Pics that I Love

 

First, and foremost, I love this picture because it is home.  The large monstrosity is our local coop elevator.  It stores the local farmers' harvested crop of wheat, corn, canola, and sorghum.  I drove an old, large wheat truck full of wheat the summer after my 16th birthday to it.  I promise to write about that adventure very soon.

My husband is on the road quite a bit with his job.  Because he is in the agriculture industry he is usually in remote rural areas.  He started taking some pictures of things that I might love.  He hit the nail on the head, I love this one. 

 

I love how this seems to be the only structure for miles.  I also love how the train tracks run right by it.

 

Confession time - I love sepia tone pictures.  I love how rough and old-timey it makes the picture feel.  In a sense, I feel that I have traveled back in time.  I can't decide which picture I like better, sepia tone or color.  Do you have a favorite?

Another great structure long forgotten by the railroad tracks.  At one time, I think Gano must have been a happening place for farmers.  I love, love, love this picture.

 

Have I told you that I have a thing for barns?  Oh yeah, I have a thing for them. 

This is another coop that my husband captured.  I am not cheating on my old faithful coop that I frequented so many times at the young, tender age of 16.  Just a peek at another one.    

 

I love this one.  We saw this after stuffing ourselves with Eischen's chicken and fried okra in Okarche, Oklahoma, a few weeks ago.  We were absolutely miserable, but in a good way.  I managed to sweet talk my husband into taking this picture for me.  I was too miserable to hang my head out of the window to snap it.  He did a wonderful job.

 

I love how the fence seems to be holding back the rolling and sometimes rough terrain in this one.

Just a stark fence in the middle of nowhere separating the nothingness from the nothingness.  I love the nothingness of this photo.

This is the only tree for miles.  It looks so out of place, yet so perfect all at the same time.

A long-forgotten implement left alone in the field.  I love it.

Depressing Weather

As many of you already know, there was a massive line of very destructive storms that raked across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas Tuesday.  This line of storms was in addition to the storms that hit Joplin, MO, Sunday evening.  While those in Joplin were still digging out from the horrific damage, many were left scrambling for cover as these high intensity storms headed their direction.

We were very fortunate.  The storms just missed us.  That is not to say that we didn't spend some time in the basement Tuesday afternoon when the sirens blared. 

I have been glued to the computer since these storms passed.  I have watched the news unfold as each town was pummeled by hail, high winds, and tornadoes.  I have looked at pictures of cars twisted in trees,  houses missing roofs, and worse.  I have viewed houses that were completely leveled.

There is one particular story that I keep coming back to for updates.  In the town of Piedmont, Oklahoma, a family without a basement or storm shelter took shelter in a bathtub.  It is one of the tornado safety tips that I remember being taught...seek shelter in an interior room, away from doors and windows.  This family, a mother and her three children, were holed up in their bathroom.  The tornado was fierce and mean.  It tore through that entire neighborhood leaving nothing but destruction in it path.  The mother, who was 5 mos. pregnant, was injured badly.  I believe she has had several surgeries today.  Her daughter, 5, is in ICU and in serious condition.  Her 15 month old little boy was found on their front lawn.  He was taken to the hospital, but passed away this morning.  Her 3 year old is still missing.  I have cried for them, I have prayed for them, and I can't leave the computer in hopes that something changes.  I have refreshed their local news web page so many times, I can't remember.  Each time I hit refresh, I hope and pray that they have found this little boy alive.  I am glued to a Facebook page that is giving updates on the search for Ryan. 

I feel helpless here and the only thing left I know to do is to pray.  Pray for this family and pray for Ryan.  Pray for those that lost loved ones, not just in Oklahoma, but pray for those in Joplin, those in Arkansas, those in Kansas, and those that are still trying to put their lives back together in Alabama.  There is so much natural disaster that is going on in our world, I just pray for all those that are affected.  I pray for comfort, pray for peace, and pray for courage to face another day.

Thanks for stopping by,
Carrie

The Little Builder

First, there was this sculpture. The kids were playing outside Saturday afternoon when I went in to cook some dinner. We had some great friends over and the men were left to watch the kids while the girls went in to prep dinner. When we went out to play yesterday, I found this. I highly suspected that the men had a part in this sculpture.

But, then this happened.

And this.

Then I caught the builder at work.

Notice the cute little undies that are peeking out above his shorts. I only say that because I thought we would never get to this point. It has been a long process, but we finally made it!!!!! We are potty-trained!!!!!!

 

Still hard at work.

The final masterpiece. It is the beginning of Stonehenge, SW Kansas edition. It will soon be a Kansas Historic Site. You saw it first here. It is the lastest breaking story to come out of our little world.

Green Chile Rice

My hubby is a big green chile fan. I mean, BIG!! He loves them. He could eat them with every meal. I was so happy that his mother shared this recipe with me.

So now, I am going to share with you. 

Start with some cooked rice.

 

Then add some drained green chiles.

 

Some cream of celery.

And sour cream.

 

And a little bit of milk.

 

Mix it all together.

 

Spread half of that mixture into your baking dish.

Top with half of cheese. Add remaining rice mixture and top with cheese.
Bake.

Let stand for 10 minutes.  You will burn the ever livin' tar out of your mouth if you scoop up a big ol' spoonful and shove it into your mouth as soon as you pull it from the oven.  I'm not saying that I know that for sure or anything, I wouldn't do that.  I have just been told that you shouldn't do that.  Ok, my mouth hurts, it is blistered, and I need to go suck on some ice.  Just, uh, let it sit for a few minutes. 

Enjoy!!

Green Chile Rice
1 small can green chiles, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of celery
1/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine drained green chiles, cooked rice, sour cream, cream of celery, and milk together. Spoon half of mixture in baking dish. (I would recommend using a dish smaller than a 9x13.)  Sprinkle half of your cheese over your rice mixture. Add remaining rice mixture and top with the remainder of the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Green chile lovers unite!!! Go forth and make this today. You will not be sorry.

Peace, love, and green chiles,
Carrie

Oh Braum's, How I Love Thee

Let me count the ways...

1.  Your milk.  It was so good and so fresh.  My husband was spoiled by your milk when we lived just a few glorious miles from you.  He still whines, cries, and pouts when I bring home the "other" milk.

2.  Your biscuits and gravy.  Lord have mercy, I love your biscuits and gravy.  Your gravy was so creamy with its spicy sausage and buttery biscuits. 

3.  Your fruit and yogurt swirl.  When I was feeling guilty for pulling through your drive-thru for the 900th time that week, I would indulge in your fruit and yogurt swirl.  Strawberries, bananas, toasted pecans, and your creamy yogurt, what's not to love?

4.  Your limeades.  Just a plain limeade or a cherry limeade were the bomb.  Yes, I just said the bomb.  Go ahead and laugh....now, back to my dream of the Braum's fairy land.

5.  Your lime Dr. Peppers.  Yes, I know it is weird.  But they are soooo good and Braum's made the best lime Dr. Peppers. 

6.  Your bacon cheeseburgers.  Oh my goodness, I love your bacon cheeseburgers.  When I was pregnant with my daughter, my OB doctor was right next to Braum's.  Let me tell you, I could eat your bacon cheeseburger in 2.4 seconds flat.  The last couple of times I have had the privilege of eating your bacon cheeseburger, I couldn't even come close to finishing it.

7.  Your banana splits.  When my daughter was around 3 we would bring home a banana split and share it between the 3 of us.  I am certain, that 1 banana split wouldn't fly between the 4 us now.  Not with the ice cream monster (AKA my son).

Braum's is 3 stores rolled into one...a grill, soda fountain, and a small grocery.  They have stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.  Sadly for me the closest one is an hour and a half away.  Fortunately for my waistline (and thighs) the closest one is an hour and a half away.  If you are ever in the area of a Braum's, please hit one up for me.  You will not be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by,
Carrie

FYI - I am not a paid spokesperson for Braum's. I just love and miss them so very much.

Because of this boy...

Because of this boy, I know all the words to the Veggie Tales theme song.

Because of this boy, I cringe when I realize how quiet it is, usually this signals he is into something he shouldn't be in.

Because of this boy, I can't wear my hair up. He pulls it out immediately. (And a ponytail is this girl's best friend.)

Because of this boy, the doors must be locked at all times. Or else he lets himself out to play, thus causing his poor mama to panic.

Because of this boy, I spray Febreze every night in his room before he goes to bed. It is the special spray that gets rid of spiders, snakes, alligators, and Swiper the Fox.

Because of this boy, I had my first ambulance ride holding his hand this last weekend. Hopefully, it will be our last. (Don't worry, he is fine.)

Because of this boy, I about punched a nurse that couldn't find his vein to take his blood. She tried 3 times before she finally got it.

Because of this boy, my heart broke into a million pieces while we were in the hospital. Seeing children just trying to get through the day with the least amount of pain possible, just made me hurt all over. Seeing their parents, trying to keep it all together when I know that they were tired, they were worn out, and they were emotionally drained, made me cry.

I love that boy, but he sure does keep me on my toes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Carrie

Let the Summer Begin!!

My daughter's last day of school was yesterday. Seems hard to believe that summer is already here. To celebrate the last day of school, the grade school had a field day. It was delayed a few hours due to rain, but we will not complain about the rain. We really needed it. While the Mississippi is flooding in other regions of the U.S., we are dry as a bone.

She got all stretched out. Stretching her left leg and then her right. All the while playing with the strings on her pants, she is a talented girl. She is a multi-tasker...stretching and playing with her pant strings at the same time.

 

She had the competition right where she wanted them. They were scared. They feared for their lives. They were certain that they would be eating the asphalt that she was kicking up behind her as she left them at the starting line.

She was a natural. She was completely calm at the starting line waiting for the the previous race to finish. Totally relaxed.

Ok, this is it. Getting ready for the whistle to signal go. Float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer. This where we separate the women from the girls, or something like that. No, scratch that, she is still a girl and will always be my baby girl.

"Run, Sissy, Run!!!" yelled C-man.

You got them right where you want them. Run baby. Faster, faster!!!

 

Yeah, so, I just won the entire track meet. No big deal. Look at me being all nonchalant with my blue ribbons.

Goodness, I love that girl!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Carrie