In our attempt to eat better and less processed foods I came across a recipe for granola. In my house we snack on granola bars at school/work because they are soooo easy to just slip into your lunch bag or back pack and are very convenient. But they are full of crap.
I haven't attempted the bars because I just don't have the patience to try that yet, but give me time. Anyway, here's the recipe I followed:
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Stir the melted butter and sugar together, mixing well. Add the oats and cinnamon mixing well again. Spread the mixture on a baking pan and bake at 200-225 degrees for 2 hours, stirring every half hour.
As a bonus my house smells like Christmas. So, we'll see how this works, if the kids will eat it. Yes it has sugar and butter and those things aren't so "healthy" but they are REAL foods. It's still a work in progress for us but ... it's a start.
Strawberry Cheesecake Cobbler
Found this recipe in a locally published magazine (Up the Hill) and it is DELICIOUS:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 oz cream cheese, but into small pieces
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish but do not stir.
Add strawberries, arranging them in a single layer. Place the cut cream cheese over strawberries.
Would be perfect served with vanilla ice cream.
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 oz cream cheese, but into small pieces
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish but do not stir.
Add strawberries, arranging them in a single layer. Place the cut cream cheese over strawberries.
Bake about 45 minutes, until crust is golden brown and a bit bubbly.
Dear "Anonymous"
Because you try to comment on each and every new post I put up, I've decided to direct this one specifically towards you.
STOP spamming my account. I will never click on your link and I will never publish your comments. There are so many of you, every day I receive at least 2 "comments" but usually more. The last two were in Chinese. At least I'm assuming it's Chinese. I don't want to buy handbags or designer perfume at a fraction of the cost. I don't want to buy shoes or scarves or jewelry.
My guess is you won't read this. You will simply try to post a comment. You must have tons of time on your hands to just kind of blanket the blogging universe with scam links. Are you paid by click? If so, you can stop wasting your time with this little blog. There will be NO clicking going on here.
Oh, ironically, as I'm getting ready to post this, another one of your comments comes in:
"Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Have a look at my webpage...xxxxxx"
Well, Anonymous, wish granted! Here's me, writing again, very soon.
STOP spamming my account. I will never click on your link and I will never publish your comments. There are so many of you, every day I receive at least 2 "comments" but usually more. The last two were in Chinese. At least I'm assuming it's Chinese. I don't want to buy handbags or designer perfume at a fraction of the cost. I don't want to buy shoes or scarves or jewelry.
My guess is you won't read this. You will simply try to post a comment. You must have tons of time on your hands to just kind of blanket the blogging universe with scam links. Are you paid by click? If so, you can stop wasting your time with this little blog. There will be NO clicking going on here.
Oh, ironically, as I'm getting ready to post this, another one of your comments comes in:
"Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Have a look at my webpage...xxxxxx"
Well, Anonymous, wish granted! Here's me, writing again, very soon.
Lessons from I Love Lucy
Yesterday I caught an episode of I Love Lucy. Silly Lucy was trying to be a part of Ricky's show. She went to the audition and tried to dance but really she just had two left feet. Ricky brought out a costume, said it was a size 12 and said, "you all are size 12, right?" All said yes. Except for Lucy. She didn't say what size she was but she tried on the costume and it ripped. So she made a deal with Ricky. If she lost a bit of weight to fit into the size 12, she could be in the show. Long story short, she did.
But here's the thing that caught my attention. ALL of the girls were size 12. And they looked perfect. They were fit and healthy and didn't look "fat". Today, though, a size 12 actress would be called fat and the only thing that would be talked about was her weight and her pursuit to drop pounds. That would be the focus instead of her acting. Her name would be prefaced with "plus size". It's so irritating. Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. No one, ever, called her fat. No one, ever, called her plus size. When did the "normal" size of women, size 12 or 14 become considered fat and size 0-6 become ideal, become the prevelant definition of beautiful?
There is a local DJ here, actually probably more than one, that calls Adele a fat cow. One of the actresses on Mad Men is called plus size. It pisses me off. They are neither a fat cow, nor plus size. They have shape and definition and curves! When did that become so "bad"?
So how do we move away from that and get back to where women aren't judged by their weight, their worth is not based on their appearance?
But here's the thing that caught my attention. ALL of the girls were size 12. And they looked perfect. They were fit and healthy and didn't look "fat". Today, though, a size 12 actress would be called fat and the only thing that would be talked about was her weight and her pursuit to drop pounds. That would be the focus instead of her acting. Her name would be prefaced with "plus size". It's so irritating. Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. No one, ever, called her fat. No one, ever, called her plus size. When did the "normal" size of women, size 12 or 14 become considered fat and size 0-6 become ideal, become the prevelant definition of beautiful?
There is a local DJ here, actually probably more than one, that calls Adele a fat cow. One of the actresses on Mad Men is called plus size. It pisses me off. They are neither a fat cow, nor plus size. They have shape and definition and curves! When did that become so "bad"?
So how do we move away from that and get back to where women aren't judged by their weight, their worth is not based on their appearance?
Menu Sunday
Haven't posted one of these in quite a while, but I'm experiementing with some new goodies so...
When I cook with new stuff or try a new recipe, Steve sighs, rolls his eyes and, I think, silently prays. Out loud he says, "Oookaaayyy" with just the tiniest hint of reservation. Only it's not really so tiny.
This week in my Bountiful Basket I received leeks, eggplant, a bag of potatoes, blood oranges, a pineapple and broccoli. I've never cooked with leeks or eggplant before. I asked a friend if they had any good ideas. They said leek and potato soup! So this morning, I got up, washed and cut the leeks, the potatoes, added beef broth, evaporated milk (didn't have heavy cream) and a little bit of water. Salt, pepper, etc. and simmered for a little bit. Put it in a blender and hit "liquify" and....delicious potato and leek soup! We're having it for lunch right now and even Steve likes it.
I also peeled and cubed eggplant and mixed with a can of tomato soup, onion, zuccini, yellow pepper, garlic, pepper to make a ratatouille in the CrockPot.
Contemplating pineapple salsa. We like fresh pineapple too much for it to actually get cut and make it into a salsa. It's eaten as it's cut. Maybe we'll try. Pineapple, red pepper, cilantro and jalapeno (although I might skip this, it will be good without) and a squeeze of lime.
Tomorrow I will be making a pot roast with carrots (also from BB) and potatoes, letting it cook all day while I'm at work. The rest of the week looks like this, in no particular order:
Chicken Stir Fry
Tatertot Casserole
Ribs
Ratatouille
Grilled Brats
Cheese Ravioli with Marsala-Caper sauce
I'm also feeling just a bit adventerous and might, might try some fried pickles today. Not sure I have the correct ingredients to attempt this.
When I cook with new stuff or try a new recipe, Steve sighs, rolls his eyes and, I think, silently prays. Out loud he says, "Oookaaayyy" with just the tiniest hint of reservation. Only it's not really so tiny.
This week in my Bountiful Basket I received leeks, eggplant, a bag of potatoes, blood oranges, a pineapple and broccoli. I've never cooked with leeks or eggplant before. I asked a friend if they had any good ideas. They said leek and potato soup! So this morning, I got up, washed and cut the leeks, the potatoes, added beef broth, evaporated milk (didn't have heavy cream) and a little bit of water. Salt, pepper, etc. and simmered for a little bit. Put it in a blender and hit "liquify" and....delicious potato and leek soup! We're having it for lunch right now and even Steve likes it.
I also peeled and cubed eggplant and mixed with a can of tomato soup, onion, zuccini, yellow pepper, garlic, pepper to make a ratatouille in the CrockPot.
Contemplating pineapple salsa. We like fresh pineapple too much for it to actually get cut and make it into a salsa. It's eaten as it's cut. Maybe we'll try. Pineapple, red pepper, cilantro and jalapeno (although I might skip this, it will be good without) and a squeeze of lime.
Tomorrow I will be making a pot roast with carrots (also from BB) and potatoes, letting it cook all day while I'm at work. The rest of the week looks like this, in no particular order:
Chicken Stir Fry
Tatertot Casserole
Ribs
Ratatouille
Grilled Brats
Cheese Ravioli with Marsala-Caper sauce
I'm also feeling just a bit adventerous and might, might try some fried pickles today. Not sure I have the correct ingredients to attempt this.
This Makes it Worth It
The 8th graders go to me today. I tried really hard to behave, but I ended up telling one off, in the nicest way possible, of course, and kicked his butt out of class for disrespect. He's a kid who is constantly in trouble and now I know why. Anyway...
So after our regular school hours, kids go to the after care program and it is often held in the library. A little boy in the program asked if he could look for a book for his class project and if I could help him find a book on Peregrine Falcons. Of course, I said yes. He told me he was in second grade. We went to the section where the Peregrine Falcons could be found and sat on the floor. He selected a book on birds of prey and started thumbing through. He would stop and tell me about what was catching his interest and he decided it would be a great book for his class report.
So a few minutes later he hands the book back to me. I said, "do you need it for a little bit longer?" He said he didn't. He started to talk to me about video games, games like Mario Party and Donkey Kong. "Do you know what?" he'd ask and start telling me what! We talked about Michigan and how his dad was born in Michigan but is not from Detroit and you don't find many people that are actually from Detroit and how they both really like hockey. My new friend Jack, it turns out, is a Phoenix Coyotes fan and his dad is a Red Wings fan. They were sweating out a tied game between the two last year during the playoffs. My new friend Jack is also very animated and makes the most adorable facial expressions when he is telling his story. He tells a great story and he is a lot of fun to watch. His entire face gets into the story. I also found out that he records the Wild Kratts. I miss the show now that my own kids are older. He seemed surprised that I knew who they were. And Jack also saves money for the book fair. He's got $59 burning a hole in his pocket.
Chatting with a 2nd grader. What a great way to end my day!
So after our regular school hours, kids go to the after care program and it is often held in the library. A little boy in the program asked if he could look for a book for his class project and if I could help him find a book on Peregrine Falcons. Of course, I said yes. He told me he was in second grade. We went to the section where the Peregrine Falcons could be found and sat on the floor. He selected a book on birds of prey and started thumbing through. He would stop and tell me about what was catching his interest and he decided it would be a great book for his class report.
So a few minutes later he hands the book back to me. I said, "do you need it for a little bit longer?" He said he didn't. He started to talk to me about video games, games like Mario Party and Donkey Kong. "Do you know what?" he'd ask and start telling me what! We talked about Michigan and how his dad was born in Michigan but is not from Detroit and you don't find many people that are actually from Detroit and how they both really like hockey. My new friend Jack, it turns out, is a Phoenix Coyotes fan and his dad is a Red Wings fan. They were sweating out a tied game between the two last year during the playoffs. My new friend Jack is also very animated and makes the most adorable facial expressions when he is telling his story. He tells a great story and he is a lot of fun to watch. His entire face gets into the story. I also found out that he records the Wild Kratts. I miss the show now that my own kids are older. He seemed surprised that I knew who they were. And Jack also saves money for the book fair. He's got $59 burning a hole in his pocket.
Chatting with a 2nd grader. What a great way to end my day!
It's always interesting
Periodically I check the stats on this little blog of mine. And it always is interesting to me to see which posts are read the most, how long ago they were written, and who is reading them. The US is always the first on the leader board with the UK a distant second, sometimes 3rd.
It's a hoot when I see that people from Germany, India, or the Ukraine have read Dorothy. When I checked today though, Russia is in the lead and the numbers are pretty huge for them for the week. And I can see which posts are the most popular. Always, always the Baby Jesus Hot Dog and the Baby Jesus Peanut post is looked up. It makes me wonder what the heck people are Googling!
I also noticed that the last 3 months the views have climbed significantly. Whatever the reason, whoever the audience, I'm really appreciative. I'm not sure they find what they are searcing for but I hope at the very least they are entertained!
It's a hoot when I see that people from Germany, India, or the Ukraine have read Dorothy. When I checked today though, Russia is in the lead and the numbers are pretty huge for them for the week. And I can see which posts are the most popular. Always, always the Baby Jesus Hot Dog and the Baby Jesus Peanut post is looked up. It makes me wonder what the heck people are Googling!
I also noticed that the last 3 months the views have climbed significantly. Whatever the reason, whoever the audience, I'm really appreciative. I'm not sure they find what they are searcing for but I hope at the very least they are entertained!
2012 Wrap-up
We didn't send out Christmas cards this year and I didn't send out a Christmas letter. I did that once when we first moved out of state and it was 5 pages long and I vowed to never bore anyone that much again. So now...I just blog!
December of 2011 was pretty cool in Nebraska. Very little snow on the ground for that day and we just hung around the house, the 4 of us with our dogs and our little cat. We watched basketball and had a movie marathon and it was nice and relaxing. It was also our last away from family. I was happy that Christmas but hadn't been home for any holiday in 4 years and I couldn't take it anymore. In February we put the house on the market and moved back home in April. Ryan told me that his friend Cole said there was 8 inches of snow on the ground yesterday in Minden. Not here...
December of 2011 was pretty cool in Nebraska. Very little snow on the ground for that day and we just hung around the house, the 4 of us with our dogs and our little cat. We watched basketball and had a movie marathon and it was nice and relaxing. It was also our last away from family. I was happy that Christmas but hadn't been home for any holiday in 4 years and I couldn't take it anymore. In February we put the house on the market and moved back home in April. Ryan told me that his friend Cole said there was 8 inches of snow on the ground yesterday in Minden. Not here...
Earlier this month, we got to go look at Christmas lights ... without wearing hats or coats or gloves. Or shoveling out the driveway.
From May to July I searched and searched for a job and was extremely stressed at not being able to find one. And then, dream job! Librarian at the elementary school 4 blocks from my house. Zach goes to the school too, so it's perfect. The high school Ryan goes to is literally in our back yard. He hops the fence and walks across the street. We can see the Performing Arts Center from our window. I can also see the mountain views from our windows too...
Ryan played football this year, of course. And Bean played basketball...
This football season was the first time the Wolves had ever won section Champs. The team went undefeated in division games and lost only 2 non-division games. It was pretty awesome! Zach's 7th grade team had a pretty good season and were eliminated in the first round of playoffs. It was just fun to watch both boys play and be active.
We were able to return to family camp in California this year. So much fun! I missed this place...
Since we've been home we've made it to several birthday parties for family. Zach turned 13 and Ryan turned 17.
And Kevin came home from Afghanistan! That's his "mean" face... :)
And we've had our first Christmas back...
So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here's hoping 2013 is an amazing year for everyone!
The Ugly Truth
Due to the sad, sad events of Friday, today at work we had a lock down drill. We had discussions with parents and meetings with law enforcement. Our principals and our Superindendent will meet this week to discuss ways we can keep our campus safer. Because as our police officer pointed out, it's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when".
Our town is small. Not rural, like a few other schools within our district, but small and a little out of the way. You kind of have to know where you are going "up the hill" if you want to find us. It doesn't make us any safer, although we'd like to think so.
We've all been told to be hyper-vigilant, be more aware of who is on campus and why. Right now, many, many parents walk their kids directly to class in the morning and wait right outside the gate for afternoon pick up. There is some discussion on whether or not to take that option away, at least for the drop off. We all have mixed feelings about it. And different reasons for those mixed feelings. We will discuss on whether or not we want to have an auto lock on the front office entrance and "buzz" people in. There are mixed feelings on that too.
But, this afternoon, one of the Kinders came in to the office and was waiting to talk to the principal. He was in a bit of trouble and sat quietly waiting, his brown eyes huge, taking everything in. His blond hair was messy and he was completely adorable. And I felt so unbareably sad. Those poor, innocent, precious children, barely more than babies really, the same as this little one sitting before me. And they are gone.
So, yes, if that means a little bit of extra work on staff's part, if that means more taxpayer money or bond overrides or whatever, I will never complain or roll my eyes or even sigh heavily at the school for going "overboard". Because it means that our children are a little bit safer. Because it's not a matter of "if"...
Our town is small. Not rural, like a few other schools within our district, but small and a little out of the way. You kind of have to know where you are going "up the hill" if you want to find us. It doesn't make us any safer, although we'd like to think so.
We've all been told to be hyper-vigilant, be more aware of who is on campus and why. Right now, many, many parents walk their kids directly to class in the morning and wait right outside the gate for afternoon pick up. There is some discussion on whether or not to take that option away, at least for the drop off. We all have mixed feelings about it. And different reasons for those mixed feelings. We will discuss on whether or not we want to have an auto lock on the front office entrance and "buzz" people in. There are mixed feelings on that too.
But, this afternoon, one of the Kinders came in to the office and was waiting to talk to the principal. He was in a bit of trouble and sat quietly waiting, his brown eyes huge, taking everything in. His blond hair was messy and he was completely adorable. And I felt so unbareably sad. Those poor, innocent, precious children, barely more than babies really, the same as this little one sitting before me. And they are gone.
So, yes, if that means a little bit of extra work on staff's part, if that means more taxpayer money or bond overrides or whatever, I will never complain or roll my eyes or even sigh heavily at the school for going "overboard". Because it means that our children are a little bit safer. Because it's not a matter of "if"...
So yesterday...
My intentions were to create a birthday post Thursday night or Friday morning for my wonderful kiddo, John Ryan. I didn't do it and now I regret it because his special day has passed and it turned out to be a day that really, truly sucked.
It started out great. We woke up, slapped his butt, said happy birthday, gave hugs all around and headed out for school and work. I had promised I'd make his cake when I got home later that afternoon and we'd open gifts after he and his girlfriend got back from dinner. And then I got sick and came home. My mom called me and asked if I'd heard about the shooting at an elementary school in CT. 28 dead, 18 of them children. I briefly turned on the news to hear the story but had to turn it off, largely because the media drives me insane in cases like this. They "try" to be sensitive, but in all reality they are just trying to get the scoop, be the first to report any new information and it's almost always wrong. Anyway, I spent the rest of the day in bed, sleeping my aches and pains away and my great kid would text me to check up on me. When he got home, we started talking about this tragedy and about how someone could walk into a school and shoot people, kill children. I don't have any answers. I don't know that the elementary school I work in would be any safer if we were armed or not. I do know that Monday, when school is in session again, I will not be able to look at those kids and not think of the little ones that lost their lives. I'm hoping that over the weekend, our parents take precautions and not let their kiddos watch too much tv that shows this tragic event over and over again. I want our babies to always feel safe.
So, even though I was sick, didn't get to make a cake, Ryan's plans fell through I had to put it in perspective. Ryan HAD a birthday. He's one year older. He is 17 and next year he will be 18. I get to see his handsome face for one more day. I get to hear his laugh and hug him for one more day. I get to enjoy his company for one more day. And I get to help heal his hurts for one more day. I'm a very lucky, very blessed mom.
It started out great. We woke up, slapped his butt, said happy birthday, gave hugs all around and headed out for school and work. I had promised I'd make his cake when I got home later that afternoon and we'd open gifts after he and his girlfriend got back from dinner. And then I got sick and came home. My mom called me and asked if I'd heard about the shooting at an elementary school in CT. 28 dead, 18 of them children. I briefly turned on the news to hear the story but had to turn it off, largely because the media drives me insane in cases like this. They "try" to be sensitive, but in all reality they are just trying to get the scoop, be the first to report any new information and it's almost always wrong. Anyway, I spent the rest of the day in bed, sleeping my aches and pains away and my great kid would text me to check up on me. When he got home, we started talking about this tragedy and about how someone could walk into a school and shoot people, kill children. I don't have any answers. I don't know that the elementary school I work in would be any safer if we were armed or not. I do know that Monday, when school is in session again, I will not be able to look at those kids and not think of the little ones that lost their lives. I'm hoping that over the weekend, our parents take precautions and not let their kiddos watch too much tv that shows this tragic event over and over again. I want our babies to always feel safe.
So, even though I was sick, didn't get to make a cake, Ryan's plans fell through I had to put it in perspective. Ryan HAD a birthday. He's one year older. He is 17 and next year he will be 18. I get to see his handsome face for one more day. I get to hear his laugh and hug him for one more day. I get to enjoy his company for one more day. And I get to help heal his hurts for one more day. I'm a very lucky, very blessed mom.
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