Why I Decided to Blog

I am a stay-at-home mom.  When we moved here three months ago, I didn't know a single person.  We are a couple of hours away from our family.  It's not like I can drop by to see them out of the blue.  It can get a little lonely when my hubby is away.  Heck, it can get a little lonely even if he is just in the basement. 

Am I needy?  Nah, can't be me. 

So rather than take up talking to myself to keep my sanity, I decided to blog.  It's better to type to myself than talk to myself, right?

Don't get me wrong, I love being able to stay home with my kiddos.  It is something I wouldn't trade for the world...most days anyway.  But, there are those days where I crave interaction from the outside world. 

Also, I am quite possibly the world's worst momma when it comes to writing down important milestones in our kid's lives.  I always have good intentions, but it just doesn't happen.  I would love to scrapbook and chronicle what is going on with us, but for some reason I just can't find the time.  Maybe, just maybe, I can keep up with what is going on in the days of our lives here. 

I so high-tech instead of baby books, I have a blog that my kids can read to their kids.  Except for the whole first couple years of their lives.  Dang, I should have started this thing earlier.

So, there it is, my reasoning for starting this blog.

Thanks for stopping by,
Carrie

On a side note, I don't have an English degree.  I try to do my best with my grammar, but I know I don't get it right all the time.  I am a firm believer in spell check, but that doesn't always guarantee that I get it right either.    

My Son's Eating Habits

My son used to eat anything and everything you gave him.  He loved those biter biscuits.  He would get soooo messy eating them.  He went directly to the bath tub when he was finished.

He liked fruits, veggies, pureed chicken and noodles, lasagna...you name it he would eat it.  Life was easy.  I didn't have to worry about what to make him so that he would eat. 

Fast forward a year and a half later.  I now have a very picky eater.  He only likes certain things.  Don't get me wrong, he will play with any food, but ingesting it is a big no go. 

He really likes fruit and he used to really like veggies.  To be honest, that was all that I wanted when I was pregnant with him.  Lots of fruits and veggies.  I came real close to foundering on fruits and veggies, but then I came to and had a cheeseburger.  C-man will eat just about any fruit you give him.  He used to love green beans, but lately I have had a hard time getting him to eat them.  He loves olives...what kid likes olives?!?!?!?  He is definitely a big goober!!  He will sometimes eat noodles and sometimes he will eat mac-n-cheese.  He loves cottage cheese and yogurt.  

Meat?!?!?! Fugettabboutit.  I have to force him to eat it.  Even chicken strips.  Except breakfast sausage.  That kid will eat and eat and eat breakfast sausage.  He out eats his daddy on sausage.  

I worry about if the silly goofball is getting enough to eat.  It is a tricky deal.  Do I pander to him and only give him what he wants?  Or do I cook just one meal for the entire family and if he eats he eats and if he don't then he don't.  He can try again at the next meal. 

As of right now, he waits and can try again at the next meal.  

Ahhh, the life of a mother.

Carrie    

Four Eyes

My baby girl has a new accessory.  She got her first pair of glasses a couple of weeks ago. 

It is no wonder that she has to have them. 

My mother had horrible eyes.  Her glasses were super thick.  My brother and I would play with them.  We would put them on and try to walk in a straight line.  I am pretty sure that it was impossible. 

My daughter's daddy (AKA, my husband) had horrible eyes too.  He got them fixed a few years ago with Lasik surgery. 

She had said something about not being able to see the board at school several months ago.  I dismissed it.  I just figured that someone else had glasses and that she wanted them too.  I remember thinking that glasses were the coolest at that age.  Then she said something about not being able to see the board again.  So, I finally gave in and took her to the eye doctor.  It turns out that she is a blind as a bat.

She is doing a really good job with them.  I have yet to tell her to put her glasses on.  But, come on now...why wouldn't you wear your glasses when you look that good in them?!?!?!?

 

Gopher

I was Clint's gopher today.  You know, go for this and go for that...gopher.  He needed me to pick up a sprayer for him in a town a couple of hours away.  It reminded me of several years ago. 

I was Dad's gopher for a while.  I was so excited about being able to finally drive myself around that I loved it.  He would send me to get a part in a couple of towns away.  Most of the time he would call the shop before I headed their direction.  He would tell them what he was needing and give the store clerk a description of me.  I can only imagine that his description was that a skinny, blonde, confused looking girl would be in there in a bit.  They would gladly give me what I was there for and send me on my happy little way.  Then there were times that Dad would tell me specifically what he needed and I would be on my own.  I would drop into the place and pull out my cheat sheet and tell the guy what I was there for.  I am pretty sure that once I drew a picture of the part that Dad needed.  Knowing my drawing skills, I am sure that the store got a kick of what that tool or part was supposed to be. 

Then there was this time that my hubby sent me on a part run.  We used to have this older Blazer.  It was always throwing U-joints.  Clint was constantly working on it.  This particular time he thought he could get it up and running with a part from the big city.  I happened to be going there for a meeting so he asked me to stop by there and pick it up for him.  It didn't seem like a problem.  I could stop by there during a lunch break and be back to my meeting without missing a beat.  But there was a problem, unbeknownst to us.  It seems that the part that my hubby needed was only available at this one place.    This one place was the seedy part of town.  You know, the one that you don't want to be at after dark.  Thank goodness that I went on my lunch break instead of after the meeting.  I am happy to say that I survived.  I wasn't mugged or robbed, and Clint got his part. 

I will never let him forget that part run.  In fact, I brought it up just last weekend. 

The gopher,
Carrie

The Bird

My parents have this bird.  Its name is Bob.  It was a little guy when they got it.  It was spoiled excessively by my mom.  She made him birdie cereal for breakfast every morning.  He ate at the dining room table with her.  Like I said, excessively spoiled.  One day while Mom was away at a meeting, Bob was eating at the table with us and he flew over to my shoulder.  I wasn't too keen on the bird, but I allowed him to stay.  Then the little snot bit the ever livin' pee-wadins' out of my ear.  I screamed...you might say that I was a little dramatic, maybe that is where my daughter gets it?!?!?!  Dad, who was two chairs over, reached over and thumped the little twit. 


It was one of those dad thumps.  The ones that hurt like crazy when you are being too loud in church.  You can ask my brother, he knows all about those.  What is it about those dad thumps?  Is it a prerequisite before becoming a dad to know how to perform these thumps?  Or is it just because all the men in my life have strong hands, therefore a strong thump? 


So the spoiled birdie got a thump.  He was put back in his cage and not allowed back out until Mom came home.  She tried to let him out several times but every time he was given the chance, he wouldn't behave and would have to go back.  He is a funny bird.  Sometimes he is good and sings and talks and lets you rub his head.  Then there are days that he wakes up on the wrong side of the perch.  You know to stay away from him on those days.  He will try to bite you and if you try to spoil him with a carrot or other treat he will grab it and then throw it on the floor.  He is a very temperamental bird. 

He stays in my parents office and can mimic the telephone really well.  And Dad's sneeze.  And he whistles. 

The bird was Dad's deal.  He used to have a bird years ago.  He had to get rid of it when I was born.  Maybe that's why the bird bit me?!?!  While he is a different bird than what Dad had before maybe he had heard through the grapevine of my evil ways.  Hmmmm...interesting. 

Is there such thing as bad birdie karma? 

Carrie

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made cookies yesterday.  It was Monday.  Is that a good reason to make cookies?  Good!!! Because that is what I did.  Then I ate them...A LOT of them...I ate A LOT of them.  Seriously, someone should come take them away.

This cookie recipe has been my go to recipe for many years.  I even brought these to my boyfriend in high school when he was in the hospital.  They must be pretty good.  He married me a few years later.  That's what did it, the cookies sealed the deal.  He had to marry me.  They were THAT good!!! 

Start with shortening in your mixing bowl.

Add butter.

And sugar.

And brown sugar.

Add a couple of eggs.

And vanilla.

Then mix.

Add flour to your mixture.

And salt.

And baking soda.

Add chopped pecans.  The pecans are optional, but I love the added flavor.

Mix again.

Add chocolate chips.

Mix the chocolate chips into your dough.  I usually do this by hand so that I don't break up any of the chips.  Just my preference.  You can do it however you like.

Yummmm, look at that deliciousness.  Please refrain from eating any of the cookie dough.  I did not and I repeat did not sneak any dough in the making of these cookies.

In this step, I press some plastic wrap against the surface of the dough.  I let it chill for 30 minutes while I go clean up whatever mess my son just made.

Then, using a cookie scoop or two teaspoons, place cookie dough in small rounds on an ungreased cookie sheets.

Yummmm!!!!  Please refrain from scooping up this fine specimen of a cookie and popping it into your mouth.  I did not and I repeat did not do that.

Now bake the cookies in a 375 degree oven for about 11-12 minutes. You don’t want them to be overly brown, but if they’re too underbaked they’ll be overly gooey.

You may have to clean the door of your oven after you get done.  There might be some greasy fingerprints on it.

Behold, the cookies are done.  And they look delicious.  Enjoy!

If you are feeling naughty add some ice cream to your cookies.

And if you are feeling really naughty add some chocolate. 

I should state for the record that this is not my bowl.  It is my daughters. 

I am so proud of her.  I really taught her right.

Hope you enjoy the cookies!  My family sure did, burp!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 c shortening

2/3 c butter or margarine, soft

1 c sugar

1 c brown sugar (packed)

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

3 c flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

1 c chopped pecans (optional)

1 12 oz pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla.  Mix in remaining ingredients.   

Chill dough for 30 minutes.

Bake for 11-12 minutes until cookies are light brown.

Makes about 6 dozen or 72 cookies.

Enjoy!!!

My Little Daredevil

My wild and crazy two year old son is a daredevil.  One of our good friends found him a little four wheeler that is not meant to be ridden.  It is just to play with.  Of course, C-man decided that he can ride it.  He gets on and heads for the kitchen tile.  He starts on one end of the kitchen and drives as fast as he can to the other end.  He usually yells, "Watch out!  Coming through!" 

He drives it at just above the speed limit.  One of these days the highway patrol is going to stop him. 

I find it really comical. He is clearly too big to ride on it.  It reminds me of the clowns at the fair driving those little cars.  

Meet Gage

I am pleased to introduce you to Gage, our lab.  I use the word "our" very loosely.  Gage is my husband's dog.  Clint worked me over for a year before I finally gave him the go ahead.  He was not going to be my dog.  I did not want to have anything to do with him.  NMP was my motto when we went to get him, Not My Puppy!!!!

Then, I looked into his eyes.  And, I melted. 

Awww, look at him.   


Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?


8 months later...I would like to introduce you to Gage! 

He says, "Hi!"  He hasn't quite figured out the personal space issue. 

He is a mess.  He loves digging, chewing, and destroying doggie beds.  He just destroyed #3. 
He tried to tell me that Pepper, our Boston Terrier, did it.  But I caught on to his mischevious ways. Especially because he had green batting hanging out of his mouth.   
Momma put her foot down and said no more.  No more pet beds if you are just going to chew them up.  He looked at me with sad puppy dog eyes and said he would be a good boy and that he wouldn't do it again.  But he tried the same thing with bed #2 and I gave in.  Not this time.  I told him, "No sir, you can't have another pet bed.  You have been very naughty.  You have to sleep on towels from here on out." 

He isn't talking to me now.  Except when I feed him and when I give him a rawhide and when I let him out to potty.  Other than that he is not speaking to me.

Lazy Days Bierox

I remember when I was a kid, I would groan and whine when we had bierox at school.  I thought they were soooo gross!!!!  Now, I dream of bierox.  Can I please go back in time?  I would eat the school cafeteria's bierox every day until I foundered on them. 

I overheard someone talking about bierox a couple of years ago, and I eavesdropped until I heard their secret.  The secret is to use packaged frozen dinner rolls for the bread of the bierox.  Genius!!!!!  I am all about shortcuts!

I buy Rhodes White Texas Rolls for the breading.  You can find them in your local grocery store in the frozen bread area.  

Place the frozen rolls onto a greased baking pan.  Let the rolls rise for 3-5 hours.  There is also a speedy rise option that takes 1 1/2 hours listed on the back of the package.  You know for those of you that get busy with life and forget to set them out in time.

Brown the hamburger.

Season the hamburger as you please.  I just used salt and pepper.  I don't usually get very fancy with my seasonings.  Unless I feel like being fancy, then I am real fancy.

Drain the grease off the hamburger.

Then I get real sneaky or lazy, however you want to put it.  For the cabbage in the bierox, I just use the packaged coleslaw.

Top the hamburger with cabbage coleslaw.



Put the lid on your pan to let the coleslaw steam.

After the coleslaw is limp combine it with the hamburger.

Look at those plump rolls.  Aren't they big and fluffy?  No?

They should be.  Don't be like me.  Be a good baker, let your buns rise. 

I am in the middle of a big feud with yeast.  So far it is winning.  The last couple of things I have tried to make that involved yeast were a total flop. 

So, you have let your rolls rise and they are big and fluffy, right?

Pick up a roll, and flatten it into a pancake with your fingers.

Add the hamburger mixture to the middle of your flattened roll.

Pinch the roll together so the hamburger mixture won't fall out.

Place the bierox seam side down on the baking sheet.

Lather, rinse, repeat.  I mean, I mean repeat.  Please don't lather and rinse.  I got my directions confused with another process.

Then put the bierox in the oven.

Once the bierox are nice and toasty and light brown on the top, remove from oven.

Just because I am me, I butter the tops of the bierox after I pull them from the oven.  I want to run the extra lap, right?  No, I don't and I won't run that lap, but I love butter.

Mmmmm, look at those delicious bierox. 

Enjoy with some mustard on the side, or not.  Whatever floats your boat.  I prefer Boetje's.  It has a delicious flavor with a kick.

Make a lot more than you think you will need.  You will eat them, trust me on this.  I always make a double-batch. 

Here is the recipe in a handier format.

Lazy Days Bierox

Dozen Rhodes White Texas Rolls

1 lb hamburger

Salt and Pepper, or seasonings of choice

2 c coleslaw

butter

mustard, optional

Place a dozen Rhodes White Texas Rolls on a greased baking sheet. Allow to rise in a warm room for 3-5 hours. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown hamburger over medium-high heat in a larger skillet.  Season as desired.

Once hamburger is completely cooked, drain the fat.

Reduce heat to low.

With hamburger in the bottom of your skillet, place 2 cups of coleslaw on top.  Place the lid on your pan and let coleslaw steam for 15-20 minutes.

Combine hamburger with coleslaw.

Flatten the roll with your fingers.  Add 1/4 cup of hamburger mixture to the flattened roll.  Pinch together the sides of the roll so the hamburger mixture won't fall out.  Place seam side down on your baking sheet.  Repeat.

Place bierox in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they are light brown on top.

Remove from oven and lather butter over the top of the bierox. 

Enjoy!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Carrie