Header Link Map

Image Map

Monday, February 28, 2011

What a Muddy Mess I'm In...

Country life can be a bit muddy sometimes...










Saturday, February 26, 2011

Project 52 Week 8...

The theme for this week is "The view from here"...

Friday, February 25, 2011

I Know I'm Gonna Miss This...

As I was peeling potatoes today to accompany The Pioneer Woman's chicken pot pie, the song "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins came on the radio. I suddenly found my self a sobbing mess. I'm sure it was partly caused by some hormones, but this song really spoke to me. I have heard it multiple times, but this time it got me....it got me good.

If you haven't heard this song, you can read the lyrics here.
The song is about a girl who can't wait to turn eighteen. Her mom tells her not to rush it.
Then she gets married and moves into an apartment. She starts talking about kids and her dad tells her not to rush it.
She has kids several years later and a repair man is in the house with the kids screaming and she apologizes. He says its okay. He understands, he has kids of his own. They are 36 and 23.

The chorus goes like this:
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times
So take a good look around.
You may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this.

I often find myself looking forward to the future. I think, "I can't wait until the girls are older."
Most of my days are spent refereeing.
The house is always a mess.
I can't wait for the toys to be a thing of the past.
I can't talk on the phone without someone wanting something or starting a screamfest.
I am wishing time away and I don't want to do that anymore.




Because I know I'm gonna miss this...

I already want this back...






















I wish these days hadn't gone by so fast...


























These were some good times...






















So, I'm taking a good look around...


























Because I know I'm gonna miss this...














and this...
















Streusel Peanut Butter Bars...

This recipe came from an old cookbook I have.
I love old cookbooks.
They were printed "back in the day" when healthy food was unheard of;0)
Base:
1/2 cup butter flavor all vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c milk


For base, combine shortening, brown sugar, and 2/3 cup peanut butter. Beat until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Combine flour and salt. Add alternately with milk to creamed mixture at low speed. Beat until well blended. Spread in greased 9x13 pan.

Streusel Topping
3 tblsp. butter flavored shortening
1/3 c all purpose flour
1/3 c firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tblsp peanut butter
1/4 c. chopped pecans

For topping: combine shortening, flour, brown sugar, and peanut butter. Mix until well blended. Sprinkle over unbaked base.
Sprinkle nuts over top.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 33 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Daily Dose...




Have you had your daily dose of laughter today?
If not, do it for me.
You will feel so much better.
I promise.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What I Love Wednesdays...

I love Bath and Body Works new scent, Carried Away...
I love my followers. If you follow my blog, be sure to click the "follow" icon on the right side of the blog. Thanks!

I love that it is National FFA week...




And, just for kicks, here is a picture of me back in my FFA days.
This was taken at State Convention at Purdue in 2001...i believe.
I cropped the other people out of the photo. You can all thank me later!;)...


This morning, at 8:30, the telephone rang. I said, "Hello?"
The man on the other end said, "Yes, Mrs. C."
I was trying to get B ready for school and I just assumed it was a telemarketer, so I was kind of aggravated. I replied, "She passed away several years ago."
Man said, "Oh I am sorry."
Then he proceeded to ask who I was.
I hesitated for a little bit.
He then said, "This is State Policeman, Mike O."
At that moment my heart sank. I feared the worst. I couldn't think of how I was related to "Mrs. C." I couldn't think of who I was!
Finally, I am sure I sounded like a blubbering idiot, but I managed to say I am her granddaughter-in-law?.
He said, "Oh, well I am sitting in your drive way right now and I just chased a coyote out of your goat pen."
Part of me was relieved that that's all it was. The other part of me was worried about the goats.
So, what do I love about this situation?
I love that the State Policeman was kind enough to chase the coyote away and then call to tell me about it.
I have no idea why a State Policeman was on our county road, but he was in the right place at the right time and for that I am thankful.
So, if you are reading this Mr. O....which I doubt you are....thank you and I am sorry if I sounded aggravated when you asked for "Mrs. C."

I love these new chips I found today at Kroger.
I meant to buy the black bean and salsa kind, but got home and realized I had picked these up by mistake. I was a little upset, but once I tasted them, I had no more regrets. I still can't wait to try the black bean and salsa ones.
I love nap time!
What do you love?
Happy Wednesday!




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Craft Time...

I realize Valentine's Day was over a week ago, but I am going to post this craft anyway.

On Valentine's Day we made sticky hearts. I got this idea from Family Fun.



Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water until smooth.

Heat the mixture over medium heat until thick and translucent...

Allow the mixture to cool.



Cut several pieces of yarn into 12 inch pieces...


Place a heart shaped cookie cutter on a piece of waxed paper.

Have your child push each piece of yarn into the glue then place the yarn inside the cookie cutter...








Brad got to help with craft time once again.
That was my Valentine gift to him.;)

He was thrilled to pieces.





Make sure to run each piece of yarn between your thumb and forefinger to remove the excess glue...






Allow to dry overnight, maybe longer...

Once dry attach a ribbon to the top and hang to display.





Mel's...








B's...

You could make flowers and attach a pipe cleaner to the bottom for a stem.
Or maybe shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day.

Have fun with it!








Monday, February 21, 2011

Scotchies...

I ran across this recipe a couple months ago. I made them yesterday and they were exactly what I needed to satisfy my sweet tooth. Plus, they were super easy to make.

Melt the peanut butter and butterscotch chips on low heat until melted...
Stir in the cornflakes...

I recommend taste testing while the mixture is still warm. Trust me, you won't regret it!


Drop by tablespoons on to cookies sheets lined with waxed paper.
Place in the refrigerator until firm.
You could even stir in a few chocolate chips if you are feeling a little rebellious.
Enjoy!
Scotchies
1 12 oz pkg. butterscotch chips
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
7c. corn flakes
Melt chips and peanut butter over low heat. Remove from heat and fold in corn flakes until well coated. Drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheets lined with waxed paper. Place in the refrigerator until firm.




Sunday, February 20, 2011

Lazy Sundays...

I don't normally blog on Sunday, but I am making an exception.
I feel very relaxed today.
Our day started out with church. Then we took our friend's kids to lunch at McDonald's.
Poor Mel has a cold and her humidifier decided to quit working. It had a good 5 year run, so it was time. I ran into CVS to get a new one. I like the kind that you can put Vick's in the top.
We came home and Brad and Dillon went to cut some firewood. We are getting a wood furnace this week. I am pretty excited about that! Goodbye fuel bill!
B, Lily, and Mel played for a little bit.
Then it was time for Mel to take a nap.
I gave her some ibuprofen, turned her humidifier on and she was out in record time.
B and Lily made a cake in the Easy Bake oven.
Lily went back home.
B is currently napping and Mel is still asleep.
I tried a new recipe and I can't wait to share it with you. It's goooood!
I am watching the Nascar race and reminiscing about the days when we used to get together with friends EVERY. SINGLE.SUNDAY to watch the race. Good times. Good times.
We all had kids and things changed.
While I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for the world, I do miss those days a little.

Well, I can't write a post without pictures so here are a couple of B from the other day.
The guys were getting the site for the furnace ready to pour concrete tomorrow and B found two earth worms and begged me to take her picture...

Her favorite show, right now, is Wild Kratts on PBS kids. She knows it comes on every day after her nap except Saturdays and Sundays and Mondays because that is the day she goes to gymnastics. It's really on on Mondays, but she doesn't know that.
It's a very educational show. She can tell you just about all there is to know about earthworms.
After arguing with her, I gave in and let her put them in a glass jar. She brought them in the house and would watch them slither on the kitchen floor. I had to watch because she would get distracted and leave them on the floor and go do something else. I didn't really want a worm in my bed. I know....I'm no fun!
Happy Sunday everyone!
Hope you are relaxing!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Craft Time...

Last week when it we were facing subzero temps, the girls and I did this activity.
We made winter sun catchers. I got the idea from Family Fun.

First, add a few drops of food coloring to the water in each section of an ice cube tray.
Family Fun recommended only using a couple colors, but B insisted in using every color we had.
I was afraid all the colors would run together and we would have a black sun catcher.
That would have been ugly.


Leave the ice cubes in the freezer until completely frozen.
Fill a round cake pan 2/3 full with water.
Fill a plastic cup with water and place near the top of the pan. Be sure not to get it too close to the edge.
Then place the cake pan in the freezer and only freeze for about an hour.
You don't want the water to be completely frozen...



Pop out the colored ice cubes and place in the partially frozen water...









Then put in freezer and let it freeze solid.




Tie a ribbon around it...




Then hang it outside...



The one from Family Fun was much prettier than ours.
We should have made it sooner because it was 35 degrees the next day and it melted quickly.
I don't know if it will get cold enough again for you to make this with your kids. If it doesn't be sure to bookmark it and make it next year with them.






Web Statistics