Have one little boy at home sick today. He has been fighting this for a couple of days and it hasn't really produced into anything major, but he asked if he could stay home today so Mr. Man took the day off to stay with him. My boss has had a terrible crud, we have some friends that both kids had strep, a client of mine cancelled an appointment last week due to crud.... I hope this stays with one person and that we don't all get it!
I had a productive weekend, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, made homemade cinnamon rolls, made yummy enchiladas, visited with friends, visited with my mom and one of my sister's... it was good weekend!
Tomorrow is Mr. Man's birthday but he has a busy evening so the kids are going to give him his presents in the morning (over cinnamon rolls).
This week is a busy one...both at home and at the office, but it should all be ok as long as the rest of us stay healthy!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Recipe - Apple Crisp Pancake with Apple Cinnamon Syrup
I got this recipe from a Bed & Breakfast in Mt. Jackson, Virginia. I have a dream of one day owning my own B&B so I love cooking recipes from B&B's and making my family pretend we are in a B&B! This one was a big hit, Lady Bug preferred it without the syrup (but this girl doesn't like maple syrup on anything either, and she also doesn't like powdered sugar so I am not sure you can trust her on this one!)
Apple Crisp Pancake
PANCAKE INGREDIENTS:
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c milk
3/4 c chunky applesauce (when I make it I don't use chunky because I use our homemade applesauce which is not chunky and it tastes really good enough though it isn't chunky)
1 tsp vanilla
2 c pancake mix
TOPPING INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c pancake mix
3 Tbls butter
Spray a jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, applesauce, vanilla and pancake mix. The mixture will be a little thick, not too thick but certainly not thin. Spread the mixture in the prepared pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, pancake mix. Cut in butter for crumble topping. Sprinkle topping over the pancake batter. Bake at 375 for 14-16 minutes. Cut into squares and serve with Apple Cinnamon Syrup.
Apple Cinnamon Syrup
INGREDIENTS:
1 c sugar
2 Tbls cornstarch
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 c apple cider or natural apple juice
2 Tbls lemon juice
1/4 c butter
In a saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cider and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the butter. Stir until melted. (makes about 3 1/4 cups of syrup)
This makes a large pan and therefore is more than even my family could eat in one sitting. This pancake warms up well. I would like to try to freeze it too and see how it does, just haven't gotten that far with it yet.
Apple Crisp Pancake
PANCAKE INGREDIENTS:
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c milk
3/4 c chunky applesauce (when I make it I don't use chunky because I use our homemade applesauce which is not chunky and it tastes really good enough though it isn't chunky)
1 tsp vanilla
2 c pancake mix
TOPPING INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c pancake mix
3 Tbls butter
Spray a jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, applesauce, vanilla and pancake mix. The mixture will be a little thick, not too thick but certainly not thin. Spread the mixture in the prepared pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, pancake mix. Cut in butter for crumble topping. Sprinkle topping over the pancake batter. Bake at 375 for 14-16 minutes. Cut into squares and serve with Apple Cinnamon Syrup.
Apple Cinnamon Syrup
INGREDIENTS:
1 c sugar
2 Tbls cornstarch
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 c apple cider or natural apple juice
2 Tbls lemon juice
1/4 c butter
In a saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cider and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the butter. Stir until melted. (makes about 3 1/4 cups of syrup)
This makes a large pan and therefore is more than even my family could eat in one sitting. This pancake warms up well. I would like to try to freeze it too and see how it does, just haven't gotten that far with it yet.
Monday, February 14, 2011
A love story
11 years and 16 days ago I married my best friend. Have you ever heard that saying "Love will find you when you least expect it"? Well, this certainly applies to my husband and I. 13 years ago I was working at a law firm, I had been on many, many disastrous dates (some blind dates, some with men I had met before), I had been on some good dates (nothing earth shattering however) and I had finally come to a point where I had decided NOT to date for awhile. I was taking time for me - to discover who I really was and what I wanted to do with myself.
Long story short, I ended up going to a BBQ with a co-worker at her church. I was to pick her up at her house and we would ride together. I got to her house and she was having a guy friend of hers work on her deck. He was taking his time, and somewhat annoying me by causing me to be late to the BBQ. As I sat and watched him work on her deck, I was amazed at his abilities. He really knew what he was doing and did awesome work.
So, anyway. As we get ready to leave she is telling me that this is the preacher's son. So I asked if he would be going to the BBQ and he said no, that he had other things going on. I was somewhat surprised that the preacher's son wouldn't be attending the preacher's BBQ, but it wasn't really my business.
About 20 minutes later, my friend and I pull up to the BBQ and we see the preacher's son's truck parked there. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat and I had butterflies in my stomach knowing he was at this BBQ. As we walked around here he came again and started talking to me. We had good conversation (although, being the grudge-holder I am I was still a tad irritated that he made me late to this BBQ....) although we didn't talk long or talk much I really felt a connection to him.
About a week or two later the preacher's wife of this church invited me and my co-worker over for dinner. We went and as we are sitting down to eat, why who in the world shows up? Yes, the preacher's son (now known as Mr. Man). Looking back, I know that my now mother-in-law was setting us up. Mr. Man has also admitted to me that he told his mom at the BBQ he knew he would one day marry me. WOW!
After that dinner at his mom's house, he started calling on me. At first, it was just to chat. Then pretty soon we were going to dinner together and taking walks, etc. So here I was, at a point in my life where I didn't want a man, I didn't want to date, and basically I just didn't want the headache at all when this man is dropped into my life and we really connect as if we had known each other forever.
I should also mention here that our paths had crossed over the years, although we never knew it until way later into our dating years. He lived in Oregon when I lived in Oregon - in fact, I drove past his house every day to and from work but never saw him. That would have been about 5 years before I actually met him when we were both living in Colorado. We probably shopped at the same grocery store, got gas at the same station and never knew our future mate was there too! He also had a friend that lived just a few blocks from one of my apartments and we both hung out at the same pizza place near my apartment (obviously, we don't know if we were ever there on the same days though!) There was also a walking/running path on the other side of town from where we met that we discovered we both frequented before meeting each other so chances are that we were on that path at one time or another at the same time! God works in mysterious ways!
I have decided today is as good as any to take a 30 day challenge to encourage my husband. Day 1 is not say anything negative to or about my husband and instead make sure he knows I love him.
Long story short, I ended up going to a BBQ with a co-worker at her church. I was to pick her up at her house and we would ride together. I got to her house and she was having a guy friend of hers work on her deck. He was taking his time, and somewhat annoying me by causing me to be late to the BBQ. As I sat and watched him work on her deck, I was amazed at his abilities. He really knew what he was doing and did awesome work.
So, anyway. As we get ready to leave she is telling me that this is the preacher's son. So I asked if he would be going to the BBQ and he said no, that he had other things going on. I was somewhat surprised that the preacher's son wouldn't be attending the preacher's BBQ, but it wasn't really my business.
About 20 minutes later, my friend and I pull up to the BBQ and we see the preacher's son's truck parked there. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat and I had butterflies in my stomach knowing he was at this BBQ. As we walked around here he came again and started talking to me. We had good conversation (although, being the grudge-holder I am I was still a tad irritated that he made me late to this BBQ....) although we didn't talk long or talk much I really felt a connection to him.
About a week or two later the preacher's wife of this church invited me and my co-worker over for dinner. We went and as we are sitting down to eat, why who in the world shows up? Yes, the preacher's son (now known as Mr. Man). Looking back, I know that my now mother-in-law was setting us up. Mr. Man has also admitted to me that he told his mom at the BBQ he knew he would one day marry me. WOW!
After that dinner at his mom's house, he started calling on me. At first, it was just to chat. Then pretty soon we were going to dinner together and taking walks, etc. So here I was, at a point in my life where I didn't want a man, I didn't want to date, and basically I just didn't want the headache at all when this man is dropped into my life and we really connect as if we had known each other forever.
I should also mention here that our paths had crossed over the years, although we never knew it until way later into our dating years. He lived in Oregon when I lived in Oregon - in fact, I drove past his house every day to and from work but never saw him. That would have been about 5 years before I actually met him when we were both living in Colorado. We probably shopped at the same grocery store, got gas at the same station and never knew our future mate was there too! He also had a friend that lived just a few blocks from one of my apartments and we both hung out at the same pizza place near my apartment (obviously, we don't know if we were ever there on the same days though!) There was also a walking/running path on the other side of town from where we met that we discovered we both frequented before meeting each other so chances are that we were on that path at one time or another at the same time! God works in mysterious ways!
I have decided today is as good as any to take a 30 day challenge to encourage my husband. Day 1 is not say anything negative to or about my husband and instead make sure he knows I love him.
Happy Valentine's Day
Each kid got a card from me and Mr. Man. Plus, my mom had sent them each a little activity book and stickers so I had all that on the table waiting for them! They were so cute when they each got up - one by one - going into the kitchen and finding their surprises. No heart-shaped pancakes, but they didn't seem to mind!
I also packed a chocolate covered heart-shaped marshmallow in their lunch as a surprise!
The kids are, of course, having parties at school today. Spirit's class decided to do a morning party and asked the families to contribute a breakfast item so we sent in bagels. Lefty's class is having a party right before the end of school and the teacher purchased everything and asked each kid to contribute $1. Lady Bug's class is having a party after lunch with the cookies and cupcakes, etc. We sent in cookies for that (you know those really yummy thick sugar cookies with frosting! mmm mmm mmm)
For dinner we are doing all red foods (well not ALL red...) We are having parmesan chicken with a side of pasta and marinara sauce, a salad topped with tomatoes, Cran-Raspberry juice to drink and a pink frosted cookie!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Lost Tooth!
Lady Bug lost her very first tooth last night! It has been wiggly since a week or so before her birthday, yesterday at lunch she told me she bit into an apple and it got more wiggly. As I looked at it I noticed it was barely holding on by a thread and I told her it would probably fall out last night. She went to play with her brothers and pretty soon she came running to me yelling "HEY! MY TOOTH FELL OUT! MY TOOTH FELL OUT!"
{She woke up this morning to some money under her pillow and no tooth. She told her brothers that she didn't used to believe in the Tooth Fairy but now she does since she got money. Of course her brothers set her straight that there is no tooth fairy.... Brothers are good for that sort of thing! :-) }
{She woke up this morning to some money under her pillow and no tooth. She told her brothers that she didn't used to believe in the Tooth Fairy but now she does since she got money. Of course her brothers set her straight that there is no tooth fairy.... Brothers are good for that sort of thing! :-) }
Friday Recipe - Fried Cube Steak and Smashed Potatoes
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Snowy days
We have been having several snow storms lately along with below freezing temps. This past Saturday we had a pretty heavy storm that dumped enough snow for the kids and Mr. Man to build a snowman. I think he turned out pretty cute! Our neighbors got in on the action and they ended up having a contest with each other. It was a lot of fun! We had another neighbor come out and judge - she wouldn't declare one winner, she said they were both SO cute!
Monday, February 7, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY BUG
My sweet littlest of littles in my house turns 6 today! She is so excited! When she came down the stairs this morning she said "Good moooooorrrrnnnninngg Momma!" with the biggest grin on her face!
Her brothers were so sweet and immediately wished her a happy birthday (without having to be told to do so!) Mr. Man took the day off from work and pulled her out of school to spend the day with her. They are going to a play at the children's theater and are also gonna come have lunch with me! He usually takes her shopping and lets her pick out a present for herself too!
The boys haven't picked out a gift for her yet, but they have some ideas so I will take them to get something later.
This coming Saturday one of her friends is going to come over and we are going to go ice skating and have a little tea party at our house. This should be fun for her too (she doesn't know about it yet!) I couldn't do it for her this past weekend because Mr. Man was working and I need someone to keep the boys out of our hair so we can have some girly fun without hearing how silly we are!
Her brothers were so sweet and immediately wished her a happy birthday (without having to be told to do so!) Mr. Man took the day off from work and pulled her out of school to spend the day with her. They are going to a play at the children's theater and are also gonna come have lunch with me! He usually takes her shopping and lets her pick out a present for herself too!
The boys haven't picked out a gift for her yet, but they have some ideas so I will take them to get something later.
This coming Saturday one of her friends is going to come over and we are going to go ice skating and have a little tea party at our house. This should be fun for her too (she doesn't know about it yet!) I couldn't do it for her this past weekend because Mr. Man was working and I need someone to keep the boys out of our hair so we can have some girly fun without hearing how silly we are!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Hold tight to precious moments
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So after my leave of absence I have been dealing with many things and wondering what to post about here and what not to post. So this post may be one of rambling and going in circles....hang on for the ride - here we go!!!Last week Mr. Man's uncle passed away in Indiana. It wasn't completely a shock, but not completely expected either. Let me back up and give some background info...
His uncle had not been to our part of the country in a very long time (if ever) and so last summer made a trip out here. He wasn't able to stay with us, but stayed with my sister in law. I think the trip was really good for Uncle B. He saw mountains, elk, went to baseball games, played with kids and spent time with family -- I truly think he enjoyed himself.
The evening we spent with him he smiled or laughed nearly the whole time. It was so good to see him. Mr. Man and I hadn't seen him in about 11 years when we had gone to Indiana to visit and hung out with Uncle B. Uncle B showed us cars and fixed us food and had a good time with us! We wished we had been able to spend more time with him while he was here visiting, but that didn't work out. We so very thankful for the time we did get to be with him.
After he returned home last summer he had some medical issues, which lead to surgery in early January, which went well at first and then he spiraled down and ended up in ICU. His health got worse in ICU and last week we got a call that the doctors were giving him 24 hours to live. That evening he passed away.
We got word that the funeral would be Saturday (January 29) and Mr. Man and I went back and forth on what to do. We all go, just he and I go, just him... back and forth we went. His work schedule was crazy (still is) and since he is a funeral director it is hard for him to "just take off work" like some other jobs might allow. So driving to Indiana was out of the question due to time. Flying in to Indiana would work BUT too pricey for all of us to go. Flying could work for just Mr. Man and I to go BUT then we had to find childcare for the kids, which wasn't terribly hard except that the person wouldn't be able to get them until about 6:00 pm Friday evening which meant we would have to fly out after that. So it seemed complicated from that angle. Mr. Man really wrangled with it back and forth.
The 29th is also our wedding anniversary and I think that was hard on him to know what to do. I told him I would be fine if he wanted to just fly out for the funeral, and the kids and I could stay back. He said that that didn't feel right, to leave me on our anniversary. I said that things happen and I would be ok. He just kept saying he didn't think he should do it. He finally decided, fairly last minute, not to go to the funeral. I hope he didn't regret that decision. All of his sisters were able to be there and there were cousins he hadn't seen in a long time that were there, he ended up feeling left out of the "family reunion". But I think he appreciates the time he was able to spend with his uncle while he was here last summer that much more.
We all need to remember to be thankful for any and all time that we are able to spend with friends and family because we never know when it will be the last time we will get to see them.
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