Wednesday, March 16, 2011
WOW!!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
My Very Favorite Kid In The World
He is all boy that's for sure. He loves hunting, tractors, boats, animals, throwing a softball, lawnmowers, the color blue, Mickey Mouse and peanut butter m&m's. When he was at my parents recently, he was playing on a big pile of dirt my dad had hauled in for our barn. Rett climbed up on top of the pile of dirt and said, "I'm king of the mountain. I'm a BOY!"
What really warms my heart is how sweet he is. He always tells me "I you Ninny" before we get off the phone. He shares with others, has pretty good manners for a two year old and definitely knows to say thank you and yes ma'am.
He loves coming to stay at our house, partly because he has his own room and partly because he gets to stay up late and eat whatever he wants. I can't wait for his next visit! I think I'm going to have him help me plant some flowers in the yard...wait, that might not be "boy" enough...better
just let him mow the yard with Jason!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Hometown Rodeo
This year the 2010 Humble Livestock Show and Rodeo was dedicated to my parents. It was such an honor in our small town (or what used to be small). My parents have continued to sponsor FFA and 4-H students with their livestock projects, my Dad buys multiple animals each year at the auction, and my Mom puts together Special Kids Day each year the show (a program for handicapped students in the area to come out and learn more about the 4-H livestock projects, reaching over 1,000 students).
It was truly a special honor because 7 years ago the same show and rodeo was dedicated to my grandparents, who were also big supporters. I was very proud of my Mom and Dad! They have taught me so much about being an active, responsible and caring citizen in your community. Plus, they were the youngest recipients of this honor! They have inspired me to become more involved in my community.
Here's a photo (not a very good one unfortunately) of our family at the Livestock Auction where my parents, sisters and I were asked to speak about the honor and the 4-H/FFA programs. Of course we're laughing, it's hard to be serious with a 2 year old nephew who wants to grab the microphone!!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Happy Valentines! (A day late)
Funny, right? And just so it doesn't seem like I'm not being fair...here's a funny one of me too!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines, and to my Valentine - I love you and I appreciate you!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hamilton, VA
Hamilton definitely had a small town feel...one post office, one gas station, a general store and two restaurants. One of our favorite places to go was Lowry's Crab Shack, especially in the summer. We would sit outside and eat fresh seafood and have some drinks. The Lowry family was so nice to us whenever we came in. They were big supporters of the 4-H program.
They also owned the Hamilton General Store where they sold things like old fashioned sodas, locally grown vegetables, homemade soaps and much more.
We loved the small town feel of Hamilton, but what was most enjoyable was our friendship with Murray family. They had all of their livestock out at the barn and pastures next to our house. Everyday their kids, Adam and Emily, would come to take care of their projects. Their parents were always out there with them, working alongside their kids. It reminded me of my 4-H and FFA days. What responsibility and dedication it teaches! As well as serving as an avenue for family bonding. I truly enjoyed getting to know the Murray's and they continue to be friends of ours. I hope all friends up north are staying safe and warm!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Super Bowl Fun
To be honest I'm not a fan of professional football, I prefer to watch college football but when the super bowl rolls around I'm all about it for two reasons - the commercials and the snacks! This year we are attending a superbowl party with some friends and have been asked to bring a dish. My usual football food - queso, spinach artichoke dip, jalapenos wrapped in bacon have already been assigned to others who are coming. Any suggestions on what to bring?
Jason is a bit disappointed I won't be fixing spinach artichoke dip (he loves it) and it's something I've worked on over the years so that it tastes just like the dip we used to have at a bar called Jake's next to Purdue's campus. On a side note, we loved hanging out at Jake's for great drink specials, free peanuts and free hot dogs (umm...ok, Jason liked the hot dogs, I'm not a fan). Ahh...Purdue memories, such fun times!I could never find Jake's recipe for spinach artichoke dip or get anyone who worked there to share it but over the years I think I've gotten pretty close! Here's my recipe for Spinach Artichoke dip, if you have any football friendly recipes to share I would love to know!
1 package frozen chopped spinach
2 cans artichoke hearts
1 cup sour cream
1 cup real mayonaisse
1 package cream cheese
1 cup parmesean/romano shredded blend (this is made by Kraft and comes in a plastic container usually found in the refrigerated cheese section)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic salt
Olive oil
chips/crackers for serving
Coat your baking dish with olive oil. Defrost spinach in the microwave and drain several times to get all the water out. Chop artichoke hearts. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and pour into baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Serve warm.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Comfort Food
A few weeks ago we had some really cold weather in San Antonio. Unusually cold for this far South. When I was preparing my grocery list with those chilly temperatures (which I do by category - produce, frozen, canned good, etc.) I found that I was wanting to make things like chicken and dumplings, chili and of course lasagna! Jason's favorite thing I cook is lasagna. This isn't any ordinary lasagna - it has a twist. My recipe includes a cream cheese and green onion layer. It might sound strange at first but it is amazing!
This recipe was given to me by my Grandmother in a cookbook she prepared for me when I went off to college. She had been given this recipe from a friend. This recipe had been passed down for years in her friend's family. I have made some changes to the recipe over the years to suit Jason.
This is definitely comfort food in our house!
The first thing I usually start with is getting the cream cheese out of the refrigerator so it can get to room temperature, then I start on the sauce.
I put cream cheese, sour cream and green onions in my mixer with a little milk to help it mix really well.
I didn't include photos of all the steps to make this but here's the final product before Jason got a hold of it!
Below is the recipe, let me know if you try it and how well it goes over in your house!
Lasagna
1 1/2 lb. hamburger 1 box lasagna noodles
1 box mushrooms 1/2 stick butter
1 onion (chopped) 1 small can tomato paste
1tsp.basil 1 tsp. oregano
1 bunch green onions (chopped) 4 chopped garlic cloves
1 pkg. cream cheese Garlic salt
1 large carton sour cream 2 pkgs. mozarella cheese 1 jar Ragu
In skillet saute onion, garlic, mushrooms in butter. In pot, combine Ragu, paste, oregano and basil. Brown hamburger with seasoning of garlic salt. Combine cooked and drained hamburger in pot with sauce and onion/garlic/mushrooms. Bring sauce to low boil and then turn to simmer and cover. Boil lasagna noodles 10-12 minutes. Drain, rinse and cool. Chop green onions and mix with mixer to sour cream and cream cheese. Place noodles and sauce in layers. In the middle smooth cream cheese mixture. Top with mozarella cheese. Place in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and melted. ENJOY!!