Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving!


I've been decorating, cleaning and BAKING! Oh My! the main reason I haven't been blogging...

Yesterday I made banana bread, two pumpkin pies, yam cake (I posted the recipe not too long ago here), a pecan pie, and Cinnamon tarts out left over pie crust dough... They were GONE in seconds I took them when I picked up Katie, Shelby and Emily after school... ANYWAY I'm so DONE with baking for at least a few days. I guess I'll be roasting a turkey tomorrow...

My parents are coming from Ohio to visit. They'll be here sometime this morning. I was scrambling to get the gift baskets done for them to take back. (Willa if you are reading this you just spoilt your surprise.) I think they turned out cute! It's all the ingredients for my current favorite recipe Curried chicken with peanut sauce. A lot of WOW factor for little work, and taste divine!


Well I've got last minute things to get done... Start the chili, shop for fruit for the fruit salad, get the ladder off the front porch...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I'm in Form Filling Out HELL!

My husband's company has been informed of a HUGE increase in premiums on health insurance because of some major claims with in the company. So it will be cheaper for us to pay for me and the children on a different health insurance policy, the jump for family was obscene! That is how I got in form filling out H-E double hockey sticks... unreal the information that they want. Our complete health history for the past 10 years and all prescriptions for the past two years... I have calls in all over to get the information. I'm not organized about health stuff because the girls and I have been pretty healthy...knock on wood... I'm not sure why they need all this from me since they will be asking our old insurance company about claims. Just another form of bureaucracy to drive a person NUTS.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Football food

Food yesterday for all day football watching was New England clam chowder. (Titans were away in Jacksonville)

Here's my recipe

1 small onion minced/ chopped
2 T butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup ham chunks or Canadian . bacon
1/4 flour
1 large can of whole baby clams
2 cans of minced clams
4 bottles of clameto
1 bag of hash brown potato chunks
1 cup of milk
salt
pepper SPICES TO TASTE ( about ½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon)
garlic powder
onion powder
old bay seasoning

Heat the first 3 ingredients till onions are translucent. Add flour to make rue. Add the rest of the ingredients except milk. Heat till boiling let boil about 10 minutes till potatoes are done add milk reduce heat let simmer another 10.

I had saltines and corn muffins with this. YUM!

10 & 0 TITANS! Scrappin Halloween, & GO PREDS!

Justin Gage two AWESOME catches!

What can I say? THE TITANS ROCK!



the theme of this page is all the little wiggly eyes, eyes period. I put eyes on everything. It was fun page. I'll be plugging away on these pictures for a long, long time.

The Predators play the Sharks tonight at HOME! It's been a while! I've missed going to games! Nothing like hockey live! GO PREDS! make sushi out those fish! Pretty please!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Got Your Game Face On?

ME from after the last home game. I'm amazed I didn't sweat off that tattoo!

The Jags are going to gunning for the Titans in Jacksonville. GO TITANS!

Yesterday was a fairly busy day. I took Katie to get her "skinny" jeans. Reward for a GOOD report card. I bought a birthday gift for Jeanne Hepborn's BIG 40. They had some very lovely smelling and looking candles at Kohl's with matching candle plates. I bought the HOPE one with the pecan caramel scent. I thought it smelled yummy.

Courtney went off to the movies with Jesse. He is now work at the movie theater. One nice perk of that job is two free movie tickets a week and all the pop corn you can eat! I remember those days Jim use to work at the theater in Conneaut...

Jeanne's Birthday party was lovely. It was at one of my favorite restaurants, Goodness Gracious. GREAT FOOD! I didn't think to tuck my camera in my purse. DRAT! Shawn got her the most beautiful cake! I'm getting the name of the cake lady Courtney's sweet 16 is coming up fast. The price was reasonable and GORGEOUS.

Watch the end of the Vanderbuilt game against Ketucky. They won! 6 games bowl bound!

Predators took on the the LA Kings last night. Elis stood tall in goal and got Nashville the win. Hope he is as good again Monday for the Home game against San Jose snarks...I mean Sharks. the only thing good about them is they wear teal....LOL!
they'll be gunning for the Preds because they spoilt their unblemished home game win record (snicker, snicker). Preds back in 8th for the play off hunt...

Friday, November 14, 2008

In my own little fog...

I'm having one of those lost weeks... I really don't feel like doing much of anything. I have the normal stuff laundry, kitchen cleaning, etc... but I'm not very inspired. I think I used up all my inspiration in October, and I'm still stunned it is November... heck it's half OVER!

BETTER GET IT IN GEAR!

Salute to the election.... Jennifer & Carl at the Halloween party


On a happier note yesterday the girls got their report cards. MUCH to my surprise and JOY Katie got all A's & B's well she missed the B in math by 2 points ( didn't an 83 use to be a B?) Any way I already knew she was getting an 83 because of Ms Gray Email. Courtney my darling over achiever got straight A's. She got a 102% in her Science course something to do with bonus points. Any way I'm a proud and happy mama.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Woo Hoo! tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Not much happening around here right now. Tonight is Bunco night. I need to drink fruit juice, take a B complex vitamin, and take an aspirin...LOL! Totally looking forward to it!

Jim brought the dogs raw hide bones home day before yesterday. I think Cookie is in LOVE. She keeps stealing Dyson's bone too and hiding it. Spoilt little princess.
She sure is a cute ball of fur That's what keeps her alive when she wakes me up at 4 AM.

Happy Thursday!

PS Oakland lost the swim meet by just a few points...BUMMER

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

PREDS BEAT SHARKS! aka All is Right in My World & Courtney's Swim meet too!

WOO HOO! Ruined the Sharks streak. Preds really needed a win!


OAKLAND(Patriots) VS RIVERDALE ( Warriors)

Getting all ready to GO!

My action photography with the long distance lense needs WORK.
Courtney racing! Watch out Michael Phelps. ROFLMAO!

that blur on her swim cap is Patriot logo


Yesterday was Oaklands second swim meet against Riverdale. I was there the whole time took pics, but I can't tell you who won... Jim even kept up with some of the stats. Still clueless...SAD! Courtney swam in it doesn't know... Guess I'll find out tonight. It was our first meet. They had to do the math. I don't think it was done yet. Oakland had one other meet they won. I think this was MUCH closer. It was fun to watch there was always action going on, a lot of noise. Maybe by the end of the season I'll master my camera and understand the scoring... maybe, maybe not there IS hope.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Terrific Tuesday

Katie was a studying fool Monday afternoon after school. Threaten her clothing supply and you get results. We'll see how this turns out.

Yesterday I was very productive I cleaned up the kitchen started the laundry, dusted the bedroom... I knew I had to get the heck out of the house! after pestering Debra with a barrage of texts. I get one back asking if I'd go to Cool Springs to get Michael's hockey stuff. Heck yes! PRISON BREAK! Guess staying home all weekend pretty much with no parties or games got to me... We did eat out as a family sushi...
guess I wasn't in hermit mode as much as I thought...

Any way we got all the hockey gear, then went off to worship SHOES & PURSES. I could have easily spent a couple of thousand.... DIDN'T, not that NUTS. Matter of fact I didn't spend any money till we got to Marti & Liz's where I bought the same shoes I was looking at Belk's for almost 3rd of the price $25 not $70. the $70 at Belk's was the SALE price they had been $120... LOVE Marti & Liz's. We went from there to Marshall's and I got the jardinieres I've been wanting for displays for $9.99 a piece. I was thrilled!!! Same thing was $40 on sale at Pottery barn last year I got 2 for less than half that price. those Cinnamon pine cones will have a happy home with some gold and red balls!


these are HUGE! 2 feet tall
Gotta love RED SHOES!

This put in a Christmasy mood! WOO HOO! Too bad it's November LOL!

9 and 0 BABY!

WAY TO GO TITANS!Thanks mostly to Kerry Collins!
No running game no problem! He'll just pass the ball.

Exciting nail biter of a game! Thank you defense! Lots of batted down balls, way to go! WOO HOO!

Well, I knew if there was smoke there was probably fire. Turns out as I'd feared that the math class isn't the only area Katie is slacking off on in school. I just got a look at her grammar test from language arts. She is re-taking the test tomorrow to HOPEFULLY get a MUCH better grade, that was the note I got to sign. I feel like strangling her. I went over the test briefly, because she gave it to me just before she had to leave this morning. She hid it all weekend. It wasn't a very hard test. I guess after school today will be going over rules of grammar I wish she would have shown me soon then we'd have a weekend to work on it not just one night. She doesn't realize it but she shot herself in the foot. I warned her she'll be grounded for the next 6 weeks if there is anything lower than a C on her report card. If there are more than one C tutors are in her future. No new clothes because I'll be paying for tutors with the money. She just doesn't get it. This is her job to get ready for college. I'm hoping the light bulb will come on...

Happy Moan-day morning!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Something Different than Pumpkin Pie

Got this off Martha's Stewart's site

Serves 8 to 10
· 2 pounds (about 3) sweet potatoes
· 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
· Unsalted butter, for pans
· 2 cups cake flour, (not self-rising), plus more for pans
· 4 large eggs
· 2 cups sugar
· 2 teaspoons baking powder
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
· 3 tablespoons brandy
· 1 1/2 cups unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
· 1 pound white chocolate
· 2 cups heavy cream
Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Coat potatoes with 1/4 cup vegetable oil,and place on baking sheet. Bake until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove skin, and mash flesh with a fork into coarse puree.
2. Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees. Butter two 8-by-1 1/2-inch round cake pans, dust with flour, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup vegetable oil; beat on medium speed until well combined. Add the cooled sweet potatoes; mix until combined.
3. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix into sweet potato mixture. Mix in vanilla and brandy until combined. Remove batter from mixer; fold in 1 cup macadamia nuts by hand.
4. Evenly distribute cake batter into prepared pans, and transfer to the oven. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let pans cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto rack; cool completely, about 1 1/4 hours.
5. Meanwhile, chop white chocolate into small pieces; set aside. Bring 1 cup cream to a boil; pour over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Chill for 30 to 40 minutes.
6. When chocolate mixture has cooled, pour remaining cup cream into an electric mixer; whip on medium until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.
7. Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, creating four layers. Spread 2/3 cup chocolate frosting on one layer, then stack next layer on top, and frost. Repeat frosting-and-stacking process until each layer is frosted. Spread remaining frosting on sides and top of cake. Arrange remaining 1/2 cup macadamia nuts on top of cake, and serve.


Something different than the normal pumpkin or candied yam pie for a change!


GO TITANS!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Odds & Ends



I'm making embellishments to go with the costumes everyone wore to the party this year. When I'd decided on a theme for this year I found some poor unloved wedding dress Jolee stickers at Hobby Lobby for about .75 so I picked it up in speculation. I found a groom one at Michael's when they were having a sticker sale. They've been sitting in my work area ever since. I wasn't sure how I was going to use them or if I could make them work. With all the Day of Dead stuff with brides and grooms I thought I'd put my own twist to it. the skulls are from the Oriental trader's felt borders. They just seem to have the right twist of creepy & commical to pull it off.
I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Now I have to come up with something for Ike & Tina Turner, Sarah & Todd Palin, etc...

Friday, November 7, 2008

Rain, blabbing on...Nothing a good cup Won't FIX


It is a very light nice type of rain, not even cold out at least yet anyway. I'm enjoying the sounds. It wasn't unpleasant to walk Cookie in it.

Miss Katie turned in all her math papers, and got at least her 85%. So barring any other unpleasant surprises she should be getting at least a B in that class. Now I'm worrying about the rest of her classes... nice to have something else to worry about ROFL!

Tuesday Courtney had her first swim meet. They swam against Lavergna, and beat them soundly both the men's and women's Oakland teams.

Last night Courtney was helping cater an event at the high school for her culinary arts class. How table waiting and busing is part of culinary arts I'm not sure. I guess seeing how an even is run is a good thing. More like the school got wait staff for free... I'm not at all impressed with this class. They have yet really to cook a thing. I went to school for culinary arts. I have an associates degree in it. From day one we were cooking, and baking. I realize that was college but after 6 weeks they should have learned all the tools and utensils, measurements, how to modify recipes to serve more or less. The only way you really learn is by doing... Heck I did more in my 7th grade home economics class than they are in a high school class. I think Courtney wasted some of her valuable time taking this class. I hope I'm proven wrong.

OMG! the Preds game last night. It was the wildest game ever. They were down by 5 goals at one point. They battled their way bake to almost win. There were fights all over the place. The goal tending and defense for both teams...YUCK. Rinne should not have been in goal at first, and our defense men need to get it together. WOW. The power play I almost cringe to call it that... BUT if you like goal scoring this was your game 6 to 7. I'd prefer a WIN. Horrible road trip so far.

The Browns once again snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. WOW! They've got to be snake bit. Good thing I'm a Titans fan... still have a soft spot for the Browns though, old habits and such...

Tonight Oakland Football Team plays in the first round of the plays offs. they host being one of the top seats. I hope it isn't raining for it.

I did sit ups last night. This morning my stomach muscles are sore. YIKES! I really didn't do that many... getting SOFT. Guess I should drag my behind to the gym, but it is raining and everyone is going to be driving like idiots except me...
I did have this horrible dream about going over a cliff in a SUV... though I do believe that was more of a function of my subconscious trying to wake me before I wet the bed...LOL! Still you can never be too careful right? LOL! Maybe another shot of coffee will get my juices flowing. I really enjoyed my last Zumba class.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

After Halloween Let Down/ Math Class Woes

the nightmare is just beginning...
I think most people feel this way after Christmas and New Years. All the anticipation, preparations, and expectations, DONE. I must say that this year went extremely well. We had an exceptional Halloween. Taking down the decorations is always a bummer. The house just looks so bare! I am putting up Thanksgiving/fall type stuff but not nearly the amount. Who would have the energy? I've got to get my energy level up for Thanksgiving. Good thing I have a few weeks before then. My parents are supposed to be coming from Ohio barring catastrophe and/or snow...

I'm debating whether to start putting up Christmas up when they are here. That way people will see it. Nice to have people see the decorations if you go to the trouble of putting them up...

Oh well, I'm a bit BLAH today part of the whole let down thing... Halloween over, election over, and traveling husband. The icing on my cake of BLAH is my tween messing up in her math class. I got the email yesterday from her teacher. This is the EASIEST math class ever. I'm still so angry. The teacher doesn't grade homework she just checks to see if it is done and complete. They go over it in class to see if anyone has any problems. They then do a workbook page that is graded. If they don't receive at least a 85% on the workbook they can do it over up 3 times to get to 85%. As long as you do the home work assignments which are a point a piece and do the work book you are guarantied at least a B in the class. plus there are extra credit assignments. My Katie wasn't redoing her workbook. She had 4 under 85% that she just had not bothered to go back and redo. Needless to say she got grounded and the work was completed last night. I only wish the teacher had let me know sooner. The kicker is her math book is the best math book I have ever seen. It gives very clear examples and spoon feeds the lessons. They even have this wonderful website. When she doesn't under stand something does she read the book? NO! I haven't studied this stuff in YEARS and I can pick it up in minutes. Granted I am college educated, but NEVER a math whiz. Katie isn't stupid. she is actual pretty smart when she applies herself. She just isn't trying. She is making me crazy. How can I motivate her? I really don't think grounding her is great motivation. HELP!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Feeling a little ill...

The Preds lost a stinker last night in Vancouver, and Obama won... I think I just threw up a little in my mouth... I sincerely hope I'm wrong about Obama and the way the Preds season is going. BUT I have this sinking feeling I'm dead on track. PLEASE prove me wrong!

I cleaned the garage yesterday as I was making room for taken down the yard display. All that dust didn't help.... I love the shop vacuum! I found a box of
tee shirts left over from the last convention. They are going to Goodwill today. I found another box of canvas bags too! I'll be using those grocery shopping. WOO HOO going GREEN no more plastic bags for a while.

Katie is trying to play hooky from school. It isn't happening...

It didn't.

I went back to Zumba today. It felt good! I really need to move! Maybe I'll make it 169 by the new year....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Halloween's last Hurray!

My oldest daughter's Halloween Party
Jesse & Courtney

richard & Bethany

Kori eating again...

Will & Alicia
Will you were supposed to dress up....LOL!



Well, my house is still standing. Not a crumb of pizza was left. All and all a success! Most kids dressed up. Was a very nice party.

I'm officially Halloweened OUT!

Monday, November 3, 2008

8 and 0 BABY!

HOW ABOUT THOSE TENNESSEE TITANS!
Rob Bironas after the winning field goal (Pic from Titans site)

Woo Hoo! What a nail biter! Totally worth sitting in the HOT sun. The weather was the total opposite of Monday night. Tennessee isn't quite ready yet to give up on summer it seems. The frozen lemonaide stand made a killing! LOL!

We had a great time tailgating! I made light sausage balls and cheese sauce. Bought some left over bleeding rat cup cake from Halloween.

LITE Sausage ball recipe

1 pound Jimmy Dean Lite sausage
1 cut bread crumbs ( you can use whole wheat ones)
1 cup 2% milk cheese shreds ( I prefer cheddar but any will do)
2 eggs

Mix throughly make into small balls. Place balls on cookie sheet.(I cover my cookie sheets with parchment paper foe easy clean up and to absorb more grease) Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes

Sunday, November 2, 2008

After Halloween Shopping & Suite Dreams

I went out first thing Saturday morning to shop the sales. I hit the MOTHER LOAD! I LOVE the Huge spider I found! I'm very pleased! I have all the paper products for next year even the invitations! I have a very good start for next years theme.

Bob & Debra Beagle bid on a suite tickets for a Predator game and WON! We lucked out and got ask to go. nice to have the potty two steps away and FOOD. too bad we'd pigged out on sushi before the game.

Dare Devil Gnash

Pred head. We sit on the other side usually so I never get shots of it. I should have listened to Jim and brought the "good" camera. C'est la vie!


Preds beat the Florida Panthers in OT martin Erat score the only goal in the shoot out. Rinne did a good job in goal. Preds are on an extended road trip no HOME game till the 17th of November.

Today the Titans play Green Bay getting ready to tail gate! Beer is chilled, sausage balls done and cheese sauce on the way!
GO TITANS!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Final front yard haunt

only one in the dark that half turned out right needed to use a tripod




Now I have to put it way.... What the heck was I thinking???? ROFL!