Sunday, February 22, 2015

This and that

Burr it's chilly out today.
-15*, but bright and sunny.
I'll take the cold over snow any day of the week so I'm not complaining.

I have found the most amazing seasoning. It's called Slap Ya Mama. If you like a little zip with your food you should try it. I got it at wally world, so you can probably find some at your local store too or order it online from the companies website. I use it on just about everything. From baked taters, pizza, steamed veggies and even tuna salad. YUM!! Speaking of baked taters, I have a new favorite way to cook them. Wash and scrub them up like you'd normally do, prick with a knife a few times, rub olive oil on the skin and sprinkle on some salt or some slap ya mama! Bake in the oven at 450* until done. The skin will be crispy and delicious!

Another good recipe to pass on is the banana bread one I've recently found. It's not just a good recipe though it makes the BEST banana bread I've ever had.
1/2c butter softened, 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1t vanilla, 1/2 c sour cream, 2 c flour, 3t baking powder and 1/2t salt. Nuts are optional. I used chopped pecans about 3/4c.

Cream your butter and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs, then sour cream. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Then your nuts
Grease your pans. Bake at 350* for 50-55 min. Makes 2 loaves.

In other non food related news:

Chyann has decided not to go to the prom this year. She says the hype of prom is fun - shopping for the dress, accessories and getting all dolled up but the actual prom itself is boring. I say ok, so go to the after prom party. She says they are roller skating again this year and skating is not her cup of tea. Well alrighty then, no prom.

The ACT's are coming up for her too. The emphasis that is placed on that test blows my mind.

We are going to go on a few college tours this spring, which should be fun.

Caden has a basketball tourney today. There is only one left after this one for the season and both happen to be in towns that are nearby, which is a nice change.  

Have a good week!




Saturday, February 21, 2015

Saturday AM coffee

You know I've been thinking about blogging.
I've even composed posts in my head, but never made it to the computer to get them down. 
Time. 
There's never enough of it sometimes.

Anywho.

The Dozer update:
He is 3 months old, weighs about 10 pounds and is barely bigger than his Mother.
His personality is all obnoxious lab - big dog trapped in a small body. 
He is sweet as hell, but a pain in my ass. 
I have to keep reminding myself that he is just a pup when he eats a glove or finds another object that is not a chew toy. 
Colton wants him to be his dog and that is fine, but damn someone has to take care of him until Colton returns from Europe and I guess it's going to be me by default.


Speaking of my traveling son.
I hijacked this picture from his FB page.
He and the girlfriend were going to a play in Edinburgh while in Scotland.
They sure look happy don't they? 


After Scotland they flew to Ireland and spent a few days touring the countryside before flying back to the UK to continue their classes in Stratford. 
They are currently in London and will be there for the remainder of the month. 

Sigh. 
We sure miss him, but I'm thrilled he is able to do this European tour. 


A few pictures I took this morning when I went out to feed the horses. 
I hate to think of it, but we really need to find Casper a new home this spring. He is too good of a horse not be enjoyed by some kid who will love him to pieces. And what's not to love? He rides, drives, pulls, has a fun personality and is beautiful.




Caden continues to keep us all busy runny to and from basketball/wrestling practices and games.

The wrestling tourney last weekend he took 3rd, which oh man was he bummed about.
He won one match and had two matches that went into double sudden death overtime which he lost.

He usually has to wrestle up at the tourneys because this is his first year and the other kids have typically been wrestling since kindergarten.

This is good and bad.
Good that he will get experience fast, but bad because he will loose some matches because he lacks the experience. 
He is absolutely stoked about wrestling though, which is fantastic.

Lots to do today so I'd better get with it.
Take it easy :)








Sunday, February 8, 2015

Sunday AM coffee

 Sunday once again.

Not a lot going on here except baking.
The kids are off bananas again and I've got a counter full of nice ripe ones to do something with.
I'm thinking banana cake and banana bread. 


The basketball tourney up North yesterday was good. 
The boys walloped the other teams they played by literally 40+ points each. 
That sure doesn't happen often.
Basketball season only has about two more weeks left which is good because wrestling really starts gearing up in March with two or three tourneys a week.


Colton is now in Ireland.
The kids flew there yesterday. 
I think they'll only be there a few days before having to get back to the UK for classes. 

We've seen a slight warming trend recently and I hope to drag my girl out for a ride today.
Funny how the tables have turned. 
It used to be her bugging me to ride and now it's me bugging her.



A gorgeous sunset the other night.



Take it easy



Thursday, February 5, 2015

TBT?

Throw back Thursdays?
Sure why not. 

My kiddos.
They've sure grown.
Looking back it seems like times were simpler then.
They probably weren't though. 
Just that illusion time can give you.





Talked to Colton via Skype last night.
They just got back from an overnight trip to the Isle of Skye.

He said it was so beautiful there that pictures will never do it justice and that he hoped we could go there one day ourselves and see it.

Apparently they are planning a trip to Ireland too and are flying there this weekend.

Ever see that movie August: Osage County?
Loved that movie.
I realized Julia and I have about the same boring hairstyle and if mine looks as bad as hers does that I need a change ASAP!

Is more always better?
When it comes to garlic I've always thought so.
Simple recipe for salad dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 shredded cucumber, 1 T red wine vinegar, salt/pepper, 1 clove garlic. Mix in your food processor until mixed up.
Well I added four cloves.
Four may have been two too many lol
Good BUT hot and pungent.

Have a good one :)


Sunday, February 1, 2015

Sunday AM coffee

The main even this weekend was a wrestling tourney about an hour North of us. 

Caden took second place in his weight class. 
Which was fantastic!
He won two and lost one match - the match he lost was damn close though.
Freaking exciting I tell you.


In case you cant tell because of the blur, that's Caden on the left after winning a match.
Man I need a camera with a faster freaking shutter. 


Finally talked to Colton last night via facetime on our iphones. 
The connection was not the best and we lost connection a few times, but whatever we got to see and hear him so it was wonderful.
He says yes to the standard MOM type questions:
YES - he is eating well, sleeping well, having fun, doing his homework, brushing his teeth, keeping track of his stuff and all that. 
lol
Good good. All things a worried parent needs to hear. 
They'll be in Scotland for another week then traveling South to England.

~~

Our weather has turned cold again, back to more typical winter temps. 

Have you noticed the daylight?
I don't see much of a difference in the mornings yet, but in the evening it's light till about 515p. 
Spring is coming folks.  

And with Spring on the way my to do list is coming together.
Do you realize that this spring/summer Chyann will be getting her SENIOR pictures done?
Well it's true and with that fact looming all sorts of things have to happen (for her graduation party of course) like painting the porch, replacing a few windows, planting trees, finally removing the Elm tree stump, getting rid of the impediment in the back yard that is the old hottub, planting a bunch of shrubs/perennials behind the garage............... the list goes on and on.

Final thought for the day.
Super bowl Sunday.

I don't care who wins, just hope it's a good game.  

Have a good one!