Friday, February 29, 2008

Pay it forward challenge!

I got this from Donna.  Sounds like fun :)  Who wants to play along...be quick there are only three winners! 

Here are the rules:

1.~Leave a comment on my blog that says you want to play. First three folks to comment will get a gift from ME. (If I don't know it already, let me know how I can contact you, an e-mail is fine, and I have an e-mail on my profile!)

2.~Do the same thing on your blog!The first three folks who leave a comment and commit to doing this on their blog, too, will get a surprise from YOU at a surprise time in the next 365 days!


Thursday, February 28, 2008

Movie filmed here in WI!

Did you hear the movie "Public Enemy" with Johnny depp will be filmed in Columbus Wisconsin?  It's not far from the Madison area.  It would be SO cool to check that out!   It will start filming next month sometime.  I hope to go check that out :) 
LOL my son is whispering in my ear "mommy, click on the red X"  LOL he wants me to click on him so he can play his game.  So I should close my window that I have open!  What a kid!  He's being exceptionally good today!  I will be back.  I have more to share yet today. 

What did i make last night?

Home made croutons.  They are GOOD! 

Can't wait to have a salad and try them out in that.  I have been munching on them all night last night! lol 

I made them with home made bread.  Spead a little oil over the bread cut them up into cubes and added garlic powder, oreano, and parsley to them and threw them in a 300 degree oven for 20-25 min. 

Here is how they turned out:



Nic got a time out yesterday and I took a little video of him.  It's kind of sad now that I watched it!~   :(  Poor little boy!  He was freaking out at the computer and screaming at it and then kicked the desk while sitting on the chair.   So  yes, he did get a time out for that little stunt.  He hasn't done that before so I thought I would put a stop to that now.  His temper is sometimes hard for him to control that's for sure!  But he is only three i guess.  That temper must run in our family cuz my nieces kids have a tiny temper too! lol 

Before I share the video I want to share this picture of my MIL and her sisters.  They went to the Bahamas this last week and had a wonderful time.  My MIL is the one on the far right. 

Bahamahs.jpg




Wednesday, February 27, 2008

My Weekly Sentance

Today's Letters:
                TPIWIS

My sentence:

The People in Wisconsin ingest snow!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Bourbon Chicken recipe

I know I have posted this before but I have pictures to go with it now :)  This is very yummy!

I have had a few people ask for the recipe for Bourbon chicken!!  Here ya go, it's revised a little..nothing different in the recipe just an easier way to do it.

Needed:

1 1/2 lbs  chicken thighs/legs or both, cut into bite-size pieces * U can use breast for this too but the darker meat taste much better in this dish.

1     tablespoon olive oil

1     garlic clove, crushed

1/4     teaspoon ginger (fresh or dry)

3/4     teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4     cup apple juice..we used pineapple juice

1/3     cup light brown sugar

2     tablespoons ketchup

1     tablespoon cider vinegar

1/2     cup water

1/3     cup light soy sauce

1 16 oz bag of broccoli Cole Slaw

1 small can of water chestnuts. 

This is a high Protein Main Dish

Marinate the chicken thighs for 12-24 hours in Terriaki sauce in a gal size bag.

Cook chicken thighs for 2-3 hours at 350 in the same sauce or until tender...let cool and take meat off bones and chop into small pieces. Set aside.

Get rice cooker out and rice started OR follow box rice directions if using reg rice and not the rice cooker.

Put your bag of veggies in steamer along with the can of water chestnuts.  Start steaming on high.



Heat these ingredients in large skillet:

1     tablespoon olive oil

1     garlic clove, crushed

1/4     teaspoon ginger (fresh or dry)

3/4     teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4     cup apple juice..we used pineapple juice

1/3     cup light brown sugar

2     tablespoons ketchup

1     tablespoon cider vinegar

1/2     cup water

1/3     cup light soy sauce

Stir all this until well dissolved. 




Add chicken, heating over medium Heat (should be a hard boil) for about 15-20 min.



The finished chicken mixture:

  

Serve over hot rice and ENJOY.



This won't look like it would be enough liquid but you don't need much at all!  It's very tasty over the rice and has plenty of flavor without a lot of liquid.

There was no veggies in this original recipe so we got the pre-bagged veggie mix.  It's made by Mann's sunny shores  and is called Broccoli Cole Slaw (I added this to the directions)  and it has hearts of broccoli, carrots, and red cabbage all in the bag ready to be steamed.



It goes perfect with this!!  We also add a can of water chestnuts after browning them a bit.  Delicious!!   If you can't find that bag mix then I would just steam some broccoli and water chestnuts and maybe some shredded carrots.  This dish really needs the veggies to be a balanced meal and for the taste as well.  Let me know if you make it and how you liked it.
 

We also have the Rice cooker purchased from Wal-mart for under 20 bucks...it does a FABULOUS job at cooking rice. Perfect every time! 




 We use three of the cups that come with the cooker and it's perfect for this meal. All you do is add the rice, put water to the number mark on side...3 for 3 cups, 4 for four cuts etc...and then turn it on...simple!





If you start the rice,  start the veggies in a steamer, and start the main dish simmering all at the same time it will be done at the same time.  I had everything ready the night before and just threw it all together in the morning...or whenever you want to eat it. 

ON to some bread topics.

Ok most of you already know that we had started making home made bread.  Both for the cost and we just took a DEEP look as to what goes in factory made bread.  YUK! It's gross and it has tons of cancer causing agents in it that we don't need!  So we pay .50 cents a loaf VS .89 cents (and that's for the cheapest stuff) and we get really yummy home made bread.  We can really whip out the dough now that were getting used to using our Kitchen Aid mixer for kneeding the bread dough.  I have to share some info with you all though. 
We had been having a problem with the darn dough going up past our hook and onto the little metal spring looking thingy.  See the pics: 





Well after a while, we got pretty annoyed by this and sick of trying to get all the black grease looking dough off the ball of dough we were going to be rising.  So I sat and thought...Umm why don't we try olive oil on the top of the hook!?  We tried that and walaH!  It worked!  Now we can make wonderful dough and not have to worry about that happening!  Does anyone else make home made dough that this was happening to?  I would love some input on this if you own a mixer like this one. 
So here is our finished dough ready to go into the oven:


Ok, notice one glass bread pan and one metal non stick one.  These are the only two we own and we found that we like the metal one WAY more then the glass Pyrex one.  For two reasons.   * When you raise it no matter how alike they look when you get done "making the shape of a loaf to rise" the glass one just doesn't look as good as the metal one.  

* The metal one browns WAY better then the glass one.  We tried leaving the glass one in a little longer but it got TOO done then.  25 min at 400 is all it can take! But the metal one turns out perfect every time! See what I mean?!



Now I have to tell you about the best tasting Grilled Cheese sandwich ever! lol  Made with home made bread is out of this world good!  Nic chowed this right down!  The trick is not to cut it TOO thick.  Thinner is better when it comes to grilled cheese I think. Check this out:

 


Ok and here is a picture of our little Max who has been very well behaved lately. He was sure happy to see his master Stefan when he got home (right on time I may add).  I was trying to talk to Stefan about his friend who was not talking to him the last day they were there and Max was right in front of his face and he couldn't see me sign lol.  He kept licking him and would not leave him alone! lol   Still don't know why Trevor stopped talking to Stefan and the girls.  Stefan thinks he was feeling left out for some reason.  I will ask him next time I see him. 




Sunday, February 24, 2008

OH MY POOR VAN~!

Well, first off I will start with the good news of our yesterdays trip into town.  We called Alex and asked her to go out to eat with us.  We hadn't done that in MONTHS and we finally saved up enough to go to King Buffet.  We met her there and we had a great time.  She seemed happy and just in a terrific mood.  She is over Pat thank god and she told me she hadn't even been reading his myspace.  She never even seen the comments that I had seen.  I was so proud of her for that.  So she was very talkative and just very polite.  That made me so happy.   She took Nic for us so we could finish up our shopping without having to get him in and out of the van all the time.  That really helped a lot!  While out shopping we were looking at all the people around...it was actually 27 degrees here (finally above the negative temps we had been getting) and the sun was just amazing yesterday, so warm.  People were running around with short sleeves on and kids with no Jackets!  I think everyone is aching for spring?
So anyway...we finally get our stuff done and head to pick up Nic and then off for home.  Then a while later Cory and Nic go over to grandma's because Nic has been just waiting for the chance to introduce grandma to Bella.   Cory calls me a while later and tells me that they would like us to go out to eat with them.  We did (twice today) lol We didn't have to pay the second time ;)  And we had a great steak.  On the way home we had a run in with a deer!  Yes..at 55 MPH we hit that med sized deer.  Nic was so sad,  he kept saying POOR DEER!  I miss him!  He was just so sad the rest of the way home.  We got out to veiw the damage and this is what we seen.  Cory wasn't even able to get his door to open at first.  Now they fixed it so at least the door can open.  I'm so mad...we only carry liability on the van since it's so old and it has close to 200,000 on it now.  SO now I have to drive around with my van looking this way until she dies.  We are going to fix the light of course and any legal thing that has to be fixed to be able to drive it. Well, we know now that this van will not be making the trip to Florida with us.




Friday, February 22, 2008

WOW

He is all of a sudden all apologetic to me and cleaning like a crazy boy. I wonder if he read my journal or something...he is suppose to be grounded from the computer but he's pretty sneaky sometimes!  I think he feels bad that I felt bad.  I don't WANT to be "mean" to him because I know he is almost 18 now and he needs more freedom so he can learn but gosh darn...I just want the boy to listen!  I guess I really can't complain to much...it doesn't take much yelling to get him moving. And all in all he is a good kid but this is the same age my daughter started getting lippy and it scares me...now she doesn't even want to come visit us and I could not handle TWO kids never coming to see me!  Ya know!  It's so lonely without my little girl and I really miss her even if she is 19! 
I gave him one more simple thing to do...Clean the basement WELL and you can go.  Well, that really worked because I already hear the vacuum! I guess he needed a "list" lol  I have to make sure it's good but I know he knows that.  He's already cleaned the living room and took the garbage in and out so I guess that would be acceptable chores for today.  He has the whole basement so that is a chore he gets no matter what.  WE are never down there.  Well, hardly anyhow. Although Nic does spend some time down there playing.
He plans on going to Lia's this weekend again. Her mom invited him back over which is a good thing. I guess he's not annoying them TOO much ;)  Im happy to hear tho that his friend Trevor will be going with. I hate him driving that far on his own so soon after he gets his license.  I remember how tired I got on such long trips that soon after driving.  I worry about him.  Last weekend we had that HUGE snow storm so he had to drive home in that and I was just sick with worry!  He did fine tho and got home in one piece.  Lia has the WII so they really enjoy it  there and they have fun.  Last weekend they were in an outdoor hot tub. 
Well, I think I better get moving around here again.  I would like to sit around tonight and watch a movie or something. Stefan is going to jump in the shower and  head out to pick Trevor up and I better get to my dishes. 
Talk to you all tomorrow.

I hate to do this but....

I feel another rant coming on!

 My son didn't have school today because the main waterline busted.  Fine...so I told him he would be helping clean today SINCE he has not helped me at ALL all week long.  That's acceptable right?  Well he started throwing a big fit cuz he wants to go into town and hang out with friends.  Well, that would happen SOONER if he would clean rather then argue with me!  He knows arguing doesn't work with me.  SO then he kept on until he got his phone taken away.  Ya that really got him mad...and so he told me I was being mean.  Well, I can tell ya what...he seen "mean" for a while today!  He is spoiled rotten and that is his problem.  When I make him do something for the day then all of a sudden I'm MEAN?? 
I love my kids to death and it just really hurts when they say those types of things.  When did kids start saying that?  I NEVER said that to my parents... ever. I had more respect for them then that.  Ya sometimes I was angry with them but I still never acted like that!  It hurts, it really does.  I totally expected more from him.  He was always my "good" child.  I was hoping he would be the good role model for Nick.  He used to care about getting his homework in but lately that has been slacking too.  I just don't see any other way to get his attention but to be a little harder on him.  I took his phone today, told him that if this didn't get done he was not leaving the house.  And I have really been considering taking his phone all week. Now if he can just get his butt moving he will get his phone back  and he can go where he wants to until 9:30 tonight.  If that were me I would be busting my butt to get it done.  BUT no, he's poking around reading everything he picks up (ha ha Kallie this totally reminded me of you!!) and he's  just SLOW!~  

Maybe I should just take him over my knee and spank him!!!??  Ok well, other then that...nothing much going on around here...just laundry and cleaning.  One thing I DO know...Stefan sure does wish he had school today ;)  lol 

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The story of Bella

Here is the link to Nic's Magical Journal.  It's a special story and journal just for him to read when he gets older so he knows what a special bond we had.  It's going to be fun!

Nic and Bella's Magical Adventures! 

Something VERY special!!!

Ok Two night ago Nic wanted me to read him a story.  Cory wanted to go to bed and he didn't want the lights on really so I decided to share a special Made up story with Nic.  It was about Isabella (Nic calls her Bella) and she is just an inch tall with long brown hair and colorful tiny wings.  He FELL in love with her instantly!  I could not believe how he just soaked this story right up!  I NEVER in a million years thought it would stick and that he would even find it interesting in the least.   I had tears in my eyes towards the end because he could not stop talking about "Bella"  I have decided to start a little journal just for Nic.  So if you guys are interested go check it out.  It will be our nightly adventures of Bella and tonight I'm going to introduce her butterfly friend to Nic ;)  It's been SO much fun...and these are stories we always tell in the dark.  I will share a link here when I get the new journal started so you all can check it out if you want to.  It's going to be public.   I have some funny stories to share about Bella too ;) 

Baby Jack is back

Well the silly cat was sound asleep under Nic's bed!  He was curled up in this monkey! He was curled all up all nice and warm in the legs of this thing! I'm sure he loves Nic's room more because he does have the warmest room in the house. 



 I could not see him.  I looked under the bed and around it BUT if you know baby jack at all he ALWAYS comes running when he hears his food.  No matter where he is. So i was positive he was not in Nic's room.  He must not of been  hungry this morning.  We thought maybe he could have gotten outside when Stefan let the dogs in last night before bed.  We were just worried sick!  Did this happen for  reason?  We now know he has to stay here with us.  Just the hour he vanished and we were looking for him, I missed him.  I missed his tiny meow's when I fed them this morning. Cory was so worried about him he got up out of bed and by passed the roast and went right outside calling for him!  This is why I love his guy!  He is always willing to do these things for us.  And he is an avid animal lover which is what attracted me to him to begin with.  SO all is well here...we got to eat our delicious roast and even gave the animals the left overs which I usually don't do anymore. The were happy! 

I have one more picture to share this morning.  This is of Aspen...he was sitting by the  heater vent and refused to move while we were baking bread and when I looked down this is what I seen!   lol  He didn't even care as long as he could stay by the heat.  Max licked his head clean tho!  


Baby Jack is GONE

We are so confused right now!  He just vanished in the night...just as simply as we found him!   We have been calling for him and looking for him all morning so far and nothing!  He's just simply GONE!  WHERE?  We have no idea.  We last seen him right before bed while we were playing football with Nic.  He was fine and acting himself.  I got up to feed the animals and Jack is ALWAYS the first to meet me at the bowl but there was no jack!  I'm going back out to look...we think maybe he could have gotten outside?  I hope not it was -20 last night! 

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

ROAST

Ok here is the ingredients needed:

One (2 1/2 to 3 lbs) Beef chuck roast (I have used both boneless and bone in) This is boneless

One 10 3/4 oz can of Campbell's Creamy onion soup (or cr of onion)

One 10 3/4 oz can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup

One 10 3/4 oz can of Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup

One 5 lb bag potatoes

One bag of the smaller baby carrots (don't get the real big ones they don't get as soft) 16 oz bag

First you want to brown your roast on all sides.  Med high to high heat used for this...do not leave it longer then 2 min on each side.  I am using a 5 qt kettle here...same one that will go into the oven.  Less mess! 




This is what it should look like after being browned:  Can even be a bit more browned but I was in a hurry ;)  Browning it keeps the juices in the meat and it's way more tender when it's done :)  This also always makes people ask...WHAT is that wonderful smell when they walk into your house lol.
 



After your done browning all sides add the three soups.  DO NOT ADD WATER...you want the condensed version!  They are now making the ready to eat kind so careful when picking these up!  I have tried different soups when I could not find these three and the gravy just was not the same!   Not as thick and not as good!
 



Now add the carrots...the whole bag  and squish them down into the soup...does not have to be perfect.





Now put the cover on your pot and stick it in a preheated 350 * oven for 2 hours. Also, if your planning on adding potatoes IN with the roast you need to peel them now and cover them with water until your ready to use them.  Your not done  yet! 

After the 2 hours is up leave the oven on and  take your roast out.  Now here is when you add potatoes if you want them cooked right in the roast. I have to admit that this tastes WAY better with Mashed potatoes (recipe for this below too)!!   You won't have as much gravy either if you cook the potatoes  with the roast but it still turns out good.  You also won't use 5 lbs worth either...it just won't fit! lol  Use what you need for one dinners worth (5-6 potatoes) Here it is before I stirred it up after 1/2 the cooking time. 



Ok now stir this and make sure most everything is covered. Put lid back on and stick it back in the oven for another 2 hours.  Here is the roast after I stirred it. It will still look pretty thin here. 



Now while your waiting for your roast, start peeling your potatoes (if you didn't already add them) and cut them in half length wise and stick them all in a 5 quart kettle covered with water and stick the pan on the stove. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of salt to this water. Don't cook them yet.

After the 2 hours is up you need to again check your roast.  All ovens are different.  Make sure the roast is fork tender and almost "falling apart" If you look at the meat below it is falling apart it's so tender :)  YUM!  Ok so this would be done...now put that cover back on and leave this sit in the oven (now turned off) for another 1/2 hour to 45 min while you wait for your potatoes.  Sitting allows it to cool just enough for eating once your potatoes are done.  So turn on those tators now on  high!  Also add a Tablespoon of oil so they don't boil over :)



When your potatoes are done (they should be very tender)  drain them and put them either in your kitchen aid mixer or mash by hand.  Add 1/2 stick of real butter and about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of whole milk (can use skim too) Mash them up until they are the consistency you like.  May have to add less or more milk. Sometimes I add a little shredded cheese too but not with the roast. Here are the potatoes:



Here is the finished plate!!!  It was SO good! lol There you have it!  It's very easy to do and it makes your house smell so good too~!  If you try this let me know how you like it! BTW you will have left over mashed potatoes for another meal OR if you have some roast left over.  I sometimes make potato pancakes with the left over  mashed potatoes.  




Cooking

I have our roast in the oven for tomorrow morning...thought I would get it done so I don't have to get up so early tomorrow!   It's really good and so simple.  I had thrown it together a long time ago and totally forgot how good it was!   My niece was making it the other day and it smelled so good I thought I would try it again.   The gravy turns out perfect!   Just thick enough to put over mashed potatoes.   I took some pics so when its done I will share the easy recipe!  Pictures included!   I HAVE to clean today. I have been saying that for two days now and still didn't do much of anything!   Talk to you all in a while. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My run in with a bull AND video and pics too!

Ok I don't have video and pics of the BULL but of the snow. lol  I wish I would have had my camera in my car and I would have had pics of the bull. 

Ok so here is the story...I was driving home and decided I would take the back roads instead of the highway.  On my way down a VERY snowy and icy road I seen a bull walking on the road.  There were several people ahead of me and they just went around him and left him there.  ME I stopped.  I got out of the van (NOT THINKING) and walked right over to that bull and tried to tug on his collar he was wearing. I could see where he belonged because there were more like him in a cage not far away from the road so I planned on at least getting him close to that fence and then knocking on the door.  Well he would not budge and he was looking at me like what the heck are ya doing lady!  So I let go and started calling him... hitting my leg.  "COME ON COW" I said "Come on cow!"  I kept saying it hitting my leg and walking towards his home.  He started FOLLOWING ME! lol  Ok by this time I'm thinking...OK this is a VERY LARGE bull and what would I do if he charged?  It was to late by that time lol  so I just kept saying "come on cow!"  I see a man from the house walking towards me now laughing.  He says to me "are ya nuts?"  I said I could very possibly be! lol  I told him I didn't think that he could possibly be mean at all.  I mean we ran around in cow pens all the time as kids and there were bulls in there that caused no harm at all.   The guy was amazed that I would do such a thing and thanked me. He said I was very lucky the bull didn't charge me.  He said maybe the fact that I just walked right up to him and didn't  hesitate?   I told him I didn't want to see him hurt or worse yet someone in a car hit him and die!  I have seen that happen.  Ya it was crazy to do but ya know! lol 

ANYWAY...here are some snow pics:





Max was confused by the shovel. He kept barking at it! lol 





This is the back of our house.  Most of the snow was blowing right by our house.











This is our oil tank...it was totally buried up!  We had to shovel it out. You can kind of see it behind Max...it's green



Look how big Jack is getting!  He's non stop!



Here are a couple video:  I still have more to share later. On the last video you can hear the crunchy snow when I walk on it.  It's was -9 outside. 



Are YOU ready for Feb 17 2009! BIG CHANGE COMING

Is everyone ready to go to Digital Television?  As of Feb 17 2009 if you use "rabbit ears" like we do, you will only be seeing static on Feb 17, 2009 unless you buy a converter box for your television set.  Here is the info on that:

As of March 1, 2007, all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective May 25, 2007, the Commission required sellers of television receiving equipment that does not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television after the transition date. Retailers must inform consumers by prominently displaying the following text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog tuner:

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.


AND if you would like a free $40.00 coupon on a converter box apply HERE! See number 3  We already did this..there are only so many coupons so if you ever think you will cancel cable or satellite I recommend applying for this. It's almost worth getting one even if you have cable right now...just in case!  You never know...they say it "should" work but who knows! lol 

Hey,I got most of my stuff downloaded so I'm doing that entry next ;)  Stay tuned! 

I think this is another rant.

  My daughters car is sitting in the driveway because she doesn't have gas money.  We are not giving her money anymore for things like that...so she had to either have someone come get her or stay here with is.  Well, she wasn't planning on  staying here with us so she called around and found someone to come get her.  I often wonder where we went wrong with her. I believe it was giving her more freedom then she was able to handle.  We spoiled her way to much and now were paying for it.  She never really had a lot of discipline in her life.  I know after taking the couple classes I did take for that sort of thing in college that we should have said NO more often then we did.  I knew that but why didn't I do it?? I don't know!  I sure wish I would have now.  Now when she doesn't get her way she freaks out and gets so depressed she can't even be around herself let alone someone else.  Her boyfriend broke up with her because he said she was to controlling.  Well, that IS her personality BUT it wasn't only HER fault... my thoughts on dating (if your serious) is you have to make a commitment to the other person.  You don't have that freedom to just leave for a weekend and not say where your going.  Am I wrong on thinking that way??  I mean he was going here and going there and because she was asking him where he was going she is called controlling??  I'm a little angry with him for acting like he had been and to tell you the truth I'm happy  he let her go.  If he had no intention to stay with her...let her go find someone who does want her.  She knew this guy from 1st grade and he begged her so many times to go out with him.  She told him no again and again...finally she thought she would give him a shot and she fell for him.  NOW he goes and dumps her?  You would have thought he would have seen how "controlling" she was BEFORE he dated her since he has known her for HOW MANY years?!  Yes, my daughter tells it like it is, yes, she is controlling, yes, she has a big mouth...umm she did not change for him so I don't understand why he thought he still wanted her.  Now the guy is telling this other girl in myspace (he KNOWS my daughter reads his myspace) that he loves her and that he wants her to have his children, that she is the most beautiful thing *cough, she SURE isn't* he has ever seen...bla bla...  it's killing my daughter to read those things and Its all a huge game for him.   She still has to live with this guy because  she has no where else to go.   WELL, she can come back home but she would rather not.  This girl, by the way egged my daughters car when she used to date this guy. 
Ok SO when my daughter was stuck here over night cuz of the huge snow storm we had she was talking on the phone.  I heard her say to someone " Pat (her X) wanted me to let him know what was going on"  WHAT?  He's an idiot why give him the satisfaction of letting him know where you are?  He didn't do it for you.  So I tell her...WHY are you letting pat know where you are?  She says...well, I AM still friend with him mom!  OK whatever!!  GRRR 
Sorry I went into a rant again but I always feel better after getting that all out!   Sometimes she is so strong and then there are times like that when I see how weak she is when it comes to men or boys whatever  you want to call him.  Do you guys think she should be letting him know where she is or what she is doing?  Maybe I'm old school?  I don't know. 

SO anyway, I am still downloading video and I have to put some together and all that AND I'm going to take some pics of our newest snow storm when I get my butt going here. We have to run into town to get more flour so we can make more bread.  So I will try to get the video up tonight sometime.  Take care everyone and thanks for reading ;) 

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Crazy?? I feel it! AND I"M MAD

Yes...it's been a crazy last few days to say the least.  I'm going to start at the beginning.  ok I think I left off on the 14th or so lol It's been a while.  I have just been trying to figure out money issues and stuff so I have been spending a lot of time on google and recipe sites and so forth. 




Next, this girl (above) will be the death of me!  I swear!  I will get into that later in the entry but first I will start here. 

Ok yesterday Cory decided that he thinks we should bake bread...cheaper and healthier then buying store bread.  Well, ok so we did.   Here is what we come up with. Each loaf by the way is only .54 cents a piece!  AND it has NO preservatives so its way healthier for ya too. and did I mention it tastes good?



Was it easy?  HECK YA! We threw it together in our really nice Kitchen Aid Mixer (I love this thing) and just let er go!  Oh boy was it easy.  Was it tasty?  OH YA even better then tasty!  I forgot how good home made bread taste!   Did we eat the whole loaf?  YES but shared four slices with grandpa.  Grandma is in Florida for the week so we sneak some yummy food over for grandpa cuz usually he doesn't get it.  He loved it and was totally thrilled! 

On the 14th Stefan went to the movies with some friends.  He came home all cheery and all of a sudden he's very protective of his phone.  UMM hello, mom is not dumb! lol  Now, other times he would just leave his phone lay where ever and didn't care who would find it.  All of a sudden he's treating his phone likegold?  I think he likes someone, don't you?  HE HE ANYWAY,

So nothing happened in between then and now.  We will get into the now.  It RAINED and then it  SNOWED and it SNOWED and it SNOWED and it...yep you guessed it... SNOWED!  It is so SO beautiful outside I can hardly wait till tomorrow to go out there and take some pictures. I  took some tonight but you can hardly see anything cuz it was 11pm.  Cory was plowing.  Here are a couple pictures I got:









Here is one of NIC being silly a few days ago.



OK now on to my daughter (this is a HUGE rant so beware)...well she has been something else lately.  She has gotten a few parking tickets and never tell us when she gets them until the darn things are 75 bucks!  VS 25~!   Well, actually she doesn't even tell us THEN. I find out when I get the darn threatening "your license will be suspended" letter in MY NAME cuz yup the car is in my name! NOT HERS.  So I call, yell, B**** whatever at her until I hear a "I know mom, I'm trying to pay it"   UM, NO, your not trying to pay it or it would have been paid already!  She had several pay checks in between the time. It could have been paid when it was 25 bucks!  WE don't have the money to pay if for her so here we sit!   I'm just so disappointed in her right now....the choices she is making is getting me SO furious!  Ok, I'm not done yet... so then grandma offers her a cleaning job...she would pay her fines and pay for her license to get re-registered cuz yesshe was driving after they suspended the plates on MY vehicle and she got a ticket for THAT too!  So grandma says..if you clean my house... ALLOF IT... I will give you the 175 needed to pay off your fines.  She says YA sure I will do it.  Took her a week or more to get out here and even start!   THEN she was suppose to come out here on Friday (cuz grandma gave me a packet to give to her and I didn't realize I was NOT suppose to give her the check until she was DONE) to start but made up some excuse as to why she couldn't...So she already paid her fines with the money but did not get the work done yet...see where I'm going with this?  ok, I say... then Sat you get out here early so you can start.  OK she says.  At about noon I call her and ask her if this is her idea of early?   Well, she says... I had to clean here first and then I'm waiting for my friend to get out of the shower so I can take one.  WHAT?!  Why so you need a shower? YOUR GOING TO CLEAN! i say.  
OK so 4pm rolls around...NO alex...I call her again.  Where are you?  OH... well, I have to take my friends little sister and brother to school early tomorrow so I can't come out tonight.  OH NO YOU DON'T, you get your butt out here NOW because your being very irresponsible! Grandma paid you!  I gave you that money when i was not suppose to and your COMING out here tonight!   GRRRR She came out here alright or I was taking my butt in to town and picking up her car.  I'm not putting up with that crap!  So when she got out here she was all grouchy and acting as if she was having the hardest time of her life just having to come out here and sleep here for a night!  GEEZ!  
Good thing I did make her come out because there was freezing rain and that would have been another excuse...a good one that time but an excuse non the less.  She did go clean so I hope she did a good job for grandma. 

OK end rant! WHEW I do feel better now.  So I will add video tomorrow because I'm tired now ;)






Saturday, February 16, 2008

I didn't die`

I am alive but been busy... I have to leave again today were going into town to shop for  some things we didn't get Friday.  I will be back later today to update about the week.  Not much happened but I have a funny video to share.  Stefan is off to his friends house for the weekend.  I will be back later ;) 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

This is SO true! lol

Cold is Relative..........and a good part of this is true!

60 above zero:
Floridians walk around in fur-lined hooded jackets.
People in Wisconsin walk around in shorts and a t-shirt.

50 above zero:
Gulf Coast people shiver uncontrollably.
People in Wisconsin sunbathe.

40 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Wisconsin drive with the windows down.

32 above zero:
Distilled water freezes.
The water in Green Bay gets thicker.

20 above zero:
Floridians wear down coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and wool hats.
People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt before going outside.

15 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Wisconsin have the last cookout before it gets cold.

Zero:
People in Miami die from exposure.
Wisconsinites close the windows.

10 below zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico .
People in Wisconsin get out their winter coats.

25 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Wisconsin are selling cookies..........door to door.

40 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Wisconsin let the dogs sleep indoors.

100 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Wisconsinites get upset because they can't start the damn Mini-Van.

460 (-459.67 F below zero):
ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero, zero on the Kelvin scale.)
People in Wisconsin start saying..."Cold 'nuff fer ya?"

500 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Wisconsin public schools will open 2 hours late

Breakfast time

Well again I'm up early preparing "breakfast" were having chili cheese chicken (my all time fav) I got the recipe somewhere here in jland.  It's seriously the best chicken recipe I ever tasted.   And along with that were having stove top stuffing and peas.  I'm out of potato's today so stove top will fill in for them ;) 
Well, I had two alerts come in early this morning but that's it!  I hope that means they are starting to work again? 
 
Here is what you need for the chicken.

Cheeze it crackers
Sour cream
chili powder
4 skinless chicken breast 1/2 inch thick

Preheat oven to 350*


First you have to grind up about 1/2 of a box (16 0z box) of cheez it crackers in a food processor or hand grinder which is what I use, and mix that mixture with 1 T of chili seasoning.  Set aside

Here is what it will look like:



Wash and dry (very important to dry them or the sour cream will not stick) 4 chicken breasts...if they are to thick cut them in half and make into two breasts.  1/2 inch thick is what your looking for.  
Take out a 1/2 container of the sour cream (16 0z container) Or if you can find the 1/2 sizes I would get those if you have no use for the left overs.  We always make use of them...the kids eat the left over crackers and we use sour cream on several different things.  Just make sure you take out half of the container of sour cream and put it in something else to spread over your chicken. 

Spread a good layer of sour cream over dry breast with a butter knife stick that side right into the bowl with the cheeze it mixture and press down.  Then stick your hand under to pick it up...trying to keep as much of the mixture on as possible.  Do the same to the other side of the breast and then put on a non stick cookie sheet.  You can spray with pam if your pan is not non stick.  So the same for all breasts and cook at 350 for exactly 30 min.  Perfect every time ;) 

Well breakfast is done and the guys are gone already...i had my entry up for an hour now lol  I had to take some pictures of what Stefan did last night.  So I had to wait till it got light.   I hope everyone has a great day.

 Can you see what it says in the snow??? It says I love M + D Stefan got bored last night I guess. :)  Those letters are much deeper then then look.