, but it was a cheap package of meat labeled steak strips. Not much fat. I browned that.Started cooking the noodles. Put the rolls in the oven. Added my soups, then let that simmer while everything finished. It was delicious and brought back memories of my mom cooking. (Yes I had to taste the gravy with a piece of white bread!) It was truly remarkable for me because I have such difficulty making gravy.....I couldn't find the beefy mushroom soup, but I improvised. I will definitely stock up on the beefy mushroom soup when I go to Wal mart, since that's about the only place I can find it around here! :(

Beef tips over noodles

1 package of egg noodles-cook while making beef tips
1 package cheap cut of meat (about a pound and a half ) I used steak strips
2 cans french onion soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup with garlic
1 teaspoon oil
1 small can mushrooms-my girls love mushrooms

Put oil in skillet and turn stove on high. Cut meat into bite size pieces and put into the pan. Sear on both sides, turn heat down. Add soups and stir well. Let simmer while noodles cook. Serve over noodles and with bread and a vegetable. I bet this would also be great over rice, too!

The whole meal for my family of four cost around ten dollars and we were all satisfied and full. Oh I forgot...we had butter cake with chocolate icing for dessert! Just a plain old 13x9 cake!

~Laurie

Laurie's B's hamburger patties and gravy

2011-02-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's been a long day.....L-O-N-G day! We started with an early basketball game in Teague-I tried to work on work stuff in the truck on the way.....I finally gave up I swear Coy was trying to hit every pothole he could just to see me grab all the papers! Then we came home, watched a movie (I finished up some reports) then went to JoGail's game in Scurry Rosser and ate at KFC /Taco Bell. That chicken was soo good. I was ready for some good fried chicken!!!!

Here's recipe I tried this week and and WILL definitely be making again. Laurie B gave me the recipe and I think she got it from her mother. It's really good, especially served over mashed potatoes. I mean really really good! I will definitely be stocking my pantry with Campbell's Beefy Mushroom Soup!

6 hamburger patties-either premade or homemade, which ever you prefer
2 cans Campbell's Beefy Mushroom soup
1 onion cut into rings
Either fresh or drained canned mushrooms (my addition for my mushroom loving family)

Fry your patties in a skillet. Don't cook all the way through. (They'll cook some more later)
Drain your patties on plate. Wipe your skillet out with a paper towel. Get most of the junk out.
Fry your onions in the remaining junk. Put the patties back in the skillet. Cook over med low. Add mushrooms and the 2 cans of soup. Note: Do not add water to this or the gravy will be watery.Cook until patties are cooked through and everything is hot!!! Awesome over mashed potatoes and probably just as awesome over cooked noodles!!!!

Thank you Laurie B! And if you have never checked out her website, it's amazing what that lady can paint!!! Check out her website Laurie Cole Designs . What's really cool about Laurie is not only do we have the same first name spelled the same way, but her mother's (I think) maiden name was Cole which was my maiden name! She use to work at the administration office in Eustace until she started full time. She's an awesome person and a truly talented artist!

Enjoy, Laurie

Taco soup

2011-02-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

AAAhhhhhhh Taco Soup!!! I took several recipes and created my own. Well, it may be someone else's but if it is, I don' t know it! I'm glad I made a big ol' pot last night. We go a snow day today, so we had it for lunch with cornbread. It really hit the spot! There's maybe enough for 1 person to have leftovers for supper, so I would say it was a hit!

Taco Soup

1 can chili beans, drained
1 large can pinto beans, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can green chilis, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can rotel
1 package ground turkey meat
1 small can tomato paste
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 package taco seasoning
4 cups water

Brown ground turkey in bottom of soup pot. While doing this, drain the first 5 ingredients in a strainer. I have a large one, so I just throw them in all in at the same time. After meat is browned, add first 5 ingredients. Add rotel and green chilis. Add seasoning packets-and stir well. Then add the tomato paste and water. Let simmer to heated through. As with most soups, it is significantly better the next day! It is great topped with some shredded cheese. Coy loves it with cornbread baked in his Grandma's pan.

I'm not sure what we're having for supper as this was supposed to be supper, so we'll have to see!

Laurie

Finally a new recipe!!!

2011-01-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

I think I'm about to whip this strep throat for good (we'll see!!!). I am feeling much better today. I didn't sleep well last night, but since I was up I was able to take some extra medicine. JoGail has had it too, but trust me when I tell you it's not the same for an 11 year old as it is for a 40 year old! Neither one ever had the high fever, and JoGail's throat never really hurt. I actually took her in folr her ear ache that has been coming and going for about a week. theresa (nurse) looked in ehr throat and said, "Oh my!". I had never even thought to look into her throat-because her ear hurt-off and own! He said the ear ache was from the swelling.

The youth's production of 'The Choir" has gone well! It's amazing how well these kids do and most (if any) of them don't particiapte in drama calss at the school! It's been a lot of hard work, though. The ladies have done an awesome job of cooking the dinner. I was able to help Wednesday nigth a little and hope to go help clean up tonight. I'm also going to take pictures tonight. from everything I have read i am no longer contagious.....

Ok, on to the recipe......I remembered reading a recipe that had bacon, brown sugar adn chicken in it. Couldn't find it. So I googled it and came up with this! It is scrumptious and would be great at a Super Bowl party!

I just used what bacon adn chicken I had to make enough for me I didn't really measure how much. Here's where you can get the recipe.....it's good! I lined my pan with foil and sprayed it with pam for eay cleanup.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/sweet-chicken-bacon-wraps-recipe/index.html

Enjoy!

Laurie

Someday!!!

2011-01-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Someday I'm gong to do this to Coy and watch him spin into orbit!!! His reaction would probably have a little more volume! Nah--I could never do that to the man who loves me as I am flaws and all, puts up with me and makes me grow even when I don't want to! It's still funny though!!! :)

Tiger Mothers

2011-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know......I have been thinking it too.....I need to change the name of this blog. I'm thinking something like the ramblings of a crazy mom or something like that....But on to today's thoughts.

Have you been hearing about this book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" ? Here's a brief synopsis from the NPR website.

Strict, uncompromising values and discipline are what makes children raised by Chinese parents successful. That's the message in a new parenting book by Yale Law Professor Amy Chua. "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," is based on Chua's personal experiences has raised questions about whether the book reinforces stereotypes of the unsparing Asian parent.

Well, I just want to weigh in on my thoughts. Neither the traditional Chinese or western style of parenting is best for every kid. Raising a child with respect and love does. That being said, I am fairly certain the Bible gives instruction to teaching the child self discipline and reprimanding the child when necessary.

The traditional Chinese style of parenting (Tiger parenting), from what I have read is very strict. No fun things, such as friends over or speepovers. Hours and hours of daily music practice. Extra homework assigned by parents especially in the fields of math and science. No sports. From what I have read traditional Chinese parenting involves berating the children, making them feel 'barbarian' when the do not comply with expectedness. Being number one in music and Math is a top priority.

Western style of parenting involves sleepovers, birthday parties, laying around in pjs all weekend, no set practice times, letting the child basically do what ever he wants. Sports are allowed. As well as trips to the movies and other social events with friends.

After some thought, here's where I think I fit in...

Tiger: My kids have chores. They do their own laundry. :) They load the dishwasher EVERY time. They take care of the cat. They take care of their rooms and their bathroom. They do their homework every day and Coy may or may not add extra for every subject. (Depend on whether or not he believes they understand the concept in the homework.) Math is a priority in this family-mainly because Coy loves it. Grace loves it and so does JoGail. (I am the oddball out here, folks) The girls have limits-both behaviorally and academically. They are reminded when they cross over the line.

Western: We have simple birthday parties. We have sleepovers and watch movies. And play the Wii. We place alot of emphasis on our faith but remind that girls that faith without works (or practice) is not always the best idea. We do fun things as a family-watching old reruns of Family Ties, for example. When the girls cross the acceptable/unacceptable lines, we let them know. Sometimes harshly and sometimes gently. They do not get their way ALL the time.

No, I don't know how my girls will 'turn out' yet. But I do know we are trying to parent them with love and respect. Respect for who they are and what they enjoy.

Words

2011-01-21T19:19:00.000-08:00

Words.

I have been thinking about the lately. Bare with me, here. I am nerdy, but I'll get to my point eventually.

I just finished reading a Christian library book called Listen. I don't remember who wrote it. But it was about the small town where someone starts recording private conversations (such as conversations in the home, etc) and posting them word fro word on the Internet. Yes, you guessed it, things that weren't mean to for face to face conversations suddenly were face to face. People began arguing and fussing and then you realize it's a teenage boy doing it. The message of the fiction book is that words are powerful.

Some bloggers I know choose a word to live by during the year. I have seen someone who chose the word Breathe. Someone I know chose downsize and yet another chose the word NO. (I thought that was interesting-she's planning on saying no to all the extra stuff she does.) I think I have decided on my word....intentional. I will do things intentionally. I will intentionally improve my health. I will intentionally spend more time with Coy. You guys are just going to have to remind me of my word!!!!

Have a good weekend. I am intentionlly going to rest!
Laurie

Send me a certificate!!!!

2011-01-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

OK, I am feeling better. Much better. First completely good day I have had in about 6 weeks. Feeling better and feeling like I can tackle weight loss again. Time to flush out all the toxins and stuff in me and get back on the wagon so to speak..I would like to give a big shout out to my sister who is working out every day and eating healthier!!! Yeah Missy!!!! And another shout out to Leigh Ann!!! You go, girl!!!!!!

I have to remember two things, though.

1. It's a day to day thing. Period. no way around it. One bite at a time. I have a really really cool food journal and need to start using it. I know, if I bite it I must write it.

2. No PPMP. Otherwise known as poor pathetic me parties. This one may take me awhile to incorporate, but I think it's totally necessary. Those parties lead to poor eating choices.

Yes, I am still in the planning, or thought stage of this. I need to advance on, but the next stage is actually doing something, so........I'm just gonna have to set a date and go for it.

I haev done these things so far:

1. Drank more water. All I drink at work.

2. Eat a piece of fruit a day.

3. Eaten more protein.

Ok, enough of that, (see- my attention to this matter doesn't last long)......

I was reading the red sometime this past weekend and am at the part in Matthew where Jesus says to lay your burdens on Him and he will give your rest. For his way of carrying a burden is not heavy. Now, I just read that this weekend. Then it was a memory verse on another blog I read. Then I found some cards with verses and thsi was on it. I'm beginning to wonder if : a) I am carrying a heavy a burden, b) God is preparing me for something or c) God wants me to tell others to do this. If it's choice a, then I am not sure what it is at this point. I am balanced (I think) right now. Work is sitll there. Work is busy but I haven't worked at home much this school year. Home is good. Lots of good things happeneing around here and seeing more and more smiles every day. Every day is a battle....a chance to win. Maybe it's choice b-Maybe is God is instilling it in me for something I am going to face in the future...like I tell the girls. God made a certain way for His reasons. He will use me. Or maybe it's choice c-maybe I ahve soem friend swho need to be gnetly reminded about this. Maybe their burdens are too great right now. Got any other ideas? Maybe a choice d that I haven't thoguht of?

PS--Send me a certificate!!! I just did a spell check and didn't have anythign pop up! Wait, did I do it right???? never mind, it's evidently not working properly tonight....:(

WOW!!!!

2011-01-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

We almost made the food budget this week.....almost.......it was a valiant effort, though!

JoGail has some friends over tonight to celebrate her birthday. Thank goodness we have an upstairs! they giggle like crazy. I love it but can only handle so much, not being a 'giggler' myself! She just came down and apparently they have been 'making each other over' with her new makeup from her Aunt Missy!!!! The girls are really good girls and were a hoot to take out to eat! The Sharp Shooters (JoGail's basketball team) played well. You can literally see them improving every game they play. Coy and I both agree they are beginning to 'see' things on the court. JoGail actually got to shoot a free throw......enough said about that! Grace had a student council lock in at the school last night. Then she came home and slept a little before heading to the church for drama practice. They were going to rehearse then get into costume/makeup and go out to eat in Tyler. I bet that was funny. The play is set in the 50's so, I KNOW they stood out! I can't wait to hear her stories. She may be to tired to tell them tonight, though!

I am working on reading the red in the Bible. Trying to let God speak to me as I read it. Interesting order things happened in according to Matthew. then I noted that when Jesus sent his disciples out he gave specific directions. Not what the disciples wanted to do, not what was easiest, but specific directions. Leads me to think God still works that way. But how many times have I tried to follow my own directions instead of His way??? Makes me wonder......then I found it interesting that Jesus says he has come to be the sword, not to bring peace.....so why do I keep thinking my christian walk will be easy???He says right there that it won't be....just some thoughts.....kind of slapping myself on some things....also, I keep reading that Jesus tells people to go and not tell others what he has done and yet that's exactly what they did....I'm not understanding why he didn't want others to know. I'm sure it had to do with the legal people and all their laws. But why does he specifically keep saying that????

I'm looking forward to Sunday school tomorrow-after missing last week. We have a great group of people who get together and learn about the Word. I believe we are in I Kings. You know I took an Old testament class in college and some of that has come back to me. But it's interesting--the stories. The history. Looking at the maps and figuring out he wheres and whys in interesting. One thing is for certain....My God is not boring!

I am 40!

2011-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

What wonderful follow up day to my birthday!
Yesterday was so special and will be a a day I remember. Friends, you made it rock! from the decorations to the chocolate cake with snickers filling to the oatmeal butterscotch cookies, it was a great day! Mom and dad got me a new book Karen Kingsbury book book to curl up with (one I hadn't read!!). I can't wait for this weekend! I don't remember ever getting flowers for my birthday but I did this year. They are still gorgeous and I could actually smell them a little this morning when I went in! I just can't explain how great my day was thanks to all my friends! (And daughters who both made me something homemade and from the heart!!!) Coy had some surprises for me too, which I can't wait to use!

No, 40 doesn't feel any different. Other than I am reminded of how blessed I am to have cool friends who take me as I am, fluff, emotions, and all and just love me. Sounds simple, but trust me, it can be hard at times! They have been with me through alot and I'm quite certain God has more adventures planned!

I sat in the doctor's office with JoGail (getting her first allergy shots) this afternoon and planned my menus to make the money stretch. Sometime I need to inventory my freezer-see EXACTLY what it is we have in there and if it's still edible.....maybe when it warms up a little. It's been too cold here to even go get something out of the freezer in the garage. Tonight was gumbo-with brown rice. They ate almost the whole pot. Glad they left a little so we can have leftovers Thursday night when we come in from Grace's basketball game. Hard for me to believe she will be a 9th grader next year. (I'm sure you'll hear more about that as it gets closer and closer to actually happening....)

I wrote a comment on a friend's blog, ok, an older friend's blog , ok the guy who married me and Coy...tonight that it is sometimes harder to be served than it is to be served. Not sure where I came up with ort hat, but I think it's really true in my life. Sometimes I have to tell myself that it's ok for someone to 'serve' me. Whether it's by making a nice compliment or helping me with something. That's ok. And looking back on my 40th birthday it can even be a little fun! Just something to think about...

By the way, Bev, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! And thanks for the Tea Room thing...........maybe we can go together sometime and I can 'buy' you lunch!

Time to eat out of the pantry again

2011-01-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's time to eat out of the pantry again.... January is a LONG payday month in this house....2 birthdays!!!! Plus it's always good to eat what you have in the pantry. I stocked up on Lean Cuisine meals for my lunch....hard to beat when they are but one get one for a penny. So hopefully that's do me up for lunch at work. Breakfasts are no brainers around here. The girls usually grab cereal or sometimes eat at school. I used to make hot breakfasts but it got to where they wer eating lunch at 10:30 at school, so we cut back to cereal/muffins, etc and it has stuck. We are normally not big breakfast eaters around here, so it's not that big of a deal. Cheerios is usually Grace's cereal of choice and JoGail likes Special K, so there's not a lot of sugar in those. Coy eats his same old same old oatmeal-which he take to his office to eat since he gets there at the crack of dawn. I have started back to eating the oatmeal. I prefer a quick wheat sandwich, but I am trying. So after the girls eat lunch at school, that just leaves supper. I try to cook and love picking and choosing recipes. But the time has come once again to ditch the cookbooks and eat what we have! So here we go. I made a pot of vegetable soup and a pot of gumbo yesterday so that should get us to maybe Tuesday. Then I have also scheduled a leftover turkey pot pie. Oh and i also 'stocked up' on progresso soups since they were get but one get one for a penny. So we may be having lots of soup and sandwich nights! But I know I have chicken, some beef, stuff for spaghetti, stuff for shepherd's pie and stuff for more corn pone pie already in the pantry/freezer. So my goal is to not spend over $40.00 at the grocery store this week -or next week. We are ok as far as staples go, detergents, etc. So we should be ok. We have some fresh fruit right now, so that can work as sweets. Plus I made choc. chip cookies this afernoon. We just have to eat what we have.

Side note--a little extra-isn't that how God works? He wants us to use what we have? Not what we want or wish we had? Something to think about........

I'll probably be posting just to let you know how we are doing on this little adventure....

Suppers
Veg Soup
Gumbo
Shrimp
Turkey pot pie

Snacks
Cutie clementines
choc chip cookies (while they last)
Choc chip or blueberry muffins (whichever JG makes)

Reading the Red

2011-01-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am reading the red in my Bible. I have reread the beatitudes and the Lord's prayer. It is easy for me to forget the beatitudes! I find it interesting that Matthew's order of events is that Jesus was born , then he talked about how to treat others, then he gathered his disciples and then he did the miracles. Not exactly the order I would have put it all together in. But I think there's a point here. How we treat others in life is IMPORTANT. In fact, I would tend to think it is very important in the Bible. I know this is an area I need to work on. Not only does that imply that we need to be 'nice' to others but also that we need to be honest with others. If someone is being a jerk or whatever, we are to go to that person in secret and tell them. I know I would want someone to tell me. I may feel slapped for awhile but ultimately it may make me a better person. I can think of people in my life who have done this for me. And I have treasured their friendships ever since. It also talks about talking about not talking about others which is something that is extremely hard for me not to do. Sometimes I can just get so opinionated! And of course I can solve all the world's problems as well!!!!! There seems to be a fine line between knowing when to say something and when not to. I have gleaned from reading that you must be in tune with your heart and God working in your life to know the difference. I' m beginning to get into the miracles sections.

Today we slept in!!!! Yeah!! All the way to 8:00!!!!! Those two extra hours of sleep feel good! I am cooking and cleaning today and then we have JoGail's EASA basketball game (first one of the season so it should be interesting!). I am cooking up some gumbo and soup to prepare for the cold weather we are supposed to be getting. I love it when it's cold and I can just come home heat up a pot of soup or gumbo and supper's ready! Better get off the computer and get started!!! Have a great day!

Well, well, well....

2011-01-03T18:27:00.000-08:00

I made it back to work! Got to see Tina, Gina, Jayme, Bob, Tabitha, Traci, Pat and Rachel!! I know you have heard me say it before, but I love people I work with. Some of us have been together the whole 7 years I have been there....others have joined our little party as the time has progressed.

I decided to work on reading the red writing in the Bible. But I am cheating, a little. I am using a Bible my Dad gave me. A friend gave it to him. It's a simple to read version of the Bible. It was translated specifically for the Alaskan Eskimos and has simplified written vocabulary. I mean, really simplified vocabulary. It helps! That is probably one of my two most treasured Bibles. I don't even know if it i still in print. I know it's never been made in to a hardback. My other treasured Bible is one my parents got me in college. It has my maiden name on it and tons of stuff written all in it. Coy asked me if I wanted a new Bible the other day and I told him no. This one has EVERYTHING written down it. (including how he and I figured up how old we would be when we could retire :) I just can't imagine starting over. There's many a 'Laurie' story written in that grey Bible.

I have been thinking about resolutions, goals, whatever you call them....and here's some of mine....

1. Gain 5 pounds. Hey, it's gonna happen. I might as well set it as a goal so I at least reach one!
2. Get up before I have to 2 out 5 school days a week, with the accommodations of Coy telling me to get up, the alarm going off, a light being turned on and Coy reminding me to get up or I will be late. Yep, another struggle here. I hit the alarm twice this morning and I didn't have to make sure the girls got to school on time. I am just not an early morning person!
3. Eat more protein. I think I crave protein, so I'm going ot eat more. Take tonight, I made broiled tilapia. I took it out of the oven and went to get Grace from play practice at the church. Came home. Coy had his plate, JoGail had her plate. Grace made her plate and there was NONE left. Oh well, maybe tomorrow night--I think it's going to be Manwich night. (ballgame night)
4. Walk at least a mile every week. That would be 53 miles in a year. I would really like to walk/jog a 5K but I don't know about that. See, I asked for some tennis shoes for Christmas. Well, you know Coy is-had to go above and beyond, so I m now the new owner of a pair of Reebok Easy Toners. That's right, the tennis shoes that kill your calves. Seriously I wore than for 10 minutes one day and the next day I could barely move my legs. I did wear them all day to day at work, so I must be getting used to them. (Just so you know, I opted not to read into WHY he thought I need that particular pair of shoes.)
5. Read the Bible more and depend less on other's interpretations. For example, I read some online scripture blogs. One calculated the age of Joseph when Esau stole his inheritance. According to her calculations, he was 91. That's not the age I remember coloring and the girls coloring when they colored the pictures of the coat of many colors!
6. Memorize scripture with the girls. JoGail and I have already started. I Peter 3:3-4.Look it up you'll know why it's mine and hers! I am searching for a good one for me and Grace. I also want to continue praying with them on the way to school. No radio, just praying. Talking to God. Hey, it keeps them from fighting over the radio! :)
7. Continue on the path of being part of the solution and not part of the problem. This means speaking up about some things and shutting up about other things! Funny thing, I was telling Gace just yesterday that sometimes you just have to shut up and apply some elbow grease! Family story time. When my grandmother ( MawMaw Cole) married my granddad (PawPaw) she went to the general store looking for some 'elbow grease.' She was still embarrassed about it when she told me the story a couple of years ago!

Well, that's all the resolutions, goals, whatever I can come up with tonight! If you come up with one you think I should consider, leave a comment.....I might think about it!
:)

Laurie

Celebration of Life......

2010-12-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

I read blogs on my home computer whenever I can. Just tonight I was reading one and Coy asked me a question and I didn't even realize he was talking to me! It's like when I get caught up in a good book.....anyways, I am getting sidetracked here...I read this blog daily and it got me to thinking http://scripturedig.com/2010/12/28/what-should-i-do-with-jesus/

Really thinking. Should I dig him out the box and place Baby Jesus somewhere to see him everyday? I have several.....I mean several. Since I am not a clutter person, I decided against that. Besides I would spend hours looking for him next Christmas when He would be right under my nose (but isn't that how HE works???) What if I celebrated his earthly life between now and Good Friday? What if I devoted those months to reading the red passages in the new testament? Kind of like a Celebration of Life????

Any thoughts????

I'm still thinking....I need more thoughts...help!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

Ok I have missed a couple days of blogging! Things have been busy around here. Grammy and PawPaw arrived and the fun began! Looking at the lights in Athens, Christmas Eve big breakfast (prepared by PawPaw and JoGail), decorating popcorn balls, playing Pokemon, Christmas Eve service at church, Pizza Hut , then opening presents before waiting on Santa to arrive. Yes, we still track him on NORAD. I do believe my 14 year old was just as excited as my 10 year old, too! The reindeer were fed and cookies were left out! Christmas morning was relaxing as gifts were played with and nerf bullets were flying everywhere. Lunch was served around 11:30 and was very good. I introduced mom and dad to homemade cranberry sauce and I do think they liked it a little bit! Mom and Dad left headed for Abilene this morning while we headed to Keller to spend the day with Coy's family. Lots of great food and games were on the agenda. If we only knew the rules of the games we were playing we would have been set to go! It was a fun day!

Tomorrow I get back to straightening the house and checking things off the to do list.

One word best describes this Christmas. Relaxing. No stress no high expectations, just plain old good fun with out families. JoGail said her favorite thing about this Christmas was playing Pokemom with Grammy and PawPaw. Grace said hers was decorating the popcorn balls with Grammy and PawPaw. It's hard to beat spending good quality time with your grandkids!!!!

Day 2 of Christmas Vacation

2010-12-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

Wow!!!! I am tired!!! Seems I have been the energizer bunny and just been going and going these last two days.....And yes, I woke up early again today!!!! Seems the older I get the harder it is to sleep past 7:30!!! I try not to take naps....which hasn't been a problem these past two days because I have been busy.

This morning JoGail and I finished the truffles.....once we 'found' the box of chocolate I 'hid'. Ok, I misplaced...actually I had no idea where I placed it...and no idea why I put it in Grace's room....of all places...any ways, we found it, unopened and finished the truffles.....and let me tell ya, they are good! My sister sent the recipe...chocolate and cream cheese...yummy!!! But I must admit they I am not a chocolate dipper!!!! truffle recipe

Then we completed the gingerbread house....doesn't look too bad. Maybe I can get pictures posted tomorrow. I just love watching the girls work together. JoGail drew the designs on then Grace came behind and 'decorated'. Then JoGail just took over everything! I don't think Grace minded, either....

Took Grace to the family doctor today. Yes, she probably popped her shoulder partially out of place in that basketball game about a week ago. She has some exercises to do to try and strengthen it. Her wrist-no broken bones, but the dr could hear the synnovial fluid (or something like that) 'grinding', so he ordered an MRI. Not sure what's going on there, but he thought something was. Her leg-she has a lipoma (fatty tissue). We are just going to watch it and see what happens. If it starts calcifying we will have to have it removed but it's not hurting anything right now. Took the doc less than 20 minutes for all that...I felt like we got a little bit better of a deal since she had three things wrong today, though!

It was warm here today! Grace and I wore shorts! While we were gone JoGail and Coy worked outside and finally threw the16 watermelons left in the garden to the cows. They never ripened, so we had just left them there. They saved two of the biggest for us to try and cut open . I keep telling him they won't be ripe, but we'll see! Just going to make a sticky mess if you ask me....which he didn't! hummmmph

We had rotel chicken for supper. Again, a nice quick easy supper.....just throw some chicken in a pan with a can of rotel and some taco seasoning and bake. Grace requested it. She likes it rolled up in a tortilla.JoGail just likes to eat it as is.

Tomorrow I'm making a big pot of soup....warm weather or not! It's for Thursday night when my folks are here. That's one thing I cook that rivals my mom's....vegetable soup. Plus I start cooking for Christmas Day and for Coy's family get together.....making cranberry jalapeno relish and Jalapeno tree's green sauce...I am so thankful for my food processor!!!! plus we are cleaning the house....as in mopping, etc. Not the girl's favorite thing to do (or mine for that matter) bu it must be done.....or so I am told.... :) Oh and did I mention Aaron is coming over to watch a movie tomorrow afternoon?????

Remember when I said I was trying to have a Mary Christmas ( as in the Mary and Martha story in the Bible)? I think I am. I suspect it will get harder as Christmas gets closer, but I am working on it! While I have been busy, it has not been stressful. It's been nice. It's been enjoyable to be around the girls and Coy. (Even if we have watched upteen recorded episodes of Star Trek and Phineas and Ferb).

Have a blessed night!

Tater Tot Casserole and Christmas Break!

2010-12-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Made this tonight for supper. It's been a long time since I have made this. The girls literally devoured it! It was so simple and yet so good!

We have had a good first day of Christmas vacation. Coy took Grace to her dr. visit in Dallas, so JoGail and I bakes sugar cookies. Then after they all got back we went and worked out/shot baskets/walked and then came home and decorated the cookies. I must say the cookies spread a little much this year, but I don't think anyone could tell because there's so much icing on the tops!

JoGail and I also made some fudge!!!! it actually turned out, too. Usually when I try to make fudge it never sets. I think we're going to bag some up for the mailman. I started making truffles.....them lost the second box of chocolate (I swear it's here somewhere!). so I will have to wait until I make yet another trip to Brookshire's....and to think I thought I was done there for a while! :(

Tomorrow's agenda includes assembling the gingerbread house and another dr visit for Grace (family doctor). I think there's some movie watching planned for tomorrow too!!!

Tater Tot Casserole
(many recipes thrown together)

1 lb Ground turkey (or hamburger)
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 small package tater tots
1 can Campbell's roasted garlic cream of mushroom soup
1 small can veg all drained

Brown hamburger meat. Stir in Worcestershire sauce.
Mix in drained veg all and soup. Stir well.
Put in oven proof pan, I think I used 11x7.
Lay tater tots on top and bake according to tater tot package.

You could mix cheese in it if you want!

Enjoy!

Two new recipes!!

2010-12-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

WHOOT !!! WHOOT!!!!!! Two new quick and easy recipes! I stole one from Tina at church, just tweaked it to make it easier for me to do and then the other one is from Mrs. beasley at Coy's school. I am making both to take to work tomorrow. It's the 3rd annual dish swap! We draw names. Then we buy a dish that costs less than $ 15.00 ( you can find cute ones at Hobby Lobby usually half off! ) and then we fill the dish with food. (I always try to fix soemthing they would like.) Then we all partake of all the food and then the dish goes home with whoever's name you drew! It's a cool way to add seasonal dished to your collection! On to the recipes!!!!

This doesn't have a name, so suggestions are welcome!
Crescent Ham Rollups ??????
1 can crescent rolls (if you can find the crescent sheet, that would work even better)
1 small tub spreadable cream cheese with onions and chives
shaved ham
shaved pepper jack cheese

I bought the Hillshire farm shaved ham and it worked great ( in the lunch meat section)
I used deli pepper jack cheese since they could shave it for me.

Preheat oven to 375. Roll out crescent dough and pinch seams together. Spread cream cheese. Place ham over cream cheese and top with a row of cheese down the middle. Roll up jelly roll style. Cut into slices. Tina sliced hers really thin, I sliced mine like I would cinnamon rolls. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake 10-11 mins.

Cranberry Jalapeno Relish
from Mrs. Beasley

1 bag cranberries, rinsed
1 red onion
1/3 bunch cilantro
2 jalapenos
1 cup sugar

Combine in a food processor and process until fine. Refrigerate over night. Serve plain with crackers or serve over cream cheese. This makes alot. I made half the recipe and had plenty for 1 small bowl of plain and some to serve over cream cheese.

Enjoy!

I found it!

2010-12-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

I wasn't planning to blog today but decided to since I am one happy girl! I found it! I found the nativity scene the girls have always had. I always put it in the bathtub with the girls and that's how they first learned the story of Christmas! It's a plastic set that I probably bought for a dollar when Grace was 1 or 2. Both girls have played and played with it in the tub! Now if you think it's crazy that they had a nativity set in the bathroom, let me tell you, that 's just the start. They have had them everywhere! My grandma (MawMaw) started it. She made me a cloth one when I was in college. Then I just started getting new ones every so often. Coy thought I was crazy when we had our first Christmas. I think I have toned it down some since then, though! Then one Christmas I found the pattern at WalMart in the craft section (that basically doesn't exist anymore....:( ) and I made a cloth nativity scene for each girl. They have had them in the playroom and in the rooms and it's soo cool to see them playing with baby Jesus. Not so much any more, it's just the memories. One of my favorite decorations is one JoGail made when she was about 4. It's a thing you hang on the wall that has a simple nativity scene she glued onto it. It says Happy Birthday Jesus. Coy's mom made each of her kids a wooden nativity set one year as well. (Joseph is about 8-9" tall!) Then when she passed, we inherited the one that's got Joseph over a foot tall! It's hard to display because the figures keep falling over, though. It's solid wood and plain. No paint, no decorations, just simple. Kind of like I imagine the first Christmas being. Simple. Which is another thing I am working on this Christmas.Simplicity. (This fits in with the Mary Christmas thing if you've read that post.) So if you don't see me getting all worked up over Christmas this year or running around trying to get everything just so. That's ok. We're going simple this year. Yes, that may mean changing some traditions and may include adding some new ones. But that' s ok. No, in case you were wondering, we don't have a Walton Christmas and not even a Hallmark one. We have ones filled with love and reflection. Homemade gifts, homemade decorations, and usually homemade food! :)

Laurie

Grati-Tuesday

2010-11-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

Ok I don't know if that day actually exists, but since it's the last day of November I thought I would share some thankfuls on my heart.

First of all, I am thankful for my family, both my big family, church family and what I call my little family. Let me explain.
My big family is my family and Coy's family. We get together when we can. but truth be told it's hard. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters are spread across Texas, Louisiana and somewhere below Hawaii on an island. I call it a side effect of a big family. It's hard fro all of us to get together and happens every 2-3 years but not always on holidays. We have always kind of had unique traditions in our family, so that we don't always get together on what others consider big holidays shouldn't be a surprise to any of us. Three of us have families and we all have in laws, too. Fortunately we all have pretty good in laws. Coy's side of the family got together for his 50th birthday this year but we are also (his 2 sisters and some of his nieces and nephews) are getting together soon after Christmas. I can't be thankful enough for how his family has taken me in and loved me for who I am.

My church family is FBC Eustace. I just can't explain how thankful I am for the "wisdom in them thar pews!" Again they have loved us and supported us unconditionally. They are literally helping to raise the girls and let me tell ya I am so thankful for that. I almost started crying the other night just thinking about my precious JoGail going through junior high. But I realized she is constantly being grounded in the faith and will be ok. She and Grace both are in God's hands-not mine. Our whole family feels so at home in this church. We are especially thankful for our pastor, youth minister and other faithful servants including Miss Leslee and Mrs. Pat. But there are so many others that pray for us and I am so grateful for that! FBC Eustace will always be the girls' home church......the one where they were baptized together on the same day!

My little family is just that. Coy, Grace and JoGail. Sometimes I can't remember life before any of them came into my life. Of course I have known Coy for over 25 years. Haven't liked him for that many years, but I knew him. :) I can say I have prayed for him for over 25 years.....that 's half his life! He is just such a blessing to me. He keeps me grounded and keeps my perspective on the main thing! Grace, oh my Grace. I couldn't wait until she turned 14 so we could finally be done with her being 13! She is a 'mini me' in alot of ways. Strong as an ox but not a mean bone in her body. Smarter (way smarter) than I will ever be. I am so thankful God made her just the way she is -no take backs! JoGail~my ray of sunshine. I never know what she will have in store for me! She loves to cook with me and I enjoy our time in the kitchen. She's my snuggler, too. I am so grateful for just hanging out with my little family for Thanksgiving break. No stress, no worries. Just cooking what we like and watching Christmas movies we have all seen too many times. (All too soon we will waiting on someone to come home from college to cook and eat with.) Yes we drive each other crazy and fight over who has to be JoGail's partner in the games of '42' we play, but we are a family and I am so grateful for that.

The Christmas season to me isn't necessarily about the presents, the decorations or really even the food. It's about the season of enjoying each other. Whether we are decorating outside or making pumpkin pies.

I read a Christian blog titled the Martha complex. Yeah, like the Martha as in Mary and Martha.My saying this Christmas is "Mary Christmas!" As a reminder to me to have a servant's heart (like Mary) this season!

yeah, I've ramble and rambled.....that happens when you have bronchitis and am on steroids again!

Laurie

I'm back....

2010-11-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Thanksgiving day we had! I am so thankful for my family and the rest! Everyone's taken a nap every day so far this school break! We've watched movies together and just hung out together. We were talking at Thanksgiving lunch about the Black Friday shopping and the girls wanted to go....So I took them at 11:15 last night. They were shocked. I was tired. JoGail flat gave out before we got checked out. When we got there people had already gotten into the items for sale and had their buggies full and were waiting in line to check out. Of course the checkouts didn't ring up the sale prices until 12:01 am so the lines were all the way to the back of the store. The girls each picked out what they wanted from each other, so at least it was a semi productive trip. I don' think either really wants to go back anytime soon, either!

I made some homemade cranberry sauce this and I loved it....absolutely loved it! I can't wait to make it again! I found the recipe in a magazine....it's a Tom Collichio (Top Chef) recipe! I have never tried homemade cranberry sauce before, so I was really shocked that I liked it. Coy didn't try it because he prefers the Ocean Spray type straight out of the can with the ridges intact. JoGail likes both and Grace doesn't eat cranberries....so it was ALL mine!

The second is one I 'created' using ideas from all over the internet. Again, since everyone else likes the traditional meal, even for leftovers, it's all mine too!!!!

Cranberry Sauce
Tom Collichio recipe

1 bag cranberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar

Mix in a pan over low heat. Be sure to use a pan with tall sides since the popping will spill up the sides. Keep over low heat, letting berries pop. It will jell when about ready. Cool. store in refrigerator.

Leftover Turkey Sandwich
Compilation of several recipes

Leftover turkey
Leftover Gravy
Leftover Cranberry Sauce
2 pieces bread
2 pieces provolone cheese

Preheat over to broil. Spread cranberry sauce on both pieces of bread. Top with cut up turkey and put on top of cranberry sauce. Top with gravy and then a piece of cheese. Toast in oven. Some recipes called for dressing on the sandwich as well.

Love,

Laurie

Rotel chicken

2010-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

I made these the other night thinking I would take them in my lunch the next day. Well, Grace came in and smelled it and that was all it took! She loved it! I made some more this weekend and we put it in a tortilla and rolled it up.....yum yum ! I'm not sure where I go tthis idea from. I'm sure I read it somewhere on the internet! I dont' even remember the right name! So I just named this Rotel Chicken!

Rotel chicken

1 package boneless chicken thawed
1 can rotel
1/4 package taco seasoning

Put all in crockpot, stir and cook until chicken is done.

Zuchinni Patties

2010-09-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe I have been making for me, and me alone to eat. I know once the others try it I will have to share my shredded zuchinni in the freezer. I am able to tweak it a little to make it diet approved, so that's anoth reason I don't want to share!

We are busy as always this time of year. With Grace marching in the high school band, Grace playing volleyball and JoGail playing soccer, we stay busy pretty much every night of the week. I must admit it is fun, though. JoGail has gotten to play goalie some. That makes me a litte nervous. That's my baby they are shooting that ball at! Grace has gone through the training to be a referee for soccer. She hasn't had a chane to call her first game yet, since she had a volleyball tournament this weekend. The next two weekends are marching contests, so it'll be a while before she can get in the rotation. Coy is busy keeping up with school activities and helping with AWANAS. I am helping with AWANAS, doing snacks and the bookkeeping-plus keeping everyone else where they are supposed to be and keeping everyone fed. Sometimes that's a job all unto itself!

Zuchinni Patties

makes 1-2 servings

1 cup shredded zuchinni
1/4 bread crumbs or cracker crumbs
1 egg
Shredded parmesan cheese

Drain zuchinni really well. Mash on it while it's in the strainer and get as much water out as possbile. Mix with other ingredients and shape in patties. Fry patties, about 1-2 minutes per each side. Tha'ts it!

~Laurie

Mexican Mac and Cheese

2010-09-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

Made this tonight as a last hurrah before going back on my diet Saturday. Yep, it's time. Need to go down 20 more pounds for my man's 50th birthday! Yeah, I know I'm not supposed to do it for him but for me~~~ but that's my goal and I'm sticking to it!! So that means probably no new recipes for awhile. Back to cereal and soup nights around here! They'll survive......we're busy busy anyway! :)

Mexican Mac and Cheese

1 box prepared kradft mac and cheese
1 pound browned ground hamburger meat
1 can drained rotel

Mix and serve!!! I think you could add some extra cheese, too. I would try velveeta if I had any in the house !

Baked Pasta and JoGail's brownies

2010-09-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

I ran across this recipe on a blog the other day and decided to reamp it to make it easier. Well actually it started the other day when grace wanted me to get a pan of pasta from Pizza Hut. I looke dit up and the internet and it was cheap enough....then I went to the mutrition guide and nearly died! She did, too!!! So we stuck with hamburger helper that night and I decided to try a close recipe. Yeas this has fat in it from the cheese, but not near as much as the one I was going to buy! She and decided this might be something I make when Coy has board meeting. I like, too that I can get fiber rich pasta and the girls never know! JoGail like it for the cheese.....but we will actually eat the pasta mixed with the sauce. (She usually likes naked spahetti). Plus I had a coupon for a free jar of Ragu (thank you, Brookshire's)!!! I think you couls add eat some browned hamburger meat to give it more protein, too. So here what I did.

Makes a 13x9 pan!
Baked pasta

1 box rotini pasta (I used 14.5 oz box)
1 jar pasta sauce (26 oz)
mushrooms (I had fresh already sauted up so I used that, but canned would also work. Just drain them)
1 package shredded Italian cheese blend

Prepare pasta as directed on box. Drain pasta then mix with sauce and mushrooms. Add in about 1 cup cheese blend. Pour into sprayed 13x9 pan. Spread remaining pasta on top and bake till cheese melts! (about 10 mins)

Then I decide dto give the girls a new recipe for brownies.....not sure what to call them, but I took some recipes for rocky road brownies and smores brownies and kind mixed them up. I wasn't sure if Grace would like them but I KNEW JoGail would, so they are JoGail's brownies!

JoGail's brownies
1 package brownie mix, prepared as directed and baked. As soon as you take the brownies out of the oven spread 2 cups chocolate chips on them. They should start to melt. Spread 2 cups marshmallows on top. Broil until marshmallows begin to brown.

I hae a couple mroe recipes to try this weekend while Coy is out of pocket.....if they are good I'll post them! One is recipe my sister found for me to try! :)

JoGail's hat!

2010-08-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Add caption

JoGail had some freetime this week at school after taking a benchmark test....this is what she made....I love it! God has truly blessed her with creativity!

Finally... a new recipe

2010-08-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

Finally! I haven't forgotten about this blog.....just been really busy with back to school stuff! Everyone's back in school and trying to get back in a routine. We're back to the so mething every night of the week routine! Grace has been so busy we haven't gotten her hair trimmed.....got is scheduled though! (Yeah it's driving her mother CRAZIER than crazy! ) We've been eating basic stuff....soup, sandwiches and (gasp) cereal. The girls are now into Honey Nut Cheerios.....adios Rice Krispies....Coy makes a concoction of about 3 cereals.....yeah....they are all healthy cereals, too! We 're going through about 2 gallons of milk a week at this point. Thank goodness I am back at work and can stop by store on my way home! So I had some chicken breasts in the fridge that I needed to cook. I decided to try honey lime chicken. Don't say ew just yet! I found alot of recipes for it on the internet. Like a ton. I didn't want all the soy sauce, etc. so I cut out some of, ok most of the stuff. I baked the whole pan hoping they would good to take in my lunch. Then I took out my deli thin bread and made a sandwich at lunch....I though I had died and gone to heaven. It was sooo good! It soo good I made another sandwich (on rye bread) for supper!

Honey Lime Chicken

1/4 c honey
3 Tablespoons Lime juice

Mix together.

1 package chicken breat

Poke holes in chicken with a fork.
Pour half honey/lime mixture.

Bake 350 25 minutes. Turn chicken and pour remaining mixture over chicken. Bake another 20 minutes or until center is no longer pink.

* Some recipes called for marinating it in the mixture for a couple hours but I didn't have time!

~Laurie

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2010-08-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Happpy Birthday, Daddy! Let's see if I can count some ways I am thankful for you!

1. You love the Lord.
2. You take care of Mama.
3. You taught us that nothing is impossible....especially at midnight with a chain saw.
4. You taught us how to 'hold it' form Victoria Tx all the way to groesbeck, Tx.
5. You encouraged us to try new things, suchas restaurants we had never been in before.
6. You kept us laughing as kids and adults.
7. You accepted all our husbands, weird as they are.
8. You taught us kids its ok to be the person who hand sthe nail to the person hammering.
9. You taught us to keep in touch with our friends.
10. You encouraged us to read.....magazines and then later books.
11. You taught us how to make homemade pancakes with BAM !
12. You taught us there's always room in the budget for cookies at the store.
13. You love Mama.
14. You encouraged me to do things NOONE had ever done before. Even when it involved being around teenage boys!
15. You let me write. And provided many notebooks while I was growing up.
16. You give me the space I need to deal with things.
17. You sacrificed many unknown things for me to go to track meets, basketball games and othe rhigh shcool activities.
18. You took us swimming in a lake when we lived in Dawson.
19. You taught me how to properly mow a yard.
20. You helped me earn my own money.
21. You went driving with me, in a cemetary, whikle I was learning to drive.
22. You bought me the brown bomb to drive.......although the way to Dry Creek one summer! (Withou ta cell phone, too)
23. You drove practically all night to come see me graduate from college.
24. You had your red bana on at my wedding....
25. You always love me, no matter what!!

I love you!!! May you have many many more!

Awesome Lemon Refrigerator Pie

2010-08-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

OK folks, this recipe was super easy. I mean from start to finish super easy! And it's not that expensive, either! Kind of reind sme of a banana pudding!

Lemon Refrigerator Pie completely copied from
http://allaboutkaylittle.blogspot.com/2010/04/lemon-ice-box-pie.html

4 eggs
2 cans sweetened consdensed milk
1/2 c lemon juice

1 box vanilla wafers

Line some vanilla wafers in the bottom of a pie pan. Miz the first three ingredients together in a bowl until thick. ( It will happen, keep whisking). Pour 1/2 filling on top of vanilla wafers in the pie pan. Make another layer of vanilla wafers. Pour remaining filling on top of this. Take some vanilla wafers and push half way down around the edges of the pie. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

~Laurie

Linked up at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/ Tempt My tummy Tuesday

Baked sweet potatoes

2010-08-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

While we were on vacation we ate alot of great steaks! One of the side I got was usually the baked sweet potato! Oh my they were good!!! I got home and got to craving one, so I figured out my version of how to bake them!

2-4 sweet potatoes
pam
foil
cookie sheet

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean sweet potato. Spray potato with pam and wrap in foil. Bake under fork tender, about an hour to an hour and a half. Yummy!!!!

Coy loves them with real butter and a littl ebrown sugar on them.

~Laurie

Things I have heard and some blessings!

2010-07-26T17:51:00.001-07:00

I know we have the garmin but we still need a map! Really, like her sweet voice can't find our way there????

I am never, ever living in Kansas...or Nebraska! I can understand this one.

Only 329 miles til our next turn!!!!!

Steak again???? I think they are secretly missing my cooking on this one!

JoGail, Be Quiet! Understandable !

I can't use my itouch. There's no wifi out here in the middle of nowhere. There's not even any houses!

Corn. More corn. and more corn. Saw it in 4 states!

Can we go back to the Battle of Little Big Horn this morning? This was not said by a female person in the family, by the way!

What do people do out here? I have no idea because there's not much out here that I can see. Lots of grassy plains and some rivers....

JoGail can you please play the quiet game?

I spy with my little eye......cornfields!!!!

Look there's another car on interstate with us! In Montana and Wyoming

We drove halfway through Oklahoma and just now saw another car with an Oklahoma license plate on it! Uhhh this was pretty much true!

Now to the blessings

The weatherr has been wodnerful. Absolutely wonderful.

Coy has driven and not gotten sleepy even though we haven't had alot of things to look at.

The girls has gotten along really good so far. JoGail has entertained herself and played her games. She has gotten mad when Grace won't play the magnetic tic tac toe game Missy made for her.

JoGail has made friend in every hotel pool she has swam in.

We have seen lots of corn. Which means farmers are having good crops.

We have been able to eat good food. We have not eaten at McDonald's yet!

The girls have tried new foods.

I have had my Bible study in the car every day. Been nice. No excuse not to have it.

I have seen Grace reading her Bible in the back seat. She is learning and trying.

I have apparently caught up on some much needed sleep!

The girls have been to a real, 1960's style motel. They loved it! Complete with a flyswatter hanging in the closet!

We have seen beautiful countryside and desolate highways!

We saw the biggest dandelions we have ever seen at Battle of the Little Big Horn!

Purple mountain flowers are beautiful!

2 quick recipes

2010-07-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

2 quick recipes before I finish getting everything ready.

Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

1/2 cup sour cream (I used low fat)
3 Tablespoons sugar or splenda
Juice of 1 lemon (or 4 tablespoons lemon juice)
1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

Mix all together and refrigerate. Really good on berries.

Sherry's Italian bread

1 loaf french bread cut in half lengthwise
1 small jar hellman's mayo
2 small cans olives drained and chopped
1/4 c chopped green onions
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Mix mayo, olives. cheese and green onions together. Spread on both halves of bread. Heat in oven about 40-45 mins.

I think mushrooms would also be good to chop and put in the mayo mixture, too. We had this at Mandie's birthday celebration at Sherry's yesterday and it was good !

These recipes are linked to:
http://www.ourhomeschoolhome.com/2010/07/on-grill-sweet-potato-fries.html

a few wedding pictures

2010-07-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

MawMaw and Toot dancing

Dino, his mother, and brotherEric and Mr. MillerMe and my parentsDaddy, MawMaw, Toot and Uncle DavidMy favorite picture! JoGail and MawMaw (her great grandmother)

Catching up from this weekend

2010-07-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Boy amI glad to be home! Of course I was only gone two nights and we were busy the whole time! My cousin got married (congratulations Eric and Lacy!). So JoGail and I went. Coy and Grace stayed home to get her ready for her Mission Trip (she left this morning) and to attend the 100 year celebration at our church)The rehearsal dinner was at a restautrant called The Junction in Huntsville, Tx. We had a choice of entrees and I chose the celebration chicken. It was AWESOME! I keep thinking I have to figure out the recipes. It was chicken with a little sauce and lots of button mushrooms. It was really really good! And then incredible fried ice cream to top it off! Then on Saturday joGail and I met my brother and Joey at the Houston Zoo. We spent about 4 hours there and enjoyed every minute of it. A little snippet here.......we have always called my brother Thom 'TAC' because that's his initials-Thomas Allen Cole....well, JoGail decided his new nicknake is Tic Tac!!! HAHA what was funny was he wanted her to stop calling him that but couldn't make her stop! They bought JoGail cotton candy and became her friend for life! Then it was back to Huntsville for more visiting and getting ready for the wedding. We shared a hotel room with my parents and had a good time visiting with them. They looked good. The wedding was beautiful and about the right length. Not too long and not too short. Lacy was absolutely stunning and Eric didn't look too bad, either. The reception was fun, with dancing and a candy bar. A candy bar is tables decorated with big jars of various candies. You get a bag, use the scoops and make youself a bag of candies! It as a huge hit! (And I was talking to a friend this afternoon and we had the idea that it would also be a hit at a kids' birthday party!) My brother and I called it teh Shorty Table. Shorty was my grandpa's brother that lived next door to my grandparents. When we oudl visit he would always load us kids up adn take us to the little store where would could get any candy we wanted. He took us once a day every day we were there. Those are some good memories! But back to the wedding...it was a wonderufl experience and really highlighted Lacy and Eric's personalities.

After eating all weekend, I made a hot ham sandwich for supper. It was soooo good! I am also making supper for a friend this week and am making the dessert tonight, which is the recipe I am going to post. I honestly do not know where I got this recipe from. I don't even have it written down yet yet. I just remember it. I would love to give credit to whoever it came from, but I have no clue! I have made this several times and it is always good. Sometimes it rises in the oven then falls when I take it out and it cools. It is still good, though. And there are only 2 ingredients!!!! I have heard it's also good with lite pie filling but I haven't tried that. I have made both blueberry and cherry though and we enjoy both.

Angel Cake Dessert

1 box angel food cake mix (Disregard directions on box)
1 can pie filling

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13x9 pan with pam. In mixing bowl mix the two ingredients until well combined. Pour into pan. Bake for about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving. Really good with whipped cream on top or with a cup of coffee!

* Note--you do not add anything to this except the dry cake mix and can of pie filling.

~Laurie

Zuchinni Ribbons and Seasoned Drumsticks....

2010-07-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

I tried two new recipes tonight and they were both a hit! I have been wanting to try Easy Peasy Chicken Legs from Mommy's Kitchen for awhile but wasn't sure how the gang would feel about eating their chicken legs with their hands....my gang can be kind of picky about that! But since we have been on an "No eating out" kick, I decided to slip it in. It was wonderful and not very expensive! I think the package of drumsticks was $4.36. I had the seasoning. So it was really really cheap! Then I got a hankering (is that a real word??) for the zuchinni ribbons I always order at Pappadaeux's. So I saved one of our club sized zuchinnis and scrubbed it clean. I searched the net for a recipe and really didn't find one for cooked zuchinni ribbons. Most were used in salads. So I just decided to try a simple way. I just used my vegetable peeler to peel the zuchinni. I stopped when I got the seeded part. Sauted it in some real butter with salt and pepper....oh it was delicious! Since the zuchinni was so big I only used about half of it but will be cooking it up tomorrow-probably for a mid aftenroon snack! So that part of supper was free!!!! Then I cooked the girls some cauliflower and broccoli.....they love that stuff! Got out the leftover potato salad and sliced a garden fresh tomato...I figure I fed the family of four with NO leftovers for less than $8.00 total!!!! And to top it off Coy ahs been trying his hand at making fresh pie crust and a new chocolate pie recipe! So we even have a dessert! He's trying a new chocolate pie recipe.....tomorrow we're going to make a lemon pie! I can't wait! That's my favorite! I do feel like he has somewhat invaded my territory in the kitchen though. He can't do it without me though, because he hasn't figured out my storage for everything. As you migth imagine, I don't keep things exactly where his mom used to keep them, so he has to try adn think where would Laurie put that!!! Haha Got him there!

Zuchinni Ribbons
1 large zuchinni (Mine was about a foot long and 4 inches around-from our garden)
1/2 cup real butter
salt
pepper
Cast iron skillet

Scrub zuchinni clean. Using a vegetable peeler, peel ribbons down the zuchinni until you reach the seeded part. (At this point I used a knife and cut the ribbons into thirds to make them easier to eat). Heat butter in cast iron skillet. Put ribbons in and sprinkle in salt and pepper. Cook til crisp...about 5-7 minutes.

Seasoned Drumsticks
(adapted from Mommy's Kitchen)

1 package chicken drumsticks...I think there were 12-14 in my package
Mrs. Dash Grilling Blends-Chicken

Spray roasting pan with pan. Sprinkle seasoning on drumsticks and place in pan. Bake at 350 for about and hour-hour and a half or until chicken is no longer pink.

This post has been linked to http://www.ourhomeschoolhome.com/2010/07/on-grill-memories-and-smoked-trout.html.

Enjoy~~~Laurie

July...already??

2010-07-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Time for a catch up blog!

Last Friday Grace go ther four wisdom teeth out. Almost a weeek later sheis still in pain so we are going back this morning. I suspect she has a dry socket, but we'll see. I don't do well when my baby (I know, she's 13) is up at 3 am crying because it hurts so bad.....don't do well at all.....she has just over a week before she heads out on her mission trip. We are starting to get things together.

JoGai lis enjoying her carefree summer...sleeping late mostly. She thinks that makes her soo grown up! I took her to Sherry's yesterday and she got toswin with Haley and she really enjoyed that. She has been to visit Leadan adn held her. She couldn't beleive how soft and small Leadan is! She is also happy because one of her kindergarten friends moved back and was at church last night! She was so excited to see Justin!

I met soem friends from Mabank and had lunch with them on Tuesday. It was great seeing everybody and getting a little heads up on some major changes coming our way when we get back to work. We'll survive....we always do! I have continues with the walking and have been working outside as much as possible, to help combat the prednisone effects. I think it's working. I'm not losing but I'm not really gaining either! I actually enjoy mowing, etc. Right now I am working on a project to move rocks...taking awhile but I'm slowly getting it done with the help of the little red wagon!

Coy is super busy at work. Trying to get the budget finalized and grant applications completed. I know he will be ready for our vacation in a couple of weeks!!!!

Gotta finsh my menu planning and make my grocery list....I have switched to google calendar for this and I like it so far. I hope I can pull it up at work when I need to, though!

Bisquick Chicken and Corn Flake Zuchinni

2010-07-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

Yes you read the right...It is not a typo! I have been seeing the recipe on my blogs and everyone was raving about them. Then we accumulated so much zuchinni from the garden.....and I'm sure there's more to come with the sweet rain we hav ebeen having lately....so I decided to try it. Coy added more seasoning to his but JoGail adnI loved loved loved it! Grace is still recovering from getting her wisdom teeth out, so she's stuck with blue box macaroni and cheese! It's been over 12 hours since she has even had an advil, so I think she's doing well. I tried the bisquick chicken for two reasons....I had the stuff and it reminded me of the chicken we used to make out the Mission Outreach Center in Brownsville every Wednesday.....I've been hunting that recipe and I thinkk I finally found something pretty close. It was wonderful. Just be careful not to let the chicken cook too long or it may dry out.

Tomorrow I will try to post again and show you a picture of what I made.....took awhile....but it should be pretty cute, patriotic, and tasteful!

I'm still working on how to add a page to my blog so I can index the recipes...it's like reading a foreign language to me at this point!

Bisquick Chicken
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2/3 c bisquick (I had the heart healthy kind)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 pounds chicken

Heat overn to 350. Put melted butter in baking pan (I used my cast iron skillet)
Mix dry ingredients in a pie pan. Dip chicken in dry ingredients and place in pan. Bake 30 minutes then turn. Bake 20-30 more minutes or until juices run clear.

Cornflake Zuchinni

1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes
2 beaten eggs (can add salt/pepper to season)
1-2 zuchinni (depending on size)

Heat oven to 350. Get out baking sheet and line with foil for easy clean up. Spray with pam. Slice zuchinni. Dip each slice in egg then coat with cornflakes. Push cornflakes into zuchinni a little to help make it stick. Bake about 30 minutes. These are really crunchy!

optional.....you can put shredded parmesan cheese on top when they are almost done.

Nope I have not been on my diet today.....been a nice little break! I did walk extra long yesterday and this morning though !

This post has been linked up to Potluck Sunday at http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

I am trying....

2010-06-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get my menu ready for next week....had a week off !!!! Grace gets her wisdom teeth out Friday...say a prayer...she's never had any kind of anethesia before! By the way, one of my best friends became a Nana yesterday! Good job Jessica and Josh! She's a cutie for sure! So back to menu planning...I feel like we are really beginning to eat the same thing over and over...the upside is that they eat what I cook! We are planning on cooking out Sat for the 4th. Here's what I have come up with so far....

Hamburgers with all the trimmings (fresh tomatoes from the garden!!!!)
French Fries-cooked by Grace if she is up to it
Red white and blue jello finger food (has a layer of eagle brand in it)
Toffee bars (new recipe I want to sneak in! )
Tea
Lemonade

Now to the rest of the week!

Wednesday-pizza at church
Thursday-Shrimp!
Friday-lunch --tuna sandwiches with veggies and hummus (yummo)
Friday supper----no idea yet
Saturday-hamburgers one meal, cereal the other
Sunday -Hernandez! and then leftovers
Monday -pork chops and veggies
Tuesday-spaghetti with bread sticks

There you go . I finished it....Now to stick with it and pick out what I can/cannot eat! I have to remember that cooked a bunch of meat up and froze it this week. I want to try a recipe with chicken drumsticks and may try that one day at lunch next week. That would be good to heat up as well! My basket of lunch food is running over!!! YEAH!!!! Got strawberries fro $1.38 a carton alst week and froze almost all of them! Planning to make smoothies with those! Gotta add snacks for our trip, though. Need to start stocking up. Going to be along trip....but that's another story!

I'm glad Coyis home from his trip. There's just something about my little family being together that makes me feel all gushy inside!

~Laurie

Zuchinni and Squash Succotash

2010-06-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Now I'm not sure what succotash is, but this is what Coy calls it. I needed another way to cook so much coming from the garden and came up with this. It's healthy and delish. The rotel gives it just enough kick!
Of course you could add more or even fresh jalepenos if you want more spice!

Zuchinni and Squash Succotash

1 large zuchinni
1 regular sized squash
1 can rotel
garlic powder
onion powder

Cube zuchinni and squash and saute in a pan. You can add water if it starts sticking. (Just a little bit) Cook down a little. Add rotel and spices and continue sauteing about 7-8 mins. I love to cook mine in the cast iron skillet.

It's been a sad day. We had to take Palidin to the animal shelter. It was just not working out. He had begn to chase cars on 316. Since we weren't willing and able to build a fence, it was really our only option. He also had gotten into everythingin the garage and chewed up everything. It was getting old really really fast. But our biggest fear was coming home and finding him run over.

Coy's getting ready to head out to his conference. We had zuchinni succotash, fresh corn on the cob, shepherd's pie and watermelon for lunch. There's nothing left. I'm fixing girl's requests while he is gone. Stromboli, macaroni and chesse from the blue box. Grace only has workouts on Tues and Thus this week . Then on Friday she get sher wisdom teeth out. They are already starting to come in crooked. So we are just going to go ahead and get them out. She's doing really wel lon her medication. Her moods have levelled out tremendously and she is lseeping so much better. Of course that could be because of the workouts, as well, though.

We're watching Buck Privates with abbott and Costello right now. It's hilarious! Grace is laughing the hardest. I love to hear her laugh! I'm not sure how much of it JoGail gets.....

I've got more zuchinnie to put up so I 'd better get to it! I still think we planted a jumbo variety!

~Laurie

Goals for the next three days

2010-06-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

Maybe if I write these they will actually get done!

1. Go thru certificates, awards, etc in the girls' folders.

2. Sort and label medals hanging on the doorknob. This will be an adventure!!! Most of JoGail's are labeled (the school started dong this, but I still have a ton to sort thru)

3. Walk twice a day.

In case yo uhaven't talked to Deanna lately, she's going to be a grandma hopefully on Monday! Leadan Grace should be making her appearance!

~Laurie

Chocolate Pie

2010-06-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Why oh why have I waited so long to try Mrs. Tipp's Chocolate pie recipe??? I thin kit was fear....fear that mine wouldn't taste anything like hers.....by oh did it ever!!!! Mrs. Tipp was a sweet old lady who lived cattycornered from u sin Evant. She thought Grce hung the moon. She had a special place in her tv stand for toys for Grace. Just Grace. We would go visit. She also wore a hearing aid and we were visiting one time around Christmas abd her hearing aid made that loud beeping sound and Grace thought it was Rudolph's nose! Sych precious memories. I was so surprised when the church gave me a baby shower at her homemade quilts--for both of the girls. She was a seamstress. When I was learning to sew she was so helpful . I would drag the material, pattern, the whole nine yards across the stree to her house. The firs thing she would always tell me was to throw the pattern directions away! She always said those people didn't have a clue what they were tlaking about! Her Bible was very worn out and she loved what she could. She was married but Mr. Tipp passed away before I got to know her. Her was creative as well. He had carved ac lock out of wood. It was GORGEOUS! She brought this pie over one Saturday and we stuck it in the fridge. A storm blew in the next day and I remember Coy and I sitting on the floor in the living room eating this. It was good!

I cheated a little and used a pillsbury crust. I wasn't that brave! It wasn't really hard to make at all. Just took a little tender loving time!

Mrs. Tipp's Chocolate Pie
1 1/2 cups milk
2 T oleo

1 1/4 cup sugar
3 Big Tablespoons flour
1/2 c milk
3 eggs, separated
pinch salt
3 Tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla

Baked pie crust.

Meringue

In a heavy sauce pan heat milk and oleo. In a bowl mix next 6 ingredients (add only the egg yolks, save the whites for the meringue). Gradually add to milk and oleo. Keeping heat on. Keep stirring and stirring. Mixtures will thicken. When nice and thick stir in vanilla. Let sit about a minute then pour into baked pie crust.

Meringue

3 egg white at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 tablesppons sugar

For best results, place metal bowl and beaters in freezer for about 30 mins before making meringue. Gradually beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually stir in cream of tartar and sugar. Add vanilla. When mixed pour over pie. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes, watching it carefully. You want brown peaks, not burnt ones!

Crockpot Mexican Steak

1 package round steak
3 potatoes
1 package baby carrots
1 jar beef gravy
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 onion, sliced

Layer in crockpot in order given.
Cook on low 5-6 hours.

~Laurie

Linked up at http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

Two new recipes!

2010-06-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have been in the kitchen alot so far this summer break! It's been wonderful! And JoGail has been right beside me most of the time, talking away and talking away and talking away! She's becoming quite the helper in the kitchenin the process, though! I found a new recipe in a cookbook to try with all the zuchinni. I'm already wishing I had shredded more! I hope we get some more big ones !!! They shred so easily in the food processor! This first recipe is like a zuchinni cornbread.....sort of ! It's really good!

Crustless Zuchinni Pie
Adapted from Fast Fixes with Mixes

1 cup Bisquick
2 cups shredded zuchinni
1/2 c oil
4 beaten eggs
Salt and pepper

Mix all together and pour in sprayed 8x8 pan. Bake 350 about 30 minutes.

I would imagine you could add some cheese in it, too.....but you know how Coy is about cheese!

This next recipe is what I have been making me for lunch. I got the idea from a friend who had it at El Chico. I call it Pineapple Chicken Salad. Not like egg salad, though, more with greens. Makes enough for 1.

Pinepaple Chicken Salad
4 ounces chicken
Balsamic Vinegar ( I just use the cheap brand)
2 pineapple rings or some fresh pineapple
Shredded lettuce or a bowl of greens

Marinate chicken in balsamic vinegar. I poke the chicken with a fork to let is soak in good. Pan cook chicken. Move chicken to another plate to cool. Heat/cook pineapple in same skillet. Layer lettuce/greens in bowl, top with chicken and pineapple. I don't even need a dressing for this one!

Hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Links this post is linked to:
http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/
http://www.simplysweethome.com/

Helllooooooo any body out there reading this?????

2010-06-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Please leave me a comment if you do! I wonder if I just post to hear myself talk sometimes!

Ok....VBS food....These recipes come from the LifeWay Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS kit...

Monday --Sugar COokie Belt Buckles (decorate store bought sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles)
Tuesday--CamFires (take a ritz cracker break some pretzel sticks in half and stack on the cracker. Add some cheese in a can for the fire)
Wednesday--I called them Buckaroo Burgers because I can't ever remember the official name--Recipe follows
Thursday--Hay Bales (recipe follows)
Friday-Horse feed--basically cereals, candy corn, peanuts, raisins, etc. We let the kids make their own in a Saddle Ridge cup.

There are tons more awesome snacks in the kit. These are just a few we chose that would work for us. Check out the whole kit for more good ideas for a western themed snack!

Hay Bales

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup butterscotch Chips (1/2 bag)

Spray cookie sheet with pam. Spray large pot with pam. Melt butter and brown sugar together. Add in marshmallows until almost melted then stir in butterscotch chips. Let rest about a minute. Then stir in rice krispies. Pan into the pan, making sure they are kind of thick. Let cool. Cut in to 2x4 bars or bales of hay. Tie a piece of licorice around to make it look westerny.

Buckaroo Burgers
1 package waffle fries (we used the Great value brand)
1 pack homestyle meatballs (Great Value brand) thawed out
American cheese slices
Pickles
Ketchup

Cook a pan of waffle fries. Cut meatballs in half. Lay a 11/4 of the piece of cheese on the waffle fry. Top with a 1/2 of the meatball and heat until cheese melts and meatball is cooked. Let kids add ketchup or pickles.

I think the Buckaroo Burgers would be great as a party appetizer or maybe even something to take to work. They are easy and relatively cheap to make. Holly mentioned maybe using sausage balls and using a differentt cheese...so many options! Kids love them! They just pop it in their mouth.

Again, these are all from the LifeWay Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Kit.

~Laurie

Zuchinni oh my!

2010-06-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

I thinkn we must have bought the jumbo zuchinni variety to plant! I have never seen so many huge zuchinni! The plant itself if as big or bigger than my kitchen table. We are grilling tonight so I am going to slice some of these bad boys up and try them that way! Of course I will fry some up as well......I use pancake mix for the batter....yummy! They way I figured it we have at least $5 worth of zuchinni here if not more....and there's much more to come! The cantalope and watermelon plants are really spreading out!

I ran across a version of recipe in a new cookbook that I had to try! It's called Green Light Salad. Since I love all kinds of jello salad, especially what we called 'pink salad' growing up I thought I would try this. I have had it before but had totally forgotten about it!

Green Light Salad
From Easy Diabetic Coooking Recipes

1 small package green jello
1 cup cottage cheese
2 Tablespoons mayonaise
1 small can crushed or tidbit sized pineapple.

Mix together. Refrigerate before serving.

Love, love, love it!

JoGail and I have been making cookie for the cookie walk at the church's family fun festival this afternoon. I cheated and finally found a way to use up the frozen cookie dough accumulated through various fundraisers! SI am blessed with double ovens, it made it a breeze. Then we bagged them in old fashioned sandwich bags (the kind that fold over-I paid 50 cents for the WHOLE box) and tied a bow around them with various ribbons I had in a box. So cute! and so much fun with JoGail. She figured out a way to put two ribbons together that looked really cute! We also bought some $1 a package muffin mixes and made those up as well. She is really becoming quite the help in the kitchen. Grace has started doing her own laundry today.....YEAH!!!!!! A part of me wants to scream "wahooo it's about time" and another wants to curl up and cry because it's just one more independent living skill she is learning....hard to believe she will be in college in five years....five years...driving in 3!!! She completed volleyball camp this past week....and can overhead serve consistently now :). She also figured out she loves blocking and spiking. Next week she starts morning workouts and then both girls have basketball camp until 12. They are both eating breakfast and lunch at school since it's FREE the month of June! I have four more days of work and then I am finally done for the summer. My house is a wreck but I keep telling myself I will get to it when I am finished with work!!! (Uhm yeah right!)

My diet has been out of whack these past couple of weeks and I am hoping to get back on the wagon soon. I haven't really gained but I haven't lost either! I need to keep losing! Keep me in your prayers. It's hard and very challenging. I'm hoping the walking will help, too when I get off work....finally!

This recipe is linked up to Potluck Sunday at Mommy's Kitchen. http://www.mommyskitchen.net/
~Laurie

Recipes needed

2010-06-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

Boy was ait hot yesterday at the soccer tournament. We knew it was going to be a scorcher when they gave the girls water breaks during the 8:00 am game. I sat under a shade tree during most of the games. It was alot less stressful than being on the sidelines! Those girls played hard and played their hearts out. We got second which really isn't bad since we were playing up in the 'academy' bracket instead of the recreational bracket. JoGail lost another tooth during 7:15 game last night. She was excited! We ate lunch at Red Robin--I love that place and thei zuchinni sticks! Then we headed to Academy.....and said goodbye to more money.....JoGail had to have a new pair of shoes. (AGAIN). Her toe was beginning to push through this recent pair of tennis shoes. She is now in a woman's size 8 shoe....yes you read that right, size 8! Grace got some more summer workout clothes. I think we are set now for a while...until we start shopping for back to school clothes....

Grace is doing much better. I think we are beginning to see the effects of he rnew medication. She got a little dizzy once at the tournament but was better when we got some protein in her. She's sleeping well and laughing quite a bit. One of her friends from second grade rode up with us and spent the first night with us. They had a great time laughing and recalling stories. It was music to my ears to hear my girl laughing again. Please continue to pray as we travel this road. We are all still adjusting. I have probably had the hardest time but I am doing better. I have been resting better. I have a minivacation coming up with teh girls at work. We are going to a conference in San Marcos Monday-Wednesday. I imagine I will sleep all the way down there in the car. I don't really want to leave my family right now but I know it will probably be good for me and give me some alone time before my summer officially begins. I can't wait to walk! I am thinking I might try to get started a little next week. :) I officially finish work Friday. But we are required to get 4 comp days in for next year. I'm not sure what the plan will be yet, but I htink we are going to try and knock them out that next week so I can be totally done. I should have about 6 full weeks of walking! (maybe more since they reduced the number of days the diags work next year) I can't wait to see all my friends!

Menu planning......not much point to do it while I am gone...I'm certain they will eat out at least once! (probably more!) Wednesday night is supper at church. Thursday we will have Grace's fish and Friday we will have spaghetti and bread. Saturday I might see if Coy will grill some hamburgers or maybe a steak!

I am wanting to learn to grill fruit on the grill. Do you have any recipes? Suggestions? Tips? If you do, please let me know. I am thinking of maybe trying a fruit kabob first..that way I can kind of taste and see which ones I (we) like and go from there. Any ideas????

I have so many recipes to try this summer and can't wait to get started.....here's a sampling of what I want to try.
http://singingwithbirds.blogspot.com/2010/05/whats-in-name.html

http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com/2010/05/magic-marshmallow-cresent-puffs.html

http://oddmom.net/2010/06/01/primordial-ooze-salad-recipe-i-e-cucumber-sour-cream-and-dill-salad/

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1093672

http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2008/12/chocolate-peanut-buddy-bars.html

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/05/tasty-tuesday-pineapple-pretzel-fluff.html

What's on your list of things to do this summer???

Dancing

2010-06-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

This past week has been rough but has also been a blessing. Rough for some obvious reasons. Blessing because I have been reminded that people do care. I mean really really do care. I read sometime that when you ar ein the valley to try adn think about what the view will be like when you get to the top of the mountaintop. Well, my view would include my friends and church family. I found a Bible verse that I think I will 'adopt'. Psalm 30:11. "You turned my sobbing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." What do you'll think? I go to sleep each night knowing three things.....one God loves me more than anything. Two, I have friends praying that I will sleep well, and three ...I will dance tomorrow....(four....Coy is right beside me! )

OK, onto one of my all time favorite cafeteia foods....I doubt they get to make this anymore with all the new nutrition requirements, but it does have peanut butter in it....that's a protein, right? And it's not fried! That should count for something! Now I haven't tried this exact recipe, because I just found it...but I have taken arecipe from teh kitchen of Evant ISD and Nanny Hyatt and tried it before. Evant's cafeteria always made this as a test day snack. And the techers ate as much as the kids! Sometimes they would serve it for breakfast. They always made a pan for the kids and a pan fro the teachers! When I was pregnant I ate it EVERy time they made it. It is definately a favorite!! I plan to make this in a couple of weeks for Wacky Wednesdays as a snack soon. I know the kids will love it!

http://www.nancyskitchen.com

Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy

1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1 1/2 c. peanut butter
5 c. cornflakes

Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and stir in peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter has melted. Add cornflakes and stir. Mixture will be stiff. Drop on waxed paper to cool.

source http://www.nancyskitchen.com/

Enjoy!

~Laurie