Dinner

So we had these for dinner tonight....and they are SUPER easy and you probably have everything to make them in your pantry. I would at least double the ingredients...I actually quadrupled them. Not the potatoes....I used 4 of them and one that was kind of on the smallish side. I also baked them longer than the recipe called for--it was more like 45 to 60 minutes. I know I should have taken a picture of my plate...it was pretty.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Oven-Fresh-Seasoned-Potato-Wedges/Detail.aspx

We also had pulled pork sandwiches. The Dad and I (the Twins had green beans) had baked butternut squash. MMMMMM.....have you ever done that? I cut a squash in half, spray a cookie sheet and plop the squash cut side down on it and bake until tender. OH MY. A little pat of butter and some salt and pepper and it is heaven on a plate. Just sayin'.

Fire Batons....2009

Fire.
Every boy loves to play with it and my girl loves to twirl it. When she was a little girl sitting in the stands watching the halftime show, she dreamed of the day she would get out there and twirl fire batons.

That day has come.....again. This is what 9 million dollars spent on baton twirling lessons will getchaya.

I chose this video...not because it was the best fire twirling we had Friday night but because at the end of the fire twirling display...this girl's girl is heard....listen until the end....she was a little worried about the fire and kept asking her grandma when it would go out. We're just glad her cousin wasn't there...he is the protector of all things HOT.....

Interesting

Stuff

Today is Tuesday. It was Saturday and now it is Tuesday. Don't ask me.

We had a pretty quiet weekend. College Girl was home. She has a sinus infection and went to the doctor late Friday afternoon. Long story short, medicine that was prescribed wasn't for her. I really wasn't sure what to do....do I take her up to the emergency room, do we send her back to school without medicine and then blahblahblah. Finally, I just called the emergency room explained the situation to the VERY nice nurse and WOW....Could I meet the pharmacist at the pharmacythatisn'topen to get a new prescription? You bet.

And that My Dears is why I live where I live.

We had some really awesome smoked pork chops on Saturday courtesy of this girl. She spoils me just a bit.
And on Sunday....a fall favorite...tater tot casserole. Does anything say fall more than tater tot casserole?

My husband cleaned the upstairs bathroom. There are no words to describe this feeling.

Last night was book club at my house. Lots of laughter and good times with friends. We read:
If you haven't encountered Celia Rivenbark in a newspaper, you should. She is absolutely hilarious. And makes more than a few valid points...in a sarcastic, roundabout way. I laughed out loud more than a few times as I was reading this book. It's not the kind of book you read straight through. It's the kind you pick up and read for a few minutes and then several days later pick up again. It's great if you only have a few minutes here and there.

We have volleyball again tonight. It is our last home match game whatever. So we will spend the last 4 weeks of the season traveling. Hopefully, everywhere we travel has a McDonalds. OOHOHH...or a Dairy Queen.

Just sayin'.

I Might Be One of These Someday....

I went with our high school band to the State Fair on Wednesday. There were some highlights....I was afraid I would oversleep so I woke up at 2:53 a.m. Some of you know this interesting piece of trivia and now all of you will know it...I don't use an alarm clock. I haven't for years. Really. I just wake up. If I need to be up at 5, I just wake up. Bizarre. If I don't need to wake up, then I sleep until I wake up. I very rarely oversleep. Probably because I worry about it so I wake up. So I was basically awake from 3 in the morning until 9ish on Wednesday night. Thursday was ok but today I could tell that I am not as young as I used to be.

Anyway....back to the highlights. We pull out of the parking lot at 5:20 and get about 25 miles south of town when a deer runs into the bus. Whap! I didn't know what had happened. I was driving a suburban loaded with percussion instruments. I was following 2 buses, a van and there was a second suburban behind me. All I knew was that we were pulling over....and I began to pray that the sick kid who was getting off the bus wasn't related to me. Nope...the bus driver gets off. He looks at the front end. The suburban behind me was the AD, so he gets out and sprints to see what is going on. I stayed put. Like I was going to be of any assistance. It was cold and dark. AD looks at bus...I think well maybe we a have flat tire. AD comes running by my vehicle, bus driver gets back on bus and off we go. Later I found out what had happened.

Another highlight...pronto pups. These are a State Fair staple. These are giant hand dipped corn dogs. And they rock. I love them. A little mustard to go with and oof...it's all about good. I had 2.

Best highlight...my mom took the day off and saw her really awesome grandkids in the band and then spent the day at the Fair with me. She likes me best. She likes me best. We had a very enjoyable day. We saw some gorgeous quilts. When we grow up that's how we're going to spend our time. Making quilts.

But the bestbestbest part of the day was this:

It was Red Hat Society Day at the Fair. And let me tell you there were a lot of Red Hat ladies at the Fair. And they were having a GREAT time. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time....they paraded through the fairgrounds laughing and smiling and totally enjoying the time. It was a pretty amazing sight.


All shapes and sizes. All kinds of hats, shoes and clothes. We saw tennis shoes, moccasins and some crazy ladies with red high heels. All smiling and enjoying the day.


Isn't life grand?


I didn't know a single one of these ladies. They just waved and smiled and clapped.


One of these days, I might join these ladies. Just sayin'.

It Never Fails to Amaze Me.....

So here is today's daily reflection from A Book of Wonders by Edward Hays.....

First Aid

A Buddhist parable tells of a man struck by an arrow shot by an unknown assailant. He refuses to allow the arrow to be removed or his wound treated until the archer is located and properly punished. Days grow into weeks and weeks into months as his wound festers. Finally its poison kills him. The parable ends with a question: who is responsible for this man's death--the unknown assailant or the man himself who foolishly clung to the arrow? When next your heart is pierced by an arrow of angry word, you can cling to the arrow of injury like the dead fool in this parable, or instead you can seek treatment. First Aid for wounded hearts requires that you pull out the arrow of injury yourself instead of clinging to it. Then clean the wound by washing away desires that the offender be punished. Lastly, day after day, repeatedly apply the miraculous all-healing salve of forgiveness. This miracle drug can be found in your heart's medicine cabinet; it's in everyone's heart. Rare are those who use this salve. Use of this potent medicine requires faith in the Galilean doctor who said it was the only cure!

Help me pull out the wounding arrow
and disinfect the venom of victim-blood.
Sterilize my poor-me attitude of self-pity.
By my forgiving, heal me and the other....

Tuesday and Monday

So I didn't post yesterday. But I meant to. I had to iron my pants for the week. And then I had to, well. I am sure I had to do one more thing. Because that's what I do...I do one more thing and then all of a sudden it's 7:20 a.m. and I haven't had a shower and I am supposed to be standing in my classroom pretending I know what I am doing at 8:00 a.m. With a lunch and a snack for later. The expectations seem a little out of line.

Notice the new pic of my little lovelies? Same song, seventeenth verse. This is the last picture I snapped before a kicking fight began and someone ended up hurt. There was yelling. Crying. Cussing. Try to guess who....oh yeah, it was the injury princess. Not the cussing part. That was me. I give up. I quit. NO more pictures of them after church.

My favorite mother-in-law sent me a gift a while back:


This is a most wonderful little book. One of the things that I love is that when I read the reflection for the day, I know she is reading the same one. It's a good feel...Just sayin'.

Anyway, the book is by my husband's Uncle Ed. He is a priest/writer/artist. His first "job" after he was ordained as a priest was to perform the wedding ceremony of my in-laws. He has baptized all of the Hays kids, married us and baptized all of our kids. He is the most amazing man.

And this book is just one more example of his incredible his mind and it's like he wrote it just for me. Well, and Granny. I am pretty sure he likes me best. Everyone does. Right, Mom?

By the way....heading to the State Fair with the band tomorrow. Buses are leaving at 5:15 a.m. Um, yeah. 60 teenagers at 5 in the morning. I would tell you that it is quiet and that would be a lie. Pray for me. I always think that it seems like a good idea to be a sponsor of these trips until the trip actually comes and then not so much....

Have a great Tuesday....Just sayin'.

Friday Night

First home football game last night. We didn't win. We did score, I think. Funny, how I didn't pay total attention to the game.

I didn't try to pay attention. I was pretty darn tired. I prayed for rain so I could stay home. I am a fair weather fan of the band. One of my friends who sits in our section laughed at me when I shared that information. She wondered what I would do at home...and I told her that I would clean the bathroom. How did it get so gross?

Pregame. Twirlers look good. Can't see trumpet boy....


Here he is.....smiling, of course. That boy.

My favorite ball boy....he is TOO cute! I miss him.....

Halftime show...



Video of twirlers....and I think I got trumpet boy.....I am sure that there are a number of you going...more video of the twirlers...but the Grandma's like to see their grandchildren....(insert video here.....blogger has been processing the video for 2 hours....forget it already...will try again later!!!!)

Well, I am off to make blueberry muffins. And to clean the bathroom. Just sayin'.

Where Were You?

Think. Back. Think. Back.

Where were you?

I was pulling my hot red van into the Green School parking lot....late of course....if I had been on time I would have missed the radio news describing the bombing. As I went inside the building, others had heard the news and we all just looked at each other. We went thru the day not knowing much because the district had ordered us to keep all TVs and radio's off while the students were in the building. Like we had TV at Green School. At 3:30 I immediately left for home. I really wanted to see my kids....Frick and Frack were in 2nd grade and College Girl was in 6th grade.

That night at home, we ate in front of the TV. We NEVER did that on a week night. Our kids knew it was serious....and we wanted them to remember.

It seems like yesterday.

And yet, for many others, it is the here and now. It will never be any other day but that one day.

Pray for....well, everything. And everyone.

Because none of us have been the same since that day.

Just sayin'.

Alike...but NO

OK. So see I have these three children. You have seen them. Some have you have been lucky enough to spend time with them. Sorry. Not really. They are a lot of fun. Really they are....especially when they are sleeping. Never wake a sleeping baby. 1o year old. Teenager. NEVER.

Anyway. Here is the problem. Suddenly it seems that people are having a difficult time telling them apart. No not my son. They have no issues knowing who he is. He's the big one with the constant smile. But there is one issue....someone had the nerve to say OUT LOUD to him that he acts like his mother. And they said it like it was a bad thing.

It's my girls. They suddenly are look alikes. Not for me. They aren't. That's why I posted these two pictures. This is how they look to me. Totally different. Totally.

It's been a crack up. One day a little girl said to Frack.....'you look different.' Um...I am not College Girl....and then the little girl says....'you sound different.' UM....I am NOT College Girl.....and then....'your purse isn't as cool as College Girls.'.....UM....THAT IS MY PURSE. SHE TOOK IT....and then....'you look different.'

This went on all summer. With a lot of people. Grown ups and little kids. I just don't see it. They simply don't look alike to me. I just can't see it. Different eyes....one poop colored...one greenbluegrey colored depending on her mood. Her eyes are like a mood ring. Don't ask me...my eyes are a lovely shade of brilliant blue. And the Dad...poop colored. Their hair isn't even close to the same....one has hair and one doesn't have hair. One wears a ponytail and one actually knows how to use hair products and equipment. I just don't see it. Maybe you do?

They have gotten lots of double takes...like I can see people looking to see which one it is....there is one thing, though.....

Goofballs. ALL of them. And I lovelovelove them. Just sayin'.

Randomness

I should totally be ironing my pants right now......but Granny Pat told me that she misses me when I am gone and that I really need to post everyday....so here goes....

....volleyball last night. Pretty good. Varsity won. (insert picture here...blogger is REFUSINGREFUSINGREFUSING to upload my pics this morning) JV did not. Still fun--crowd was great gym was not. Man it was hot in there.

....I should totally be ironing my pants right now.

....We had cheesy beef enchiladas last night after VB. (insert picture here) Holy smokes! It had been awhile since I have made them and I had forgotten how good that meal is! Talk about comfort food...mmmmm.

....Opened our first jar of salsa from the batch we made on Sunday. (insert picture here) It could clear a lesser persons sinus cavity in .7 seconds.

....Did you know it's 9-9-09 and we have a very good friend who turns 49 today? (insert picture here) How cool is that? I bet nobody thought of this day 49 years ago when he was born.

....Did you see the moon over the weekend? (insert picture here)

....I should totally be ironing my pants right now. I don't usually iron during the week because I put together the clothes I am going to wear for the week on Sunday and I iron everything then. I guess I thought I didn't need any clothes this week. Head in butt because of the holiday on Monday is all I can claim.

....Update on biking to school. (insert picture here) I have ridden my bike twice a week and last week I made it 3 times. My book bag weighs around 12 pounds so it is a real workout for me. Why does my book bag weigh 12 pounds? Laptop, papers, wallet, phone, file folders of work and my lunch. It is more of a workout after school because it is uphill--and I am tired.

....Did you know it's Wednesday? I just figured that out....I will try to get Way Back Wednesday up later.

....I am going to iron my pants right now. Just sayin'. Have a great Wednesday.....

Salsa Making 101....Sort Of

A couple of summers ago we had enough tomatoes and donated jalepenos that Coach tried his hand at salsa making. Although he and one of his offspring liked the result....me...not so much.

Enter the scientist side of Coach. Which never leaves....

Did you know that he makes his living as a microbiologist? EVERYTHING at our house is an experiment. I finally put my foot down a few years back about the "experimental" garden we would have every year and hence the surplus of tomatoes.....

Anyway, Coach and his one offspring finally have experimented enough and found a salsa recipe that is a keeper....

Fresh Salsa
by The Hays Crew
1/2 green, yellow and red pepper, choppedchoppedchopped
8 cups of diced tomato
1 large diced onion (original recipe calls for 3--WHEW--that's a lot for us!)
2 to 5 jalapeno peppers and seeds--or as many as you want
8 oz. tomato sauce
1-3 cloves of crushed garlic
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 to 2/3 of a bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
Mix. Let stand 10 minutes. Eat. Or can it for later.

Chopped tomato by College Girl. Picture by me. Which is why it sucks. Geez. But this is where you might make some adjustments in the recipe if you were planning to share your salsa with anyone....we don't peel our tomatoes. Which is kind of a debate amongst us....peel or not to peel? If it is just us eating it...not to peel. If we were going to give it as a gift or take it to a function...peel. Since we don't share food real well or get invited to functions....not to peel.


Chopping by Frack. Chopchopchop. She is really the master at this job. Again--I suck. My chunks are too chunky and when you eat it on a chip sometimes you only get peppers and you think you are gonna die from the heat. Just sayin.'

She says to chop that cilantro as fine as possible. OK. What she says.

We had some banana peppers. Well, I think that is what they are....so we chopped and added them. We really probably have around 10 jalapeno and banana peppers in this batch. This is when Coach joined the fun because I needed to get my jars ready for the canning process.


This is how it looks as fresh salsa. You could put this in the refrigerator and eat it right away. It is VERY tasty. Almost addictive. And it smells soooooo good in my house at this point that you can't even smell that stinky dog. Love her.


But I went ahead and canned it for later in the winter. I filled my sterilized jars with the salsa and added a tablespoon of lemon juice. That's what BeckyHomecky told me to do. For acidity. I teach third grade...don't ask me.........

This is actually the third time we have made salsa this season. The first time we just ate (in about an hour) it fresh, the second time we made a double batch and canned around 4 quarts. This time we made a triple batch and got 7 quarts. I wanted pints but there were no jars to be found in town. And even though I was at that store-that-shall-remain-nameless-but-pisses-me-off-on-a-regular-basis on Saturday (stupid move--Game Day--ugh) they had moved the canning isle and I didn't have the energy to try and find a clerk to ask for help or look on every isle--so we went with quarts. I water bathed the jars. Again, BeckyHomecky and Grandma Cindy said--so that is what I did.


College Girl found this batch a little hot.....which gave us all a crack up. We had a really good time making salsa. College Girl chopped tomatoes, I chopped onion and did the canning, Coach chopped hot peppers, Frack chopped peppers, cilantro and did the mixing of ingredients, and Frick was the errand boy (aka---Supervisor).

Thanks Hays Crew for the great time......Just sayin'.

Longford Parade

Last night opened Marching Band season for our family. We were at the Longford Parade...which is a great parade...lots of horses and both high school bands from our county. Our band sounded pretty good considering we are down about 25 kids from last year.

Twirlers looked good when they passed by us but rumor on the street is that it didn't last.....might need some practice...or a lot according to my sources.




Always love this part of a parade......


Cowboys in white shirts and wranglers.....make their grandma proud......


I am fairly certain that these boys could be dangerous....but lucky for us their mom and dad were directly behind them in a very large sprayer so we were all safe.

For the moment.


Awesome car, dude.


Can you even imagine how long it would have taken to plow a field with this tractor?

Here is my kind of wagon ride.....slow and low to the ground....Just sayin'.

We Have a New One.....

That's right...another Jayhawk fan has graced the world. Our niece, Onaga(not her real name--she was given that nickname years ago by a very special person), gave birth to an adorable baby girl named Chloe Jane who weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 20 inches long. That's tall for someone from Onaga's gene pool. And the coolest thing is....she was born at...12:34.

Great Granny went today so we should have some more pics and stories soon. Her brother Kirt was patiently awaiting her arrival...we'll see how patient he is now!

And her shirt rocks.....

Nice job, Onaga. We love you and miss you tons...love Chloe Jane up for us....Just sayin'.