Fall, Ready or Not

I love the changing seasons and Fall is so gorgeous and so cozy to think about, but I'm not ready this time. I didn't get my fill of summer sun and fun, or barbeque for that matter. Not quite enough time on the patio. But Fall is rollling in fast this year and I may as well get going too.
The thing is, I can't seem to match my meals to the weather. Poor hubby ends up BBQing in the rain and cold or I bring out a hot casserole and the temp zips up. So, I am not going to try to match meals and weather for a bit...just roll with whatever comes my way. I hope my hubby is ready to roll with it too.
As for what to wear, layers, baby. And they are on and off again all day long. Could be my age. My closet looks like a psycho woman lives here. A big ole mess. If I put away my summer things it will get hot.
Transportation is tricky too. I biked today and was fine but there was a shower while I was at work. Timing is everything.
* Also, thanks for your nice thoughts and wishes regarding Little Bit. I am doing better today. Only two breakdowns. And I do know it is the right thing and the best thing for everyone.

Sorry, I've Been Away, Crying My Eyes Out

I had a horse while growing up and I always hoped I would have a horse kid. Max was my guy. He wanted a horse so badly when he was little. He wore cowboy boots year round and rode his stick horse until we had to put it down(the stick broke). When we moved to the Stone House Max bought Little Bit. Little Bit has been a great kid horse for Max. And a good horse for me too. I loved to look out my window and see Little Bit in his pasture, I like to ride and I love to just brush Little Bit and hang out together. I always called to him as I came home from work and told him that he is a good horse.
Max would come home from school , saddle up and ride. He even looked like a cowboy. Neighbor kids would come by to ride.

This Spring Max rode and I ran to get in shape for Hawaii. I could tell Max was getting too tall for Little Bit. We had a lot of fun this Spring, Little Bit never liked me to pass him. Hey, any horse with self respect wouldn't want me to pass him.
I like to go out and groom Little Bit.

Max wanted a sleigh and I found one and surprised him with it. These pictures are with a loaner harness but we bought Max a beautiful harness with red trim for Christmas one year. Little Bit looks so sharp with the red sleigh, out in the snow. Max trained him and when the snow was right we'd hitch up and have some fun.


This Summer Max started talking about selling Little Bit. He was too tall, he wanted to raise some heifers for his college fund, football and high school are keeping him busy. Max is right. I KNOW all of these reasons are right and that Max gave it a lot of thought but I have had a terrible time with his decision. I can not stop crying, really. I love Little Bit and I know it is the end of some special times that Max and I have shared.
One day I was in Target shopping and Max called me on my cell. He had called my cousin Rick to help him put a price on Little Bit. At that point I was crying any time the subject came up and so on the cleaning product aisle in Target I was tearing up. I told Max not to call me about this but to talk with me when I was at home next to a kleenex box. People can really stare at a bawling woman in the cleaning aisle at Target. Anyway, Rick was interested in Little Bit for his daughter Abby. Now, Abby is one of my favorite kids to run into. She sparkles! Really, her face lights up, her freckles are darling and she is just spunky and happy. Perfect new owner for Little Bit! She and her Dad came today, rode Little Bit and bought him. Little Bit will be loved, ridden by a little girl whose hair matches his mane. We can visit. It is all turning out great but I just can't stop crying...

First Daze of School IV Subtitle: Feeding Them ll

Since I don't get up at dawn and make a fat boy breakfast for my guys every morning, we enjoy breakfast for dinner. This is an easy dinner made easier by my two picks. Drumroll...facon, it is really bacon that has been fully cooked by someone other than yours truly. My guys call it facon, fake bacon. I call it a lifesaver. I buy the big pack at Costco and for nights when I am going to whip up breakfast it is 40 seconds in the microwave. Remember the perfume ad, 'I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. Hey, if you're helping to bring home the bacon, get facon. It is also good for topping baked potatoes, BLTs, and my personal favorite, corn chowder. The second timesaver is the Swedish pancake mix from Trader Joe, my friend Anna Greta, from Sweden would likely be appalled but we like it. My guys use butter and sugar, roll them up and eat'em up fast.
Next week I will share my corn chowder recipe using the 'facon'. My corn chowder recipe is from this cookbook. My Grandma Dykstra got this book free with Prell shampoo. My Mom has one and I got the extra copy. If you see this book at a thrift store, grab it and buy it. I make many recipes from this book, including corn chowder, shortcake, rhubarb cobbler, pizza bread and more. It is a keeper. And I like to imagine my Grandma getting it with her groceries and taking it home and trying some of the recipes. She never drove so Grandpa took her to town on Friday mornings. Sometimes I got to go along. Good memories.

First Daze of School III Subtitle: Feeding Them

When back to school hits I feel like I need to get my game on in the kitchen. Lunches to pack, and timely dinners to be prepared. Max has football after school, sometimes we need to eat quickly before the next comittment. Or we come home from games and everyone wants dinner NOW. To prepare I did the big Shop this past weekend and on Monday. This means the grocery store, Trader Joes, Costco and Target. After looking for new recipes though, I am back to Safeway today. Ugh.

I like to buy my cantalopes and pineapple at Costco, come home and chop. Watermelons have been really good from Trader Joes this summer. Once it is sliced, it goes fast at our house. It's good for everyone and they love it.
Dinners, I am trying make some new recipes. On Monday I made a new chicken sandwich filling. Pretty good, we had it on croissants.
My Mom made this Taco Bake recipe and I had to have it. Best of all, it is easy peasy.
1 Pkg. Kraft Deluxe mac and Cheese Dinner 14 oz.
1# ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup thick salsa *I chopped one fresh tomato and then added salsa to make one cup. Yummy.
Prepare the mac and cheese dinner. Brown the hamburger and add seasoning and water, simmer. Stir sour cream into the mac & cheese dinner. Spoon 1/2 into 8-9" pan. Top with 1/2 the meat, 1 c. cheese and then rest of m&c and taco meat. Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Then top with salsa and the rest of the cheese and bake 5 more minutes. *You can also top with crushed tortilla chips.
During the school year I sometimes brown hamburger and freeze it. I do the same with taco meat. It is nice to have ready on busy nights. It would make this recipe even easier.
*Watch for more Fall, easy, back to routine recipes this week.

First Daze of School II

Max's first day of high school! Yahoo! No apple in his hand, just his phone.
My BIL Jeff is the president of the school board this year and so he made opening remarks this morning. Nicely done, Jeffery.
I think we are off to a great start. We were on time this morning, Max was able to open his locker and find all of his classes.
Now, 179 days to go!

First Daze of School

Okay, so only the little guy still goes to school. The big guys go to college. I always took First Day of School Pictures before bringing the boys on their first day of school. You'll notice they all have an apple for their teacher. We started that tradition when they were young and kept it up until they were too old to care about first impressions with their teachers. It just sets the tone for the year. Some people might call it trying to be the teacher's pet but I think it was just good manners.
Do you have any fun first day of school traditions with your children?