August 27th....arrival and departure...Happy Birthday Mychel!

Some days it's the only option

I hate this day. The sooner it's over the better so I'm going to literally and figuratively go to bed and pull the covers over my head. See ya tomorrow.

I love the person that invented the CrockPot!

Ok, so this post is kind of random, but since we still have two birthdays to go this month I thought I'd break up the celebrating by sharing my favorite CrockPot recipe and cooking blog! If you haven't been to A Year of CrookPotting...go! Go, as soon as you finish reading this post, of course.

When it come to making dinner I have rules (shh don't tell the Cooking Goddess. I don't want her to give up on me or lose my privileges...more on that later)
One: Quick prep
Two: Use the least amount of bowls, dishes, pans etc as possible
Three: Healthy, inexpensive and easy
Four: One dish meals rock!
Five: If I make it everyone tries it! Then you get to vote if we have it again.

The other night I made Stephanie's Creamy Corn and Spinach Enchiladas CrockPot Recipe. You must know I've never made enchiladas in my life and really probably never would have because they seemed like too much work and would require multiple side dishes. Then I saw Stephanie's recipe and it included two veggies. So I thought what the heck...can I just say, "Oh, my Yum!" I did make a slight variation that worked out great. I realized after I had the enchiladas all rolled and in the pot that I'd bought "hot" sauce ( I don't do hot) so I vented the lid with a toothpick and turned it on the slowest setting ( 8 hours, maybe) while I ran errands. About two hours later which was also about half an hour before I wanted to serve dinner, I got home and mixed the enchiladas sauce, sour cream poured it over the enchiladas and then topped with cheese. They stayed together perfectly. I also used flour tortillas for half and low carb tortillas for the other half (her recipes are gluten free so she used corn.) The flour wouldn't have lasted much longer, but the low carb ones had plenty of holding power left.

Let me know if you make this or something else yummy...it's nice to share and COMMENT ;D (hint, hint...with Mychel-Anne deserting me I need interaction)

Twelve, 12 лет старых, Yes, 12 years old today!!!

I don't know how it happened. I can watch the home movies, look through the scrapbooks, close my eyes and spend hours remembering, but I still can't tell you how our little Antoshka became big, twelve year old Will. I could go on and on but since I have tears streaming down my face I'd better stop...plus it's easy to embarrass my darling Will and he hates it when I get all emotional. So Happy, Happy Birthday My Sweet William!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Sarah dear!!!

Today is my sister Sarah's Birthday. I don't remember the day she was born, I'm not THAT much older. In fact, I don't have really any childhood memories without her. She doesn't have a blog yet because having pictures of her and her family on the internet kinda freaks her out...hopefully this will help get her over that hurdle. She's so amazing talented I'm dying to see what her blog would be like. So everyone have a piece of cake and ice cream or whatever the sugar rush of your choice is...on Sarah...she'll take all the calories for ya too! That's just the kinda person she is ;Dps Sorry no baby pictures because my scanner isn't working...trust me, she was adorable!

Tag. I'm it

10 random things about me because Christina asked.

• 10. I love liver and onions w/bacon, especially when my mom makes it. My heart smiles every time Zac proudly announces he and I are the only ones in the family who like liver and onions.
• 9. I'm not anything like the grownup I thought I'd be. Really, not even close.
• 8. I'd rather read that do most anything else, but I hate to buy books. I don't read books twice, almost never. Same with movies (the buying and twice part)
• 7. The older I get the less I like being alone for very long...go ahead Em, laugh, laugh out loud, make the call, gloat ;D
• 6. Naps are my talent
• 5. One of the worst days of the year for me is the first day of school. The last day of school is one of the best.
• 4. Double stuff Oreos are sooo much better than regular
• 3. shhh don't tell anyone and jinx it, but my boys will still cuddle with me sometimes
• 2. I still miss my dad everyday. My favorite compliment was when people told me I looked like him. Now when I see his features in my aging face...not so much...
• 1. I'm over the top, down right giddy, heart throbbing in love with my husband of over 19 years, even though we still don't have the communication thing figured out quite often. Our last two fights were about Asian salad and the first day of school...go figure.
  

If you wanna play...consider yourself tagged and then let me know so I can come over and read yours.

We're BACK and Remember When?

Internet's been down for a few days...I'm officially an addict. I nearly went to the library to check e-mail and blogs. Sooooo glad to be back! Christina...I did see the tag...I'm working on it ;)

My friend Shalene started this and I thought it would be fun. Hope you'll play along :D

1. As a comment on my blog, leave 1 memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, if it is recent or years old, silly or serious--anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

What REALLY Matters...at least according to Zac!

For nearly two years we planned this great last big family vacation before our angel daughter heads off to college. Two weeks together....beach, Philly, family....we're all looking forward to it. Kids count down our departure. We spend 3 days in Philly, do all the historical stuff, tour the city, get to see where grandparents and great grandparents lived. We spend a week at the beach with family we only get to see every other year, lots of cousins, boardwalk full of yummy food, rides etc. Spend three days with grandparent the boys adore. We go to Lancaster and see the Amish. Again, lots of yummy food. Boys were fascinated with their way of life. We stop and talk to an Amish farmer. He invites them in to see the barn and them milking cows. There's a big family party for Gary's mom. They all have a great time. Don't want to come home. We'd been home a few days when a family friend asks Zac how the vacation was...on a scale of 1-10. He gave it a 7! I used all my strength, self control and fear of prision to show him what I thought of this rating or burst out with a "Are you freakin' kiddin' ME! 7!"

Jump to last night. We have a yard full of brown shirted aliens...scout campout! Mind you it's beyond hot and humid here. No one in their right mind leaves the ac for long. It started at 1pm, but 1:15 everyone looked like they'd just gotten out of a pool...a stinky, gross pool, but dripping and drenched. They hike around, catch more bugs than I want to ever know about...all of which are currently residing in my freezer....scoutmaster's bright idea....something about insuring their dead, not just hibernating....ok that works for me, but I'm not going near that big white bug coffin. After dinner Gary made them a yummy dutch oven oatmeal cake etc, etc. About 9pm Zac pops inside for something and I ask...so on a scale of 1-10 how this? 8! He give it an dag gum 8!

I spent about $10 on food and didn't have to leave home...next time they mention going on vacation I'm gonna go buy some marshmallows and call the scoutmaster.

ps You may have noticed the lack of pictures. I sent the camera out with dear husband...who I'm going to refer to from now on as BB. Did BB take even one picture....stinker!