Now you understand why Peter Pan didn't want to grow up.

...learning how to "grow up." I love Jesus, sunshine, laughter and being with the people I love. I love a good run...once I'm finished ;) I am working on being more thankful for the things that I have; and more patient with the things that I don't.



Wednesday, September 28, 2011

H-A-double L - O-W-double E-N spells HALLOWEEN....


I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE Halloween.

Every year I worry "am I too old to dress up??" 

Every year the answer is "HECK NO!"

I am slacking this year. 

I usually have my costume in the works by this time. 

I generally have pumkins carved...or plans to do so.

So...time to dig up some inspiration for the pumpkin season.

I've thought being a zebra would be fun. 


Like this...maybe a little less um, sexy.  But I love the tutu.


Audrey Hepbur as "Holly Golightly" would be fun...

And I somehow guess that Grace is NOT going to be down with this...



And Wembley would probably (totally) bite me for this...


New Favorite Song.

JJ Heller, Your Hands
 
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
Yeah, one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still
 

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hope.

Hope 
Emily Dickinson     
 
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,


And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.


I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A few of my favorite things...to eat.

Recently I had been asked for a few of my favorite recipes, so I figured why not blog them?  So here are a few of my go-tos in the kitchen.  In no particular order. 



Mom's Chicken Soup: 

  • 1/2 package Grandma's Egg Noodles (frozen section)
  • 2 cans of the 49oz Chicken Broth (or "stock")
  • 2 large carrots (dice 3/4 of these - save 1/4 one!)
  • 2 stalks for celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped white onion
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1 chicken breast, sliced & diced small
  • 3 Bullion cubes (or 3tspn of bullion powder)
*In a large pot, add 3 tablespoons EVOO and chicken peices.  Cook on medium until chicken is no longer pink and is easy to cut with a plastic cooking spoon.  (if you prefer more "peppery" taste - pepper and salt your chicken at this time)

*Add the cans of chicken stock and bullion, diced carrots, celery, and both onions.  

*Shred the remaining 1/4 carrot (use a cheese grater if you don't have a food processor) into the pot. 

*Salt and Pepper to taste. 

*Cook until carrots are just a little softer than normal - about 5-8 min on medium.

*Take Gma's noodles - slit the bag in various places and microwave per directions.  Seperate 1/2 of the noodles out - if you like it REALLY noodley - use all - but these babies get HUGE.  (saran wrap the 1/2 noodles, put in freezer bag and re-freeze for next time!)

*Separate each noodle as best you can and add to the pot.  

*Cook for 12-18 min, or per the directions on the noodle package :) 

ENJOY.

_____________________________________________________________________

Redneck Casserole

  • 1 pound ground lean beef (or turkey burger)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 6 Velveta cheese singles (yes, like what you use for grilled cheese!)
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2-2/3 bag frozen tator tots
  • 1/4 cup chopped white onion

 * Brown meat and chopped onion over medium heat - you can add minced dehydrated garlic, salt and pepper as well as some Cajun seasoning for some pizazz - I recommend all of the above or this can be pretty bland :) 

*Bake tator tots per direction on the package

*Spray baking pan (9x13) with EVOO or the like

*Lay 2/3 of the tots in the bottom of the pan

*Cover tots with burger mix

*Spread can of mushroom soup over meat layer, top with the 6 cheese slices

*Add remaining tots to the top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. 

Bake @ 425 for aprx. 20 min and Waaa-La...YUM. 

____________________________________________________________________

Butterscotch Rice Krispies

  • 1/2 bag large marshmallows
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or the like)
  • Box of rice krispies 
  • 1/2 bag butterscotch chips
*Over medium heat, combine marshmallows, butter and vanilla in a large pot.  Stir constantly until marshmallows become creamy.

*Remove from heat. Mix in rice krispies 2 cups at a time until there is enough cereal to cover most of the mallow creme. 

*Mix in butterscotch chips to your liking - 1/4-1/2 a bag is PLENTY

*Pour into a SPRAYED 10x10 pan

*Spray a large spatula and press the treats flat. 

*Let cool - NOT in the fridge - this will make them hard :) 

Cut 'em up and try not to eat the whole pan at once



Thursday, August 4, 2011

Home. With a View.

I love summer...even though I work my ass rear off through most of it. 
*
I love beers on a patio.  I prefer my own. 


I love that the bulbs I planted last fall are now these giant leafy items in my yard. 
And that this rose was a winter-worn shrub not 4 months ago. 


And that occasionally I get to live vicariously through "the nephews" while they slip and slide like champions. 

Being from Wyoming, I REALLY love that I can have a wind chime.  That doesn't break.  That is actually soothing. 



 



Friday, July 22, 2011

* OFFICE ... WITH A VIEW *


 I see pretty neat things throughout the day --

Like this rooster with "bloomers" (ie: feathered feet)


 And in the top left corner...that's a turkey.  Named "Thanksgiving".  Poor guy.
 I see dogs like this one.  Her name is Maggie.  Her owner told me she might bark, but she looked more dead than anything.  Oh, did I mention she's 13?  What a way to treat your aging companion, folks. 
 I made friends with this miniature donkey.  He would bray anytime I went too far.  And quiet down when I got closer.  I wanted to take him home.  He is about the size of a large dog. 
 This woman was the cutest thing, albeit a tad out there.  When asked about this hole in her roof she replied, "Oh, yeah, that might be from the squirrels...we cut them out a house in our soffits."  Wow.
 The same lady's husband (must to her dismay as I gathered) turned both of their garage stalls into a bird habitat.  He had 5 African Greys and a few others...only about 15.  At least they called me pretty when I walked by.

And when I am really lucky, I get to chase rainbows down the reservoir during a rainstorm.





 And work with a view like this......



And I even witness wanna-be super heroes on their way to the save the day...



And when I am lucky enough to catch some time in the office to chase the paper trail, I sometimes get to see this little desk lizard that I love.