Monday, Monday Randomness

A weird weekend was had by all. Hubby had an awkward schedule this weekend, midnight shifts extended into the day shift. Every time he got out of bed, I got into bed.

Friday I felt like cooking and baking and got busy in the kitchen. I tried a new recipe and totally botched it. They look good but trust me they are doughy, yucky globs. Wasted 3 cubes of butter, 5 cups of flour, 4 eggs etc. etc. Going in the garbage today, if I have to look at them another day I could have a melt down.

So, my baking confidence was shot. I was really destroyed by this failure. It's pretty rare for me for have a cooking calamity. But I did. I took it kinda hard.

Next I made Pioneer Woman's Meatloaf recipe. I thought Max and probably Jesse would be here for dinner, uhm, no. However, while Hubby and I were walking we ran into a friend and had an impromptu dinner party. So, that was a good thing. The meatloaf was yummy! Try it.

I'm going to get back in the saddle this morning and do some baking. I'm kind a scared. Lots of correspondence to take care of today. A mountain of laundry to wash and some tidying up. I'll be doing this very quietly as Hubby should be home soon and going to bed.

One week 'til Spring Break!

A Nice Day Out

Yesterday Hubby and I drove south to Edmonds to meet up with Danny. We celebrated his 23rd birthday. We ate lunch in Edmonds at e.po.lu bistro. After a delicious lunch we checked out Shoreline Community College where Dan starts classes on Monday. After our campus visit we drove to Anthony's Homeport Restaurant, where Danny is a waiter. We browsed at the antique mall in Edmonds before saying good bye to Dan. He had to work the dinner shift.

The rain held off until we started for home. The flowers in Edmonds were gorgeous, including the pots and planters. They are one gardening zone different than Lynden and it makes all the difference. It was such a nice day out.


This pic cracks me up. Danny is pointing one way and Hubby is looking the other way. We were trying to figure out which island was which.

Late to the Game

I BEGGED Max to play soccer this Spring. He had played for years. Nope. He was having none of it.

So, he goes to the first game as a spectator and comes home wanting to play, wishing he had played. I told him to ask Coach De Ruiter. A part of me (the big mean part) was wishing and hoping Max would learn a lesson. That Coach would tell him, "NO way, you're too late, you should have listened to your Mom, maybe next year, good bye!"

No lesson there. Coach told Max, "Great, we'd love to have you, excited to have you, blah, blah, blah, get some cleats and start tomorrow!" Grrrrr.

Max has to get in a number of practices before he may play in a game. Last night he got his team bag with uniforms and warm up suit inside.

He may have learned his lesson! He got the last of the gear. The gear that some stinky boy turned in last year without washing.
"Mom, I need help, this is terrible, can you wash it, can you make this better?", Max sobbed.

Maybe now Max has learned Mom is always right and he needs me to help make decisions.

Max is loving the soccer. We are happy for him. I hope he has a good season. He says it feels good. Max comes home happy every night. Nice.

Now I get to go to Bender soccer fields and freeze my bum off and wash smelly gear.
No hard feeling here.

The Prettiest Blue

-where nothing bad could happen amid that lovely smell of silver and alligator wallets-Holly Golightly

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote is a well known story. I had the movie and Danny gave me the book for Christmas this year. Holly Golightly's character is glamorous and tragic.

This week I am reading the biography, Summer at Tiffany. Marjorie Hart spent the Summer of '45 in NYC with a college girlfriend. They got summer jobs at Tiffany. A sweet memoir.

I've visited New York City but not Tiffany's NYC store. I'm thinking I need to add that to my list of Things To Do.

Green Acres is the Place to Be

The country met city on Saturday evening. Hubby and I went to Meagan and Scott's wedding. We've known Meagan since she was a little girl. Now she is all grown up, gorgeous and married. The city girl married Scott, a dairy farmer, a really, really nice guy.

A beautiful, fancy city girl wedding with fun farming touches, including tractor sugar cookies, bridesmaids in pretty pink gowns passing out wedding cake wearing barn boots. Granted the boots were bubble gum pink with polka dots but nonetheless, boots. Scott and Meagan walked out of the church with the Green Acres theme song playing, then rode to the reception in Mike's vintage Rolls Royce.

It was one of the nicest wedding ceremonies. Jeff Thomas officiated and he knew Scott and Meagan well and he was in the Bible with them. Just what it takes for a happily ever after.

My long time (as in we met in the church nursery)friend Sheryl is Meagan's great aunt. Sheryl and her girls (except Michelle is not pictured, Where was She?) were helping Meagan on her special day. In the background is Jodi, my sis who is a Snapsister. I can't wait for them to post some pics. Hurry Jodi and Wendi,we can't wait for a preview!

Sheryl and I...
Where is Michelle?
Elea, Levi and Tami VW, who I hardly recognized. I only see Tami at boot camp. She cleans up real nice.
A blast from the past, Sheryl and I hung out with Mike on Sunday nights when we were in high school. It's been a long time. It was fun to see Mike and his Mom, Mary. Sweetest lady ever. She opened her home to kids like nobody's business. Always in the kitchen, making it happen.
I don't have pics of Scott and Meagan. Trust me, they were darling! I don't like to bug the bride and groom with a camera, the Snaps were in charge of that.
It was such a beautiful, fun wedding, loved it!

Black Heels, Tractor Wheels and Movie Deals

Ok, so Ree over at The Pioneer Woman is THE blogger. She wrote her first bestselling cookbook and it came out this past Fall. She delights her readers with stories from the ranch, delicious recipes, photography tips and more.
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels is her and her husband's love story. She gave it to her readers chapter by chapter. I was hooked.

Now Sony offered her a movie deal for her story. Wow! Sounds like Reese Witherspoon is considering playing the part of Ree. Ree is turning her blog and writing into a money machine.

After reading about the movie offer on her blog this morning I asked Max who he would want to play him IF that happened to the Lady in the Stone House. He is thinking Brad Pitt or Edward Norton.

Next I asked Hubby. Without any hesitation he said, "Max, that kid has been playing me for years."

The real question is, which actress should play me? Be nice.

It's Not Pretty

I like to buy things in twos. For balance on the mantle, on a table, or on a window sill I want two of everything. Through the years many things have gotten broken at my house. So I have many singles. It's irritating. This first one has a dead primrose in it. When there were two, these spring green pots with daffodils for the mantle or kitchen window made a pretty scene.

I loved these silver urns and used them for dinner parties, at Christmas time and for candles. And then there was one...

This candle holder broke this week as I rolled up the window shade and it snapped up, fell on the glass part and broke it.

A find! Matching vases form Anthropologie's clearance table! And then there was one. This happened a few years ago but it is still sad to see just the one.

Aside from decor dilemma singles, it hasn't been the best week here at the Stone House. And to finish the week, this morning I am going for my annual physical. Absolutely nothing makes me more crabby than the scale at Lynden Family Medicine. May want to avoid me today. I'm just sayin'.

Our Weekend Part III

Oh. My. Goodness. We are so tired. All the fun, springing forward and Max recuperating from that nasty bug has made for some exhaustion. Hubby and I were off work on Monday. Good thing because while we were playing the laundry was piling up.
I set the bar low on Monday. Just boot camp, laundry, the library and tidying up the mess. Oh, and a nap. We enjoyed good mail, Country Living magazine, a catalog and a tax refund check. I just love me some good mail!

Hubby and I took a walk after dinner, while Max was plowing through the homework. Then we hit the hay.

Our Weekend Part II

Due to scheduling difficulties we went up to Mt. Baker on Sunday instead of Saturday. Usually we go to church and see family on Sundays but it came down to now or never for the family day at Baker.
Max, Kassie and Tyler went up early for a day of snow boarding. Hubby and I didn't leave quite that early but we did get going in the morning. In spite of partying the night before and springing forward one hour, we were up and ready to go. Grueling!
It was gorgeous on the mountain, sunshine, 21 inches of new snow and good company. Loved it. Hubby and I enjoyed snowshoeing while the kids were boarding.


Then we set up lunch for them. Hubby grilled burgers and I had brought all the burger fixings, grapes, chips and dip, trail mix, chocolate chip cookies and bars. There is just something about eating outside that makes everything taste better.


The skis fence is on the way to Mt. Baker, I just love the whimsy of all those skis.

The best part of the day was that Max has thanked us several times for coming up. Trust me, the pleasure was all mine.

Our Weekend Part I

Saturday evening Hubby and I went to a wine tasting at Samson Winery. Our friend Scott invited us to the tasting, and Shawn and Jannette invited us to their house for an after party. It was intergenerational(Ad's made up word) as Adelene told us. A common denominator was Adelene. She had been everyone's high school teacher except Hubby. He's not from these parts.


I took this photo through the window, I went back for my camera and everyone was listening so carefully I had to take the shot.
Our teacher on Saturday was Dhar, one of Sam's sons. I learned a lot. Sorry Ad, but I think I prefer studying Wine Tasting over Spanish or English classes.

Our host Scott and his class mate, Heather. I think they learned more on Saturday night than they did in high school.

Duane was my classmate, Kay is Scott's sister, my Hubby and Scott, who is reacting to some smart comment made by Hubby.

This spoonful of crazy goodness made me want to weep a little. The chocolate with hazelnuts, sea salt and olive oil served with Samson's Oro was perfection. Oro is Samson's dessert wine made from locally grown hazelnuts.

Shawn and Jannette invited us to their place for the afters party. They could teach the class on Hospitality, wonderful hosts! Delicious food presented beautifully and a cozy home made for a perfect finish for our evening.

Jannette baked a beautiful cappuccino cheesecake for dessert, oh and almond tarts and Nanaimo Bars. For my next class I think I'd like a cheesecake class from Jannette.
We felt so blessed and spoiled the entire evening. Good friends, food, wine and lots of laughs. And yes, the Eat Less, Move More went out the window. It was worth it!

He's Back

Max has been absent from school all week. He had a bad stomach bug since last weekend. This morning he came down the stairs and told me, "I feel like I want to eat." "A lot."

He lost 8-10 pounds this week in spite of trying to eat and drink a lot. I better get to the grocery store... or in the kitchen... or outta the way!


I just hope he doesn't lose his pants today.

A Lot of Random

*It's cold and windy this morning. I am loving our new wood stove.

*I had a good girls' night last night. Lots of laughs with sisters and friends. Good snacks too, not so good for the Eat Less, Move More. Today is another day.

*Yesterday's boot camp has made me a tad stiff. Not sure if I can walk without looking like I have a stick up my bum today.

*I skipped the Thift Store Wednesday madness yesterday. I haven't found anything good for several weeks. Inflation has hit the Thrift Store or they are really proud of their junk, not sure, but I'm finding the prices too high for the goods. Giving it a rest.

*Max is still sick. Vacation was last week and he hasn't made it to school this week. Poor guy. The good news is that we are totally caught up on The Office. The bad news is the homework situation is grim. He's looking pretty tough.

*Tomorrow is the beginning of Hubby's four day weekend. We have so much fun coming our way. Can't wait! Snowshoeing, a wine tasting, some relaxing and defrosting the freezer. Okay, maybe the freezer won't be fun but the rest of the weekend will be fun. If you want to come along on the snow shoeing trip, just let me know.

*Sam got his orders this week... Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He was just a little disappointed initially. Last night he left a message and was actually hearing good things about Fort Bliss and the location. He sounded happy.

*I have a haircut, color and a pedicure in my future. Nothing beats a good pampering!

*That's all I got, probably enough. Oh, and spring forward on Sunday. I hate losing an hour and generally grouse about it for a week. Poor Hubby...

Save the TaTa's

Yesterday I took my Mom shopping to the Seattle Premium Outlets. We had some good shopping and some fun. My Mom used to go shopping with her friend, Marge. You know how you have some friends you can shop with and some that you can't. Different tastes in fashion and stores just make it hard to shop with some friends. But my Mom and Marge liked to shop together. They also enjoyed many trips to Hawaii together. Marge had breast cancer and did not survive. I can tell somedays that Mom really misses Marge.

Mom and Marge had breast cancer in common too. My Mom is a survivor.

I got home from shopping, picked up the mail. I got a letter from my cousin, Nancy. Her sister, Lissa has breast cancer. Nancy is going to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk for the cure in Seattle. Lissa is the first one of our generation in my immediate family to have breast cancer.

If you would like to support their team, you can donate here.

I come from a family with breast cancer. Great aunts, moms, cousins, aunts, it seems no one is safe. It's easier to count who hasn't had breast cancer than those who have in my Mom's family.

Trust me when I tell you I try not to think about these genes. But I do have a yearly mammogram. I encourage all women to take care of the girls and get the mam! Make your appointment today. It'll make me feel better. Thanks-

Sunday Sticky Buns

Danny and Sam are about to be homesick. Guys love these rolls on a Sunday morning. I do too. They are easy peasy...except for one small detail. The rolls must be assembled the night before and it's difficult to remember on a Saturday night.
I have no photos of making the buns because I didn't think about blogging the recipe until Sunday morning. But it's an easy recipe and I think you can do it.

Spray your bundt pan with Pam or butter it. Toss in 18-22 frozen Rhodes rolls. Sprinkle a small cook and serve package of butterscotch pudding over the rolls. You are going to have to trust me when I tell you there are no substitutes, instant pudding will not work.

In a small saucepan melt one cube of butter, add 1/2 cup brown sugar and 3/4 tsp. cinnamon. Pour this over the rolls and dry pudding. Cover with wax paper(I spray it with Pam) and leave overnight to thaw and rise.

In the morning bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. After baking, turn over on a large serving platter.



I made these for Christmas morning brunch this year. They are a tradition at the Camano Island cabin and random Sunday mornings. One year I forgot to take them to the cabin and Tess was so sad. Her Mom makes them for Christmas and I make them for Memorial Day weekend. I still feel bad when I think of Tess only having sticky buns once that year.

Max's idea of funny.

Max-Why don't women need to wear a watch?
Me- Why?
Max-Ovens have clocks.

And then he does it again...

Max- So, a woman gets hit by a motorcycle, whose fault is it?
Me- the motorcycle.
Max- Why?
Me- I don't know.
Max- The motorcycle, because kitchens don't have roads...

I think he'll have to make his own Sunday Sticky Buns next time.

Just Think If I Had Premium Picnik

Ever play with picnik when you should be doing housework?



ME too!

Docent Dinner 2010

Last evening was the annual docent dinner at the museum. It's our chance to say thanks to the many museum volunteers. Jerrie and I try to keep it fresh and low budget. This year we used pink and lime green, created a dessert buffet, brought in orchids from Trader Joe's and made some Martha Stewart pom poms.



Karin, our caterer, made a delicious roast beef dinner, the jazz band was great and a good time was had by all. I hope.

What's for Dinner?

I'm not a menu planner per se but I do like to have a well stocked kitchen and freezer. There should be choices and I like to stock ingredients for our dinners and last minute entertaining. Meal ideas for last minute meals, make ahead meals, easy meals and new recipe meals are usually in the house.

Right now that is not happening. We are in the trenches, digging for our last meal. I am determined to empty the freezer to defrost and clean it.

It's not all bad, tonight I am making my chicken cordon bleu. Please don't drop in, I only have three chicken breasts. Sorry!

The next week or two is looking interesting. Hubby and Max keep checking the freezer to see what is in their future. Obviously, we won't finish all the applesauce and jam in the freezer but everything else must go.

Drop in guests will be fed jam sandwiches, with a side of spinach. To be served with rhubarb punch...

Shhhhh

Not much happening at the Stone House. It's pretty quiet here. Nothing like an Eat Less, Move More and a Work More, Spend Less to slow things down. It's all good. Not necessarily fun, but good.

March has arrived, the forsythia is blooming, the Olympics are finished, our tax returns are in the mail... bring on the Spring! Oh, and it's Danny's birthday in March!