Cookies! Cookies! They are EVERYWHERE!!

So what do YOU do during Thanksgiving break from school? I bake Christmas cookies :::snort::: I wanted to take the opportunity to get as many as I could in the freezer while I didn't have anything else on the agenda. I baked for 8 hours yesterday and 10 hours today. Well, baked and cleaned up. Here's what I have to show for my hard work :)

I completely forgot to take pictures of the 11 dozen Snickerdoodles and 9 dozen butterscotch chip cookies I made. I also forgot to take a picture of the caramel cream cups AFTER the icing rosettes. But you can imagine how beautiful they look :::snort::: I also made 4 dozen soft ginger cookies, but I forgot to upload that photo!

15 dozen buckeyes

10 dozen PNB kiss cookies
9 dozen PNB Reese Cup tarts
7 dozen meltaway pecan balls
Triple batch of chocolate chip cookie dough
Waiting to be placed on the hot stone! I scoop them onto cutting boards and the last min. the other tray is baking, I plop these onto the stone. You can't want to scoop them right onto the stone and let them sit, because they will melt! And I can clean the mixing bowl and get the next type mixed up! Multi-tasking!! I am a SERIOUS, OCD baker :::snort:::
Out of the oven
13 1/2 dozen chocolate chip

13.5 dozen caramel cream tarts

The pre-baked tart shells

Caramel filling

I forgot to take a picture with the icing rosettes on top.

7 dozen meltaway pecan balls
While I baked on Monday, the boys raked. It was GORGEOUS here! Sunny in the morning and temps in the 50s. It was not great cookie baking weather, but I put on Christmas CDs and had a great time!

I still have Lemon Bars, Melting Moments, Oatmeal Crispies, Chocolate Fudge, Hedgehogs, Strawberries and Mountain cookies to make in the next couple of weeks.

It's been over a week again! I really am aiming to blog regularly again.

This week was busy and yet I had less stress. Doug is home for a couple days and I've been busy cooking! He asked for meatloaf yesterday and sausage and broccoli bread today.

Yesterday after dinner, Doug and I went for hair cuts together. There's just something about your husband seeing you with foils in your hair that is not sexy LOL.........And he is less-than-pleased with my new hair style. It is quite short in the back. But I had it cut short so I could grow it long LOL. He didn't understand that logic :::snort::: But I wanted a wedged hair cut, the front isn't long enough for the back to be long, so we cut it short and it will grow into a longer style. Makes sense, right?

Today we got up early and he drove me on my errands. We did Sam's Club, the coffee shop and the grocery store. Got home in time for the boys to unload/put away the stash before they ahd to leave for bowling at 9am!

I'm spending the day doing laundry and cooking. I hope to nap. Doug and I are going dancing tonight.

Tomorrow we have a meeting with one of our pastors at 10am to discuss the stress in our household. Doug will leave as soon as that is over. But he'll be home Wed. and will be home at least 4 nights, if not 5!! That makes me so happy!

After church the boys and I will go to prayer group. Davina is making a Thanksgiving meal and we're going to spend time eating, socializing and in praise and worship! I'm looking forward to it but am sad Doug will miss it.

Isn't he just precious???

I went to my sister's house the other day. Mom and Gram were there and it was such a nice visit. Allen played with Uncle Joe and then each of his cousins as they came and went.

I just sat on the couch and snuggled Little Joey. Oh he smells so good! I could just keep him. Wish he were mine........but since he isn't, I'll just go over and snuggle him as often as I can!

He'll be 1 month old on Monday. He now is the weight 2 of mine were when they were born and smaller than one of them LOL. He had a rough little start but is doing so great now!

It's been a week!

Monday I decided to finish painting the kitchen to surprise Doug. He planned to do it this weekend, but the boys are in the Jr. Masters' bowling tournament; 5 games each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I knew it would bless Doug if I did it.

So on Monday I painted 1/2 the kitchen cabinets and baseboards, and also 1 window frame and 4 door frames. I planned to finish the other 1/2 on Tuesday.

By Monday night I had spasms in my back so badly that I was crying. When Doug asked me why I was in that much pain I was crying, I told him what I did. And he is going to finish painting! I've paid for those 4 hours of painting all week! Finally, today, I am able to walk and lift the coffee pot without debilitating pain! I am SO tired of not being able to function.

I've been quiet on the blog lately. When I started blogging, I decided that I would not come here and whine and it would be a positive thing. I've not had a lot to be positive about and I have much to whine about, so I've just not been posting. I'd appreciate prayer. I'm not in a good place right now and I see no relief any time soon. I'm so discouraged about so many things.

So that's our week. The weekend will be extra busy and too short, like always. The weekends fly by and it is sad.

Hopefully I'll have great news about the boys and the bowling tournament!

Dishclothes!

I am knitting new dishcloths for my kitchen. I am having so much fun doing it, too. Here are two I made last week.

I just started a white one that is a basket weave pattern. It's the berry basket weave, I think, at knittingpatterncentral.com

Pictures of my new little nephew.

This is Andi's 4th child and Joe's first. Little Joey is just SO adorable!

And I had to throw in one of Aunt Kelly and Joey. I'll have to go snuggle her baby since I'll never be having another of my own..........

Joey had a rough start. He has a broken clavical? and then after coming home spent 2 days in the hospital with jaundice. He is doing great now.

I'm hoping to get over there this weekend and snuggle him. And perhaps Andi is ready for her dinner? So many people have been bringing her food. What a blessing! I told her I'd wait until it slowed down.........

I started knitting a new dishcloth. It is such a FUN pattern to knit! It's the pattern inside the Peaches & Cream cotton label. It matches my kitchen perfectly!!!

The color is growing on me. Doug is going to paint the cabinets and then I'll decide if I want to repaint the green a different shade, OR keep the minty green color ...........

Woo Hoo it is Friday!!!!!

I love Fridays now even more than ever. Friday is the day my honey comes home. This was a LONG week. Two weeks ago Doug was on vacation. Last week I was in the truck with him for 4 days. That is 4 days living in a very small space with no break. The no break part was wonderful. The small space, well, I got claustrophobic LOL........ So this week was exceptionally hard. And my fibro is really acting up.

Friday is the day that I stop having to be the parent, just for a little bit. If the boys ask me for permission to do something while Doug is home, I look at them and say, "I am NOT the parent right now!"

And Friday means we've made it through another week of school. This year has been difficult! Two in high school and one in jr. high make for long days! School is not "fun" like it was when they were younger. School is hard. Attitudes often stink. Just one more days' work to get through and correct.

Today the 2 older boys are going to help my FIL with something in the morning. I am SO glad I only scheduled math and science for today. They will be gone a few hours and still have school to finish up.

I am HOPING to get over and see the baby today or maybe Sunday afternoon when Doug leaves. I need to call my sis and see.

Plans thsi week.......................
Friday~
Finish up school
Boys help my FIL
Doug comes home
Boys all have plans this evening
We're going dancing

Saturday~
Boys bowling
Working at the cabin to close it up :(
Paint at least 1/2 the kitchen cabinets
Lots and Lots of laundry and grocery shopping
Jordan works

Sunday~
Church
All the food prep for Doug to leave
Doug leaves
Jordan works

Just testing. De'Etta has a signature in her posts, and she explained how to put one on your own blog.

So of course, I had to try it out. Not sure if I like this style, but I'll live with it for a bit :)

Isn't this baby blanket adorable? I finished knitting it on Monday evening. I did most of the work while on the road with Doug.

It is SO soft! And SO easy to do.

I have become addicted to knitting! I started another baby blanket tonight. A dishcloth pattern. I figured one or two more baby blankets and I can move onto something more challenging.

I like to make the bunting Mom gave me the pattern for, but I need to get size 8 needles first!

You can find the pattern for the baby blanket here:

http://majorknitter.typepad.com/photos/patterns/oh_so_soft_baby_blanket.html

Here is Allen's cool cross that he carved into a pumpkin. It really is a pumpking, but he wanted to take the picture all light up, so all you see is the cross.

It's been a while, eh?

Doug and his dad finished the kitchen ceiling and trim work and put in new lights. It looks great!!! Last weekend Doug painted the kitchen walls. I was going for a soft, subdued sage green BUT what I got was MINT green ice cream colored walls! I am NOT learning to love it. So I think we'll take the 1/2 gallon we have left BACK to Sherwin Williams and have them retint and we'll repaint UGH.

The boys have 1/2 of the woodwork sanded. I am not thinking we'll get the project done before Thanksgiving weekend is over! I wish! I want it finished and I do not want sanding going on while the Chirstmas decorations are up. Way too much of a mess for that!

After Doug's vacation, I went to work with him. It was supposed to be Monday morning through Wednesday morning, but I ended up staying with him until he came home Thursday at 11pm! The kids were with my in-laws and had a great time!

I spent Friday running around and buying food, washing mountains of clothes and taking care of Doug. He got sick on the road. Saturday evening he finally went to the urgent care. He had a deep sinus infection. They gave him a shot and some meds and he was better Sunday :)

He's gone again for the week. And after 2 weeks of him being home, I sure am missing him.

I've over done it WAY too much and am paying for it. Today was a bad, bad, bad fibro day. I couldn't even concentrate enough to help Jordan with his math and it was easy! What percent of 6 is 2.4? Well....I can't think about that right now. And gerund phrases and such, forget it! He was happy to skip English today LOL.

So we're getting back into the school groove. Jordan is working. He's also playing guitar a lot. Isaac bought drums OH THE JOY! But I am glad they love music and are teaching themselves these skills.

Allen has been busy carving lots of pumpkins. He did a really cool one with a cross. I'll post pictures later maybe.

So that's what we've been up to around here. Nothing much that seems like a lot :)

Lots and lots happening here!!

My father-in-law thought I should stay at the lake until Thursday evening. Now I know why he thought that!

But I missed my man. I didn't want to spend most of his vacation away from him. If he had a regular job where he came home most nights, I'd still be at the lake :::snort:::

But much is getting done!! The boys have scrapped woodwork and started sanding it today. They are working their tails off! But I don't have pictures of that.

Doug and his dad have replaced many icky spots on the kitchen ceiling and put in drywall, mudded it and screened it. They've done this a few times! Man is it dusty!!!

Here's Doug today while screening. I have NO IDEA how he can see! Thankfully it was warm out (70s), because I hosed him down afterwards! My father-in-law has the neater job!
Dad has also put new woodwork trim and moldings around the kitchen door and also the door leading to the back door (I know...lots of doors). It is beautiful! I'll post pictures of that after we clean the kitchen!

Tomorrow brings more mess. The very last of the ceiling sanding. I cannot wait to get in there with a big bucket of Pinesol! They're going to screen and prime the ceiling in the morning and hopefully we can paint the ceiling in the evenign :)

The boys are going to continue sanding woodwork upstairs!

I am hopeful I'll be able to cook tomorrow!!! I'll at least grill chicken breasts :) And I'd like to clean and get my stuff put back in the kitchen! This clutter is getting to me. But it is only for a short time, right?

I had a lovely, lovely, lovely time at the lake. It was so quiet and peaceful and the weather was gorgeous. I took many walks, watched a few sappy movies (they should have given out kleenex at the video store), and spent time journaling and worshipping. It was awesome! I slept a lot too :)

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. warm water
1 1/4oz. packages active dry yeast
3 eggs
1/2 c. white sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. raisins
8 cups flour (I kneaded in an extra 1c. or so)
2 T milk
3/4 c. white sugar
2T ground cinnamon
2T butter, melted

Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside until yeast is frothy.Warm the milk to 115-120*.

Into the yeast mixture, mix eggs, sugar, butter, salt and raisins. Stir in cooled milk. Add teh flour gradually to make a stiff dough. (I needed extra flour, it was kinda sticky!).

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes. Place in a large, greased, bowl and turn to grease the surface. Cover and allow to rise until doubled. (I rose it about 1 1/2 hours and it was more than doubled, but I got busy )

Roll out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle 1/2" thick. Moisten dough with 2T milk. Mix together 3/4c. sugar and 2T cinnamon, sprinkle mixture on top of the moistened dough. Roll up tightly; the roll should be about 3" in diameter. Cut into thirds, and tuck under ends.

Place loaves into well greased loaf pans. Lightly grease tops of loaves. Let rise again for 1 hour.

Bake at 350* for 45 minutes or until loaves are lightly browned and sound hollow whe knocked.

Remove loaves from pans, and brush with melted butter. Let cool before slicing.

YIELD: 3 loaves; 12 slices per loaf1 slice = 4 WW points

What have we been up to??

Lots and lots it seems like.

Monday - Thursday we worked on school and wrapping things up for the week. Doug is on vacation next week, so we will not be doing any school work :)

Thursday night Isaac went to my Gramma's to spend the night.

Friday Allen went to an animal park with my in-laws. I'll post pictures sometime. He had a fabulous time!!

Jordan spent the afternoon with his friend, John, and then worked in the evening.

I went to my girlfriend's house to deliver some PC and visit. I've been friends with Chris for abotu 17 years. It was nice to just sit and visit. After our visit I ran by the mall and then came home to eat lunch, take Jordan to work, deliver more PC and come home again. Doug and I went to dinner and came home to get ready to go out dancing. Isaac came home. We got Jordan from work and then we went out. We had a fabulous time!!! We danced and danced and danced. I had hardly any pain, until the very last song, and it was 1am by then and I was whipped. It was great to feel normal again!!

Saturday came too soon LOL. Doug and the boys went to bowling. I went to Sam's Club, ran by my Dad's house to drop off more PC!, went to the grocery store, came home and put away groceries, put swiss steaks in the oven, cleaned out the fridge, made a sandwich and then the guys were home. Doug took me to the produce store and we came home and put that away. I cleaned and dried a large container of lettuce. Oh, I did 3 loads of wash.

Then I was whipped and took a nap LOL. Doug peeled 5-6 lbs. of potatoes. I got up at 3, finished dinner, John came for dinner, cleaned up kitchen, John dropped Jordan at work on his way to church.

Doug and Allen went upstairs to start stripping paint. Isaac was doing something. I went for a 25 min. walk (about 1.5 miles). Came home and Doug had started a fire out back. So I made coffee and a drink for Doug. We sat around the fire just doing nothing. It was wonderful! Allen made s'mores for all.

Came in and Doug did some computer stuff and I made granola. Then took a bath and now we're watching Indians baseball! We're hopeful that they will beat the Red Sox tonight :)

Tomorrow will be church and then home to make chili for dinner and gather my stuff. I'm heading to the lake, alone, until Tues. night or Wed. morning :)

Doug, the boys and his dad are going to strip and sand woodwork while I relax at the lake. It is a two-fold thing. Doug wants me to get away and be alone and relax because I've been SO overwhelmed. And, I won't be here in their way while they strip and sand woodwork :)

So that's what I've not been blogging. Life is just crazy/busy!

Raisin-Almond Granola

4 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. shredded coconut
3/4 c. flax meal
1 c. chopped almonds
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. oil
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. raisins

In a large bowl, mix oats, coconut, flax meal, almonds, and cinnamon (I used pumpkin pie spice).

Combine honey, oil and vanilla in a small bowl. Heat in microwave until easy to mix. Pour over dry mixture and stir to combine until all is moistened.

Spread over a large shallow baking pan. Bake at 350* F for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool. Add raisins. Stir in an airtight container.

YIELD: 12 cups; 1/2 c. = 3 WW points

I baked mine on a PC stoneware bar pan and did not stire.

It is like Christmas here today!!!

My Pampered Chef party stuff came today.....all but 1 box. Allen helped me get it all boxed up.
So I put all my stuff on the coffee table and took a picture. I was SO excited! I got all of this for only $178!

Three tier stand
Appetizer plates and caddy
12 qt. executive stock pot
4 qt. professional casserole with lid
6 medium simple addition squares
8 simple addition coffee cup & more (we'll use them as bowls_
BBQ basting brush
Forged cutlery bread knife & paring knife
Skimmer
Bamboo serving set
Italian seasoning
Southwest seasoning
Simple additions rectangle platter with cranberry accent
2 sets twist it clips

What a steal!!!

It was a fabulous day at the lake today!!!

The weather has been absolutely wonderful lately! You'd think it is July by the way the temperatures and humidity are acting. If you closed your eyes, you really would think it is July. But looking at the pretty leaves reminds you it really is fall.

So I thought we should take advantage of this wonderful weather and go to the lake. I asked the boys to work really hard until lunch. They did. I grilled chicken, we ate, we cleaned the kitchen and we were off!

So we get to the lake and I went in to use the bathroom! It is a 50 min. drive, I had coffee and a lot of water before leaving, and I had to go. So I sit down and do my business and then stand up and happen to glance into the toilet!!! I see A DEAD BAT FLOATING IN THERE!!!!!!

EEWW........I go running and screaming out of the bathroom. Jordan comes running and thinks it is absolutely cool! Thank God this bat was DEAD! Jordan scooped him out of the toilet and into a ziploc. Sorry, no pictures, I am still freaked out about it :::snort:::



So the guys go down and fish and I browsed the Sonlight forums and started knitting a new baby blanket.

The guys come running up to the lake with their great cathes. They were excited. The fishing had been very slow lately and this was great! I took their pictures, drove them to the bait shop so Russ could take their pictures, and then we gave the fish to Bob and Cindy.
I grilled hot dogs for the boys. They ate and mowed the lawn and went fishing until dark. They didn't catch anything else.

So I go into the OTHER bathroom (because, you know, it's broad daylight but a bat may have dove into the toilet) and this is what is at MY FEET! Sorry, blurry picture, but that was the best I could do and I was not trying any more. Now, all you readers in TX and the dessert, I know this spider isn't that big, but it is BIG for the north where they all die off in the frost every year!!! Can we say EEWW???? I flushed him in a hurry. I do not want him crawling into bed with me this weekend!!!

I have a bit of the heebie jeebies about going to the lake Sunday night alone. Spiders I can deal with. But bats??? What if there is a bat? A live one? While I am there alone??

Anyway, we had a fabulous day. Now we're home and Allen is in bed. He has a headache and opted to go to sleep. The rest of us are watching the Indians beat the Yankees! with a score of 4-1. Go Tribe! We're hoping they win tonight and put the Yankees out of the running :)

A Favorite Picture

A couple weeks ago, Doug, the boys, his parents and nieces went to Cook Forest. I wasn't feeling well and stayed home :(

Anyway, they took many pictures that day. It was absolutely gorgeous and I am so sad I missed it.

This is my favorite one. It is Allen with my father-in-law.

I have really great in-laws. I am quite blessed.

It's Nearly Finished!!!

I've been working on this bunting since mid-Aug. The pattern said the difficulty level was SIMPLE!!

I thought, "Great. I'm just learning to knit more than scarves. I've never really followed a pattern. Simple is GOOD!"

It was NOT simple! At least not IMO :::snort:::

But I perservered and finished it. All that needs done is velcro sewn down the ceneter for closure. It calls for buttons. Did I want to learn to make button holes??? NNNOOOOO!!!! Mom made one for me (different pattern) when I was pregnant with Jordan and it had velcro, so velcro was a good idea, right?

Well, I have having a difficult time sewing it in there. I am not a good seamstress. The thread is sticking to the velcro. My hands are aching from finishing the cuff ribbing. I called mom about in tears. She is going to help me!! THANKS MOM!!

Shower is Saturday. Good thing it is nearly finished, right??

I am mostly pleased with how it turned out. There are a LOT of mistakes in it, but it was made with love.

The End of the Season

The saddest time of the year....taking out of the dock! It is not quite as exciting as April or May when we are putting in the dock. That is fun, exciting and full of hope for a wonderful season of fishing and relaxing.

Taking out the dock means winter is coming. Long, dark days and the closing of the cabin.

Dad, Doug and Isaac tromped into the lake and took out Dad's dock, and 2 others. Isaac loved making a little extra money. Allen helped, too. But he would not walk into the dirty water with weeds swooshing against his legs!! So he was on "pole patrol".

And I had to take the last picture of the shoreline. I've been taking pictures weekly to chronicle the change in colors. I won't be taking any more, because I am not walking out into the lake either :::snort::: Although it is only 18" deep and I could wade out there!!!

Happy 15th Birthday Isaac!!!!

I cannot believe my sweet little guy is 15 years old today! He is such a blessing to me. He is kind and compassionate. He'll do anaything for you. He hates to see anybody's feelings being hurt.

He was a very active, curious little boy. I remember the day I was tucking him in and saw that he had a toy with him. This toy had been in the gutter outside his bedroom window (the roof is steep!). Doug had been watching the boys that afternoon, so Iasked him if Dad got the toy for him. NOPE! He went on the roof and got it himself. He was FOUR!

He's always been quick with hugs and kisses and very cuddly and affectionate. He is still quick to give me hugs, but towers over me now, so isn't sitting on my lap any more. I loved those days of rocking and cuddling. And I am loving watching him growing into a wonderful young man that loves the Lord.

My favorite picture of Isaac! It's seen better days :) (about 3 months)

Isaac and Jordan (4 months and 2 years) Our vacation last summer. He LOVES fishing! He LIVES to fish!
Another vacation picture
You're never too old to snuggle Daddy......
Quite the handsome man!

A few shots from the lake today!

Isn't it absolutely gorgeous? See the red leaves? I cannot believe the leaves are starting to change already.

Many people have already taken out their docks, so the view into the lake is so beautiful! Mostly just water and shoreline, instead of docks and boats! It is SO beautiful and peaceful there!!

Dad had the pontoon taken out. But the sailboat is still there for now, the kayak and the kids' boat. Isaac was in his boat..........

Wonderful Wednesday...........

So what are you up to today?

Yesterday I decided that today our schooling would be fishing/mowing at the lake :::snort:::

It is just too beautiful to pass up! Sunny skies and temps near 80*. We did have to leave early though so Jordan could be to work on time.

I think we may go back up tomorrow afternoon. Jordan gets off work at 3. The other two can do lots and lots of school until then, we'll get Jordan and buzz up to the lake!

We've got to take advantage of this wonderful weather while we can! Before you know it, the snow will be flying!!!!

A great big thank you to my GRAMMA :), My sister, and my mother-in-law for making our awesome weekend last weekend possible!!

These wonderful people stayed with and/or kept the boys so Doug and I could go to the lake.

Gramma taxi'd Jordan to and from work, took care of the animals and make sure my house was nice and clean when I got home :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

It was Shock and Awe at my house last night..........

.........so I'm sitting in the living room with 15 ladies at my PC party. Well, some of them had gone home already. We were eating. (That salad was SO good!!)

Anyway.......I hear this big, booming voice in the dining room saying, "Honey, I'm home!!!" It was DOUG!!!!

I just sad that, dumbfounded, and totally shocked that he was home! I said something like....what are you doing here? At first I thought...did he lose his job?? What happened?

And then I realized he was just starting near here tomorrow and made it home. I was never so surprised in my entire life!!! It was SO wonderful to have him here in the middle of the week.

His mom knew he was coming. He told her, "Man, I get to come home and Kel is going to have a houseful of women." Everybody but the consultant left by 9:30 though.

He walked outside to surprise the boys. They were sitting in the back with their friends having a fire.

Allen was thrilled that he was home!

Isaac said....hey daddy-o! Nice to see ya.

Jordan said....Dad, it's not Friday yet! What are you doing here! Talk about feeling loved

So, I just had to share my exciting news He's gone again already though.......but how sweet to have him home during the week!

I made a quadruple bath of this bread today. My house smelled divine!!! It is SO good!!! I got the recipe from allrecipes.com, but changed it so much that I'll just post my tweaked version. It would be SO good with all WW flour and I'm sure a more natural sweetener would work too. I just can't get used to sucanat and wasn't sure how honey would work. De'Etta, you can let me know if you tweak it further :)

Apple Walnut Bread

1 c. white flour
1 c. soft wheat (It would be great ALL soft wheat IMO)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon, or more
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. chopped walnut (I think 3/4 c. would be yummy and so would pecans)
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. applesauce, unsweetened
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla (oops, out of this, but it was good anyway)
1 1/2 c. apples, cored and chopped (I left the peels on)

Preheat oven to 350*. Spray loaf pan with oil.

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices and nuts.

Beat butter, sugars and 1 egg until smooth. Beat in additional egg. Stir in applesauce and vanilla.

Dump in dry ingredients and mix until moistened. Stir in apple.

Scoop (it will be very thick) batter into loaf pan. Bake for 55-60 min. until tests done.

YIELD: 1 loaf
There are 36 WW points in this WITHOUT the nuts. I can't remember how to count nuts so I can't think of it off the top of my head :::snort:::

Pampered Chef Anyone???

I'm having a Pampered Chef party tonight. My consultant is making a yummy looking jerk chicken salad with grilled pineapple. I'm also serving:

~Bread with flavored dipping oil
~Apple walnut bread
~Veggies and dip and pretzels
~Cider
~Coffee
~Lemon water

I wish ya'll could come!!

If you'd like to order any Pampered Chef, you can do so here:
www.pamperedchef.biz/ohio
When you click the order products button in the lower left hand corner, it will take you to a page asking for my first/last name (I'll email that to you) and then you can order on my party with direct shipping. If you have no interest.....just ignore me :::snort:::

Marvelous Monday (a Tuesday morning review)

We're having a great start to week 3! I think we *may* be getting into a groove. We'll see how the week progresses lol.

Doug was still home when we got up yesterday. He left about 11. It was nice having him home for 4 whole days! This week is draging though since he left............

What did we do??

~Got up and started laundry
~Kids got up and did chores
~Made breakfast (egg and cheese burritos)
~Cleaned up kitchen
~Doug and Jordan fixed a guitar and ran us late starting school lol
~Started school
~Got myself together
~Ran to the grocery store while the kids schooled
~Got Doug off to work
~Made dinner (really easy leftover chili and made cornbread)
~Quiet time
~More school and correcting schoolwork
~Took Jordan to work
~Made 4 loaves apple walnut bread
~Made dip
~Cut up veggies (PC party tonight)
~Made phone calls......a LOT of them
~Cleaned kitchen
~Finished up laundry (6 loads, all washed, dried and folded and mine put away \o/)
~Picked Jordan up from work
~Dusted/swept my bedroom
~Dusted living room and dining room
~Relaxed in a bubble bath
~Played Scrabble online

I was exhausted when I went to bed. But I am pleased that the food prep and house cleaning are done for the party tonight :)

We had an absolutely fabulous time at the lake this weekend!

Friday the weather was gorgeous with temps near 80* and sunshine!! We left the house about 10:30, went to the apple orchard (I do love that part of fall ), stopped for lunch, picked up some movies from the video store and stopped at the grocery store on the way to the cottage.

We got all settled and went out on the boat. We were the only boat out there! Oh how lovely So we took a ride, turned off the motor and just cuddled and enjoyed the peace, quiet and solitude! Then Doug fished for a bit and I knit.

When we came in, we ordered some dinner and watched a movie and then Doug watched the baseball game.

Saturday was FREEZING! High of 53* I think. We forgot to close the windows :::oopsie::: We slept in, and then Doug built a fire in the fireplace and we snuggled under quilts and stayed in our jammies watching movies. We took a walk. We enjoyed the benefits of being without children. We watched movies. We just relaxed. Doug watched baseball agian lol. I could have done without so many sporting events. But he rarely gets to watch baseball and football in the truck. So I knit or played Scrabulous or something.

We slept in again on Sunday. Well, I did. Doug gets up much earlier than I do. We had donuts for breakfast. We just did nothing. Cleaned up and come home about 3:30.

My niece had a bday party so we went to that and got our kids. Came home and did all the Sunday night things...get Doug's food ready, mop kitchen floor, scrub bathroom. The boys played video games and then we all went to bed. Weekends are just too dang SHORT!!!

So it was very relaxing to just be alone and together. It's strange that in a few years, our kids will be all grown and we can do that whenever. At least it's fun to think about :)

Woo Hoo \o/

Doug and I are going to the lake this weekend...........alone :) I'll be back on Monday.

New Template

Mom switched her template, so I thought I would too :::snort:::

I like it. It seems so soothing......

What do you think????

Banana Walnut Pancakes

2 large ripe bananas, peeled and slice
1 T sugar (or whatever sweetener you use)
1 c. soft white whole wheat flour (or all purpose if you don't do WW)
1/2 c. rolled oats
1T baking powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon and nutmet
1/4 tsp. sea salt (or salt)
1 c. fat-free milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 T vegetable oil
1/2 - 1c. chopped walnuts (the recipe calls to add nuts to the top. I like them stirred in. Did NOT calculate WW points with nuts lol)
Warm syrup

Slice bananas and sprinkle with sugar. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Combine milk, egg and oil; add to dry incredients. Stir in sugar/bananas and walnuts. Do not overmix.

Drop by 1/4 cupfulls onto hot griddle. Cook until bubbly, turn and finish cooking.

YIELD: 6 servings
1 serving = 4 WW points without syrup OR nuts! I

Personality Painting

I found this quick little test on my Mom's blog. I like Mom's much better LOL.......

Go HERE to make your own personality painting.

You have GOT to watch this Mom video on YouTube!!!

Absolutely Hillarious Mom Video

Take the 100 Acre Wood Personality Test

I found this cute little test at De'Etta's blog. Thanks for posting it De'Etta, it was cute and fun.

It definately describes me as of late :::snort:::

So it's Tuesday, eh?

I was able to go meet my internet friend yesterday. I had a lovely lunch with her, her husband and her 3 sons. I wish I had taken Isaac and Allen, but they were apprehensive about having to endure strangers :::snort:::

Today we're on day 4 of school. Still not going wonderfully! The boys are working hard, but it seems to be taking forever! I wish I knew how to make the correcting easier. I am exhausted by the time we get to correcting. What I normally do is sit with each child and go over all their work with them. That takes a LONG time with 3 boys doing different things, kwim? Especially when one of them needs a lot of help because he has neglected to read his assignment book and actually do what he was told to do :::groan:::

Jordan asked for homemade mac & cheese, so we had that for dinner/lunch.

Now they are heading up for quiet time. I'm hoping after quiet time I am able to get 2 out of 3 boys' work corrected.

I have a 3pm massage/torture session :::snort::: Then I'll come home and finish correcting, finish laundry, put my feet up with ice on my back and knit a while!

I am not so sure how I'm going to survive the school year with Doug's work schedule. I am exhausted! I am lonely! This is just plain HARD!!

A bright spot is Mom just called and asked me to go to lunch with her and my sister tomorrow :) I'll toss PB&J at the kids and I'm outta here!!!!!

Weekend Review

Friday~
Doug got home in time for dinner!! He ordered pizza, lectured children that had been giving me fits all day, sent 2 of said boys out to the garage for physical work to let off testosterone driven steam!

Friday evening Isaac went to a friend's for the night. Jordan was reading in his room to "get away from us", and Doug, Allen and I played cards. Jordan did come down and watch Monk with us.

We pretty much sat around the house all evening and tried to regroup from our exhausting day.

Saturday~
Bowling started Saturday. So Doug and the boys headed to the bowling alley. I sat in my jammies for a couple hours and played Scrabble at Scrabulous.com with some other SL'ers. I managed to get dressed and do the hair/make-up thing before they got home from bowling.

Jordan had to work.

The rest of us headed to the lake to visit with my Dad and Cay, Uncle and his girlfriend. I sat on the deck and knit with Cay. Had a late lunch there and headed home.

The church was having a youth concert that evening, so we dropped the boys there and headed out dancing. We had a great time dancing and stayed out too late! But it was so fun and I needed that so badly.

Sunday~
Got up this morning and saw that it had rained all night and was going to continue raining all day. Our church had a festival this morning, so they moved most of it indoors. So we had church and then stayed for a pasta/meatball dinner and the festival.

They had a dunking booth. My BIL was the first person slotted to be dunked. Allen was excited! He wanted to dunk Uncle Mikel. So he was first in line and on the FIRST throw, in when Mikel! I wish I had a picture of that! Doug decided to dunk him also. He paid for 3 balls and missed. Pastor Joe said, "I'll buy you 3 more Doug. You have to dunk him!" And he did! It was all in good fun :::snort::: Alex (Mikel's son 8) missed both times, but Mitchel (other son 6) got him the 2nd try. Alli (daughter soon to be 5) wouldn't even try to dunk her daddy :)

My back was starting to hurt, so after the dunking of Uncle Mikel, Doug brought me home. I iced my back and took a nap.

Doug ran to Sam's Club, picked up the boys and went to the grocery store. While I was sleeping, he also cut all his fruit and got all his food together for the week AND put the towels in the dryer, then folded and put them away. I got up at 6 LOL.

We hung out tonight. Doug, Allen and I played cards again. Jordan used the computer. Isaac played some video games.

Tomorrow I and A have ortho appts. in the morning and I am supposed to go to Grove City and meet an internet friend for the first time. Not sure if that will happen with Jordan needing to get to work. I will be SO glad when he gets his driver's license!

How was your weekend?

I like to have breakfast things on hand in the freezer. I browsed through the Sam's Club frozen breakfast aisle and was shocked at all the things they sell for a HUGE price! And so full of junky stuff. So I make my own. You can make them with whatever you like, mix and match!

Bacon, Egg and Cheese English Muffins

6 English muffins (I use Thomas whole grain)
6 eggs
6 slices bacon
6 slices cheddar or processed American cheese (De'Etta, don't look at that LOL)

Toast English muffins. Cook bacon. Cook eggs. I crack them on the griddle, kinda smash the yolk and add salt & pepper. After flipping eggs, place cheese to melt.

Assemble sandwiches with egg/cheese and bacon on top.

I put them in individual sandwich bags and then put them in a large freezer bag.

If you use 1 egg, 1 slice reg. American cheese and 1 slice bacon, this is 7 WW points!

To reheat, wrap in foil and bake at 350* for 15-20 min. (or longer in my toaster oven lol) or microwave. Some of mine like them baked so they are crispy and some like them microwaved, but they are soggier.

I made 24 of these. Instead of toasting the muffins 3 at a time in the toaster oven, I put them on a cookie sheet and baked them at 375* for about 7 minutes until they started to toast.

Here you go Mel :)

Italian Stuffed Peppers

2 lb. ground beef (I use the leanest I can find)
1 c. cooked rice (I use brown)
1-2 minced garlic cloves
1 T dried basil (I don't measure spices, I just dump them in)
5 large bell peppers
1 T dried parsley
1/2 c. milk (I use fat free)
Romano cheese (2-3 big handfuls) (can use Parmesan)
bread crumbs (I use whole wheat) as needed
salt & pepper

Cut pepper in half and take out ribs and seeds.

Combine meat, cooked rice, garlic, basil, parlsey, milk, Romano cheese, salt and pepper. Add bread crumbs until the consistency of meatballs or meatloaf. Divide into 10 portions.

Roll each portion of meat into a ball and smush 1 ball into 1 pepper half. At this point you can put them in ziplock freezer baggies and freeze.

Or to cook, place them in a baking stone (or whatever pan you bake in), pour spaghetti sauce (I use homemade usually) over top, cover and bake at 350* The meat is done in about 45 min. to 1 hour. I bake them on 300* for the afternoon. I like my peppers to be very soft.

1 pepper half = 4 WW points

Blogs I read....

I'd like to make a section in my sidebar and link to blogs I read. Do any of you have a problem with me linking to your blog?

Thrilling Thursday???

So it was our 3rd day of school. It was also gorgeous outside! And we all know that pretty soon it won't be gorgeous and nobody will want to go outside for months and months!

So Isaac and Allen finished their math and science in record time! I cut some watermelon, made a salad, and had the boys load up the fishing stuff and weed eater and we were off for the lake!

Jordan stayed home because he had to work before we'd be home.

We had a beautiful day at the lake. Isaac spent much time fishing in his little boat. They mowed the lawn. We had pizza. I knit for hours and hours and also took a nap. It was so nice.

We left about 8:15 and stopped by Wal-Mart on the way home. Not my favorite place to shop! I'm on the lookout for a wireless card for our Compaq laptop. I was utterly confused and walked out without that, but with lots of other stuff.

Got home and cleaned the bathroom and picked Jordan up from work at 10. Then I stayed up WAY too late playing Scrabble at Scrabulous.com! Have ya'll seen that site?? Oh my am I addicted LOL.

Today we're wrapping up our first week of school! I'm glad it's over! I'm equally glad we only have 3 days of school next week :::snort::: School is getting in the way of my life this year LOL.......

Day 2 is going much better :) Now instead of bickering, they are goofing off! I'd prefer they sit and do their work quietly! Gee, wonder if that will EVER happen during our hs'ing career ::snort::

Allen is always the one to get up and do what he is supposed to do and start school early! So he was finished early. Remember, we are only doing math and science, his 2 great loves!

So after his schoolwork, he rummaged through the old science supplies and fiddled around.

He made this little light bulb light up with wire and a battery. Can you see it? It is really tiny!

The other two were working hard at the table! This ABeka Consumer Math has a LOT of busy work in it! Did any of ya'll use it? Did you assign ever problem every day? It is taking him 1 1/2 hours! a day to do this stuff! And he's using a calculator! Lots of work!


We had French toast for breakfast. I've cleaned that up and cycled 2 loads of laundry (guess I should go for #3, eh?) and am getting ready to heat up the grill and turn on the oven for dinner.

I liked eating at noon when Doug was on afternoons, so most days we eat at noon, especially if Jordan is working.

I love not really having to do anything after school and eating. The evenings are much more relaxed when they are just grabbing whatever they can fix themselves for dinner, like we used to do for lunch.

Yeast Pancakes (or Belgian type waffles)

4 c. flour
1 T yeast
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
3 c. warm milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. butter, melted

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Melt butter in a pan, pour in milk and heat to about 115*. Beat eggs in a small dish.

Pour butter, milk and egg over dry ingredients and stir until combined. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Cover with a cloth and let stand 30-45 min., until bubbly.

Pour by 1/4 cupfuls on hot, greased griddle OR pour into hot, buttered waffle iron.

This whole recipe is 55 WW points. So depending on how many pancakes or waffles you make, just divide for individual servings. My Belgian waffle maker gives me about 10 waffles.

Some first day of school pictures, in no particular order:)

Jordan working on his math.

Lilly enjoyed her first day of school! She's curled up in Allen's school basket!
Allen did NOT want his picture taken!
I took it anyway.........
Doing a science experiment! He did a great job on it and the lab sheet is fabulous!
Our "official" first day of school picture :::Snort:::
Isaac poses with his science book.......

We had an OK day. Tensions were running high. Much bickering between the kids and Jordan refused to finish his science assignment! I only assigned math and science this week. He "only" had to read for an hour and write a few paragraphs about what he read.....it's going to be a long year UGH.

So we got up and I made waffles. The kids started working on math. I helped with science experiments and showed Allen how to fill out the lab sheet. I made pizza dough and they had inidividual pizzas for lunch.

While their pizzas were cooking, I ran to Sam's and completely forgot the main thing I was going for LOL. Then I went to Curves, but not to work out, but buy progesterone cream. I must be nice next week, right?? LOL......

I came home and cleaned a bunch of lettuce and had a huge salad and 4c. watermelon for lunch. Note, do NOT eat 4 c. watermelon and then try to take a nap! I was up every 15 min. going to the bathroom :::snort:::

I took Jordan to work at 3:30. This was the most productive part of the day for me because the other two bicker much less when Jordan is gone.

They did I don't know what, but it wasn't allowed to be electric :)

I made 24 bacon, egg and cheese English muffin sandwiches for the freezer and also 18 stuffed pepper halves for the freezer. I baked some salmon and sauteed some veggies for dinner.

I knit for about an hour, visited with my Gramma for a bit and then Isaac and I took Tucker for a 2 mile walk.

I went and got Jordan from work. Everybody had to go to bed early because of bad attitudes. Sounds good to me! They are up there reading and it is quiet down here. I took chicken out to thaw and poured in the marinade for tomorrow's dinner (at noon again........)

I called an internet friend that lives in Washington so she could explain Write Shop I to me. I feel much less overwhelmed about that now :) Thanks Jan!

So that was our first day. I am officially exhausted!

Starting school today.......

Not sure whether to be excited or sad. I am so sad summer is over. I am excited to be starting our 11th year hs'ing. We only have 5 years before everybody is graduated! The years are flying by, but the days are dragging on :::snort:::

So this week we're starting with just science and math. We'll add in something every week and by Oct. will be going full schedule.

I'm rather overwhelmed with the thought of adding school into my already exhausting life. Doug isn't home much at all, and well, I'm sure it will be OK once we get going, right?

Everybody is up and doing chores. I'm about to make them breakfast. Yeasty Waffles and I'll post the recipe later on.

Goals for today:

~Breakfast
~School
~Laundry
~Make pizza dough
~Run to Curves and Sam's Club
~Sleep
~Take Jordan to work, then to the church, then home
~Collapse into bed :)

How was your holiday?

We had a busy, busy holiday weekend. It was lots of fun, but very busy.

Friday Doug came home from work early :) He and I went to the fair for a date. We were there about 2 1/2 hours, ate too much food, and came home to have a fire with the boys.

Saturday Doug took the boys to breakfast. They came home and did some lawn work, washed the van inside and out and tidied the garage a bit! Jordan had to work and that evening Doug and I went dancing.

Sunday was church and then a picnic with our prayer group. We were there alllll day. Jordan had to work again, so he missed 1/2 the picnic.

Monday I slept in. Doug prepped all his food for the week. What a great guy! We went to my inlaws for a picnic, went to Staples for school stuff and then came home. I was exhausted and slept for about 3 hours. The kids had to go to bed early (starting school today) and we went to bed early.

How was your holiday??