My Dad Rocks!

For those of you who don't know, my dad can do wonderful things with wood. And he has taught my husband quite a bit. One of these days I should go around my house taking pictures of all of the things that he has made for me or has helped my husband make. The purpose of this post is strictly to brag about the cubby/locker thing my dad built for my tiny "mud room" back in the Fall.

I was desperate for something to keep a hold of all of the coats and bookbags and shoes and hats and and and... So my dad built this for me to fit in my tiny space. Though my dad is a natural finish kind of guy, I painted it. I'm sure it broke his heart, sorry. My only disappointment was that the brown turned out much lighter than it was supposed to.

My Discover Card Commercial...

Option not taken to pay a babysitter while you go to the store, $10-15
1 cart with about a month's worth of groceries ~$230
Making it to the checkout line with 3 kids and not a single tantrum- PricelessWithout Jason around and even with Jason around sometimes, I have to go to the store by myself with kids in tow.

This is how I survive. I plan ahead. I go first thing in the morning after breakfast or immediately after naps. No tired and cranky fits.

I start out by getting one of those annoying to drive Tanks of a cart. I buckle all 3 kids in. (Just in case you are wondering, you can put duct tape around the buckle so your five year old can't undo it. I'm just sayin'...)

I bring a bag with books and one toy for each of the boys and attach it the the handle in front of them. I bring an assortment of toys for Pais, but only ones that can attach to the cart handle. I don't want to be picking up toys the entire time.
It is also mandatory to bring water bottles and snacks.
And finally, you run through the store as fast as you can getting everything you need. I would love to say that I plan ahead this much every time. Alas, instead I end up with 5 things in my cart and wanting to strangle kids and kick myself for not doing this. Life is much much easier when I do this.

There Jason, I hope this satisfies your need for pictures.

City Cruise

As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the city they had a "cruise", where people came out with their awesome cars and cruised up and down one of the main streets as well as were parked in store parking lots all up and down the same street. We just happened to be out and about when this was going on. It was crazy traffic with everyone driving up and down the street but we really enjoyed seeing the cool cars.

Here are a few of them that I happened to get pictures of.

Wicked Ice Storm

A few days before we left for Christmas break, we received a wicked Ice Storm as we tend to get a few times a winter. Ice scares me. It is dangerous to drive on, knocks out the power and can cause all sorts of other problems. It definitely had me double checking our 72 hour kit.

Problem #1: This is our street. That is 1 1/2 inches of solid ice. Sorry, but no snow plow is going to help this problem.Problem #2: This is the Tree whose branches reside over our driveway, causing us not to be able to park in our driveway lest we desire to have our windshield bashed in by the falling branches and icicles.
Problem #3: This is our driveway. It had about 6" of snow on it before the ice started. Yes the snow still being their is our own problem. But it is kind of hard to shovel when your shovel is in the shed which is held shut by a frozen lock. We did finally have a genius friend tell us that we could boil a pot of water and put the lock in that. So after doing that, I had the joy of spending 2 hours shoveling it. Actually, I secretly enjoy shoveling. Don't tell Jason, or he will always make me do it. And also, having the snow under the ice actually made it A LOT easier to shovel.
Although the ice can cause many problems, it can be quite beautiful too.

Now I know how my dad felt.

Growing up I remember my dad always complaining about having to fix the cars and fix this and that around the house. But at the same time I remember him enjoying that he could and that he knew how. As I grew older, I came to the understanding that my dad's cursing as he fixed the car or leaky sink were not so much because he didn't want to do the task, but because he didn't have the proper tools with which to complete the job. And that my friends makes the best of us want to curse.

I have come to the conclusion that I know just how he felt. I love to sew. As a matter of fact, I just bought a bunch of new fabric that I planned to use for my various projects. As I started working on my project, my exorbitantly old sewing machine started having more and more and more issues. I just couldn't take it anymore. I have finally got it to the point where I just NEED a new one. So I have been in search of a new machine.

As a result of my frustration with my machine and search for a new one, I informed Jason that I was adding a sewing machine to my Christmas list. He informed me that it is August and I can't have a Christmas list in August. You're kidding me right? So I explained to him that I have a Christmas list year round. And it isn't so much that I am really keeping a list of things I would realistically expect to get, but just a list of "stuff" I would like to have. 99% of them I know that I will never get.

So if you ever wondered what makes it to my year round Christmas list, enjoy. This is the short version, unfortunately. (And ok, so if you can't guess what I'm really into right now, your crazy).

A Sewing Machine: I'm torn between a Janome, Singer Curvy and a Babylock.
This Food Processor
A Kitchenaid 6 qt. Pro. Mixer and yes I know I have a Kitchenaid already. I just want an upgrade. Remember this is my never expect to get Christmas list.
A Deep Fryer... something like this.
A dutch oven- not the camping kind though.
A SWEET Knife
Both of these Tart pans are calling to me. (I've been borrowing a friend's for a while and have to give it back and I want to cry. In case you were wondering...)
Herb Cutter- these rock
Food Scale
I need these bowls wicked awful bad.
I really want a wheat grinder too.
I really really really want subscriptions to Bon Appetit and Gourmet. Really I'm dying for them. (The real crime in this is that I have never had a subscription to any magazine other than the Ensign).

Sigh ... Glad he's mine.

Jason Reminded me today why I married him. Jason has a knack for making me happy. Good thing, as we're kinda stuck with each other at this point. Jason can always tell when the boys are giving me a particularly rough day. It is usually a good clue when he calls and I answer the phone with one of those "why are you calling me and what do you want and I don't really care what you have to say, my day sucks" kind of hello's. He's usually pretty patient with my snappiness. But he knows how to melt it all away too. Today he came home from school with some flowers and immediately took the boys in the playroom to play while I finished dinner. Did I mention I love this guy? I love that he frequently brings me flowers after I have a rough day, as if every day for him isn't rough/long. I love that the flowers are those $4 per bunch ones from the grocery store. I think it is cute and thoughtful. Well, ok and I don't have to worry that they are going to break out budget. I love him, enough said.

The Cake

My fabulous sister-in-law, Kristine, had a baby shower while I was in Utah. So I helped my mother-in-law with the food and such. And because every party needs a cake or more like I've been dying for an excuse to make this cake, I made this little pregnant belly cake. Ok it wasn't really little, but it was sure cute. All I can say is picking up a piece of fondent that huge all by yourself is really freaking hard. I spent a lot of time making and preparing to make this cake, so I sure hope she liked it as much as I did. lol.

In Utah...

If you've been wondering where I've been... the answer is UTAH! I've been visiting friends and family. I'll be headed to Pennsylvania in another week and then hopefully I'll be back to my regular blogging.

Tagged

My good friend Sarah tagged me to describe myself using the letters of my middle name. Little did she know I was going to get off easy with only three letters.

L- Lazy Perfectionist: Many of you have heard me refer to myself as this. I really want everything to be done perfectly, but I'm much too lazy to make it so.

Y- Yo-Yo: I'm a total looney sometimes. Lately I'm crazy because I've got so many things going on that I can't complete a sentance without changing subjects. What do you mean our meeting and my laundry have nothing to do with eachother?

N- Novice: I love to do a lot of things including cooking, sewing, scrapbooking and sleeping. People often think I'm really good at these things. But they are fooled, I really am just a novice at all of these things. Well, all of them but sleeping.

Um, I tag... Rebekah and Rachel...this will give you something new to blog about.

A Slew of New Recipes

I have been really into cooking for the past several months. Perhaps it is the whole not working all day and then having to come home and cook thing? Whatever the reason, I'm in love. The only problem with being in love is that I often become obsessed with things I fall in love with. This would be the case with cooking. Another problem caused by this obsession is that I find myself expanding the spices and other products that I MUST have on hand. Why is this a problem? This is why. This is about all of the cupboard space that I have for food and it is tiny and overflowing. I don't have room to expand.
Yet again another problem this is causing is that I can rarely stand to use margarine or this. I have to almost be desperate to even consider it.Finally, a reason my new found love is bad for my life. He compains that I'm making him fat. I think he's hot. And let's be honest... the sitting studying all but 2-3 waking hours a day is more likely the culprit.For some reason I really enjoy trying new recipes. I enjoy trying new things more than I like making the things I know and love. Weird eh? Anyway, last month I decided that I wanted a bunch of new recipes to try so I went searching through blogs and cookbooks, but mostly blogs. I found a bunch that looked yummy, so I tried them all out. I will share with you the ones that I will be keeping around to make again. But first I thought that I should share some credit. I don't remember which recipe came from which blog, but here are just a few of the blogs that I have on my bookmarks. Enjoy!

http://www.thepioneerwomancooks.com/
http://www.sweetnicks.com/
http://www.pizzaandrootbeer.blogspot.com/
http://www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/
http://www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com/
http://www.saraskitchen.blogspot.com/

And now for the recipes...

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

6 Tbs. Honey (be liberal)
5 Tbs. Lime Juice (be liberal)
1 Tbs. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 lb. chicken, cooked & shredded
8-10 flour tortillas
1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
16 oz. green enchilada sauce (I used almost 2 full 10 oz. cans)
1 cup heavy cream

Cook chicken and shred. Mix the fist 4 ingredients & toss with shredded chicken. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 min. Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Fill tortillas with chicken & cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese for topping. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream & left over marinade. pour sauce on top of the enchiladas & sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. or until brown & crispy on top. You are now in heaven.


Potato Pierogi
(I'm sad that this is the first time that I had ever had pierogi because they were to die for. But lucky you, this is the only one a took a picture of.)

1 1/2 lbs. Baking Potatoes, peeled, cut into chunks
4 Tbs. Butter
3 small Onions, finely chopped
salt & pepper to taste
1-2 pkg. Pot Sticker (gyoza) wrappers (my stores don't carry them but wonton wrappers are the
same thing, just square.
Potential Toppings
3-5 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 cup chives
2 Tbs. chopped Parsley
Fried onions
Sour Cream
Melted Butter
Basalmic Vinegar

Cook potatoes in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Drain and set aside. Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet & cook the onions until softened and lightly browned, darkly browned in spots. Mash potatoes and then mix in onions & cooking butter. Season generously with salt & pepper.

Line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Working one at a time, brusht he edges of the wrapper with water and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Fold the dumpling in half, pressing edges together to seal. Place dumplings on cookie sheet.

Heat a tiny bit of oil (1-2 Tbs) in a non-stick skillet, add dumplings in a single layer. When they are golden and spots are browned, turn & brown on other side. Add enough water to equal about 1/4" or less in depth. Be careful not to add too much. Cover & cook 3-4 minutes. Remove lid & check for doness. Pierogi should be tender but not mushy. (You can also use a boiling method, but I think these turned out perfect this way.

Top with desired toppings. I prefered just sour cream. Jason prefered the basalmic vinegar. The melted butter was ok too.
Honey Glazed Chicken

1 1/2 lb. diced, uncooked Chicken
1/3 cup Flour
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
6 Tbs. Butter
1/2 cup Honey
6 Tbs. Lemon Juice
4 Tbs. Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour and seasonings. Coat chicken in flour mixture. Melt 2 Tbs. butter in backing dish large enough for chicken to lay in a single layer. Arrange chicken in pan & bake for 30 min. Meanwhile in a small saucepan, melt remaining butter & add honey, lemon juice, soy sauce & ginger.

After chicken has baked 30 min. turn each piece over and pour sauce mixture evenly over chicken. Bake another 30-40 min. basting frequently. Serve over rice.

Tamale Pie

1 lb. Ground Beef
1/2 med. Onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
10 oz. can Red Enchilada Sauce
1/2 Corn
1/4 cup sliced Olives
1 tsp. Salt

Crust:
1 1/2 cups Cornmeal
1 cup Water
3/4 cup Evaporated Milk
1 tsp. Salt
1 (4 oz.) can diced Green Chilis
1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack

For Filling: Cook beef, onion & garlic in large skillet. Drain. Add enchilada sauce, corn, olives & salt.

For Crust: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 9" pie plate or 9x9" baking dish. Combine corn meal, water, evaporated milk & salt in a med. saucepan. Cook over med-high heat, stirring frequently, 5-7 min. or until thickened. Stir in chilis. Reserve 1 cup cornmeal mixture, spreading remaining cornmeal mixture on bottom & up sides of the baking dish. (It stays "in place" better if you refrigerate it for about an hour before baking.) Bake for 10 min. Cool slightly. Sppon beef mixture into crust. Spread reserved cornmeal mixture on top. Bake 15-20 minutes, sprinkle with cheese & bake another 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Beef & Broccoli

1 2/3 cup Rice
1 2/3 cup water
1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak
4 1/2 Tbs. Cornstarch
28 oz. (2 cans) Beef Broth
5 tsp. Soy Sauce
2 Tbs. Brown Sugar, heaping
2 cloves Garlic, minced
5 cups Frsh Broccoli florets

Cook rice according to your preferences. Slice beef into thin strips. Combine cornstach, broth, soy sauce, brown sugar & garlic, mix well. In lg. skillet, over med-high heat, cook meat until browned. Sti broccoli & liquid into beef. Cook until it boils & thickens, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

Home Made Chicken Noodle Soup

1 gallon Water
1 (3-4 lb.) Whole Chicken, cut into large pieces
1 lg. Onion, peeled & halved
4 Bay Leaves
15 Whole Black Peppercorns
1 bunch Celery(2/3 chopped into lg. pieces, 1/3 chopped normally)
1 lb. Carrots, don't peel, just cut off ends & cut into lg. pieces.
2 stalks Lemon Grass, chopped (my grocery store does carry this, so I left it out and it was still
divine.)
1/4 cup chicken soup base (can use boullion)
1 lb. carrots, chopped normally
8 oz. egg noodles (recipe below)

Place chicken and water in a large pot over high heat & bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 30 min. Skim foam and fat as needed. Keep pot on heat and add in onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, large chuncks of clery & carrots & the lemon grass & simmer covered for 1 hour.

Strain broth & reserve chicken. Add broth back to pot & stir in chicken soup base, chopped clery & carrots. Bring to a boil & then reduce heat 7 simmer, cover for 20 min. or until carrots & celery are tender.

Meanwhile, when chicken is cool enough, remove skin and shred into bite sized pieces. After carrots are tender, add noodles to the pot & simmer until noodles are cooked. Srir in chiken & heat through.

Egg Noodles
2 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Milk, room temp.
1 pinch salt
2 eggs, beaten, at room temp.

In a large bowl, mix together flour & salt. Add eggs & milk. Knead dough until very smooth, about 5 minutes. Let rest in covered bowl 5 minutes (VERY IMPORTANT) On lightly floured surface, roll our dough to desired thickness. (I would say try to go pretty thin). Cut into desired lengths & shapes. Allow to air dry before cooking. (I had to let mine dry almost all day, turning once.)

Macadamia Crusted Chicken with Mango Salsa

1 lb. Chicken Breasts, cut in strips
1 cup Flour, seasoned generously with salt and pepper
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
8 oz. Macadamia Nuts, finely chopped
2 cups Plain Breadcrumbs
Oil, for deep-frying
Salt for seasoning

Mango Salsa

2 medium Mangos, finely diced
3 Tbs. Red Onion, finely diced
2-3 Tbs. Cilantro, roughly chopped
1 fresh Jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
Juice from 1 lime

Cut the chicken into strips, Dust the chicken strips with the flour, then dip them in the egg and, finally, coat them generously in the combined nuts and breadcrumbs. Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.To make the salsa, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and black pepper. (I liked to use Kosher Salt) Set aside. Fill a large, heavy-based saucepan one-third full of oil and heat to 350 degrees, or until a cube of bread dropped in the oil browns in 15 seconds. Cook the chicken strips in batches for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown all over, taking care not to burn the nuts. Drain on crumpled paper towels. Serve the chicken strips warm with the salsa. (I baked mine in the oven at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. This turned out good but I can tell it would be better deep fried)

Sweet & Sour Chicken

3-4 Chicken Breasts
3/4 cup Sugar
4 Tbs. Ketchup
1/2 Vinegar
1 Tbs. Soy Sauce
1 tsp. Garlic Salt
Salt & pepper to taste
Corn Starch
Egg
Rice

Cut chicken in strips. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown. place in baking dish. mix together sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce & garlic salt. Pour sauce over chicken. bake for 1 hour @ 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes. Serve over rice.

Chicken & Rice with Rosemary
1 Whole Chicken, small
3-4 cup Chicken Broth
3-4 cups Water
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbs. Fresh Rosemary, chopped
Basil, dried
2-3 Tbs. Garlic, minced
2 cups Rice
Salt & Pepper for seasoning

Remove skin from chicken and rinse. Place chicken in slow cooker. Add chicken broth & water. There should be enough liquid to cover about 2/3 of the chicken. Coat top of chicken with EVOO. Sprinkle garlic, fresh rosemary and basil on and around chicken. Cook chicken on high for about 5 hours. The chicken should fall apart very easily when it is finished cooking.

Next, separate chicken fromt he broth mixture, placing chicken pieces in a large bowl. Strain the broght mixture, saving all broth. straining the broth will ensure no small bones are left in the broth. Put about 4 cups of strained broth back into slow cooker. Shred chicken and add back into slow cooker also. Add 2 cups rice. Check the slow-cooker often, sritting each time. You will probably have to add more broth while the rice finishes cooking. When rice is tender, the dish is done. Season with salt and pepper. (I tried not to open the crockpot to stir to often because it makes it take much longer to cook the rice).

Chicken with Spicy Peanut Sauce

1 lb. Chicken Breasts
1 Green Onion, cut into several pieces
1 piece of Ginger, cut into several pieces
1 Tbs. Cooking Sheery
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
a little water

Sauce:
1 Tbs. Peanut Butter
2 1/2 Tbs. Canola Oil
3 1/2 Tbs. Soy Sauce
2 Tbs. Sugar
2 tsp. Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbs. Green Onion, minced
2 Tbs. cilantro, chopped

Cook all ingredients except those for the sauce together in a shallow pan, cover, over med-low heat for 20 minutes. Allow chicken to cool slightly, cut into strips. Make sauce while chicken is cooking.

Whisk sauce ingredients together without cooking. Serve over chicken and rice.

Oven "Fried" Parm Chicken Fingers

For Chicken:
1 cloved, Garlic, crushed
1/4 lb. Butter, melted
1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbs. chopped fresh Parsley
1 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
3 Chicken Breasts, thawed & cut into strips

For Honey Mustard Sauce
2 Tbs. Cornstarch
1 cup Water, divided
1/2 cup Honey
1/4 cup Prepared Mustard

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine crushed garlic with melted buatter. in another small bowl mix together the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, salt & pepper. Dip chicken strips into garlic butter, then into crumb mixture to coat. Place coated chicken pieces into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Drizzle with remaining garlic butter & bake uncovered in preheated oven for 35-40 min., or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

Dissolve cornstach in 1 Tbs. water in a saucepan over low heat. Add honey and mustard, mix well. Add remaining water, bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 1 min., stirring constantly. Serve with chicken for dipping.

Orange Beef & Asparagus Stir Fry

3/4 cup Orange Juice
3 tbs. Soy Sauce
1 cup Honey
1 Tbs. Cornstarch
1 tsp. Chili Oil
1 lb. Flank Steak, cut into thin strips
2 Tbs. Peanut Oil or Canola Oil
2 cups Asparagus, cut into 2" pieces
1 red Pepper, cut into strips
1/2 cup sliced Green Onion
1 cup Shredded Carrots
2 tsp. Fresh Ginger, grated
1 tsp. Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Honey roasted Peanuts

In a bowl, combine orange juice, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch and chili oil. Add steak strips, tossing to combine. Heat 1 Tbs. peanut or canola oil in large skillet, over high heat. Add Asparagus and stir fry for 4 min. Add peppers, scallions, carrots, stir fry 1 min. Add ginger and garlic, stirfry 1 min. Remove veggies to a bowl.

Heat remaining Tbs. of oil & add steak with desired amount of marinade to make sauce for veggies and to go over rice. Stirfry 3-4 minutes. Add reserved vegetables, stirfry until heated through. Serve over rice. Top with peanuts.

Savory Baked Chicken

1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Butter, melted
3 Tbs. Lemon Juice
1 Tbs. Dried Oregano
1 tsp. Garlic Salt
1 tsp. Dried Crushed Rosemary
1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
2 1/2 lbs. Chicken Breast Tenders

In a large ziplock combine olive oil and next 6 ingredients, add chicken. Seal bag and chill for at least 1 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove chicken from marinade and place in 9x13 pan. Spoon some of the marinade over chicken and bake 25-35 minutes. Serve over rice with some of the juices from the pan.

Chicken Spaghetti

2 cups cooked chicken
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1-4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained
3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into two inch pieces
2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 additional cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Bring water to a boil & add chicken parts. When finished cooking remove chicken from water and set aside. Reserve two cups of broth in a small dish. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup cheese and reserved broth. Slowly add broth until spaghetti mixture is stirable but not soupy. Add as much or little as needed. Place mixture in 9x13 pan and top with remaining sharp cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly.

Hope that you enjoy these recipes!

The 14 Days of Valentines!

For Valentine's Day this year I decided to do something called the 14 Days of Valentines, where for the first 14 days of February you do a little something for your special someone. So I decided to take on the challenge. I like to believe it was worth it. Jason seems to have enjoyed in quite a bit! So, what did I do?

Day 1: I made Jason a little scrapbooked pamphlet. I can't really call it a book because it was only 3 pages ... anywho ... There was a list of 10 reasons I love him and a list of 10 of my favorite memories with him.

Day 2: Throughout the day I sent him several email "love notes". I like to think it helped to break up his day of studying.

Day 3: Giant Rice Crispie Treats shaped like Hershey Kisses. These would have turned out a bit better had I been able to find a funnel to shape them with. Have I ever mentioned how annoying our Walmart can be when trying to find random items such as a funnel? No? Well, that is a gripe for another post, another day.

Day 4: I made a note that said, "I love you BEARY much" and attached it to a bag of gummy bears. Cheesy I know.

Day 5: I wrote him a love letter in code, you know like you wrote in Junior High to your friends just in case someone else found it. I don't think he actually had the time to decipher it until 2-3 days later.

Day 6: I wrote notes on little kid valentines and taped them all over the house for him to find.

Day 7: I filled a little jar full of pink, green and purple conversation hearts and wrote a prescription to take 1 pink one twice a day to remember how much I loved him, 1 green one twice a day to remember how much Tab loved him and 1 purple one twice a day to remember how much Benton loved him. He totally OD'd the first day. Good thing he was just left with a sugar buzz.

Day 8: Tab, Grandma (Jason's mom) and I made him some yummy sugar cookies that we decorated. More like Grandma and I decorated while Tab gorged himself on frosting but hey, what can you do.

Day 9: Tab, Grandma and I paper machéd a balloon and painted it red and wrote on it. Tab and I stuck little notes inside it.

Day 10: I made homemade fortune cookies and stuck little "love" fortunes in them.

Day 11: I made him a candybar letter, which of course didn't have any candybars on it, as the man doesn't believe in eating chocolate.

Day 12: I made a heart shaped Pizza for dinner

Day 13: I printed up the words "I love you" in 100 different languages. I cut them up into stips and stuck them in a cute little jar and made a tag for it that said "Jar of Love"

Day 14: The big day. I made a full meal, which I rarely do. I usually just make a main dish and a veggie. But I made Fettucine Alfredo, Augratten Potatoes, corn, salad and a yummy drink. For dessert I made a Strawberry Parfait. I put a valentine's tablecloth on the table and set up some candles and spread flower petals on the table. It was cute...see.

See, doesn't it just look so yummy?
And I made these yummy drinks. The frozen raspberries floating in the top are my favorite part. Tab kept asking Jason and I to "cheers" him over and over again.
And finally, the Raspberry Parfait. Now this is how it is supposed to look with the oreos.
Oh look at that yummy goodness.

But, sometimes a woman has to cater to a silly husband how doesn't believe in chocolate in any form. Thus the stawberry wafer cookies instead of the oreos. What's else would a woman to do for her man on Valentine's day?

We miss you Susan!

Before moving to come to Medical School, I worked full time and Tab went to an in home child care. Susan did such a great job. Tab just loved her. I always felt safe leaving him with her. So the other day we received a note in the mail from her. I was telling Jason about it and Tab must have overheard. So the next day we were in the car going somewhere as usual. And also as usual Tab told me where he thought that we should be going. Usually he decides he wants to go to a friend's house, Walmart, HyVee, Nursery, or the Candy Store (thanks grandpa). However that day he decided that he was going to Susan's house. I tried to inform him that we were actually going to Walmart... or wherever we were going. But he was very persistent that we go to Susan's house for a visit. I reminded him that Susan lived in Utah and that we were in Missouri. He just cried and cried that he wanted Susan. So, Susan there you go, I don't think Tab will ever forget you.

The Bane of My Existance

First, let me apologize for my long absence. I have received quite a bit of... well... let's just say prodding to post. I told myself I wasn't going to post again until I had organized all of the pictures on my computer. And however much I would love to say that I have, it just wouldn't be true. I started though. Anyway..

THIS! THIS is the bane of my existence. Two days shy of a weeks worth of laundry.

And because I swear we didn't have this much laundry before, I decided to torture myself by dividing the laundry into piles and decide who the guilty party was. I was sure that it was going to be Benton. After all, I didn't see the change until after he was born, and he is a big spitter so I feel like I'm always washing blankets and burp cloths and bibs, etc. But I decided I needed to be scientific about it or something. So I separated it and lined it up. I was surprised by what I found. From left to right: Jason's, Mine, Tab's, Benton's.

And just so you can really tell.

Jason is the guilty party. Not only is his pile far higher than anyone else's it is in the biggest basket. I guess I shouldn't be surprised the man does change his clothes three times a day.

I swear that is a huge pile of laundry for 4 people. And Jason thinks I'm weird when I drool over things like this and this in the home depot ads. And he thinks I'm odd for having this fabulous laundry room all planned out in my "dream house". This is why. I only have two kids and it takes me two days with my crappy washer and dryer to do the laundry. I'm scared to think about what it will be like with more.

Headed Home

I think that no matter where I live and no matter how long I live there Pennsylvania will always be home. Friday afternoon we are packing up and driving the 16+ hours to Pennsylvania to visit my family for Thanksgiving. There are so many things I look forward to when going home and as I think about it they are quite weird. So to get some of my excitement out so I don't go crazy over the next few days, here are a few things I'm looking forward to.

My mom's crazy messy sewing room: My mom always lets me pick a pattern or project or whatever to work on. And she helps me make it. Did I mention that she always just happens to always have the perfect fabric just sitting around? She is seriously amazing.

Roots: Prounounced with the best Pennsylvania Dutch accent you can muster. Every Tuesday in Lancaster there is a huge farmer's market type of thing. I LOVE this place. They have all sort of booths with people selling their produce and various wares. And in the evening they have an auction-a food auction. I love going to this with my mom and sisters. I'm always way too nervous to bid for some reason. But I love watching my mom do it. And I love the randomness of what we end up taking home with us.

Gabriel Brothers: This store seriously rocks. They sell clothes from all different stores that for one reason or another didn't quite make the cut to end up in that actual store. So they are generally cheap! I'm talking Limited, Express, Aeropostale, Abercrombie, The Children's Place, Gap etc. etc. etc.

D & K: This is a surplus grocery store. (Read: An old, semi-dirty, hole in the wall, tiny aisles, freaking cool store). Another cheap cheap cheap store. They get in some of the most random things. It is fun!

Fall: Fall is gorgeous in PA. I can't wait! I'm seriously jumping up and down at the thought of it. The crisp air, the leaves, the smell, mmmmmm (deep inhale)... oh the smell.

Wood Stove: I love my parents wood stove. It is the smell and feeling and and and...it is home.

Martin's Potato Chips: You can't buy these out west. Ok... I guess that I am technically in the mid-west now. What are they, you ask? Only the best Kettle Cooked potato chips in the world.

Really do I need to go on to demonstrate how much I love it or how excited I am to go home? Because let's be honest, I could go on all day and night and the next day.

Teachers That Make THE Difference

Ok, I know that it has been about 6 years since I have been in high school, but I just wanted to spotlight a few teachers that made a difference in my life. These are teachers that taught me a lot more than their particular subject. Although I am currently a stay at home mom, these men all contributed to my decision to get my degree in History Teaching. I fell in love with the way they taught and their dedication to mentoring me and helping me to become the person that I am. So in no particular order:

Joshua Naylor: Until I had Mr. Naylor I was terrified of all things Math. I had been semi-unsuccessful in math up until this point. I had convinced myself that I just wasn't smart enough. He completely changed my mind. He helped me feel like I was smart. I felt like every day that I walked into his classroom that I could be successful. He taught me that I could think differently and that I could think the way that I needed to in order to do Algebra. He was always so enthusiastic. Not just about Math, but about life and teaching and about my life. I honestly felt each day that he cared about who I was and who I was going to become. I guess that it didn't hurt that he pole vaulted too! I was amazed when I found out on one of the last days of school that that was his first year teaching. Who ever said that well seasoned teachers are the best teachers?


David Hively: Not just another math teacher. This man deserves a medal for putting up with my constant sarcasm in his classroom. Mr. Hively taught me about trust and reliability. I knew that every morning at 7 AM Mr. Hively was going to be at his desk to help me (and anyone else who needed it) with whatever silly problem I couldn't figure out from the previous night's homework. I know I always entered his room flustered and he probably shook his head as I left his room by my apparent better mood simply from figuring out what I was doing wrong. Mr. Hively showed me that a real teacher cares and wants his students to be successful. Not just successful in his class, but in life. Another thing I loved in Mr. Hively's class where those silly word problems he gave us every week. It was something I stole when I started my student teaching (just changed a little to make it work for history). I don't know if I got it then, but I don't think the purpose was ever to "just get the right answer", but to extend ourselves and think abstractly or simply just THINK. Thank you for believing that high school students are capable of thinking and stretching themselves ... something that I have learned through my observations in various schools that so many high school teachers don't believe.

Henry Stoner: I think I may have litterally cried when I learned that this man retired and my younger siblings would not have the joy of learning from this man. Mr. Stoner was a very very sarcastic person. Now sarcasm I could appreciate. I think he owes Mr. Hively an apology for making me even more sarcastic than I already was. This man taught me to LOVE history. He taught me to appreciate the little things. I still remember the stories he told about being in the army to teach us about insubordination. I remember the story about his cat being put through the dryer...can't remember why he told us that one though. I remember the excitement with which he taught. He was a great story teller. I remember the time he spent to really teach us and make us formulate our own opinions about history. I remember him listing out the various participants in the holocaust and make us vote if they were guilty or not. And then we had to decide what their punishment was supposed to be and we had to defend our vote and share our reasoning. What I wouldn't give for this man's knowledge and supplemental materials. The man was serious about being to class on time too. This still makes me laugh to this day. A very good friend of mine and I both had choir prior to his class which was on the opposite side of the school, and could be difficult to make it there on time if the halls were crowded or you needed to stop by your locker. So each day this friend and I participated in Operation Period 8, aka let's try to get to class on time so we don't have to put our names on "Stoner's Tardy List". Totally lame and very high schoolish, but what can I say we were in high school.

Tim Smith: This man was the icing on the cake for me. He made me decide that I wanted to be a teacher. For a while it was a debate between Math and History, but History won out in the end. Anyway Mr. Smith. Another man who I am truly convinced loves his job. He helped me really find my love for Political Science. He is the reason I got my Associates in Social and Political Science. He helped me get involved in Teenage Republicans, and helped to make me aware of other programs available such as being a guest page for our State Rep. and Girl's State. He instills in his students the love for and importance of our country and how it works. He taught his students to care about the world they were living in and that the only way to do anything was to be involved because soon it was going to be our world to participate in, vote in and run. Mr. Smith is another teacher that taught students to think and not be limited by what other adults told us we could or could not be.

I only hope one day to be able to be as good of a teacher as these men. I hope that I can take the various things I love about each of them to make a difference, even if only in one student's life.

What a beauty

I was going through pictures and came across some pictures of my mom when she was younger. She is so beautiful. I was trying to find some recent pictures of her as well, to show how you can still see that beautiful young woman in the beautiful grandma. Somehow I was unable to find any recent pictures of her.

I miss my mommy. She lives far away from me right now but is one of my closest friends. I look to her for advice on most everything. I hope one day to live closer to my best friend. I love you mom!

Exercise....It does a body good!

My best friend, Kimberlie, and I have started "working out" together. I am beyond excited. We tried to start a few months ago but it was a big flop. But now we are both committed. I'm sick and tired of feeling out of shape. I think that I'm in the worst shape of my life right now. I guess by writing out our plans on here makes me even more accountable.

Our plan is to exercise and lift weights three days a week. Who knows maybe we'll work up from there. We do it at 8:45 PM, so I have a chance to but Tab to bed. My goal is to be able to run a 5k by the end of summer. Not that I necessarily will run in a 5k, but I want to be able to.

All I can say is that after two days of exercising, I can feel it. My abs seem to have somehow taken the most abuse. But just knowing that I'm starting to kick my butt into shape gets me pumped!