There are 7 days of school left for the 2012/2013 school year. While I love those long lazy summer days, it is bitter sweet. It means my little girl is a whole year older. Time is speeding by so quickly.It seems like yesterday I was bringing our last little baby home from the hospital, completely in baby love with this sweet, tiny baby. Now she is at the end of first grade and will be a second grader in August. She had a wonderful Kindergarten teacher and an even more wonderful first grade teacher, if that is even possible. I sure hope we get as lucky for second grade.
This week is school spirit week and each day the kids are asked to dress a certain way. Today was "tacky day" and tomorrow is "pirate day". I have really enjoyed helping my girl pick her outfits each day. I know the day is coming that she will no longer want that help, but for now I am loving it, taking pictures of her each morning, and she loves it too.
Next week is the last week of school, with plenty of "last week" activities to do. I am counting the days till we can spend all morning in our PJ's and watch TV while we eat our breakfast and figure what we will do with our day. She is so much fun and everyday is an adventure. Even if we are just cleaning out cabinets or vacuuming the floor, she is just happy to be with me and be my "little helper" She thinks chores are fun, little does she know that in a year or 2 she will come to hate those chores and I will have to make her do them.
If you have a little one please cherish these young years because, as the mother of 2 grown children, I know the years pass to quickly. I am going to enjoy every minute if this last baby while I can. It is hard sometimes because life can get complicated and busy, but I think we all need to learn to just enjoy down time. We can learn from our children, they don't have lots of "plans" for summer vacation, they just know it is going to be great.
Today's recipe is one that me and my daughter do allot in the summer.
Tomato Basil Pizza
1 store bought pizza crust
2 plum tomatoes sliced 1/4 inch slices
4-6 basil leaves, cut in strips
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tbl spoon olive oil
1/4 t spoon kosher salt
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick
preheat oven, spread olive oil all over pizza make sure you get the edges. sprinkle garlic powder all over. Place tomatoes around pizza and sprinkle with salt ans basil. Top with cheese and bake according to directions on package.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
School Fundraisers
We have about 2 weeks of school left for the 2012/2013 school year. As anyone with kids know, it is a very busy time of year. We have testing, end of the season parties and awards banquets for extra curricular activities, last minute end of the year field trips, honors programs, and the task of trying to figure out how to keep the kid-o's busy during summer break so you don't have to listen to those dreaded "I"M SO BOARD COMMENTS".
The very last thing I have time for is to beg and plead with my friends and family for money for a school fund raiser. My husband absolutely hates them and hates even more when I ask him to take them to work and bother his co-workers for money. I know the school needs money for PTA and the different things they do for our school...but this is not the time of year for it. Further-more, I don't like how they have offer the kids "prizes" for selling specific amounts of this stuff. The prizes are usually crap and I usually end up having to buy the crap that is being sold just so my child can get the piece of junk prize.
This particular fundraiser is to raise money for The American Heart Association. And there is a picture of a little girl at the bottom telling you how thankful she is for this foundation. How the heck am I going to say no now?! That is exactly why she was put on the flyer, because someone knew there'd be a sucker like me that would have her heartstrings tugged at.
I have a solution to all this fundraising stuff. Parents should be asked to make a donation at the beginning of the school year and let that be that. I would donate just so I wouldn't have to hear my child nag me about why I forgot to do her fundraiser and how she'll be the only kid in her class who wont get a prize. I say let's just put an end to fundraising, or at least the promise of the stupid prizes.
Today's recipe is one my Grandmother shared with me many years ago.
Crock pot BBQ pork chops. Hope you enjoy.
6 bone-in pork chops. You want thick ones.
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Spray your crock pot with cooking spray. mix salt, pepper and garlic powder and sprinkle each chop with it. Place chops in crock pot. (they can overlap it wont matter) pour sauce over top of chops and add water, beer or wine to BBQ sauce bottle to 1/2 full, shake it up and pour it on top. Put the lid on and cook on high for 1 hour then turn to low and continue to cook for 3 -4 more hours.
Monday, May 6, 2013
The new dentist
I've been going to a very old Dentist with equipment as old as I am for years. For the past couple of years I've been dealing with gum recession on 2 of my back molars. This was caused as a result of wearing braces as an adult and the bracket pushing up on my gums for 3 years. I had no idea at the time that was even happening. My old dentist gave my a prescription for fluoride to use every
day. And the hygienist chose not to clean and scale those 2 teeth all that well because she did not want to cause discomfort for me. I was not very comfortable with that I felt like there were more options than what I was offered, but when I asked I was told I was doing what I should and I was just going to have sensitivity there. I forgot to use the fluoride, partly because you cant eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use it and it taste terrible. I finally decided to try a new dentist and began asking friends and family who they use and why. I chose this new dentist and am so happy I did.
The hygienist was wonderful at explaining every step she did and her equipment was pretty new. She put a fluoride barrier on the recessed gum, (for free) and spent a great deal of time cleaning and scraping. My teeth have not been this clean in many years. My new dentist is young, probley 40, and all the equipment was modern. They even offer wifi.
I was told my teeth are actually in very good condition and if I continue with the fluoride barrier every so often that the next cleaning probley wont hurt at all.
I felt bad about leaving my "old" dentist, but I am so glad I did. If you feel like you are not getting the treatment you should have then it is time to move on . And I value my teeth to much to not get proper care.
day. And the hygienist chose not to clean and scale those 2 teeth all that well because she did not want to cause discomfort for me. I was not very comfortable with that I felt like there were more options than what I was offered, but when I asked I was told I was doing what I should and I was just going to have sensitivity there. I forgot to use the fluoride, partly because you cant eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use it and it taste terrible. I finally decided to try a new dentist and began asking friends and family who they use and why. I chose this new dentist and am so happy I did.
The hygienist was wonderful at explaining every step she did and her equipment was pretty new. She put a fluoride barrier on the recessed gum, (for free) and spent a great deal of time cleaning and scraping. My teeth have not been this clean in many years. My new dentist is young, probley 40, and all the equipment was modern. They even offer wifi.
I was told my teeth are actually in very good condition and if I continue with the fluoride barrier every so often that the next cleaning probley wont hurt at all.
I felt bad about leaving my "old" dentist, but I am so glad I did. If you feel like you are not getting the treatment you should have then it is time to move on . And I value my teeth to much to not get proper care.
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Friday, May 3, 2013
Hanging with thefamily at home on Friday night.
We were supposed to go camping at the local lake this weekend. However, it is probley, more than likely, going to rain all weekend and be cooler than normal. So I canceled our camping trip.
My husband is relieved to not be catering to girls all weekend, but I do believe he feels he could have pulled this off somehow.
He is out side as I am typing, hanging out under his canopy and , I bet, trying to figure out how to keep wet wood lit for a fire.
Sorry to burst your inner-caveman deer husband of mine, but we cannot camp in the wet and cold. We are civilized, southern girls, with a need to be warm and dry. I'm not speaking of humidity of course, I'm speaking of rain. Us southern girls can handle humidity, not rain.
Anyways, camping is one of our most favorite activities, but, hey, a girl has standards. And the camping standard is ..."NO raining, cold , yucky camping days allowed"!
Sorry Hun, but we are just going to have to go camping when the weather is above 70, below 85 and not raining. We live in the south, I don't think that is to much to ask for.
Today's recipe: Camping Taters
4 medium potatoes
4 TBL spoons butter
4 pieces of aluminum foil 4 " /4"
4 tea spoons all purpose seasoning
Cut all potatoes in half length wise
cut slices in potatoes. not all the way Thur, lenght wise, then across
spray each piece of foil with cooking spray and place a 1/2 of potato on each piece of foil.Sprinkle each potato with a little season all and top with a pat of butter. Then wrap each potato and grill on med high heat for 30 minutes or coo in oven for 30 minutes on 350.
My husband is relieved to not be catering to girls all weekend, but I do believe he feels he could have pulled this off somehow.
He is out side as I am typing, hanging out under his canopy and , I bet, trying to figure out how to keep wet wood lit for a fire.
Sorry to burst your inner-caveman deer husband of mine, but we cannot camp in the wet and cold. We are civilized, southern girls, with a need to be warm and dry. I'm not speaking of humidity of course, I'm speaking of rain. Us southern girls can handle humidity, not rain.
Anyways, camping is one of our most favorite activities, but, hey, a girl has standards. And the camping standard is ..."NO raining, cold , yucky camping days allowed"!
Sorry Hun, but we are just going to have to go camping when the weather is above 70, below 85 and not raining. We live in the south, I don't think that is to much to ask for.
Today's recipe: Camping Taters
4 medium potatoes
4 TBL spoons butter
4 pieces of aluminum foil 4 " /4"
4 tea spoons all purpose seasoning
Cut all potatoes in half length wise
cut slices in potatoes. not all the way Thur, lenght wise, then across
spray each piece of foil with cooking spray and place a 1/2 of potato on each piece of foil.Sprinkle each potato with a little season all and top with a pat of butter. Then wrap each potato and grill on med high heat for 30 minutes or coo in oven for 30 minutes on 350.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
When kids stay home sick.
My 7 year old has had a terrible cough for a few days. I'm pretty sure it is allergies, but it could be a cold. Who knows. She has no fever, is not wheezing and seems pretty much the same as usual except an annoying cough. She was up most of the night the other night and this morning she couldn't even eat breakfast because of coughing. Needless to say I decided to keep her home and maybe call the Dr. I gave her some over the counter cold medicine and went about my morning. It was about 30 minutes latter that my sick child was not only feeling much better, but wanted to play outside. It was a miraculous recovery. She has been fine the rest of the day, playing and hardly coughing at all.
My older two children used to have the same miracle recoveries. I have even taken my oldest to the Dr because she was so sick she couldn't even hold her head up, only to get to the Dr's office and she's running full speed ahead like she was never sick.
Anyways, I hope me and my husband don't get what ever the 7 year old had because we all know that adults don't have the same ability to recover so quickly.
Today's recipe is Chicken and noodles: my kids always love it.
1 store bought rotisserie chicken (boned)
6 -7 cups of chicken stock/broth
1 onion diced
3 carrots sliced
3 stalks celery chopped
1 TBL spoon thyme
1 -2 cloves crushed garlic
2 TBL spoons olive oil
1 can cream of celery or chicken soup
1 8oz bag of wide egg noodles
In a large stock pot heat oil on med heat and saute carrots, onion, and celery until just softened, then add garlic and saute for about a minute. add chicken, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Then add stock and bring to boil. Add noodles and cook for about 1 minute less than package says. Turn the heat off and add the cream of soup. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. The left overs are great!!
well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/the-science-of-chicken-soup
My older two children used to have the same miracle recoveries. I have even taken my oldest to the Dr because she was so sick she couldn't even hold her head up, only to get to the Dr's office and she's running full speed ahead like she was never sick.
Anyways, I hope me and my husband don't get what ever the 7 year old had because we all know that adults don't have the same ability to recover so quickly.
Today's recipe is Chicken and noodles: my kids always love it.
1 store bought rotisserie chicken (boned)
6 -7 cups of chicken stock/broth
1 onion diced
3 carrots sliced
3 stalks celery chopped
1 TBL spoon thyme
1 -2 cloves crushed garlic
2 TBL spoons olive oil
1 can cream of celery or chicken soup
1 8oz bag of wide egg noodles
In a large stock pot heat oil on med heat and saute carrots, onion, and celery until just softened, then add garlic and saute for about a minute. add chicken, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Then add stock and bring to boil. Add noodles and cook for about 1 minute less than package says. Turn the heat off and add the cream of soup. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. The left overs are great!!
well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/the-science-of-chicken-soup
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
You can have a Vitamin D Deficiency and not even know it.
With all these cloudy and rainy days we've had lately I've found myself feeling tired and a little depressed. I love the sun, especially warm sunny days. I am always so happy for spring to finally arrive each year. This year the calendar says it is spring, but it still feels like late winter to me. I know I'm not alone when I ask "Where are my warm sunny spring days?'.
Anyways, my husband asked me this evening if I had been taking my vitamin D. I realized I had not in several weeks. You see a few years ago I was very weak and tired for weeks. I also caught several infections. Finally my DR.ordered a vitamin D test which revealed I was severely deficient. She then explained to me that all those symptoms I was having would go away by simply adding a vitamin D/calcium supplement every day. It was only a few days before I started feeling like myself again. Now I take it almost everyday in the winter and back off it when I start spending more time outdoors when the weather warms up.
I urge you to ask your Dr. for a vitamin D test if you have been feeling lousy. And by all means, when we do finally get some sunshine, please go out and enjoy it. I know we should all be using sunscreen, but if you get as little as 15 minutes a day without sunscreen that will benefit you greatly in getting your daily vitamin D dose.
No recipe today. Instead I am listing some foods where you can get vitamin D.
Catfish
canned salmon
soy milk and soy milk products
vitamin D fortified orange juice
milk
mushrooms
oysters
fortified breakfast cereals
Anyways, my husband asked me this evening if I had been taking my vitamin D. I realized I had not in several weeks. You see a few years ago I was very weak and tired for weeks. I also caught several infections. Finally my DR.ordered a vitamin D test which revealed I was severely deficient. She then explained to me that all those symptoms I was having would go away by simply adding a vitamin D/calcium supplement every day. It was only a few days before I started feeling like myself again. Now I take it almost everyday in the winter and back off it when I start spending more time outdoors when the weather warms up.
I urge you to ask your Dr. for a vitamin D test if you have been feeling lousy. And by all means, when we do finally get some sunshine, please go out and enjoy it. I know we should all be using sunscreen, but if you get as little as 15 minutes a day without sunscreen that will benefit you greatly in getting your daily vitamin D dose.
No recipe today. Instead I am listing some foods where you can get vitamin D.
Catfish
canned salmon
soy milk and soy milk products
vitamin D fortified orange juice
milk
mushrooms
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| sunny days |
fortified breakfast cereals
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
What age is grown up?
Today, my 18 year old son had a dentist appointment. I made the appointment, confirmed the appointment and made sure my son got up and dressed for the appointment. As I was shoving him out the door he asked me.."Aren't you coming". I responded, "yea, I'll be right there."
OK!! Here is the deal!! When I was 18, my Mommy did not go to the dentist with me. Not only did I go with my son, but I sat in the exam room while he was being examined. DAMN!! Am I pathetic or what? Why didn't I push my son out the door and tell him he is a grown man now and can go to the dentist by himself? GEESH, No wonder I never get a break, I don't allow it.
Anyways, at what age should kids go to appointments by themselves? I mean, lets face it kids are not growing up as fast as they used to. But at the same time, is that a good or bad thing?
Whatever!!I think I'll pour myself a beer and help my 7 year old do her homework. Hell, maybe I'll even do it for her.
Enough about that...here's another recipe. This time it is a cocktail. hope you enjoy!
Beach Dreaming
1oz coconut rum
1/2oz pomegranate juice
3oz cranberry juice
3oz orange juice
1 lime wedge
Fill glass with ice, add rum, pomegranate juice ,orange juice and cranberry juice then stir. Squeeze lime into drink and then enjoy!! Yummy, it'll take your troubles to the back burner, temporarily.
Please fell free to respond or leave a message. Talk to y'all soon.
OK!! Here is the deal!! When I was 18, my Mommy did not go to the dentist with me. Not only did I go with my son, but I sat in the exam room while he was being examined. DAMN!! Am I pathetic or what? Why didn't I push my son out the door and tell him he is a grown man now and can go to the dentist by himself? GEESH, No wonder I never get a break, I don't allow it.
Anyways, at what age should kids go to appointments by themselves? I mean, lets face it kids are not growing up as fast as they used to. But at the same time, is that a good or bad thing?
Whatever!!I think I'll pour myself a beer and help my 7 year old do her homework. Hell, maybe I'll even do it for her.
Enough about that...here's another recipe. This time it is a cocktail. hope you enjoy!
Beach Dreaming
1oz coconut rum
1/2oz pomegranate juice
3oz cranberry juice
3oz orange juice
1 lime wedge
Fill glass with ice, add rum, pomegranate juice ,orange juice and cranberry juice then stir. Squeeze lime into drink and then enjoy!! Yummy, it'll take your troubles to the back burner, temporarily.
Please fell free to respond or leave a message. Talk to y'all soon
Monday, April 29, 2013
Kids, marriage, and cooking : New blog.
Kids, marriage, and cooking : New blog.: Welcome to my blog. I've been married to the love of my life for 24 years. We have 3 kids, ages 24, 18 and 7. We also have 2 grand ki...
New blog.
Welcome to my blog.
I've been married to the love of my life for 24 years. We have 3 kids, ages 24, 18 and 7. We also have 2 grand kids, age 4 and 2.
Life is both fun and challenging. We have learned allot about life over the years and I hope my experiences can help others in some way. We've been thrown a few curve balls in the past and somehow have always been able to catch them and run with it or throw it back. My philosophy is to deal with it the best you can. (if that doesn't help then grab a beer and come back to it tomorrow).
To start this off I am sharing one of my family's favorite recipes. Please don't be offended by the name...my oldest child called it that when she was a young teen and it stuck. I came up with this very early in my marriage when money was almost non-existent. Hope y'all enjoy!!
Ghetto Chicken Bake
3 cups cooked rice
2 cans of cooked chicken (5oz each) drained
1 can mixed vegetables rinsed and drain
1 can cream of (whatever you have) soup. I like cream of chicken or celery
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
pre heat oven to 350
spray casserole dish with cooking spray
mix all ingredients and pour into casserole dish
bake uncovered 30 -35 minutes
optional : sprinkle bread crumbs on top for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
I've been married to the love of my life for 24 years. We have 3 kids, ages 24, 18 and 7. We also have 2 grand kids, age 4 and 2.
Life is both fun and challenging. We have learned allot about life over the years and I hope my experiences can help others in some way. We've been thrown a few curve balls in the past and somehow have always been able to catch them and run with it or throw it back. My philosophy is to deal with it the best you can. (if that doesn't help then grab a beer and come back to it tomorrow).
To start this off I am sharing one of my family's favorite recipes. Please don't be offended by the name...my oldest child called it that when she was a young teen and it stuck. I came up with this very early in my marriage when money was almost non-existent. Hope y'all enjoy!!
Ghetto Chicken Bake
3 cups cooked rice
2 cans of cooked chicken (5oz each) drained
1 can mixed vegetables rinsed and drain
1 can cream of (whatever you have) soup. I like cream of chicken or celery
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
pre heat oven to 350
spray casserole dish with cooking spray
mix all ingredients and pour into casserole dish
bake uncovered 30 -35 minutes
optional : sprinkle bread crumbs on top for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
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