I know I always have some excuse for not blogging. I want to and I am well aware of what is said about good intentions. And yep. I know where I am going.
I write and write in my head but can't seem to find the time to actually put the words in print. Someday. It. Will. Happen. And then watch out.
_______________________________
A couple of funny stories.......
We are writing fractured tales in my classroom. Pretty funny stuff. I sent a third grade boy to get his printed story from the copy machine. He returned empty handed......
3GB: (arms waving and big brown eyes even bigger) Thatvendingmachinedidn'tgivememypapers!
Me: (knowing better but not able to stop myself) What?
3GB: (this time more loudly and arms waving and big brown eyes even bigger) Thatvendingmachinedidn'tgivememypapers!!!!!
Me: WHAt?
3GB: THATVENDINGMACHINEDIDN'TGIVEMEMYPAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew better and but asked a third time. He then repeated himself very s-l-o-w-l-y and a little louder.
I had him come with me to the copy machine. In route, I explained to him that a copy machine gives us copies and a vending machine is something we put money in and choose pop, chips or candy bars. He looked at me and said, "Yeah, that vending machine won't give me my copies!"
Never mind.
_____________________________
We had a couple of crabby days last week. Teacher included. One day I commented, "I believe I have worn my crabby pants to school today, boys and girls!" To which a little person said, "Nope. They look brown to me!"
Laughter can cure crabby pants. Who knew?
_____________________________
I have been trying for a couple of years to wear some accessories each day with my school uniform of a solid color shirt, solid color pants and denim jacket (I currently have 5--all a little different, but denim all the same). So, I have been buying necklaces and earrings on a fairly regular basis. $7 is my limit, though.
I receive many compliments daily on my necklaces, earrings, hair, clothes, etc. I totally have fashionistas in my class this year.
When a third grade girl complimented my necklace, I smiled, said, "THANK YOU!" To which she replied, "Yeah, my grandma has one just like it!"
And I am done wearing that necklace. Just sayin'.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Lunch
The lunch of champion third grade teachers everywhere:
And yes. That is full sugar Dr. Pepper. Only the best for me. Just sayin'.
And yes. That is full sugar Dr. Pepper. Only the best for me. Just sayin'.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Cucumber Salad or Dip
Super easy salad or dip for crackers, sturdy chips or a spoon.....
3 cukes, peeled and diced bite sized, 1 can of undrained rotel tomatoes, and a package of dry ranch dip. Mix. Chill. Eat.
It does get pretty juicy but we just added more cukes to the juice.
Super easy. Super good. Just sayin'.
3 cukes, peeled and diced bite sized, 1 can of undrained rotel tomatoes, and a package of dry ranch dip. Mix. Chill. Eat.
It does get pretty juicy but we just added more cukes to the juice.
Super easy. Super good. Just sayin'.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Things I Like....a Lot
As we approach the end of the second full week of school and the start of the fall sports season, marching band season and Labor Day weekend, I have just a few 'likes'......
1. Nothing fills my heart like the sound of laughter from teenagers. Especially when that laughter is from siblings who really do love each other. Or from the basement when friends are over.
2. Little girls who quietly approach me and let me know they like my skirt of the day as they hug me with all the strength a third grade girl can muster.
3. Emails from moms whose hearts are filled with thanks because third grade boys are excited about the day at school. I actually had tears as I wrote this....again.
4. Friends who are taking care of my big kids on a daily basis. Even Big Bad Seniors need someone to step up and show them they care.
5. Sunday mornings.
6. Future Pharmacists....Future Dental Hygienists.....And my favorite...Future Teacher. Girls I have watched grow into beautiful young women...inside and out. Be who you are today and always.
7. Being at Mass as one of my favorite young men serves Mass with his middle school sister.
8. Finding the joy in today. Just today. Just sayin'.
1. Nothing fills my heart like the sound of laughter from teenagers. Especially when that laughter is from siblings who really do love each other. Or from the basement when friends are over.
2. Little girls who quietly approach me and let me know they like my skirt of the day as they hug me with all the strength a third grade girl can muster.
3. Emails from moms whose hearts are filled with thanks because third grade boys are excited about the day at school. I actually had tears as I wrote this....again.
4. Friends who are taking care of my big kids on a daily basis. Even Big Bad Seniors need someone to step up and show them they care.
5. Sunday mornings.
6. Future Pharmacists....Future Dental Hygienists.....And my favorite...Future Teacher. Girls I have watched grow into beautiful young women...inside and out. Be who you are today and always.
7. Being at Mass as one of my favorite young men serves Mass with his middle school sister.
8. Finding the joy in today. Just today. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Seasoned Potatoes
So one of my favorite children doesn't really like potatoes. How she can even live is beyond me! Warm starch with melted dairy is my food group of choice.....and the size of my butt is proof positive.
A couple of years ago out of desperation I created this recipe: Seasoned Potatoes. It's not hard, it's pretty cheap and everybody at my house will eat it.
Here's what you need: potatoes--scrubbed clean and diced, seasoned salt, and a stick of butter. I use a 9 x 13 glass baking dish to cook them in. I suppose you could use a cookie sheet, but I haven't ever done it that way.
So I dice the potatoes into the dish, sprinkle copious amounts of seasoned salt onto the potatoes and mix. Then, depending on how many potatoes I have used, I cut a half stick of butter or a whole stick of butter into little pats. They're cute lil pats o' butter.
I then place the pats of butter on the top of the potatoes and cover the dish with foil. Bake at 350 for 30ish minutes and remove the foil. Then bake another 30ish minutes until potatoes are done. Or you can leave the foil on for the whole time. That's what I did Saturday night while we were at Mass--I put them in before we left and when we returned home 80 minutes later, I removed the foil, while were grilling burgers. I usually save the foil so when I take them out of the oven, I can recover them and let them sit for a bit.
I may have used a little too much butter on this one....as if there is such a thing as too much butter....
This is a crowd pleaser...just sayin'.
A couple of years ago out of desperation I created this recipe: Seasoned Potatoes. It's not hard, it's pretty cheap and everybody at my house will eat it.
Here's what you need: potatoes--scrubbed clean and diced, seasoned salt, and a stick of butter. I use a 9 x 13 glass baking dish to cook them in. I suppose you could use a cookie sheet, but I haven't ever done it that way.
So I dice the potatoes into the dish, sprinkle copious amounts of seasoned salt onto the potatoes and mix. Then, depending on how many potatoes I have used, I cut a half stick of butter or a whole stick of butter into little pats. They're cute lil pats o' butter.
I then place the pats of butter on the top of the potatoes and cover the dish with foil. Bake at 350 for 30ish minutes and remove the foil. Then bake another 30ish minutes until potatoes are done. Or you can leave the foil on for the whole time. That's what I did Saturday night while we were at Mass--I put them in before we left and when we returned home 80 minutes later, I removed the foil, while were grilling burgers. I usually save the foil so when I take them out of the oven, I can recover them and let them sit for a bit.
I may have used a little too much butter on this one....as if there is such a thing as too much butter....
This is a crowd pleaser...just sayin'.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Firecracker Chicken
Two Sundays in a row we have had this chicken. It's actually an adapted recipe. It originally called for shrimp but since shrimp isn't a favorite of several members of The Hays Crew, I subbed in chicken. It's really probably better with chicken and it's sure as heck easier.
Here's what we do: In a big baggie, place chicken pieces. I use that frozen bag chicken of chicken breast tenderloins. I only use about 10 pieces, maybe. Like I only eat one and so does Frack. So sometimes I only use 8 tenderloins. They are good as leftovers on a little sandwich.
Add 1/2 cup of peach jam, 1 tsp of canola oil, 1 tsp of soy sauce and 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes to the baggie of chicken. Let set 15 minutes or longer. If you are letting it set longer than 15 minutes, be sure to refrigerate. I don't want anyone to get sick from bacteria.
Meanwhile, kiss up to your favorite grill master. And stir up another batch of the peach jam mixture to brush on while the chicken is grilling. This is a quick grill--like maybe 15 minutes.
And then it looks like this only better because this pictures stinks eggs because my dining room is red and the lighting is terrible and I can never remember to take a picture before I put stuff on the table:
This is a really nice way to fix chicken on the grill. Quick and easy.....especially if you get your favorite grill master to grill it for you. Just sayin'.
Here's what we do: In a big baggie, place chicken pieces. I use that frozen bag chicken of chicken breast tenderloins. I only use about 10 pieces, maybe. Like I only eat one and so does Frack. So sometimes I only use 8 tenderloins. They are good as leftovers on a little sandwich.
Add 1/2 cup of peach jam, 1 tsp of canola oil, 1 tsp of soy sauce and 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes to the baggie of chicken. Let set 15 minutes or longer. If you are letting it set longer than 15 minutes, be sure to refrigerate. I don't want anyone to get sick from bacteria.
Meanwhile, kiss up to your favorite grill master. And stir up another batch of the peach jam mixture to brush on while the chicken is grilling. This is a quick grill--like maybe 15 minutes.
And then it looks like this only better because this pictures stinks eggs because my dining room is red and the lighting is terrible and I can never remember to take a picture before I put stuff on the table:
This is a really nice way to fix chicken on the grill. Quick and easy.....especially if you get your favorite grill master to grill it for you. Just sayin'.
Friday, August 26, 2011
And So It Begins
Volleyball Seniors 2012.......
Last Orange and Black scrimmage tonight.
First game on Tuesday.
And so it begins. Just sayin'.
Last Orange and Black scrimmage tonight.
First game on Tuesday.
And so it begins. Just sayin'.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Things I Like
Remember last week I did a little Things I Dislike Greatly post? This week, a lil' happiness.....
1. Friends who are going to be first time Grandma's. And second time, and third.......I love how my friends are so excited about the world when they are about to become Grandma's.
2. One time my grandma told us that the next time she got a man he would need to make coffee for her every morning. Well, Grandma, I have that man. I am so spoiled by him because he makes sure that coffee is ready each and every day when I rise and shine.
3. The truth. Is it really that difficult? I don't care who you are, it is never wrong to do the right thing.
4. The first day of school. There is simply nothing like it....it is an undescribeable feeling.
Just sayin'.
1. Friends who are going to be first time Grandma's. And second time, and third.......I love how my friends are so excited about the world when they are about to become Grandma's.
2. One time my grandma told us that the next time she got a man he would need to make coffee for her every morning. Well, Grandma, I have that man. I am so spoiled by him because he makes sure that coffee is ready each and every day when I rise and shine.
3. The truth. Is it really that difficult? I don't care who you are, it is never wrong to do the right thing.
4. The first day of school. There is simply nothing like it....it is an undescribeable feeling.
Just sayin'.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
HP
Volume 40?
Wow! 40 is a lot!
Unless we're talking years and then its a little. ahem.
1. Using what's in your frig right now what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are knocking at the front door this very minute?
I have homemade refried beans in my freezer that I can make into a tasty bean dip by adding taco spice then topping with sour cream and shredded cheese. Warm it while I am throwing together cheese quesadillas and prestochango! I have a meal.
2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that probably never will?
I am ever so thankful that my people got in the big butt line and not the big boob line. I will never have a not big butt.
3. What's something about yourself that you hope will never change?
The ability to make others laugh.
4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why?
Funny. Laughter is great medicine.
5. Bird watching, shell gathering, or star gazing- your choice for whiling away the hours?
Star gazing.
2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that probably never will?
I am ever so thankful that my people got in the big butt line and not the big boob line. I will never have a not big butt.
3. What's something about yourself that you hope will never change?
The ability to make others laugh.
4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why?
Funny. Laughter is great medicine.
5. Bird watching, shell gathering, or star gazing- your choice for whiling away the hours?
Star gazing.
6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what?
Yep. My zipper.
7. What's your favorite place for people watching?
Anyplace where there are people.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Everybody has baggage. And it ain't all pretty. Just sayin'.
Yep. My zipper.
7. What's your favorite place for people watching?
Anyplace where there are people.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Everybody has baggage. And it ain't all pretty. Just sayin'.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
My Current Read
I finished One Summer by David Baldacci. Fairly good read. A little predictable, very well written and a overall I good read. I passed it on to a friend so we will find out what she thinks. I have to say that it was a very fast read. I finished in one day. And I still managed to get my chores done.
I have moved on to this book:
I am the first to check it out at the library. I like it when that happens! Nothing like being the first to read a book.....
Anyway, the title pretty fits how the book is going. It's a little too real. And it's a little dark and scary. African Muslim pirates hijack a private yacht owned by the main character, Hazel Bannock, whose teenage daughter was aboard the yacht at the time. They kill off crew members, but of course, kidnap the daughter. She enlists in the help of a man named Hector Cross (cool name--Hector) to help her when she gets nowhere with the American government.
So far, I like it. I was a little nervous because about 45ish pages in there was already 'steamy' scenes, but that seems to have subsided. Thank goodness. I get enough of those steamy scenes in real life, I don't need to read them.
When a good friend was talking to me about One Summer, I was telling her about Those in Peril being my next read. I told her how I thought this was going to be a little deeper read and she said I should stop reading because the title sounded like it was going to be way too deep and scary. I should opt for something lighter and much more fun.
I won't finish this book in a few days. With 400 pages, school starting, 2 a day volleyball practices, volleyball breakfasts, house painting (yep, it's actually happening!), marching band and trying to figure out what to wear, not much reading is happening.
Just sayin'.
I have moved on to this book:
Anyway, the title pretty fits how the book is going. It's a little too real. And it's a little dark and scary. African Muslim pirates hijack a private yacht owned by the main character, Hazel Bannock, whose teenage daughter was aboard the yacht at the time. They kill off crew members, but of course, kidnap the daughter. She enlists in the help of a man named Hector Cross (cool name--Hector) to help her when she gets nowhere with the American government.
So far, I like it. I was a little nervous because about 45ish pages in there was already 'steamy' scenes, but that seems to have subsided. Thank goodness. I get enough of those steamy scenes in real life, I don't need to read them.
When a good friend was talking to me about One Summer, I was telling her about Those in Peril being my next read. I told her how I thought this was going to be a little deeper read and she said I should stop reading because the title sounded like it was going to be way too deep and scary. I should opt for something lighter and much more fun.
I won't finish this book in a few days. With 400 pages, school starting, 2 a day volleyball practices, volleyball breakfasts, house painting (yep, it's actually happening!), marching band and trying to figure out what to wear, not much reading is happening.
Just sayin'.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Jam 2011
This year we were able to make a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks.
It was a quick trip but it was a very relaxing 4 days. It's amazing how much easier it is to roll when your kids get older and can manage their own stuff AND it's amazing how much harder it is when you realize your kids are big and can manage their own stuff.
Yikes!
Most years when we have traveled to the Lake, we have timed it just right for Missouri peaches. They are the best peaches I have ever had in my life. Hands down. They are perfectly shaped and the flavor is incredible. One time on our way home, we stopped at the store to pick some up to have at home an discovered that we could buy them in a lug. Thus, became the tradition of purchasing peaches before we left.
Last year we didn't go to the lake. Bummer--no peaches.
This year we purchased 2 lugs for a total of 76 pounds of peaches. We stopped in KC and left some for my in-laws, my sister-in-law and 2 brother-in-laws. When we got home we shared with some friends, ate quite a few, had one peach crisp and one peach pie.
The rest I made into this:
Peach jam. Total sugar fest. And worth it. I made 28 pints of it. It is most delicious on, oh about everything from toast to waffles to chicken. This is our current favorite snack:
If you haven't ever tried this kind of bread:
Try it.
And I have been working on this post since Saturday. Just sayin'.
It was a quick trip but it was a very relaxing 4 days. It's amazing how much easier it is to roll when your kids get older and can manage their own stuff AND it's amazing how much harder it is when you realize your kids are big and can manage their own stuff.
Yikes!
Most years when we have traveled to the Lake, we have timed it just right for Missouri peaches. They are the best peaches I have ever had in my life. Hands down. They are perfectly shaped and the flavor is incredible. One time on our way home, we stopped at the store to pick some up to have at home an discovered that we could buy them in a lug. Thus, became the tradition of purchasing peaches before we left.
Last year we didn't go to the lake. Bummer--no peaches.
This year we purchased 2 lugs for a total of 76 pounds of peaches. We stopped in KC and left some for my in-laws, my sister-in-law and 2 brother-in-laws. When we got home we shared with some friends, ate quite a few, had one peach crisp and one peach pie.
The rest I made into this:
Peach jam. Total sugar fest. And worth it. I made 28 pints of it. It is most delicious on, oh about everything from toast to waffles to chicken. This is our current favorite snack:
If you haven't ever tried this kind of bread:
And I have been working on this post since Saturday. Just sayin'.
Friday, August 12, 2011
My Current Read
This is my current read......
He usually writes stuff that I can't follow. I want to follow, but it's just too tangled up. So when I found this at the library, I almost left it at the library.
I probably should have left it. I only have a gajillion things to do and all I want to do is read. I am about 1/4 of the way done and its a sad book. I have only cried twice. Maybe thrice. But here's why.....the main character has an illness that the doctors gave him 6-8 months to live and his wife is killed on Christmas Eve going out to get his pain meds. See?
I'll let you know how it turns out. I am a sucker for happy endings. Just sayin'.
He usually writes stuff that I can't follow. I want to follow, but it's just too tangled up. So when I found this at the library, I almost left it at the library.
I probably should have left it. I only have a gajillion things to do and all I want to do is read. I am about 1/4 of the way done and its a sad book. I have only cried twice. Maybe thrice. But here's why.....the main character has an illness that the doctors gave him 6-8 months to live and his wife is killed on Christmas Eve going out to get his pain meds. See?
I'll let you know how it turns out. I am a sucker for happy endings. Just sayin'.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Things I Dislike Greatly
Or hate. But I have been chastised by a little friend of mine who pointed out that 'hate is such a strong, harsh statement. Surely you mean you dislike it greatly'. Yep. That's what I meant to say.
Anyway, I took this idea from here. She rocks. And someday I am going to meet her in person, hug her and tell her to her face that she makes my day everyday.
1. Drama. Social media allows us to live our lives out loud. But seriously. I don't need to know everyone you dislike greatly. Or that you are with your 50 year old besties for adult beverages. Or on and on and on. When I post on FB, I really think about it.....400ish people are about the see this....do they really want to?
2. Control Freaks. Ironic coming from one, eh? Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop trying to control every situation at every turn. My plans are not God's plans. God's plans are. the. bomb. Let Him be the control freak.
3. Stale chips. How does this even happen? Chips are meant to be eaten in one setting.
4. Soap slivers. What can I say? I just like a full bar of soap. When the soap gets down to a sliver, I pitch it and get a new bar. There. I confessed.
5. People who automatically assume that I am a mess because my youngest children are heading into their senior year and will graduate in May and head off to college next year at this time. Yes, it's scary. And yes, it's time. I am excited for them. They are meant to grow up. They are NOT meant to live with me forever. Really. REALLY. I mean really. Coach and I are dying to have sex on the counters and we can't do that if our children are home. Just sayin'.
Anyway, I took this idea from here. She rocks. And someday I am going to meet her in person, hug her and tell her to her face that she makes my day everyday.
1. Drama. Social media allows us to live our lives out loud. But seriously. I don't need to know everyone you dislike greatly. Or that you are with your 50 year old besties for adult beverages. Or on and on and on. When I post on FB, I really think about it.....400ish people are about the see this....do they really want to?
2. Control Freaks. Ironic coming from one, eh? Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop trying to control every situation at every turn. My plans are not God's plans. God's plans are. the. bomb. Let Him be the control freak.
3. Stale chips. How does this even happen? Chips are meant to be eaten in one setting.
4. Soap slivers. What can I say? I just like a full bar of soap. When the soap gets down to a sliver, I pitch it and get a new bar. There. I confessed.
5. People who automatically assume that I am a mess because my youngest children are heading into their senior year and will graduate in May and head off to college next year at this time. Yes, it's scary. And yes, it's time. I am excited for them. They are meant to grow up. They are NOT meant to live with me forever. Really. REALLY. I mean really. Coach and I are dying to have sex on the counters and we can't do that if our children are home. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
HP
National Parks as in a park ranger. Wouldn't that be a gorgeous job to wake up to every day? Think of it......The Badlands, The Everglades, Yellowstone or Yosemite.
2. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?
I have no trouble with it. Their problem. Their deal. Admittedly, I am a big talker. It bites when I think that someone should apologize and it doesn't happen. For me, it goes with forgiveness, which is my sin of choice. I struggle so with forgiveness. It is so hard for me to forgive. And I offer it up and offer it up and for some reason I keep taking it back. It so hard for me to release it and let it go. Especially if it involves people close to me. People who I feel I have been wronged by, no big deal. People who have wronged those closest to me, extremely hard to forgive.
3. What is your favorite meatless supper?
Grilled cheese sandwiches. It is also my default meal. When I don't know what else to have, I default to a grilled cheese sandwich. Warm starch with melted dairy is my favorite food group.
4. Wednesday August 10th is National Lazy Day...will you be celebrating? If so, tell us how so we can be lazy too.
Probably not. School starts in less than a week and I have just under a gajillion things that I think need to be done.
5. As a child did you have any special back to school traditions and if so, what were they? If you're a parent did you carry on those traditions with your own children?
I did not. I think my mom was just glad school started again and my very naughty brother would something to keep him out of trouble. I was the kid who counted the days down to the first day of school as soon as school was out. I LOVED school.
For my children, I have taken a first day of school picture on the front porch. And I laugh at my kids when they look through the pictures and laugh at smaller versions of themselves.
6. Write a summer tongue twister.
Can't. Do. It. Have brain block.
7. Would you be interested in observing a surgery or do you turn away when the nurse brings out the needle?
Oh soooooooooooo not watching any kind of surgery. I don't even pretend that I could do body fluids of any kind. Hence, the reason I teach third grade.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Be who you are.
Just sayin'
Monday, August 8, 2011
Random Thoughts
Random thought......
.....Why do we keep watching reality trash tv when we know it's wrong? And stupid? And a giant waste of time? I sat today and watched 15 minutes of this crazy MTV show called, "Silent Library". My oldest child is currently addicted to watching "Hillbilly Handfishing". And her sister discovered that Netflix had all the seasons of "Jersey Shore" and watched them ALL. We won't even go with how much time my son spent watching "Shark Week" last week.
And no. Friday Night Lights all 5 seasons on Netflix do not count as trash tv. That's good stuff, right there. Just sayin'.
.....Why do we keep watching reality trash tv when we know it's wrong? And stupid? And a giant waste of time? I sat today and watched 15 minutes of this crazy MTV show called, "Silent Library". My oldest child is currently addicted to watching "Hillbilly Handfishing". And her sister discovered that Netflix had all the seasons of "Jersey Shore" and watched them ALL. We won't even go with how much time my son spent watching "Shark Week" last week.
And no. Friday Night Lights all 5 seasons on Netflix do not count as trash tv. That's good stuff, right there. Just sayin'.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Cookies, Green Beans and Tulle. Oh, and a Flat Tire.
Two weeks ago, at this time, I was knee deep in cookies. And tulle. And green beans. And bacon and butter. I always think too late to say no to people and then I don't take my camera (gasp) and forget to take pictures of the really awesome decor I created. Or the mounds of food that I cooked and then served. Man, I am getting old.
My good friend asked me months ago if I would help with the food for her daughters wedding. Of course. At the time it was to make cheesy potatoes for 400. 400 people. That's right. 400. I have done it for 250, but 400? Never. And turns out, I still haven't made cheesy potatoes for 400. They went with the caterers suggestion of new potatoes. Praise God. I was a nervous wreck over how to make, deliver and serve cheesy potatoes for 400 at an outdoor venue. So I only needed green beans for 400. And cookies.
At 11:45 p.m., the night before the wedding I get a call. Answer it? Pretend I am not driving home from the big city after a mini shopping spree with my girls? Pretend I didn't get the call? Yeah. I answered it. Could I help put up tulle at 8 a.m.? Certainly! Ever tried to tell a distressed bride's mother NO? Me neither. So after arriving home and rolling into bed at 1:30, I drug my fat butt up to the wedding venue and hung up tulle, staple gunned a few decorations, set up heavy ass tables and did general clean up.
I must say that it was a beautiful outdoor reception.
The problem became the 18 LARGE cans of green beans that need to be opened and dumped into roasters, seasoned, cooked and delivered to the wedding reception venue. Coach calls me and takes directions. Coach calls me and turns out 9 cans of green beans won't fit in a roaster like I thought they would. Only about 6 cans fit in a roaster. Finish up at wedding venue, drive to Gibson's (greatest store ever) and buy a roaster. We are now the proud owners of our own roaster. I race home, wash it, dump in green beans and begin the hauling to the wedding reception process.
3 roasters of green beans. Very full roasters. Sloshing all over the back of my Yukon. Oh well. As we start to haul the green beans into the wedding venue and plug them in, we realize that we have an issue. Roasters pull a lot of juice. We were throwing the breaker at home like crazy and guess what? Same thing at the wedding venue. By this time, the wedding venue owner, Tiff, is flustered, Coach is flustered, Tiff's brother-in-law is flustered and I am thinking that the only way this is going to work is to drink tequila. Straight. From. The. Bottle. Have I mentioned that I am 44 years old and I have NEVER tasted tequila in my life?
Tiff calls her husband and we run extension cords (orange ones--totally legal extension cords) to different outlets and problem solved. Sort of.
It's 1:45. Drive home and step into shower for to shower for a 2:30 wedding. Send Frack to church to save seats for the 3 of us. Have I mentioned that Frick was the photographers assistant and College Girl was in Wichita for the first of 3 weddings she attended that day?
Leave for church at 2:20ish Arrive at church at 2:25ish. (Yes, I am low maintenance. I can be ready and look GOOD in a matter of minutes. Just ask Coach.) As I pull into the backside of church, I notice that the Toyota looks like it is sitting at an odd angle. Sure enough. Flat tire. This is the vehicle that Coach and Frack are planning to take to the other wedding we needed to be at at 4:00. Coach waits outside. I walk to the front of the very long line waiting to be seated at church and go inside like I own the place. Go up to the choir loft, get keys from Frack and head back out to Coach. Give him keys. Go back into church and sit down. Coach comes in sometime later, the tire is changed and all is well. If you believe that, then I have a bridge to sell you.
Coach and Frack leave on the heels of the bride and groom for the next wedding. I wait a little while and then head up to meet the caterer with the rest of the meal. I get into the Toyota, start it up and guess what? I have no idea how he thought that vehicle was going to make a 60 mile round trip with the. low. fuel. light. on. I wasn't completely sure I was going to make it across town.
All was well. Dinner and reception was lovely. Bride and Groom were lovely. Drunk people? Eh.
But the Cookies.
On Friday, I made 15 dozen cookies for the wedding. Which is no big deal. Seriously, people. I lovelovelove to make cookies. And personally, I believe that I rock at making cookies.
I made 18 dozen snickerdoodles.
10 dozen for the wedding, 3 dozen for us to eat and 5 dozen for the freezer. Ever have a frozen snickerdoodle?
And I made Amish Sugar Cookies (no pictures--sorry). First batch made 6 dozenish. I had a partner for my cookie making--she was making chocolate chip and chocolate crinkle. We had discussed how many to make. We just weren't sure how many.
So I decided, I didn't have enough sugar cookies. So I started another batch. Mix up dough. I think this just doesn't look right. I go thru the ingredient list. 1 cup of softened butter--check. 1 cup of vegetable oil--check. 1 cup of sugar--check. 1 cup of powdered sugar--check. 2 eggs--check. Vanilla0--check. 4 and 1/2 cups of flour--not so check. When I have added all the flour, I think that the dough doesn't look quite right. I panic and think that I haven't added all the flour. Which is strange because I measure my flour into a separate bowl and add it a little at a time. I decided to add another 1/2 cup. Still not quite right. Added another 1/2 cup. Seems all good.
Not so good. Turns out I did not need additional flour. What I needed was to stop baking cookies because I was tired.
Because I have baked. 15. freaking. doorstops. Suckers would have broken a set of dentures in two had anyone tried to eat them.
End of cookie baking. I scooped them off the cookie sheet into the trash and dumped the rest of the dough on top of them, got into the Yukon and went to the Big City for a mini shopping spree and all was well.
Just sayin'.
My good friend asked me months ago if I would help with the food for her daughters wedding. Of course. At the time it was to make cheesy potatoes for 400. 400 people. That's right. 400. I have done it for 250, but 400? Never. And turns out, I still haven't made cheesy potatoes for 400. They went with the caterers suggestion of new potatoes. Praise God. I was a nervous wreck over how to make, deliver and serve cheesy potatoes for 400 at an outdoor venue. So I only needed green beans for 400. And cookies.
At 11:45 p.m., the night before the wedding I get a call. Answer it? Pretend I am not driving home from the big city after a mini shopping spree with my girls? Pretend I didn't get the call? Yeah. I answered it. Could I help put up tulle at 8 a.m.? Certainly! Ever tried to tell a distressed bride's mother NO? Me neither. So after arriving home and rolling into bed at 1:30, I drug my fat butt up to the wedding venue and hung up tulle, staple gunned a few decorations, set up heavy ass tables and did general clean up.
I must say that it was a beautiful outdoor reception.
The problem became the 18 LARGE cans of green beans that need to be opened and dumped into roasters, seasoned, cooked and delivered to the wedding reception venue. Coach calls me and takes directions. Coach calls me and turns out 9 cans of green beans won't fit in a roaster like I thought they would. Only about 6 cans fit in a roaster. Finish up at wedding venue, drive to Gibson's (greatest store ever) and buy a roaster. We are now the proud owners of our own roaster. I race home, wash it, dump in green beans and begin the hauling to the wedding reception process.
3 roasters of green beans. Very full roasters. Sloshing all over the back of my Yukon. Oh well. As we start to haul the green beans into the wedding venue and plug them in, we realize that we have an issue. Roasters pull a lot of juice. We were throwing the breaker at home like crazy and guess what? Same thing at the wedding venue. By this time, the wedding venue owner, Tiff, is flustered, Coach is flustered, Tiff's brother-in-law is flustered and I am thinking that the only way this is going to work is to drink tequila. Straight. From. The. Bottle. Have I mentioned that I am 44 years old and I have NEVER tasted tequila in my life?
Tiff calls her husband and we run extension cords (orange ones--totally legal extension cords) to different outlets and problem solved. Sort of.
It's 1:45. Drive home and step into shower for to shower for a 2:30 wedding. Send Frack to church to save seats for the 3 of us. Have I mentioned that Frick was the photographers assistant and College Girl was in Wichita for the first of 3 weddings she attended that day?
Leave for church at 2:20ish Arrive at church at 2:25ish. (Yes, I am low maintenance. I can be ready and look GOOD in a matter of minutes. Just ask Coach.) As I pull into the backside of church, I notice that the Toyota looks like it is sitting at an odd angle. Sure enough. Flat tire. This is the vehicle that Coach and Frack are planning to take to the other wedding we needed to be at at 4:00. Coach waits outside. I walk to the front of the very long line waiting to be seated at church and go inside like I own the place. Go up to the choir loft, get keys from Frack and head back out to Coach. Give him keys. Go back into church and sit down. Coach comes in sometime later, the tire is changed and all is well. If you believe that, then I have a bridge to sell you.
Coach and Frack leave on the heels of the bride and groom for the next wedding. I wait a little while and then head up to meet the caterer with the rest of the meal. I get into the Toyota, start it up and guess what? I have no idea how he thought that vehicle was going to make a 60 mile round trip with the. low. fuel. light. on. I wasn't completely sure I was going to make it across town.
All was well. Dinner and reception was lovely. Bride and Groom were lovely. Drunk people? Eh.
But the Cookies.
On Friday, I made 15 dozen cookies for the wedding. Which is no big deal. Seriously, people. I lovelovelove to make cookies. And personally, I believe that I rock at making cookies.
I made 18 dozen snickerdoodles.
10 dozen for the wedding, 3 dozen for us to eat and 5 dozen for the freezer. Ever have a frozen snickerdoodle?
And I made Amish Sugar Cookies (no pictures--sorry). First batch made 6 dozenish. I had a partner for my cookie making--she was making chocolate chip and chocolate crinkle. We had discussed how many to make. We just weren't sure how many.
So I decided, I didn't have enough sugar cookies. So I started another batch. Mix up dough. I think this just doesn't look right. I go thru the ingredient list. 1 cup of softened butter--check. 1 cup of vegetable oil--check. 1 cup of sugar--check. 1 cup of powdered sugar--check. 2 eggs--check. Vanilla0--check. 4 and 1/2 cups of flour--not so check. When I have added all the flour, I think that the dough doesn't look quite right. I panic and think that I haven't added all the flour. Which is strange because I measure my flour into a separate bowl and add it a little at a time. I decided to add another 1/2 cup. Still not quite right. Added another 1/2 cup. Seems all good.
Not so good. Turns out I did not need additional flour. What I needed was to stop baking cookies because I was tired.
Because I have baked. 15. freaking. doorstops. Suckers would have broken a set of dentures in two had anyone tried to eat them.
End of cookie baking. I scooped them off the cookie sheet into the trash and dumped the rest of the dough on top of them, got into the Yukon and went to the Big City for a mini shopping spree and all was well.
Just sayin'.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Cookies
Today I am honored to be making cookies for a very special wedding.
Will post pics later in the day.
After coffee, more coffee and more coffee.
And 20 dozen cookies. Just sayin'.
Will post pics later in the day.
After coffee, more coffee and more coffee.
And 20 dozen cookies. Just sayin'.
Monday, June 6, 2011
And It's Monday
I am never quite sure how I feel about Monday. Sunday nights are one of my favorite times of the week. Lots of people complain about Mondays. Lots of people think Mondays are bad days. I often hear things like, "It was a Monday!" What does that really mean? It's not Mondays fault.
So I am thinking that for today.......
At CCCHS Graduation 2011....they were chosen to be the procession leaders. I wish I had a picture of them leading the procession, but, alas I do not. Long story. For a soapbox blogging day.
Frack wanted zebra cakes for her birthday cake. We're talking a buck fifty-nine--and five minutes time--gotta love that girl!
Lime chiffon dessert or Frick. He's always thinking....nobody else really likes this concoction so he gets it to himself. Teenage boys are always thinking about how much they can eat.
So I am thinking that for today.......
Lime chiffon dessert or Frick. He's always thinking....nobody else really likes this concoction so he gets it to himself. Teenage boys are always thinking about how much they can eat.
.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Starting Back Slowly
So I am going to start back to blogging.....slowly. My goal is to post on Saturday and then add another day and then and then. Unfortunately, good intentions paved the road to hell so we'll see where I
Two weeks ago, Frick and Frack attended Prom 2011. It was a beautiful day and we had a really nice event. Read that as stress free if you want. My son is the class president so that makes us the prom planning committee. And because he has a twin sister and they needed another officer--they drafted her. It really was a lot of fun.
Frick and his date. They looked very cute together. It was kind of hard to find many pictures of him. He seems to take a lot of pics but isn't in very many.
Frack and her date. They were a mess. I have a gazillion photos of them being so silly.
So it gets hot at the dance and lots of the guys ditch their shirts but wear their vests. It was hilarious. We had black lights set up and some of them really 'glowed' without a shirt on.
And who knew that high school boys loved glow sticks and glow in the dark sunglasses? Oh my goodness it was fun to see them be kids!
And we thought those black lights were pretty cool, also. Several times we stood next to them just to see our stuff light up! We were careful to do it when our kids weren't around, I promise.
And yes, these pictures are out of order. But since by now you have realized that it's Sunday and I am just now finishing this post that I started at least 24 hours ago, they are simply going to be in this order.
Take it or leave it. Just sayin'.
Two weeks ago, Frick and Frack attended Prom 2011. It was a beautiful day and we had a really nice event. Read that as stress free if you want. My son is the class president so that makes us the prom planning committee. And because he has a twin sister and they needed another officer--they drafted her. It really was a lot of fun.
Frick and his date. They looked very cute together. It was kind of hard to find many pictures of him. He seems to take a lot of pics but isn't in very many.
Frack and her date. They were a mess. I have a gazillion photos of them being so silly.
So it gets hot at the dance and lots of the guys ditch their shirts but wear their vests. It was hilarious. We had black lights set up and some of them really 'glowed' without a shirt on.
And who knew that high school boys loved glow sticks and glow in the dark sunglasses? Oh my goodness it was fun to see them be kids!
And we thought those black lights were pretty cool, also. Several times we stood next to them just to see our stuff light up! We were careful to do it when our kids weren't around, I promise.
And yes, these pictures are out of order. But since by now you have realized that it's Sunday and I am just now finishing this post that I started at least 24 hours ago, they are simply going to be in this order.
Take it or leave it. Just sayin'.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Time
As we are rushing through today, here are some words that I came across....
"Is it good to have order and structure? Sure. But don’t allow the pressure to be the perfect mom keep you from the simplicity of playing with your children. The unmade bed will still be there when you are through, but I PROMISE that a child will grow quickly.
Take a moment today and look past the clutter and the to-do list and be a child again. It might not be a picture-perfect moment, but it will be a memory." --T. Suzanne Eller
Yep. Just sayin'.
"Is it good to have order and structure? Sure. But don’t allow the pressure to be the perfect mom keep you from the simplicity of playing with your children. The unmade bed will still be there when you are through, but I PROMISE that a child will grow quickly.
Take a moment today and look past the clutter and the to-do list and be a child again. It might not be a picture-perfect moment, but it will be a memory." --T. Suzanne Eller
Yep. Just sayin'.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Remember When I Could Remember Stuff?
Me, either. I can't remember stuff. Case and point.....a run down of this past week's events......
Monday--Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Anyway, then we had a home basketball make-up game.
Tuesday---Day After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Day one of double big pop day. Another home basketball game.
Wednesday--2 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Day 2 of double big pop day. They called from church asking if I could bring a cake for a funeral dinner on Friday. They were expecting 200 people and needed 12 cakes. Sure, no problem. Ladies Function at MY house. Enter full moon phase.
Thursday--3 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. A one big pop day but copious amounts of Tylenol and Advil. Singing Boy had a choir concert which was completely awesome but for some reason I didn't take my camera, so I have zero footage. My mother-of-the-year nomination is in danger of being revoked. I remember that I need a cake for church on Friday and I tell my Favorite Third Child to remind me to make a cake when we get home.
Friday--4 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Full moon. As I am driving out of the driveway at 7:53, I realize that I need a cake for church TODAY. My church lady-of-the-year nomination is in danger of being revoked. I start through the list of people whom I could call to make a cake on the fly for me to take to church. Wait. I have cupcakes in the freezer from my Ladies Function. Gourmet cupcakes, no less. Problem solved. Seriously, I was ready for my second big pop at 9:20. I leave on my plan at 10:40, come home and tray my 28 cupcakes, take them to church (nomination appears to still be intact) and stop for my second big pop. Continue through my first 5 day school week since sometime in January. Away basketball game. Granted, it was my choice to attend.
Combine all of this with a stupid cold and the inability to sleep.......And finally it's the weekend.
Really, the kids were very good all week considering it was Valentine's day on a Monday, 5 days of school in a row and a full moon.
It's the grown-ups that had issues.
Just sayin'.
Monday--Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Anyway, then we had a home basketball make-up game.
Tuesday---Day After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Day one of double big pop day. Another home basketball game.
Wednesday--2 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Day 2 of double big pop day. They called from church asking if I could bring a cake for a funeral dinner on Friday. They were expecting 200 people and needed 12 cakes. Sure, no problem. Ladies Function at MY house. Enter full moon phase.
Thursday--3 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. A one big pop day but copious amounts of Tylenol and Advil. Singing Boy had a choir concert which was completely awesome but for some reason I didn't take my camera, so I have zero footage. My mother-of-the-year nomination is in danger of being revoked. I remember that I need a cake for church on Friday and I tell my Favorite Third Child to remind me to make a cake when we get home.
Friday--4 days After Valentine's Day. You might remember that I teach 8 and 9 year-olds. Valentine's Day on a Monday. It should always be scheduled on a Friday. Full moon. As I am driving out of the driveway at 7:53, I realize that I need a cake for church TODAY. My church lady-of-the-year nomination is in danger of being revoked. I start through the list of people whom I could call to make a cake on the fly for me to take to church. Wait. I have cupcakes in the freezer from my Ladies Function. Gourmet cupcakes, no less. Problem solved. Seriously, I was ready for my second big pop at 9:20. I leave on my plan at 10:40, come home and tray my 28 cupcakes, take them to church (nomination appears to still be intact) and stop for my second big pop. Continue through my first 5 day school week since sometime in January. Away basketball game. Granted, it was my choice to attend.
Combine all of this with a stupid cold and the inability to sleep.......And finally it's the weekend.
Really, the kids were very good all week considering it was Valentine's day on a Monday, 5 days of school in a row and a full moon.
It's the grown-ups that had issues.
Just sayin'.
Ladies Function
Wednesday night was my turn to host my bunco group....or my Ladies Function. Our group began meeting in October 2000 and have met every month since then on the third Wednesday. We have had one time that was canceled due to a death in the hostess' family, but other than that we have met to eat, laugh and play a lil' bunco.
11 of us are original members. Pretty amazing, huh? We are from all walks of life and at different stages of children, grandchildren, houses, cars and aging parents.
I was pretty excited to host because it meant I could use these:
They are in the original box and in excellent shape.
I was short 4 sets. My friend, Kyle, whose rockin' hot wife posts here.....and his super sister in law posts here......helped me out. It seems as though one time he went to an auction being held by a church that was disbanding and he bought himself some snack sets. Why? Well, I guess nobody else was buying them, so he did. I knew he had them and had once told me I could borrow them anytime. When I called, he was out of town, so his lovely wife helped me out.
When she called him to ask him where he was keeping them, he told her that I could just keep them for my very own because he felt like it would repay my son for all his help with Kyle's blackberry/crackberry issues from a few months back. I am not sure my son was as pleased with the snack set payment, but I was.
And as luck would have it, the set I borrowed and then got to keep, matches my snack sets. I now have 12 matching snack sets. It's the little things that keep me going.....
I had several plans in mind for my Ladies Function, but finally hit upon making a dessert bar. I made pumpkin cake cupcakes and banana bar cupcakes. Cream cheese frosting. Enough said.
I really like the pumpkin ones, but I think that the banana ones were just OK. Kind of dry, maybe over baked and certainly not as good as Kyle's wife makes as a cake.
I also made cut out sugar cookies, snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies.
I made brownies with frosting and decided that a bunch of ladies on a sugar high probably needed some balance so I had some lil' smokies in bbq sauce, cheese and crackers, veggies and grapes. It was a decent spread.
My friend, Teresa, was generous enough to let me take a picture of her food on the snack set.....
11 of us are original members. Pretty amazing, huh? We are from all walks of life and at different stages of children, grandchildren, houses, cars and aging parents.
I was pretty excited to host because it meant I could use these:
My snack sets!! I bought 2 sets of them about 18 months ago at an estate sale. I think I must be an old soul.....I real affinity for old fashioned traditions. These snack sets remind me of going to Ladies' Functions with my great grandma at church and then with my grandma to Ladies' Functions.
They are in the original box and in excellent shape.
I was short 4 sets. My friend, Kyle, whose rockin' hot wife posts here.....and his super sister in law posts here......helped me out. It seems as though one time he went to an auction being held by a church that was disbanding and he bought himself some snack sets. Why? Well, I guess nobody else was buying them, so he did. I knew he had them and had once told me I could borrow them anytime. When I called, he was out of town, so his lovely wife helped me out.
When she called him to ask him where he was keeping them, he told her that I could just keep them for my very own because he felt like it would repay my son for all his help with Kyle's blackberry/crackberry issues from a few months back. I am not sure my son was as pleased with the snack set payment, but I was.
And as luck would have it, the set I borrowed and then got to keep, matches my snack sets. I now have 12 matching snack sets. It's the little things that keep me going.....
I had several plans in mind for my Ladies Function, but finally hit upon making a dessert bar. I made pumpkin cake cupcakes and banana bar cupcakes. Cream cheese frosting. Enough said.
I really like the pumpkin ones, but I think that the banana ones were just OK. Kind of dry, maybe over baked and certainly not as good as Kyle's wife makes as a cake.
I also made cut out sugar cookies, snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies.
I made brownies with frosting and decided that a bunch of ladies on a sugar high probably needed some balance so I had some lil' smokies in bbq sauce, cheese and crackers, veggies and grapes. It was a decent spread.
My friend, Teresa, was generous enough to let me take a picture of her food on the snack set.....
Bonus for me, I was the big winner for most losses. NOT a surprise to anyone who has been playing any game with me. Just sayin'.
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