One of the most fun things of the Christmas Season is watching "Christmas Vacation". I'm hearing it has been 20 years since it came out. That's impossible. I'm not much older than that.
After recovering from the shock that yes, I am much older than that...cough! cough!....In an effort to kick off our "Fun Old-Fashioned Family Christmas", we sat down and enjoyed it again.
This scene is a classic...(language warning!!)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGxyIhsSAow
And another one.....(even worse language, I'm afraid)....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk74WprmZxY&feature=related
I don't think a week goes by that someone in our family doesn't toss out a one-liner from that movie. That, my friend, is the mark of a classic.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
'Tis the Season....
.....But you sure wouldn't know it to look at my home. We still have little wooden pumpkins and scarecrows adorning the manor. Aw, gimme a break. I've been really busy.
This week, it will change.
We did, however, have a big Thanksgiving.
We cooked two turkeys plus two turkey breasts, ham, and a bunch of deer meat. A plate of turkey and 1/2 the ham was left. We have some big eaters. Yes, we had allllll kinds of fixin's. I practically wore out my America's Test Kitchen cookbooks.
Dad and Nathan getting a turkey out of the oil-less turkey fryer...yum!:
This week, it will change.
We did, however, have a big Thanksgiving.
We cooked two turkeys plus two turkey breasts, ham, and a bunch of deer meat. A plate of turkey and 1/2 the ham was left. We have some big eaters. Yes, we had allllll kinds of fixin's. I practically wore out my America's Test Kitchen cookbooks.
Dad and Nathan getting a turkey out of the oil-less turkey fryer...yum!:
Hubby's parents were blessed ten years ago with four granddaughters in six months. My, how they have grown:
My dad, a renowned (well, in our area anyway) pianist asked the kids to play. Thing 1 played a song he composed, and here you see Thing 2 preparing to play one of her songs from lessons:
The Big Boy played "Moonlight Sonata". There sure are a lot of notes on those pages. They didn't play perfectly, but it was good enough to make Grandpa tear up a bit.
Last weekend I finally put away all the dishes. Now, we can move on to Christmas. I just have to convince myself that it's worth it this late in the season.......
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Hawaiian Sandwiches
A dear, sweet friend from church made these for us when we were moving a few years ago. My kids loved them and insist I make them on a regular basis.
Hawaiian Sandwiches
2 pkgs Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Cut in ½, put in 9x13 pan….holds 24 rolls
Top with:
1# ham
1#shredded mozzarella cheese
Put on the roll tops.
Mix:
1 stick melted butter
1 t Worcestershire
½ t dry mustard
Pour on top
Sprinkle with poppyseed
Cover with foil
Refrigerate overnight
Bake 325 degrees 30-40 minutes until cheese melts
Great to take to friends and neighbors when a meal is needed!
Hawaiian Sandwiches
2 pkgs Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Cut in ½, put in 9x13 pan….holds 24 rolls
Top with:
1# ham
1#shredded mozzarella cheese
Put on the roll tops.
Mix:
1 stick melted butter
1 t Worcestershire
½ t dry mustard
Pour on top
Sprinkle with poppyseed
Cover with foil
Refrigerate overnight
Bake 325 degrees 30-40 minutes until cheese melts
Great to take to friends and neighbors when a meal is needed!
Meatballs
This recipe was given to me by a good friend many years ago. It is probably my most requested recipe:
Meatballs
Frozen Italian Meatballs (from Walmart or Sam’s)
Cook a little while in crock pot until partially thawed.
Add:
2 C Ketchup
1 C Brown Sugar
2 t liquid smoke
¼ t garlic powder
Let simmer until cooked. Can stay in crock pot on low for a long time.
Extremely easy. Simply scrumptious!
Meatballs
Frozen Italian Meatballs (from Walmart or Sam’s)
Cook a little while in crock pot until partially thawed.
Add:
2 C Ketchup
1 C Brown Sugar
2 t liquid smoke
¼ t garlic powder
Let simmer until cooked. Can stay in crock pot on low for a long time.
Extremely easy. Simply scrumptious!
The Mighty Hunter
Last year during deer season, Hubby determined Thing 1 is a pretty good shot. He set a cup up about 100 yards away, and when the boy shot, they thought he had missed. It was still standing. Upon further inspection, however, they learned he had hit it so dead center it hadn't moved.
This year, he is putting the skill to good use. Earlier this year he went squirrel hunting:
Today was youth season. He spied an unsuspecting buck. He aimed. He shot. He scored!
His first buck. It's a banner day.
His celebration wish? Bob Evans. Of course.
This year, he is putting the skill to good use. Earlier this year he went squirrel hunting:
Today was youth season. He spied an unsuspecting buck. He aimed. He shot. He scored!
His first buck. It's a banner day.
His celebration wish? Bob Evans. Of course.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Speed Bumps....the Bane of My Existence
Despite my attempts to cut back, scale down, and whatever other ways you can say "have less to do", this autumn has been rather frenetic. Not the worst, but busy nonetheless. But more than busy, it has been mentally and emotionally challenging. I'm so thankful I heeded the nudge to say "no" over and over in preparation.
The sources of the challenges are, as it often is, multi-faceted. Probably the biggest adjustment is The Big Boy heading off to the University. I do not think I realized what a stabilizing force he was until he was gone. His absence has been an adjustment to everyone in the house. Although it has been difficult, I wouldn't change it. I think it has been hard, in many ways, because we are all so close. The kids are all pretty tight. When he has come home he has committed the entire weekend to the family, and has had his siblings piled on top of him until he has had to extricate himself on Sunday afternoon. Literally. The Things are so excited they barely breathe all weekend. The Big Girl and I cry when he arrives and we cry after he leaves. I'm still trying to figure that out.
We are adjusting. When I go clean downstairs and there are NO DIRTY UNDERWEAR ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR, I'm not feeling too misty-eyed. There are no tugs on my heart when I pick up the living room and note the lack of popcorn scattered on the floor. At least, not yet. But then again, I must admit I was pretty thankful for the full laundry room last time he came home. I was very glad to clean it all for him.
Another adjustment we have made is in homeschooling. I have "kicked things up" a notch. Or two. Maybe three. The bar has been raised and the Things have balked a bit at the new expectations. It has been all Clay and I can do to get them rolling again. Bless his heart, I couldn't have done it without him. I think, finally, they are getting the hang of the new schedule and adapting. As we (ahem) knew they could.
Clay has faced multiple huge challenges in his job. As with any career, there are "those" days and, well, this has been one of "those" years. The stress is wearing on him, causing us both a lot of sleepless nights and anxiety-filled days. We are thankful and blessed that he has a job to stress him out. We do understand that. It has been a rough haul, though, and I'm thinking the only ones benefitting are some obscure attorneys and the Sam Adams Brewery. Octoberfest came at a rather opportune, time, I might add.
At our new land, we installed a game camera. We piled corn on the ground so we could get pictures of the pretty deer we have spotted around the area. It was stolen. Who would do that? Meanies.
Though all of this has lent its own twist to the challenges of each day of soccer, baseball, school, work, etc., one might be surprised at the one thing that is about to send us over the edge.
Speed bumps.
We have lived in a subdivision of gravel roads for 3 1/2 years now. Coming from a rather rural area, i.e., "the country", that hasn't been a big deal. Gravel roads are a source of entertainment where we grew up. Have you ever been line birdin'? If not, some would say you haven't lived.
Recently, our subdivision had a vote and the majority went to paving the roads. We had visions of rising home values, clean cars, and less dust in our homes. It really is nice. Well, it was. Then, they put in speed bumps. And given the cash we forked over for those lovely paved roads, you can be sure it was under the assumption that they would be smooth, speed-bump free roads.
If you want to see the rebellious side of a person come out, put them in a speed bump maze. It doesn't take long for them to floor it and tear out of it, with no regard to auto damage. What are a few shocks when sanity is on the line?
Yes, we can handle stolen cameras, our chicks leaving the nest, school, jobs, and a world of hate. But speed bumps?
I'm not so sure.
The sources of the challenges are, as it often is, multi-faceted. Probably the biggest adjustment is The Big Boy heading off to the University. I do not think I realized what a stabilizing force he was until he was gone. His absence has been an adjustment to everyone in the house. Although it has been difficult, I wouldn't change it. I think it has been hard, in many ways, because we are all so close. The kids are all pretty tight. When he has come home he has committed the entire weekend to the family, and has had his siblings piled on top of him until he has had to extricate himself on Sunday afternoon. Literally. The Things are so excited they barely breathe all weekend. The Big Girl and I cry when he arrives and we cry after he leaves. I'm still trying to figure that out.
We are adjusting. When I go clean downstairs and there are NO DIRTY UNDERWEAR ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR, I'm not feeling too misty-eyed. There are no tugs on my heart when I pick up the living room and note the lack of popcorn scattered on the floor. At least, not yet. But then again, I must admit I was pretty thankful for the full laundry room last time he came home. I was very glad to clean it all for him.
Another adjustment we have made is in homeschooling. I have "kicked things up" a notch. Or two. Maybe three. The bar has been raised and the Things have balked a bit at the new expectations. It has been all Clay and I can do to get them rolling again. Bless his heart, I couldn't have done it without him. I think, finally, they are getting the hang of the new schedule and adapting. As we (ahem) knew they could.
Clay has faced multiple huge challenges in his job. As with any career, there are "those" days and, well, this has been one of "those" years. The stress is wearing on him, causing us both a lot of sleepless nights and anxiety-filled days. We are thankful and blessed that he has a job to stress him out. We do understand that. It has been a rough haul, though, and I'm thinking the only ones benefitting are some obscure attorneys and the Sam Adams Brewery. Octoberfest came at a rather opportune, time, I might add.
At our new land, we installed a game camera. We piled corn on the ground so we could get pictures of the pretty deer we have spotted around the area. It was stolen. Who would do that? Meanies.
Though all of this has lent its own twist to the challenges of each day of soccer, baseball, school, work, etc., one might be surprised at the one thing that is about to send us over the edge.
Speed bumps.
We have lived in a subdivision of gravel roads for 3 1/2 years now. Coming from a rather rural area, i.e., "the country", that hasn't been a big deal. Gravel roads are a source of entertainment where we grew up. Have you ever been line birdin'? If not, some would say you haven't lived.
Recently, our subdivision had a vote and the majority went to paving the roads. We had visions of rising home values, clean cars, and less dust in our homes. It really is nice. Well, it was. Then, they put in speed bumps. And given the cash we forked over for those lovely paved roads, you can be sure it was under the assumption that they would be smooth, speed-bump free roads.
If you want to see the rebellious side of a person come out, put them in a speed bump maze. It doesn't take long for them to floor it and tear out of it, with no regard to auto damage. What are a few shocks when sanity is on the line?
Yes, we can handle stolen cameras, our chicks leaving the nest, school, jobs, and a world of hate. But speed bumps?
I'm not so sure.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"All I Can Say"
The David Crowder Band's new release, "Church Music" comes out today. I already have it ordered and hope to see it before the week is out.
I really enjoy their music. Today on the way to work I was listening to their song, "All I Can Say". The good thing about the trip to work is that it is about 45 minutes long, and if I get in the mood, I can sing along with music from the iPod.
So today, for nearly 45 minutes, I listened to (and sang) "All I Can Say" over and over. Read the lyrics, and maybe you'll understand why.
All I Can Say
By The David Crowder Band
Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
I really enjoy their music. Today on the way to work I was listening to their song, "All I Can Say". The good thing about the trip to work is that it is about 45 minutes long, and if I get in the mood, I can sing along with music from the iPod.
So today, for nearly 45 minutes, I listened to (and sang) "All I Can Say" over and over. Read the lyrics, and maybe you'll understand why.
All I Can Say
By The David Crowder Band
Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
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