Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Countdown

The countdown to the New Year is on. Do you have big plans?
We spend our New Years Eve pretty much the same every year. My parents have open house. Lots of goodies for all our friends and family. Some pool and dominoes or cards thrown in. Makes for great entertainment.

This year we will be celebrating Christmas on the afternoon of New Years Eve. Hmm maybe some really great gifts to be shared.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours.  We hope you had a Merry Christmas.  We had a wonderful day together, just the three of us.  We did the opening of the gifts, after the torture of The Boy.  My dad always did the torture on us.  He would have to have a cup of coffee and the traditional cinnamon roll.  Then take his time, with them before we got to go downstairs and open our gifts.  We have recently started the torture on The Boy the difference is we don't have downstairs to go to, so he gets to set next to the tree and just look at the presents.  We got him a new mountain bike, it was put in the dining room. He never seen it till Hubs sent him in there for some reason.  Oh how fun.  We then went to have Chinese food and off to the movies.  We will celebrate Christmas this weekend with my parents. Hopefully The Boy will be able to endure the torture from his Poppy.

Hubs, Jack and Putter


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Toffee

Last night was my first experience of making toffee.  Why haven't I done this before.  I was just as easy as peanut brittle.  I used Lia's recipe from the day we spent at The Lodge.  I will be making this a few more times before Christmas.
this one is pecan with drizzled white chocolate

this one is sea salt

this one is pulverized candy canes

Hubs and The Boy have been great taste testers.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Peanut Brittle


I have been making peanut brittle for about 8 years now.  I really love this stuff, but I never knew how easy it was to make.  Hubs mom made it all the time, and I thought I would give it a try.  Well the first few times were something no one would eat.  Have you ever had peanut taffy?  Oh it was just a mess.  So after consulting with our neighbor, who got this recipe from Hubs' grandmother.  I found my niche.  After Hubs' mother passed away I inherited her recipe notebook.  Guess what here is the passed down recipe.

This recipe moves really fast, so it is best to assemble everything first.  You will also need a greased cookie sheet.

Add water, sugar and corn syrup to stock pan and begin to cook to boiling.

Continue to boil until it reaches hard ball stage.

Dump in peanuts and continue to boil.
I just let this boil away until it is a golden brown (paper sack) color.


Then it is time for the butter and vanilla. You can turn the heat off now.


Time for the baking soda, and this baby is going to rise up in the pan.



Pour onto your greased cookie sheet, and give it a little shake back and forth, to spread it out a little.

Now just leave it set for a hour or two.  Make sure it is really cool, all the way through.


Break into pieces and go for it.  Remember to give some away in cute cellophane bags.
This stuff is so addicting.




PEANUT BRITTLE

2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup White Corn Syrup
1/4 Cup Water
2 Cups Raw Spanish Peanuts
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda--Heaping
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Cook sugar, white corn syrup, and water, until hard ball stage.  Add Peanuts and cook until golden brown.  Add butter and vanilla.  Add soda and stir really well mixture will foam up, pour immediately onto greased cookie sheet.   Shake cookie a sheet to spread mixture out.  Wait until cool to break into pieces.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sweets and The Pioneer Woman

First let me say I lost my camera and Hubs had to find it for me.  So I delayed doing this post. 



Back in November Ree had a giveaway to The Lodge on her blog.  Well like everything she gives away I submitted my comment to be a lucky winner.  Well guess what? Fate had plans that day because I no sooner hit the submit button and my friend Julie sent me a text and wanted to know if I would like to go to this baking party.  Well duh??  Who wouldn't??  I was so excited to tell everyone I was going to The Lodge.  Woohoo!!!

We headed over to Ree's last Saturday morning. First stop I meet Gina a winner from the Sushi party at The Lodge, she is great.  Then on to The Lodge to see Ree and meet some of the most wonderful women.  I had a blast.  We had an amazing Seafood Salad for lunch prepared by Chefs Lia and Tiffany, then it was decorating cookies with Bridget.  She is awesome I love her hair so curly.




We then had  to rest and chat.  Decorating cookies is hard work. Next was a  truffle and toffee making class.  Chocolate how could you go wrong?  Had a really great dinner and got to come home with little goody bags of toffee, truffles and the cookies we decorated.  Oh and we all got a little tub full of things for our own cookie making experience.





This is one event that rates at the top of my list. 

Of course no visit would be complete without meeting this guy.


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Crosses

I love the cross.  I think they are so beautiful, not only for what they symbolize to me as a Christian, but the design of them.  Here are a few I have around me.
This one is in our bathroom.  I wanted something a little different, after Hubs remodeled this room.  I have several wrought iron wall hangings, but this by far is my favorite.

I have a couple in my office at work.




Of course there are always the one's The Boy made in Sunday School.  This is his favorite and I'm partial to it also.
Now my total favorite cross in the world would be this one.  My bestie Julie gave it to me one year for Christmas.  Not only is it a cross but it has my favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, on it.  I love love this cross.





Monday, December 6, 2010

Sky

Wow what a sky.  I was on my way home the other night and this is the picture that was painted for me.
The most beautiful picture's one can see are in the nature. I love to look at the sky. 

Of course these were both taken with my phone and through the car windshield.  I still think they are wonderful.  Love the colors.




Friday, December 3, 2010

New Do

I decided I really wanted to do something different with my hair.  I have had short hair, long hair, bleached hair and really dark hair.  So I just let my friend Sarah work her magic.

I went from this.

Sarah kept the work in progress from me until the very end.  I really had no idea what I was going to look like.  She just told me she was going to do something a little different and the color would be darker and chunky.

So I ended up with this


Wow what a difference hair color can make.  I really like the dark color.  I'm thinking of going all over dark next hair appointment.  But that will be a few months down the road.  I will probably have changed my mind by then.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Fun Monday// Christmas Shopping

Julie is hosting fun Monday's for November.  Today's topic is.

When do you start your Christmas shopping? On Black Friday? Cyber Monday? And, who is the hardest person to buy for?


Wow!! I usually start trying to get in the Christmas spirit by Thanksgiving.  I start to shop around on Cyber Monday. I have no problem getting what gifts I want.  It's just not a challenge anymore.  All of my family, makes a Christmas list.  So I know what I'm getting for each of them.  I will be done shopping by the time I go to bed tonight.  Hopefully this will ring true this year.

The hardest person to buy for would be my dad.   He has everything and what he doesn't have and want I would never be able to afford. (Wheatherby rifles) So he is my challenge.  It's usually a gift card from one of his favorite stores.

I also have a husband who has a birthday in December.  The 20th so it's a challenge to get Christmas and his birthday and not combine the two.  I think we have it all planned for this year.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Decorating for Christmas

Black Friday, is when I usually decorate for Christmas.  Why? Because I don't like the crowds, the sales are not worth the crazy madness that is going on.  I would go out just to people watch, but not many of my friends want to get out at 3am to do this.  So we usually decorate.  Well this year, my elves (The Boy and Hubs) did all the work for me on Wednesday.  They were going to just get all the decorations down from upstairs.  I came home on Wednesday evening to this.
Oh how excited I was.  I could not believe my eyes.  Not only did they get everything down, they put it all up.


My whole Living area is done.  I just couldn't believe it.  How I love my guys.  What a wonderful surprise.  Now what would we do on Black Friday?  Well I spent the day looking for some good snack food recipes, while my guys spent the day deer hunting.  We all had homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, when they came in. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  If you went shopping on black Friday, I hope you got everything you were after.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Favorite Beauty Product

Fun Monday. Julie is hosting Fun Monday's for November. Today she writes our assignment.


The topic for November 22, 2010 is - What is your favorite beauty product? And Why?




Wow!!! I love Beauty products, where do I start. Oh wait I will only pick one.



Last year my hubs, The boy and I all went to the big city for the Ranch Rodeo. We had a whole day to do something in. We went to the big mall. I like to look at all the new products, and see what I may need. The sales lady talked me into getting this product. I really didn't expect it to do anything she claimed it to do. I have been burned so many times by the sales pitch. I think I have gullible written on my forehead. So anyway I bought the product. I used it that night and have used it everyday I wear makeup. I have to say I love it. I'm so glad I listened to that little sales girl.



My favorite beauty product. Smashbox Jet Set eye line in black. It comes with this great brush. The reason I love this product. It doesn't come off until you take it off, with eye makeup remover or some kind of makeup remover. I mean it last through tears, it's still there in the morning if you sleep in it.

I can't wait to hear what your favorite beauty product is, maybe I will find something new I need to try.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Busy Week//Day

I just set down to write a few lines and realized it's been almost a week since I have posted anything.  Is that bad?  It's been a busy week, today has been just crazy busy.  I haven't felt myself all week I have an ear and sinus infection, so my world feels a little off.  I haven't worked out almost all week, wow I have to get back on that tomorrow. 


Today was our church's Thanksgiving Dinner.  We had so much food, isn't that the way it is such good cooks make an over abundance of good food.  I took hot rolls, pumpkin poke cake, pumpkin muffins and wild rice stuffing.  I have to brag on my hot rolls.  They all turned out great.  I mean I can make bread but it's never been this good.  Not for sure if it was the yeast, the temperature outside or just that I took my time.  Whatever the reason I hope to continue to duplicate it.

Our church hosted Ministerial Alliance this evening.  What a wonderful feeling when all the community churches can come together and worship.  I just have to say I love my church and all the people that attend.

Have a wonderful evening. 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Fun Monday// Christmas Decor

Julie is hosting fun Monday's for November.  Today's assignment is.

The topic for this Fun Monday -
When do you start decorating for Christmas?
Do you go all out? Or just put up a tree? Do you have a theme each year?



I usually start decorating the Friday after Thanksgiving.  When we lived in the city it would take days and days to decorate.  We had a huge seven foot tree, it seemed massive. You know the kind where you have to take a break while decorating it.

Since we have moved to the country, we have downsized alot.  Last year I found the cutest tree, the kind you could leave undecorated and have up all year round.  Well we don't, but you could.  I have so many decorations, that only about half of them get put up.  I used to buy a new set of colored ornaments each year.  I have stopped doing that.  My tree is red ornaments, white lights, and pretty tree skirt. 

Around the house we place all the ornaments my mom has done for us, she started doing it in the 80's, so I have plenty, before Hubs and The Boy.  Every year she has a theme, buys all the ornaments and places our names and the date on them.  She does this for all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She starts on this project right after Halloween.

Guess what we will be doing next Friday??  I'll try to remember to post pictures.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A big giant Thank You!!! To all the Veterans for keeping this land I love Free.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Casserole Exchange

Three of my coworkers and I have decided to have a casserole exchange.  Why didn't we think of this a few years ago.  We thought it would be great to open our freezers and have supper sitting right there just waiting to be popped in the oven.  We each are responsible for making a 8x8 pan of our favorite casserole.  My new favorite casserole is this one, you have got to try it.  I always try out my new recipes on my church at our monthly dinners.  I had so many request for the recipe I just give out the website.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Fun Monday

Julie My Bestie. Is hosting Fun Monday's for November.  This week she writes our assignment.
Sign up for Fun Monday!





November 8 - Tell us about your Thanksgiving Day meal. Do you have your menu planned? Do you have the traditional turkey dinner, or go a bit more non-traditional? What is your favorite go-to dish for Thanksgiving? Any recipes you'd like to share?






This ought to be a food filled Fun Monday! I can't wait. I think I am going to share a recipe as part of mine. :)




Well around my mom's house, which is where we always celebrate Thanksgiving.  It's so interesting, my dad eats no bird. We usually have ham and all the trimmings.  Some years we have had pizza, one year we did Mexican, we were sick the whole weekend. We had eaten so much.  Whatever we are having to eat is the last thing I really care about.  I love to spend time with my parents, and my family that gets to make it home for the Holiday.  You never can tell what we will be doing which is fine by me.  Some people go nuts trying to make sure it is the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving.  One thing that is always the constant in our family dinner is dessert.  We always have pumpkin pie and I always bring my Pecan Pie.  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
Here is the recipe if you are looking to make an easy pecan pie
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons of Old No. 7 (Jack Daniels)
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell unbaked.

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, eggs, pecans and Old No. 7, and stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell, and place on a heavy-duty cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minuets. Lowe the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until pie is set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Servings 6 to 8

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Basketball Season

It has started already for the boy. I missed the first two games, due to work. But we all are going today. What a busy schedule they have atleast two games every week, and they are night games. I'm dating myself, but we never had night games. Looking at that I wish we would have, maybe my parents and other parents could have watched us play. Wish our team luck, and please say a pray for my boy. He is after all part mine. So he may end up laying on the floor a few times. :)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Proud To Be An American

I woke up this morning with this song going through my head. I just love it, Lee Greenwood could sing it like no one else. I'm stopping by the polling place on my way to work, to exercise my right as an American. Remember to get out and vote today.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fun Monday

My Bestie is hosting Fun Monday.  Here is what I feel.  I have learned in my short life even though you think you know someone, politics and religion can rip you apart. So I really refuse to talk to anyone outside of my immediate family about my views. 

I know what party I'm voting for and what way I'm voting on the State Questions. 

I just don't get all the hoopla.  I don't care how much of their own money a Politician has put into their campaign, does it make them a better person, and are they going to fight more for my rights as an American?
Doubt it.

I'm so glad tomorrow is the day, maybe the phone calls will stop, and the commercials will stop, the mud slinging will stop(this one I doubt will ever happen.)

I was so applaud to find out one of our candidates for Governor, accused the other one of playing the "mommy and wife card". What the hell?  Are you not allowed to be proud of being a wife and mother now?  It's upsetting to me to see what things come down to.  I haven't even lived my life yet.  What about our grandparents, think about how much they have seen.  It scares me sometimes to think about what this great country will be like in a few short years, when my son is old enough to vote.

A quote from my Preacher yesterday.  "Get out and vote early, and often."

Friday, October 29, 2010

Broken Scale

As you all know I've been trying to lose some weight.  I started out doing the South Beach Diet, it was pretty successful, but I grew tired of it really quick.  So now I've just been trying to eat better, and get some exercise.  This doesn't mean it has always went that way.  There has been the bacon cheeseburger and fries, the peanut butter cups.  Oh well.

I went to the Dr. yesterday for a little check up.  Of course you must get your weight and blood pressure, no matter what.  I got on the scale and it said the same thing mine say at home.  Well mind you I get on my scale every Monday morning bare so something was totally amiss.  The nurse said I think your scale at home is broken.

Hubs happened to be in town with me.  He went to the local super center and bought us a new analog scale, I just don't know if I trust a digital scale now.

I hopped out of bed this morning, and darted to the bathroom ready for my day. This of course is just a great picture in my mind.  I did make it finally to the bathroom after snuggling with each dog, I got on my new analog scale.  Yep the digital one is broken.  I've been doing circuit training and cardio, and now I see the real number the scale should read.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Meet Putter

This is Putter.  He is the newest addition to our family.  I went and adopted him today from our local SPCA.  Yes I said I did it.  Neither one of my guy's had a clue.  We have been talking about getting another dog for sometime, when I seen him I knew he was the one.

He is a Dachshund, he weights 6.7# and is 5 months old.  He won't get much bigger than he is now.  He has already wrapped us all around his little paw.  Well maybe not Jack and Rowdy our other 2 dogs.


I'm sure he will gives us much enjoyment, the more we all get to know each other.  He will have to share the inside with Jack. Who at the moment is not to thrilled by the little thing that keeps following him around and smelling him.  One more note his name came with him, we haven't decided whether to change it yet.  I'm kinda getting used to it myself.  He seems like a little putter.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Weekends

I love the weekends, it's the time I get to spend with my guys doing absolutely nothing if we wanted.  This weekend was a classic example of that.  Saturday we went to an Estate Sale.  I bought a cookbook I have so many, I like to set down and read them straight through like a paperback novel, when I first get one.  I also bought two new kitchen gadgets, which I'm a junky for.  I love gadgets.  We then spent the rest of the day with my parents, riding the four-wheeler and just visiting.  Oooh we went and looked at new cars, not that I'm wanting one, we just wanted to see how they have changed in the year since we bought ours.  Sunday was a classic Sunday.  Church, home for a big lunch then to do house chores, laundry and get caught up on all the shows we had recorded over the week.   

Hope everyone has a great week. 

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Breakfast

I took this photo this morning with my cell phone.  This is what breakfast time looks like around our house.  The boy is eating and Jack is waiting patiently for some sort of crumby to fall, or be given to him. 

Monday, October 18, 2010

Fun Day

We headed out Saturday morning in time to eat lunch at a place we have heard good things about.  Well we got there and the place was so packed, the wait for a table was over an hour and half. So we turned around and went to Olive Garden.  We ate and then we ventured back to the place.  It's called Pop's man it was still busy.  We went in and each of us picked out a six pack of pop.  I'm not sure what we ended up with there are so many different variety's and they all are in glass bottles.

We then decided we would venture to The Round Barn, well there was a wedding in progress so I snapped this picture as we drove by.


I got some shopping in on this trip, and the guy's actually were well behaved.  We also picked up the boy's Halloween costume.  You will have to wait to hear about that.  It was a great Saturday.  I really enjoy the day trips that are not far from home, you can go somewhere during the day and be home for your own bed that night.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Lace Vine

It has been crazy busy around here the last few days.  We have had homework, workouts and of course TV shows to watch.  Tonight is kind of a quite night, so I decided to set on the porch and watch the boy play outside.  Why is it boy's are attracted to dirt?  No matter what he wants to play in it.  While watching him and doing nothing I noticed my Lace Vine has decided to bloom, wow it's late in the year for that. It is so pretty, it has taken over one whole corner and part of the side of the fence.  This Lace Vine has been growing here for over 20 years, my husband's Grandmother planted it.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Last Game

Last Game of 2010 football season.  I think our team needs a big round of applause.  Some of these boys have never been in organized sports, my son for starters.  They played their  best and should be proud.


Way to take it on the chin.



Push Him Down!!!




He played his little heart out.  I'm so proud of him.  This was the longest he has played in any game.

Now we move on to basketball.  Being a sports mom is so new to me.  I'm still trying to get the hang of it.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Little Late

This little pumpkin is a little late for just starting.  My son planted about 100 pumpkin seeds, in my flower bed.  We have only 2 plants.  This little guy and another one are just starting.

We have never been able to grow pumpkins, they always seem to die.  I was so excited to go out tonight and see this little guy starting, even though he is late.  Wonder how big he will get before the first freeze.

This would be the sum total of the whole plant.  Wonder what we are doing wrong?  Got any ideas?  We seem to be able to grow everything else except pumpkins. Next year we are going to spread them out in different places around our yard, and pastures.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Squeeze

photo
I'm going in this morning for my squeeze.  Don't forget to get your annual appointment, and do your self exams.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Winter Skin

I know the weather is getting cooler, by the feel and look of my skin.  I need to dip in a vat of lotion everyday twice a day.  The weather is just starting to turn.  Here are some of my favorite ways to beat the crocodile skin.



Curel all over ultra healing body lotion, Mary Kay extra emollient night hand cream, Heel to Toe cucumber heel treatment, Burt's Bees lip balm with acai berry, Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine, and Absolutely Magic cuticle cream.  These are just a few in my arsenal for old man winter.  Seems the older I get the more I need to add. 

Cool Weather

I love fall weather.  The days you can wear a little jacket over your shirt to work.  I love fall weather, but I don't like the look of dry skin, my skin gets all crocodile, my lips get chapped.  Yuck.  What do you do for a winter beauty regimen?  I will come back later and show you some of my favorite winter products.  Let me know what is your favorite way to kick the crocodile skin.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Saturday Fun Day


This is how our Saturday started.  This is the boy and his Weatherby Rifle.  His Meme and Poppy bought this for his 10th birthday.
Today was cool day, so it was perfect weather for some rifle shooting, the gun doesn't get to hot, either does the shooter. I didn't stay out to long, I'm wimpy.



This is my dad, he totally loves the sport of shooting, guess I come by it naturally.

The targets were close ones today, about 100 yards away.  You can't see the backstop from these pictures, but it's out there with used bottles filled with water in front of it.  These make the best targets, they explode when fired upon. 

We hope to get a few more Saturday's of shooting in before it gets really cold..

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Tooting My Own Horn

I always have thought that a person should not toot their own horn.  What if you stumble and fall?  Will the world think of you as a failure?  Well today is a good example.  I have a friend who I haven't seen in a while.  He came to see me today.  Just to check in, he does this every couple of months.  He walked in my office and said "wow your hair has gotten long, and you have lost weight."  I was so excited that someone out of my office, and family noticed.  I just wanted to jump up and hug him.  It's true I've been trying a new diet. 


Yep this is the one.  I've been doing it for 17 days and have lost 15 pounds.  I'm not going to say it's been easy.  I had to give up sugar and creamer in my coffee.  Uggh that was the hardest part. After the first 2 weeks, it has become second nature.  Some days I feel like I will turn into a rabbit, from all the salads.  My support system, hubby, is the greatest.  He makes my breakfast, helps me pack a lunch, and calls me everyday to see if I can have what he is cooking for dinner.   He has also been helping me get that little bit of extra exercise in by walking with me in the evenings.  I know I will stumble and trip along this journey, I just hope the world doesn't think of me as a failure.  Love to all.  I'm putting my horn away now.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Not Much Tuesday

That about sums it up.  Not much Tuesday; is what has been going on today.  I kind of like those days when you can come home from work and set on the couch and veg out.  We went to little man's football game last night. He has another one on Thursday.  Saturday we are going to have some excitement around here so you will have to come back and see what we have done.  Have a great evening.  I've got to go watch Gibbs and the gang now.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Walk About

I love that it is cooler weather.  My guys and I got out and had a walk about, down the dirt road this evening.  My son loves to find junk in the road.  You never know what you will come across out here in the country.


                 An old bent, rusted fence post.

The sunflowers are just about gone for the year.

We are going to try to walk the road more often this fall, we decided it would be a great time for the family to spend more time together and of course the exercise would not hurt any of us. 


I hope everyone had a great weekend.