Cereal Bars

Happy Halloween! Hubby and I are at home cleaning today. Trust me, it's scary. Very scary. Tonight BIL John is coming to spend the weekend. Nothing like company to get the cleaning crew moving.

We are going to Max's last football game. I made the game day breakfast, washed his pants at ten p.m. last night, drove him to school and made him a HuGe lunch with lots of protein. Max eats a lot of protein and cereal bars. I have done my part.

If he has a fumble it is SO not my fault.

Speaking of scary, last night hubby and I went on a food run. We shopped Trader Joe's, Costco and Target. Hubby is at Safeway right now. Grocery stores are scary places with the prices the way they are. I get a little depressed at the store these days, after all I am feeding guys.

Last night though, while at Joes, I had to laugh.
I bought cereal bars for Max...

Funny, funny stuff, people.

Happy Birthday Emilyn!

Today is Emilyn's 6th birthday! She didn't think she would actually be six until after school, however; I think she woke up six years old. Her party is on Saturday and I'm invited.
The guys are invited too IF they like Hello Kitty.
We decorated a haunted castle cake last night. She wanted to take it to school to share. I quietly told her Mom that she licked fingers a lot so maybe the cake should stay home. She did most of it by herself. Cute!
I had a box of gnarly teeth on the steps and Caleb and Emilyn found them instantly. They each picked some out to take home. I love gnarly teeth.

Last year when Dan was home, we had our pumpkin carving party. I asked our friend, Mark to take a picture for our Christmas card. He was all over it. Got ready for the shot and was a little surprised when he told us to "smile".
That kind of thing cracks me up.

Lots of Action

You'll have to hang in there with me this morning. A bit of a ramble... Today it is one year since I jumped on the big blog adventure. Yep, I've been blogging for a year. I thought about a huge giveaway to get all my readers/stalkers to come out of hiding, or stopping after one year and saying good bye. Adios amigas.
But neither is working for me today. It has been crazy busy here, so no give away. Maybe later. I'm not going to stop writing either, I need the brain exercise. So, I guess I'll just ramble on.
Max's game on Monday was fun, they won. I like to win. Max missed a pass on Monday, first time in high school. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth. Boy howdy. He is four for five with one resulting in a touchdown. Glad we got that fumble out of the way. Hubby likes to give Max his own special cheer- "We want some Maxtion!" Last game is on Friday. Uncle John is coming to watch the game.
With football, a choir concert last night and driver's ed three nights a week we are running a bit ragged.

One family tail gates in the bleachers during the game, Monday they heated potato soup on the camp stove and then had bread and jam. It is fun to watch them.

I had Hot Chicken Salad in the oven and I will share that recipe soon. I made it a salad supper with jello and a poppyseed, cranberry salad.

Tonight Caleb and Emilyn are coming to visit. We are going to try to recreate the haunted castle cake from Sur la Table.

Good times! And Happy Blogaversary to moi!

Sisters @ Whistler cont. Lattes on Demand

Kathi made us lattes every morning and afternoon by request. I am hoping Becky shares this breakfast recipe on her blog, it was good, anything with ham, cheese and fresh basil works for me.

We worked hard. We made a mess. Thanks Janice for the cricut (I think I need one). The air was crackling with creativity. The beautiful paper and embellishments were eye candy. Pomegranate martinis helped.

I worked on my Hawaii album. I have never done a 12x12 album or a three ring binder style. It's a big book, I will have to return to Waikiki Beach to fill the album...

Walking helps to clear our heads and get those creative juices working again. Whistler is gorgeous in the Fall, as are the sisters!

On my sidebar, I have the link to Kathi's condo. You can go too! I love their location, ski in-ski out, quiet, close to the fun, love it. If you go, you may want Kathi and her espresso machine to go with you. It's a nice touch.

Sisters at Whistler

Five sisters, food & drink, overnight bags, an espresso maker and tons of scrapbook stuff make for tough packing. Bill helped. We squeezed. It was a beautiful trip up the mountain, the leaves were spectacular, and traffic was light.On Saturday we went walked to the village for some shopping at eddie bauer, lunch at the Mongolia Grill and a photo shoot.


More details tomorrow.

Cream of Wild Rice Soup

I keep these groceries in my pantry so I can make this easy soup any time.

Cream of Wild Rice Soup
1/4 c. butter
1 onion, chopped
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, shredded or chopped
1/2 c. flour
6-8 c. chicken broth
6.2 oz. pkg. long-grain and wild rice mix, cooked
1 c. cooked chicken breast, cubed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. evaporated milk
1/4 c. fresh chives (I have substituted dried chives and stirred them into the soup)
Melt butter in a large saucepan, **I use a fry pan because my soup is going to end up in the crockpot.
Add onion, celery, carrot; cook until tender. Stir in flour until blended; (this is a roux and not difficult, just work quickly) and then gradually add broth. Hey Coach K! If you can make a glaze or gravy, you can make a roux.


**At this point I add the broth and thicken and then add everything to my crockpot. I leave it on low all day and it is creamy and delicious.
If you use a large saucepan stir in cooked rice, chicken, seasonings. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in milk and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with chives.

Rexagrumpasaursarous

I am trying to get over yesterday. While I love boot camp and how great I feel, yesterday was somethin' else. Robb decided we should do some lunges, a lot of them. We did lunges half way around the track, that is, I believe 400 feet of lunges. Before you get all, big deal, I could do that. Try. It. Big talkers. It was hard and this morning is even more difficult. My bum is screaming in pain.
After boot camp yesterday I went to work where I flew around taking care of many projects that were put aside last week because of Open House. So, I am tearing around, and if I print I have to run upstairs to get it. Every time I jump up from my desk, my bum screams in pain from those lunges. In the afternoon one of my favorite docents comes on duty, I am a bit preoccupied, busy, so I guess I wasn't visiting enough. So, Patrick tell me I am a "Rexagrumpasarous". Fine. Troy thinks this is hilarious. I need walls around my desk. Anyway...
I am busy at work planning the Shoppers' Night for November 6th, 5-8 p.m.
Incredible deals and goodies...including...drumroll...Starbucks. Jeremy, our Starbuck's manager agreed to come with samples. I'm hoping he brings the peppermint cocoa. Mark your calendars.

I'm off to work this morning and I think I'll drive.

New Toys

I just had to show you all my new toys. It is so exciting to have a new paper cutter, my old one was icky gray, now I have a zippy orange one. And boy howdy is it sharp! The big punch is giving me chills. It's going to be fun.
I went a little crazy on the doodads, aka embellishments, in the scrap book world. I was feeling pretty scrappy, pretty hip, until...
Last night I went to a Stampin Up event, with a club, these were some serious scrappin' chicks. I am totally put back in my place, a novice at best. One of these scrappin' chicks carries a binder with her, it had pages showing items that she owns divided by catagories, because she forgets what she has! Not kidding. Don't get me wrong, these ladies were nice, but Waaay ahead of moi. I'm OK with it. Really. It was a little fun to think I was a hip and cool scrappin' chick, if only for two days.

Little Guy with a Big Heart

Yesterday Max had a JV football game. This little guy in the photo has a big heart. During his brother's game he was busy, making and selling hot cocoa to benefit a local shelter, the Lighthouse Mission. He had his folks heating water on a camp stove, he offered several flavors of cocoa and was very serious. It was neat to watch him. In fact I was so busy watching him I nearly missed seeing Max catch two passes. Kidding, I'm kidding! I saw them. Nicely done, Max!

A whipping wind, dark skies and a rainbow at the game. The Lyncs lost but it was close.

It's a Mystery

Last week I got a mysterious call, someone wanted to bring something to our house the next afternoon. A sweet girl showed up with a bag and wanted it left wherever Max goes first after football. We left it in the bathroom cuz he runs to a hot shower after practice.Max figured out the puzzle and who had left it for him. He is going to tolo (the Christmas dance) with Cassidy. They have known each other for years so it will be fun for them. That Sam I Am didn't think Max should get to go as a freshman. He was overruled. Grumble and mutter...
Today That Sam I Am came home between jobs and told me something was by the front door. He muttered it better not be another girl asking Max to tolo. We went to the door. I picked up a cute bag and took a note off the door. Meanwhile, Sam is telling me, "don't bring it in the house, you don't know what is in there!" Like we get bombs on our front steps everyday. Not a tolo invite or a bomb. Thankfully.

We got "ghosted". Fun!
How cute! I think I'll give That Sam I Am the kitkat. He has had a tough time lately That Sam I Am.
Thank you to our ghosty. That was nice.

Sisters' Scrapping Trip

I attended a power meeting at the local Starbucks yesterday. The kind barista made samples of the new mint hot cocoa for us to try. Oh! So good. I laid awake last night and just thought about when I could get more. Dangerous stuff!
The meeting was for the 'Sisters' Scrapping Trip to Whistler', coming up this weekend. So exciting. We planned how much stuff we could take, meals, and fun activities like teeth whitening. Ooooh! It is going to be fun.
My list: breakfast for one morning, Jerrie's cropadial, no sequins(this means we are not going out at night, just staying in and scrappin'), wax teeth, wine, snacks, diet coke, minimal clothing (as paper and adhesives are more important), camera and walking shoes. I offered to bring my weights and run a boot camp in the mornings. I was firmly told there isn't room in the van.
I have been shopping at TOM, Micheals and Paper Zone in anticipation. I am excited about this adhesive paper ribbon for my Hawaii Album. I love the sand dollars. I'll share more this week. I bought some cool stuff. Lots. of. Stuff.

I am home today until Max's football game. I was so happy until the neighbor started jackhammering. Lots of machines and guys down the road. Loud and annoying...

Local Flavors

The Lynden Pioneer Museum celebrated 32 years last night with their annual open house. I had spinners, a basket weaver, a wood carver, quilters, parlor games, lessons in the school house, a church historian, piano players, apple cider press running, veterans in the military exhibit, dairy ambassadors giving cheese and yogurt samples, the flight museum had a booth, butter was being churnd in the pioneer kitchen and many of the store fronts had clerks in costumes including a bar keeper in the saloon. Delicious desserts made by my docents were there too. Oh, and lots of visitors.

This morning I made a quick stop at The Green Barn, our local produce stand. Everything was beautiful and fresh. It has been ten+ nights since Hubby and/or I haven't had to be gone for or rush off after dinner. Home tonight. Yay!

The flour fairy made a stop at our house this week. Thanks! Someone went to Canada and brought back my favorite flour and left it on my doorstep. I broke into it this morning and mixed up a batch of cinnamon rolls. I can't explain it but I swear the angels sing when this flour hits the yeast.

Yesterday I had errands for the Museum Open House, including Bellewood Acres. Dorie and her husband are apple farmers that care about the environment and have a pretty farm. I had to pick up apples that they were donating for the cider press at the museum. Dorie told me that Troy had called and asked for "trash apples" for the press. She told me Troy should be informed that there are NO trash apples at Bellewood Acres. Hee hee! We had a good laugh and I set him straight. I bought some of their cider for my family too and some Honeycrisp apples. Their cider is the best in the world.

I am cooking, cleaning and putting new flannel sheets on our bed today. Love fall and flannel! Have a good weekend.

Gee Mom, You're Swell

Tonight at dinner some topic came up and Hubby told the boys that they could say thank you to us once in a while. Or how about, and I quote, "Gee Dad and Mom, you're swell!" Not sure where that came from. Sam, Max and our guest Levi looked at hubby like he was crazy. I kinda did too.
Later tonight I helped That Sam I Am find his cell phone. He left and shortly returned to yell upstairs, "thanks mom and gee, you're swell." I feel like June Cleaver and just so appreciated.

Easy Fall Supper

I accidentally made this stew years ago when I was making a stew and didn't have the right ingredients for a recipe. My guys love it. Mix one can tomato soup and one can cream of mushroom soup(I use low fat) in your crock pot. Add beef stew meat*, halved red potatoes or chunks of russets (I don't peel). Add baby carrots, half of a coarsely chopped onion, some frozen corn and several cloves of minced garlic.

*After I add the beef, I add shake on some Montreal's steak seasoning and some seasoning salt, then I add the vegetables.

Stir and top with some parsley. Leave on low setting all day. I usually put it together in the morning while I'm in the kitchen making lunches. If I am home I stir it occasionally throughout the day. The soups, meat juices and the water from the vegetables make a nice gravy.

Don't jump to any conclusions with the next photo. I am not sippin' and stirrin', on a daily basis anyway. Keep reading. An hour before dinner I put a loaf of beer bread in the oven to serve with the stew. I got this recipe from my Hubby's Mom.

Beer Bread
1/2 tsp. salt
3 C. self rising flour
3 T. sugar
1 can of beer
Stir together all ingredients until well mixed. Pour into buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees about an hour or until loaf tests done.

Wasn't that easy? And guys love it.

Fall Baking

Thunk! My mixer was a tad top heavy.

The topping is usually more crumbly, I oversoftened (is that a word?) the butter. Still good.

Apple Bread
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 eggs
4 T. milk
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
4 c. flour
4 c. chopped apples
2 tsp. vanilla
Topping:
4 T. butter
6 T.sugar
6 T. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
Cream butter, sugar & eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Mix & pour into 2 large greased loaf pans. Combine topping ingredients & sprinkle on loaves before baking. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, then 300 degrees for 40+ minutes.
*I choose bread recipes that make two loaves, the oven is on for an hour anyway and it is nice to have a loaf in the freezer or to share with a friend.

I got this recipe from a school cookbook, the best part is that it was submitted by my Great Aunt Gertrude.
I've had a morning or two since baking the apple bread that I forget I have a protein shake for breakfast and I go right for the apple bread.

Saturday Evening Party

Saturday evening we went back to the party barn for our annual pumpkin carving night. I wish I knew how many years ago this started but the boys were pretty little. It makes this mama so happy that even when they are teens they wouldn't miss it! Danny was home last year. We missed him this time.
The candelabra looks a bit different this week-

The main event-the buffet-Shelly's chicken wings and potatoes, Karen's appys and dessert tray and my Snicker's salad and black bottom cupcakes keep them coming back. Hubby made mini burgers this year.

Last year Shelly's Mom, Nelia joined us and this year our friend Adelene came too. They brought treats! We'll invite them back! Nelia brought her chicken kiev. On Shelly's blog you can see me do the "happy chicken kiev dance"!


Sam and his pumpkin-He carved the 'album leaf'. It is a tattoo that will get you into some concerts for free. Sam always has a themed nontraditional pumpkin.
Visit Shelly's blog for more photos of the evening. I'm hoping she gives out Nelia's chicken kiev recipe. Then we can all do the "chicken kiev happy dance".

Afternoon Party

Abby Jo is riding into her eighth year! That is what it said on her birthday party invitation. I was happy to be invited and it was fun to see Little Bit being ridden by so many little girls. When I drove up Abby and her little sis, Emily were yelling, Tami! Tami's here! Love that. As I walked up to the group they told me that Luke, little bro & Emily's twin, was there. I could see that for myself, he lives there. Then they told me after last year's party their Mom said he would NeVeR be at a girls' party again! But he was there and was very charming. Good job Luke!
Emily took me on a tour to see the other horses and the new corral. I told her she is lucky because it is just like a real ranch.

High maintenence babe- dreads & highlights. Who does your mane, hon?

Abby opening the gift I brought & realizing I bought her the same new shirt she got from her Dad that morning.
Happy 8th Birthday Abby Jo!