Sunday, December 30, 2012
Social Media strikes back...with a vengeance!
Yesterday while on Facebook I learned the following...
http://www.epbot.com/2012/12/shame-on-you-redbook-magazine.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+epbot%2FfOpU+%28EPBOT%29
As you can imagine I was pretty upset...as were pretty much every follower of Jen Yates of Cake Wrecks fame and Epbot (her other blog). Jen is pretty socially connected out there and this isn't the first time that Jen fans have stepped up and used social media forces for good.
http://www.epbot.com/2010/11/geek-girls-activate.html
Soon Redbook's Facebook page was covered in comments on every status update demanding that Jen get credit for her ideas. It didn't take very long for Redbook to realize they had made a mistake and they posted that they were "looking into" the error.
finally Jen received an email from Redbook with an apology. http://www.epbot.com/2012/12/redbook-makes-it-right.html
What I love is that Jen was also fighting for the other Pintrest folks who had their ideas published in the article.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Lilly update 5 weeks post-op
At Lilly's 4 week post-op checkup the vet was really pleased with the progress that Lilly has been making. So much so that she bumped up our post-op exercises by a week even though her healing is probably closer to being 2 weeks advanced, she didn't want to over stress.
The vet did this check where she uses a plastic tool to measure how far Lilly is able to move her new joint and on the lifting her leg up Lilly scored a 25/25 meaning that's the best she could ever get as that is a regular joint movement. On extending her leg Lilly scored a 150/160 which pleased the vet.
The vet recommended weaning Lilly off her pain meds, which I had already done because we had run out. At the time I didn't really see any difference between her being on the meds or off, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I should get her some. Of course seeing as the vet charged me 3 times what I can get them for online, you can see my resistance.
Lilly has been going in for Adequan injections and has one more of those left. They are Glucosamine and some other stuff. While a bit pricey I wanted to make the investment of the surgery have the best possible chance for Lilly having normal function when we're all done. Yesterday the receptionist let me know that I can get a rebate on the shots once she has taken all of them. It's only $20 but that's better than before.
The vet also recommended that Lilly start taking glucosamine supplements. I went ahead and purchased those before Lilly had her surgery. However, I got her the supplements at the grocery store. When I told the vet this, she got a bit bent out of shape because ...well she told me that the supplements in the stores aren't regulated. However, I know that the so called made for animals medications and supplements have even less stringent regulations and figured for a supplement saving money for store bought over the 3 times mark up at the vet's office wouldn't matter. My SIL used to work for a vet and told us stories.
Thanks to my blog friend Leigh, I discovered that adding gelatin to Lilly's diet would also be helpful for her joints. So I started researching how to get that into Lilly's diet. At first I was just giving Lilly gelatin capsules, but those are pricey. I looked at buying gelatin powder, but wanted to check out all my options. I also looked into making gelatin from bones. I found this one blog where the woman just keeps her crock-pot going all the time cooking down her bones. I don't know if she just mixes all the bones she has or what, but that seemed a bit much if I were to have separate crocks going for each kind of bone. I thought about just making and storing the gelatin...but I would actually have stock and that takes up space that I don't currently have since I have a small freezer and don't have a pressure canner to can and put in the pantry. (maybe one day!)
In my research I found that Osteo Bi-Flex makes a combined glucosamine and gelatine powdered supplement. That seemed like the perfect answer as Lilly really didn't like eating the glucosamine pills (although coating them with peanut butter worked very well!). And my store had the powder on sale, buy one get one free. So we started Lilly on that, last night.
Exercise has been pretty difficult to do. We've been having a lot of snow and I'm allergic to the stuff. So that on top of my annoying neighbors who let their dogs run off leash has made taking Lilly for walks very difficult. The vet suggested taking Lilly someplace quiet for walks...I don't know where that place might be. Even our own back yard is surrounded by other dogs and Lilly is a spaz around them. So instead we've been walking around the house. I know, not ideal, but it puts less stress on the both of us.
The vet did this check where she uses a plastic tool to measure how far Lilly is able to move her new joint and on the lifting her leg up Lilly scored a 25/25 meaning that's the best she could ever get as that is a regular joint movement. On extending her leg Lilly scored a 150/160 which pleased the vet.
The vet recommended weaning Lilly off her pain meds, which I had already done because we had run out. At the time I didn't really see any difference between her being on the meds or off, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I should get her some. Of course seeing as the vet charged me 3 times what I can get them for online, you can see my resistance.
Lilly has been going in for Adequan injections and has one more of those left. They are Glucosamine and some other stuff. While a bit pricey I wanted to make the investment of the surgery have the best possible chance for Lilly having normal function when we're all done. Yesterday the receptionist let me know that I can get a rebate on the shots once she has taken all of them. It's only $20 but that's better than before.
The vet also recommended that Lilly start taking glucosamine supplements. I went ahead and purchased those before Lilly had her surgery. However, I got her the supplements at the grocery store. When I told the vet this, she got a bit bent out of shape because ...well she told me that the supplements in the stores aren't regulated. However, I know that the so called made for animals medications and supplements have even less stringent regulations and figured for a supplement saving money for store bought over the 3 times mark up at the vet's office wouldn't matter. My SIL used to work for a vet and told us stories.
Thanks to my blog friend Leigh, I discovered that adding gelatin to Lilly's diet would also be helpful for her joints. So I started researching how to get that into Lilly's diet. At first I was just giving Lilly gelatin capsules, but those are pricey. I looked at buying gelatin powder, but wanted to check out all my options. I also looked into making gelatin from bones. I found this one blog where the woman just keeps her crock-pot going all the time cooking down her bones. I don't know if she just mixes all the bones she has or what, but that seemed a bit much if I were to have separate crocks going for each kind of bone. I thought about just making and storing the gelatin...but I would actually have stock and that takes up space that I don't currently have since I have a small freezer and don't have a pressure canner to can and put in the pantry. (maybe one day!)
In my research I found that Osteo Bi-Flex makes a combined glucosamine and gelatine powdered supplement. That seemed like the perfect answer as Lilly really didn't like eating the glucosamine pills (although coating them with peanut butter worked very well!). And my store had the powder on sale, buy one get one free. So we started Lilly on that, last night.
Exercise has been pretty difficult to do. We've been having a lot of snow and I'm allergic to the stuff. So that on top of my annoying neighbors who let their dogs run off leash has made taking Lilly for walks very difficult. The vet suggested taking Lilly someplace quiet for walks...I don't know where that place might be. Even our own back yard is surrounded by other dogs and Lilly is a spaz around them. So instead we've been walking around the house. I know, not ideal, but it puts less stress on the both of us.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Oh SNOW!
Tonight is supposed to be our Advent Service with a cookie exchange. I say supposed because we are getting hit today with quite a bit of snow and while the weather radar shows that this should pass soon, it doesn't appear to be following the plan.
Now as you know I am highly allergic to snow. So I'm staying hunkered down inside right now and medicating with hot chocolate.
Hopefully this cloud moves on and I'll be able to shovel or sweep off the snow (that the wind is doing a really good job of taking care of at the moment) so that we can get out and not be snow bound... especially since my teenage daughter claims that there is "nothing to eat" in the house.
Oh, I should get my "nothing to eat" roast in the crock pot!
Now as you know I am highly allergic to snow. So I'm staying hunkered down inside right now and medicating with hot chocolate.
Hopefully this cloud moves on and I'll be able to shovel or sweep off the snow (that the wind is doing a really good job of taking care of at the moment) so that we can get out and not be snow bound... especially since my teenage daughter claims that there is "nothing to eat" in the house.
Christmas Ornament tutorial - Round ornament
Here is how to make the round ornament [picture of finished ornament]
Supplies you'll need:
round flat ornaments - from craft store
school glue
glitter
transparency sheets - from office supply store
permanent markers
ribbon
paint brush, scissors, pattern, funnel
Skills needed:
Actually this ornament is very easy and looks complicated. You'll amaze your friends with it.
First step- Glitterizing the back of the ornament.
Water down the glue so that it is more runny. I think ours was not quite one part water to one part glue. Using a paint brush, transfer some glue to only the back of the ornament's inside [picture of glue & putting it in] drain out excess glue - make sure to not get any glue on the front side of the ornament.
Now using a funnel pour in your glitter into the ornament and after covering the back, shake out the excess glitter. Allow to dry completely.
While your glitter is drying you can make the design sheets. Trace your design or pattern onto the transparency sheets with your permanent markers, making sure your design is just a tiny bit smaller than the diameter of your ornament. (I used 3 inch diameter ornaments, they do come bigger) {note: I tried to just print off my design using my computer's printer but I couldn't get the toner to dry on the sheets... I suppose that I could have put the design on with the printer and then just gone over it with the markers, but my way was cleaner.}
Cut out your transparency film in a circle to fit inside the ornament.
Now roll your transparency film into a tube so you can fit it into the neck of the ornament. We found that rolling so that the design was on the outside of the roll worked better for the next step.
shove your rolled up transparency into the ornament. If it doesn't pop open all the way, you can use your paint brush handle to help it and then your fingers to adjust the design so that it sits in the right direction.
almost done!
Now put the cap/wire thingy back on and add a ribbon bow to the neck of your ornament to hide that wire that holds the thing together!
Merry Christmas!
Supplies you'll need:
round flat ornaments - from craft store
school glue
glitter
transparency sheets - from office supply store
permanent markers
ribbon
paint brush, scissors, pattern, funnel
Skills needed:
Actually this ornament is very easy and looks complicated. You'll amaze your friends with it.
First step- Glitterizing the back of the ornament.
Water down the glue so that it is more runny. I think ours was not quite one part water to one part glue. Using a paint brush, transfer some glue to only the back of the ornament's inside [picture of glue & putting it in] drain out excess glue - make sure to not get any glue on the front side of the ornament.
Now using a funnel pour in your glitter into the ornament and after covering the back, shake out the excess glitter. Allow to dry completely.
Cut out your transparency film in a circle to fit inside the ornament.
Now roll your transparency film into a tube so you can fit it into the neck of the ornament. We found that rolling so that the design was on the outside of the roll worked better for the next step.
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Ornament tutorial - felt dove
Here is how to make the felt dove ornament. [picture of finished ornament]
Supplies that you'll need:
Felt - I got these 9X11 sheets of felt at my local craft store for about 30 cents each and got about 5 ornaments per sheet. You can also buy felt by the yard at fabric stores.
Pattern - I got this one from the internet.
Freezer Paper - from my grocery store
Embroidery Floss - from my craft store (I had some at home so I don't know how much it costs, but it's pretty cheap and a little goes a long way)
Polyfill stuffing - from your craft store. I already had some, but I think they're only around $2.50 for a bag that will last you a very long time. You could also use cotton balls, but they're pretty pricey.
Pen, Scissors, Iron
Skills you'll need:
Ironing
back stitching
blanket stitching
French knot for the dove's eye
First find your pattern and transfer it to the freezer paper's mat side.
Next iron the freezer paper (the glossy side) to your felt.
Now cut out your shapes. don't worry, the directions for how to do this are on the freezer paper if you get the name brand.
Note: Embroidery Floss comes in skeins that the floss is 6 threads thick. Cut off about 18 inches of floss (or shorter - too long and you get a knotted mess!) now separate your floss into individual threads. I used two threads in my design, but you can use 3 if your colors are close and you want to see your design better.
Next we'll put our design on one of the dove's sides (you'll use two dove cut outs for each ornament). I used a French Knot to make the dove's eye. Then I started back stitching the words I wanted on my dove.
Don't make your stitches too tight so that if you make a mistake you can pull out the stitches and try again.
Once your dove has the design you want you'll next want to sew the two halves together with a blanket stitch. Make sure to cut a length of Embroidery Floss to make a hanger with. Don't separate these threads, just knot it and stitch that in while you're blanket stitching.
Leave about an inch open and stuff with polyfill until your dove is as full as you want it. You don't need to make your dove too fat and you still have to close him up.
Now close up your dove and you're done!
Merry Christmas!
Supplies that you'll need:
Felt - I got these 9X11 sheets of felt at my local craft store for about 30 cents each and got about 5 ornaments per sheet. You can also buy felt by the yard at fabric stores.
Pattern - I got this one from the internet.
Freezer Paper - from my grocery store
Embroidery Floss - from my craft store (I had some at home so I don't know how much it costs, but it's pretty cheap and a little goes a long way)
Polyfill stuffing - from your craft store. I already had some, but I think they're only around $2.50 for a bag that will last you a very long time. You could also use cotton balls, but they're pretty pricey.
Pen, Scissors, Iron
Skills you'll need:
Ironing
back stitching
blanket stitching
French knot for the dove's eye
First find your pattern and transfer it to the freezer paper's mat side.
Next iron the freezer paper (the glossy side) to your felt.
Note: Embroidery Floss comes in skeins that the floss is 6 threads thick. Cut off about 18 inches of floss (or shorter - too long and you get a knotted mess!) now separate your floss into individual threads. I used two threads in my design, but you can use 3 if your colors are close and you want to see your design better.
Don't make your stitches too tight so that if you make a mistake you can pull out the stitches and try again.
Once your dove has the design you want you'll next want to sew the two halves together with a blanket stitch. Make sure to cut a length of Embroidery Floss to make a hanger with. Don't separate these threads, just knot it and stitch that in while you're blanket stitching.
Leave about an inch open and stuff with polyfill until your dove is as full as you want it. You don't need to make your dove too fat and you still have to close him up.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
What we're up to now...
well aside for taking care of Lilly and getting ready for Christmas things here are pretty calm.
Darly isn't doing a play right now, but she and I are helping some with the current show. I'm supposed to have this weekend off though. I hope that still stands and that the chairperson let her co-chair know that. ;)
Darly is singing in our church choir instead. She's having a great time and loves singing. I don't think that she'll try a solo again (she did last year for Christmas) but one can never tell. So our Thursday nights are pretty busy as she has a class from 4:30 to 6:30 and then choir practice is at 7. We have fun trying to figure out how to get some food into her.
Hubby decided to wait until last weekend to finally show us his Christmas wish list. How funny that I had totally forgotten him mentioning (very casually of course) the things on the list. The one year I paid attention to those casual mentions I got in trouble for getting him everything he asked for. So since I didn't pay attention I bought him things I thought he needed...like pants to replace the ones he insists still fit him from his High School wardrobe that don't. I'm sure I'll have to take the new pants in though because unlike Jerry changing his 34's into 31's, I know that these pants will be at least 4 inches too big in the waist. *roll eyes!*
Darly asked for sensible things this year however finding her sweaters has been quite a challenge. I don't know what is up with the buyers for stores... it is winter, in Colorado... we NEED sweaters that actually keep you warm. Not that you have to put another shirt on under...because while we will put another shirt on it is because we're heading out into sub zero temps...not to look cute!
sigh
and our latest project
One of the ladies at church requested that our Youth group look into getting Christmas Ornaments with our church logo on them for a fundraiser. But when I looked into doing that the prices were CRAZY expensive. One gal had suggested that I look into those places that will put your logo on the round glass ball ornaments... but they want set up charges and a minimum order... looking at at least $350 just to get going. OYE
I also looked into those places where you can DIY your logo on their stuff. But their ornaments were around $12 each plus shipping. And then when I set up our account, they put our logo on everything BUT the ornaments. I needed the "Premium" account to choose the products.
So instead I looked into just making ornaments our selves. And I came up with two really cute ideas that aren't too hard to do. Sorry I don't have pictures of them here yet, I forgot to take the pictures and then left the ornament samples at church... so I have to make some more and then get your pictures.
Pictures coming soon... I promise.
As promised...
After I get some more photos, I'll do a post on how I made them with a cool trick for how to cut out the doves!
Darly isn't doing a play right now, but she and I are helping some with the current show. I'm supposed to have this weekend off though. I hope that still stands and that the chairperson let her co-chair know that. ;)
Darly is singing in our church choir instead. She's having a great time and loves singing. I don't think that she'll try a solo again (she did last year for Christmas) but one can never tell. So our Thursday nights are pretty busy as she has a class from 4:30 to 6:30 and then choir practice is at 7. We have fun trying to figure out how to get some food into her.
Hubby decided to wait until last weekend to finally show us his Christmas wish list. How funny that I had totally forgotten him mentioning (very casually of course) the things on the list. The one year I paid attention to those casual mentions I got in trouble for getting him everything he asked for. So since I didn't pay attention I bought him things I thought he needed...like pants to replace the ones he insists still fit him from his High School wardrobe that don't. I'm sure I'll have to take the new pants in though because unlike Jerry changing his 34's into 31's, I know that these pants will be at least 4 inches too big in the waist. *roll eyes!*
Darly asked for sensible things this year however finding her sweaters has been quite a challenge. I don't know what is up with the buyers for stores... it is winter, in Colorado... we NEED sweaters that actually keep you warm. Not that you have to put another shirt on under...because while we will put another shirt on it is because we're heading out into sub zero temps...not to look cute!
sigh
and our latest project
One of the ladies at church requested that our Youth group look into getting Christmas Ornaments with our church logo on them for a fundraiser. But when I looked into doing that the prices were CRAZY expensive. One gal had suggested that I look into those places that will put your logo on the round glass ball ornaments... but they want set up charges and a minimum order... looking at at least $350 just to get going. OYE
I also looked into those places where you can DIY your logo on their stuff. But their ornaments were around $12 each plus shipping. And then when I set up our account, they put our logo on everything BUT the ornaments. I needed the "Premium" account to choose the products.
So instead I looked into just making ornaments our selves. And I came up with two really cute ideas that aren't too hard to do. Sorry I don't have pictures of them here yet, I forgot to take the pictures and then left the ornament samples at church... so I have to make some more and then get your pictures.
Pictures coming soon... I promise.
As promised...
Friday, December 07, 2012
Lilly update
So today is 2 weeks post-op for Lilly. She got to go in and have her staples removed. She wasn't all that happy to go. A bundle of nerves was more like it. Even more nervous than when she goes in for her shots.
So the doc is happy with her progress. She said that Lilly is doing better than she expected her to be at this point. I had to rat Lilly out for jumping the retaining wall again. I don't know how we are going to keep her from doing that other than actually walking her on the leash each time she goes out. sigh...it is cold out there!
The doc said that her Mother in law had staples once and said that it was very painful to get them removed, but that the dogs don't even flinch. Course I'm sure her MIL didn't have someone holding 3 of her limbs and holding down her head with their forearm. ;)
Now Lilly keeps following me around the house. It is very annoying. I sure hope I don't actually trip over her. Perhaps Lilly is upset with me for leaving her after we got back to go Christmas shopping.
So the doc is happy with her progress. She said that Lilly is doing better than she expected her to be at this point. I had to rat Lilly out for jumping the retaining wall again. I don't know how we are going to keep her from doing that other than actually walking her on the leash each time she goes out. sigh...it is cold out there!
The doc said that her Mother in law had staples once and said that it was very painful to get them removed, but that the dogs don't even flinch. Course I'm sure her MIL didn't have someone holding 3 of her limbs and holding down her head with their forearm. ;)
Now Lilly keeps following me around the house. It is very annoying. I sure hope I don't actually trip over her. Perhaps Lilly is upset with me for leaving her after we got back to go Christmas shopping.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Lilly
It was either on Nov 12 or 13th that Lilly came in the house limping after rushing out to chase after a squirrel. I tried to figure out what she might have done to herself but couldn't come up with anything on my own or with the help I got from numerous internet searches. So since she didn't show any improvement I made an appointment to have our vet look at her.
Unfortunately the vet was able to diagnose Lilly in a flash. When he showed me I knew exactly what was up without him having to say a word. Lilly had torn her ACL in her back left leg. That meant surgery. Okay well it doesn't necessarily mean surgery... well here are the options.
1) do nothing and the dog limps for the rest of her life and probably gets arthritis which makes the rest of her life painful.
2) surgery done at my vet's office. This is the cheapest of the surgery options.
3) surgery done at a vet in Colorado Springs.
4) surgery done at another vet - he didn't say where this vet was.
Options 3 & 4 were both more expensive and after looking online I realized that both options were really for larger dogs than Lilly.
See a torn ACL is usually suffered by larger breed dogs (like Labs, etc.) and usually happens when the dog is younger (around age 2). When an older dogs suffers this injury it is usually because they're overweight.
Well Lilly is 10 and not overweight. I'm not sure why hers went out. at any rate, it is pretty likely that she'll tear out the other one. bummer.
We decided to have the surgery done at my vet's office as it seemed that type of surgery was best for a dog of Lilly's size and age.
Lilly went in on Nov 23rd and came home on the 24th.
The 24th was pretty awful for us. I don't know for sure but I think it might have been that Lilly accidentally got too much of her morphine medicine. She showed signs of morphine psychosis and was driving us all nuts with her constant whining. DH and Darly refused to allow me to give Lilly any more of her morphine as they were worried that she would keep them up all night whining.
DH & Darly got to sleep just fine...it was me who was up all night with Lilly and at about 2:45 I gave Lilly more morphine...I cut her pill though as I was worried about her medicine schedule. Unfortunately I wasn't able to cut the pill in half so she got about 1/3rd of it. But that took the edge off of her pain and allowed both of us some sleep.
Things were going well until I asked the vet about just wrapping Lilly's wound instead of making her wear the cone of shame at night. The vet was pretty insistent that Lilly wear the cone as she didn't think that I could wrap the wound in a way that would keep Lilly out of it...I didn't tell the vet that I had already been just wrapping it and not forcing Lilly to wear the cone.
Lilly's leg is healing up really nicely and she is using it as much as the vet wants her to at this point. Lilly still wants to lick at her wound but knows she isn't allowed. So she'll either lay down on that leg so she can't get at it OR she'll sneak off to somewhere I am not at when I'm not looking. bugger!
Tomorrow is one week since her surgery...we've got 11 more to go.
Unfortunately the vet was able to diagnose Lilly in a flash. When he showed me I knew exactly what was up without him having to say a word. Lilly had torn her ACL in her back left leg. That meant surgery. Okay well it doesn't necessarily mean surgery... well here are the options.
1) do nothing and the dog limps for the rest of her life and probably gets arthritis which makes the rest of her life painful.
2) surgery done at my vet's office. This is the cheapest of the surgery options.
3) surgery done at a vet in Colorado Springs.
4) surgery done at another vet - he didn't say where this vet was.
Options 3 & 4 were both more expensive and after looking online I realized that both options were really for larger dogs than Lilly.
See a torn ACL is usually suffered by larger breed dogs (like Labs, etc.) and usually happens when the dog is younger (around age 2). When an older dogs suffers this injury it is usually because they're overweight.
Well Lilly is 10 and not overweight. I'm not sure why hers went out. at any rate, it is pretty likely that she'll tear out the other one. bummer.
We decided to have the surgery done at my vet's office as it seemed that type of surgery was best for a dog of Lilly's size and age.
Lilly went in on Nov 23rd and came home on the 24th.
The 24th was pretty awful for us. I don't know for sure but I think it might have been that Lilly accidentally got too much of her morphine medicine. She showed signs of morphine psychosis and was driving us all nuts with her constant whining. DH and Darly refused to allow me to give Lilly any more of her morphine as they were worried that she would keep them up all night whining.
DH & Darly got to sleep just fine...it was me who was up all night with Lilly and at about 2:45 I gave Lilly more morphine...I cut her pill though as I was worried about her medicine schedule. Unfortunately I wasn't able to cut the pill in half so she got about 1/3rd of it. But that took the edge off of her pain and allowed both of us some sleep.
Things were going well until I asked the vet about just wrapping Lilly's wound instead of making her wear the cone of shame at night. The vet was pretty insistent that Lilly wear the cone as she didn't think that I could wrap the wound in a way that would keep Lilly out of it...I didn't tell the vet that I had already been just wrapping it and not forcing Lilly to wear the cone.
Lilly's leg is healing up really nicely and she is using it as much as the vet wants her to at this point. Lilly still wants to lick at her wound but knows she isn't allowed. So she'll either lay down on that leg so she can't get at it OR she'll sneak off to somewhere I am not at when I'm not looking. bugger!
Tomorrow is one week since her surgery...we've got 11 more to go.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was just the three of us this year. Which I'm sure was just fine for my two introverts, spending the holiday with my brother and his extended family can drive them both into "shut down" mode.
Since we were just three I decided that our meal's leftovers shouldn't last until next year, so I did a lot of scaling back of the production.
The Menu:
Turkey (11 lbs, the smallest I could find!) Brined & Butterflied* ala Alton Brown!
Gravy (pan drippings, flour, Kitchen Bouquet and water saved from the potatoes)
Mashed Potatoes
Candied Yams (can of yams, 3 TBSP Brown Sugar, 3 TBSP butter - bake @ 350 for at least 30 min)
Corn
Green Beans
Mushrooms (chopped up with salt, pepper & butter. Microwaved 4 minutes)
Bread
Cranberry Sauce (we like that can shaped jelly)
Pumpkin Dessert**
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Darly made everything I've highlighted and did an awesome job!
I didn't make any stuffing this year because I'm the only one who likes it and therefore I'm the only who eats it and I don't need any more stuffing. ;)
I realized that I didn't make anything orange for me to eat this year. I don't like candied yams :p I was going to make rutabagas, but my store had only small rubbery roots...just good for soup.
No, I'm not drunk there. We're drinking Grape Juice. Hubby just manages to take the best pictures and I blinked.
I hope that you and your family all had a very Blessed Thanksgiving!
*Place turkey on a plastic cutting board breast-side down. Using kitchen shears, cut ribs down one side of back bone and then the other and remove. Open chicken like a book and remove the keel bone separating the breast halves by slicing through the thin membrane covering it, then by placing two fingers underneath the bone and levering it out. Turn turkey breast-side up and spread out like a butterfly by pressing down on the breast and pulling the legs towards you.
Since we were just three I decided that our meal's leftovers shouldn't last until next year, so I did a lot of scaling back of the production.
The Menu:
Turkey (11 lbs, the smallest I could find!) Brined & Butterflied* ala Alton Brown!
Gravy (pan drippings, flour, Kitchen Bouquet and water saved from the potatoes)
Mashed Potatoes
Candied Yams (can of yams, 3 TBSP Brown Sugar, 3 TBSP butter - bake @ 350 for at least 30 min)
Corn
Green Beans
Mushrooms (chopped up with salt, pepper & butter. Microwaved 4 minutes)
Bread
Cranberry Sauce (we like that can shaped jelly)
Pumpkin Dessert**
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Darly made everything I've highlighted and did an awesome job!
I didn't make any stuffing this year because I'm the only one who likes it and therefore I'm the only who eats it and I don't need any more stuffing. ;)
I realized that I didn't make anything orange for me to eat this year. I don't like candied yams :p I was going to make rutabagas, but my store had only small rubbery roots...just good for soup.
No, I'm not drunk there. We're drinking Grape Juice. Hubby just manages to take the best pictures and I blinked.
I hope that you and your family all had a very Blessed Thanksgiving!
*Place turkey on a plastic cutting board breast-side down. Using kitchen shears, cut ribs down one side of back bone and then the other and remove. Open chicken like a book and remove the keel bone separating the breast halves by slicing through the thin membrane covering it, then by placing two fingers underneath the bone and levering it out. Turn turkey breast-side up and spread out like a butterfly by pressing down on the breast and pulling the legs towards you.
**Pumpkin Dessert recipe
My mother in law first heard this recipe on the radio back in California...sometime back in the 80's.
Ingredients
29oz can pumpkin (not pie filling)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves (opt)
1 1/4 cup sugar
12 oz can evaporated milk
3 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup melted butter
Instructions
Mix spices with sugar and then into pumpkin. Add evaporated milk & eggs and mix thoroughly. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin mixture lightly so as to not make big dents in the pumpkin (note: the cake mix is to stay "dry" not be mixed with the pumpkin!) Sprinkle walnuts over cake mix and then drizzle butter over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the top is golden brown. Check after 50 min.
Ingredients
29oz can pumpkin (not pie filling)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves (opt)
1 1/4 cup sugar
12 oz can evaporated milk
3 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup melted butter
Instructions
Mix spices with sugar and then into pumpkin. Add evaporated milk & eggs and mix thoroughly. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin mixture lightly so as to not make big dents in the pumpkin (note: the cake mix is to stay "dry" not be mixed with the pumpkin!) Sprinkle walnuts over cake mix and then drizzle butter over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the top is golden brown. Check after 50 min.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Priorities?
So last week after my dog Lilly had been outside chasing a squirrel we noticed that she was limping on her back leg. I looked at her foot and leg and couldn't find anything wrong. So I did a bit of research on the net and found this full exam that you can do. I did that and still couldn't figure out why my dog was limping.
So since she was still limping the following day, I took her to the vet. $450 later I find out that she has torn her ACL (that's the ligament in the knee joint)...to get it fixed will cost between $1800 and $3200. Depending on which type of surgery I choose. So like any good doggy parent I did my research.
What I was trying to figure out was what would be the best surgery for Lilly that won't cause her problems later in life. I mean if I get her the cheap surgery...will I just pay for it later with more medical bills for arthritis or something else?
My research showed that this type of injury typically happens in large breed dogs within the first two years of their lives...and if they "blow" one they'll typically blow the other back knee as well. The other set of dogs that get this are smaller breeds who are overweight. They don't blow the second knee though. Lilly is neither type of dog though.
There are 4 types of surgery for dogs. My vet only offered me 3 choices though...and the two more expensive versions aren't offered at my vet's office. If I chose those I would be referred to other vets for them. However, the two more expensive options are also for the larger breed dogs and are kind of dependent on the weight of the dog for the fix to work. So I chose the cheaper option.
Lilly's surgery is scheduled for Nov 23rd.
Then yesterday I get an IM from my brother that my grandmother is in the hospital after taking a nasty fall. Grandma is almost 91. She lives with my Aunt & Uncle and they had left her at home. When they returned she greeted them at the door with a huge bruise on her head, and her face & arms were all scratched up. A quick check of the house found bloody spots in the sun room...it appeared that she had fallen twice. Grandma couldn't remember it or anything that happened last week.
So Grandma got to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital while they run tests to try to figure out why she fell.
I tried to call my mom today but got no answer.
She called me back later AFTER she talked to my brother. Who of course asked if I had called and she said no, because she didn't have her phone turned on and missed my two calls!
My mom was more concerned with my dog's surgery, her dog's food and other things than about her mom being in the hospital. At least that is what she said.
So since she was still limping the following day, I took her to the vet. $450 later I find out that she has torn her ACL (that's the ligament in the knee joint)...to get it fixed will cost between $1800 and $3200. Depending on which type of surgery I choose. So like any good doggy parent I did my research.
What I was trying to figure out was what would be the best surgery for Lilly that won't cause her problems later in life. I mean if I get her the cheap surgery...will I just pay for it later with more medical bills for arthritis or something else?
My research showed that this type of injury typically happens in large breed dogs within the first two years of their lives...and if they "blow" one they'll typically blow the other back knee as well. The other set of dogs that get this are smaller breeds who are overweight. They don't blow the second knee though. Lilly is neither type of dog though.
There are 4 types of surgery for dogs. My vet only offered me 3 choices though...and the two more expensive versions aren't offered at my vet's office. If I chose those I would be referred to other vets for them. However, the two more expensive options are also for the larger breed dogs and are kind of dependent on the weight of the dog for the fix to work. So I chose the cheaper option.
Lilly's surgery is scheduled for Nov 23rd.
Then yesterday I get an IM from my brother that my grandmother is in the hospital after taking a nasty fall. Grandma is almost 91. She lives with my Aunt & Uncle and they had left her at home. When they returned she greeted them at the door with a huge bruise on her head, and her face & arms were all scratched up. A quick check of the house found bloody spots in the sun room...it appeared that she had fallen twice. Grandma couldn't remember it or anything that happened last week.
So Grandma got to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital while they run tests to try to figure out why she fell.
I tried to call my mom today but got no answer.
She called me back later AFTER she talked to my brother. Who of course asked if I had called and she said no, because she didn't have her phone turned on and missed my two calls!
My mom was more concerned with my dog's surgery, her dog's food and other things than about her mom being in the hospital. At least that is what she said.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
oye!
so last week we were at the conference for a good portion of the week.
Hubby had to work over the weekend and while there he got into his files and see that Darly & my ID cards will expire this coming Saturday. We need to come and get our cards renewed this week!
I so wish that he would have checked this LAST week so we could have renewed the cards one of the days we drove right by the office. :p
I also need to go by the store and pick up some new pants I ordered...I sure hope I ordered the right size. That order of course didn't show up until the day AFTER the conference ended.
Sigh
oh and the neighbor's roofer decides to show up today.
I wonder why Darly is still asleep?
In other randomness?
We've got this one member of our Church who is a bit eccentric (I hope that's a nice term for it). I'm not sure what all is going on there...
At any rate this guy wanted to do a Reformation Fair. This guy had set up a facebook page for it so that he could keep us all informed. When I joined the page he made me an administrator. lovely! We quickly realized that there was no possible way to be ready to do this by Oct 31st this year. We didn't have a location, a plan or the resources to do it. So the page has been sitting dormant since we canceled the plans to do the fair this year.
Today guy gets on the page and goes into a full blown rant about political issues. Just what we need associated with our Church! I was out of there pretty quickly.
Hubby had to work over the weekend and while there he got into his files and see that Darly & my ID cards will expire this coming Saturday. We need to come and get our cards renewed this week!
I so wish that he would have checked this LAST week so we could have renewed the cards one of the days we drove right by the office. :p
I also need to go by the store and pick up some new pants I ordered...I sure hope I ordered the right size. That order of course didn't show up until the day AFTER the conference ended.
Sigh
oh and the neighbor's roofer decides to show up today.
I wonder why Darly is still asleep?
In other randomness?
We've got this one member of our Church who is a bit eccentric (I hope that's a nice term for it). I'm not sure what all is going on there...
At any rate this guy wanted to do a Reformation Fair. This guy had set up a facebook page for it so that he could keep us all informed. When I joined the page he made me an administrator. lovely! We quickly realized that there was no possible way to be ready to do this by Oct 31st this year. We didn't have a location, a plan or the resources to do it. So the page has been sitting dormant since we canceled the plans to do the fair this year.
Today guy gets on the page and goes into a full blown rant about political issues. Just what we need associated with our Church! I was out of there pretty quickly.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Where I've been, what I've been doing
Those of you who have friended me on Facebook know a bit about what I've been up to as I was able to post some...but I've been too busy to come over here lately.
As if sewing costumes for Darly's newest play "Little Princess" wasn't enough, I also volunteered us (Darly, DH & myself) to help with the LCMC Annual Gathering.
So on Saturday Darly, DH & I went up to the convention center and helped prepare the bags that we handed out to all the attendees. The rest of our Youth Group and some of the adults at church were also there. We even had a few folks from some of the other area LCMC churches come to help as well. We managed to get the bags loaded and set up really quickly with enough time for some goofing around and snacks as well.
Then we brought home an extra kid for a few hours of merriment for Darly. This worked out as there was a Youth Group event that evening that Darly & I went to.
Sunday we had the honor of having the pastors from the Estonia Tartu Academy join us and present the message. We had a lot of guests because of the Annual Gathering. Then the church threw a bbq lunch where we learned even more about the Tartu Academy.
Then Darly & I went to the convention center to get set up and ready for the opening of the Gathering. We were asked to run the merchandise table along with our friends the P family. The kids did a lot of running around for us.
We enjoyed dinner at the conference, I don't know what part of the pig that roast was from but it was sure yummy. I had to force myself to stop eating it. At our table was a youth minister and missionaries from Kenya who help streetkids become reunited with their families. They provide counseling so that the kids and families are reconciled and stay together.
After dinner we got to go to worship with over 1200 pastors from all over the world! It was an incredible experience with a great message provided by a pastor from Evergreen.
Monday we started the day early (for us) at 7:30 at the conference with more merchandise table work. At lunch we shared a table with a pastor of a small church in Oregon...his wife homeschools their kids and runs their entire Sunday School program as it is just 6 kids...her 3 and their cousins. They're looking and praying that they can grow.
After lunch it was time for break-out sessions. The kids and I helped everyone find the rooms that they were looking for. We all learned that while the convention center's computerized map was helpful the scrolling list of classes was too fast for anyone to read. I gave Darly a list of classes & rooms which she found most helpful.
Tuesday early again and off to work the merchandise table. As Darly was very tired she set up a nap area in the back of the coat closet and zonked out for about an hour & a half (she was much happier after that!) we had another afternoon of directing traffic...but we were prepared with a list of classes this time. However, there was one class that not many had signed up for, but everyone wanted to attend...so it was put in a room that wasn't big enough. I later learned that if folks had signed up for this class they could have scheduled a larger room...but they could only go by how folks registered. I'm betting that the nearly empty larger room was where all the extras came from. :(
That evening I had a board meeting with my homeschool group...so I was up pretty late.
Wednesday was early again but it was also the final day. We were expecting a lot more sales that day, but it seemed that folks weren't so eager to buy a lot of stuff they had to figure out how to get home. So instead we had to figure out how to get all the extra merchandise back to Michigan.
I was able to get our laundry done when we got home.
Today is Thursday and Darly & I are heading up to Celestial Seasonings for a tour and some tea! Then Darly has her CYT class at 4:30. I think I'm going to try to go to the gym as I haven't been able to do that for a while.
As if sewing costumes for Darly's newest play "Little Princess" wasn't enough, I also volunteered us (Darly, DH & myself) to help with the LCMC Annual Gathering.
So on Saturday Darly, DH & I went up to the convention center and helped prepare the bags that we handed out to all the attendees. The rest of our Youth Group and some of the adults at church were also there. We even had a few folks from some of the other area LCMC churches come to help as well. We managed to get the bags loaded and set up really quickly with enough time for some goofing around and snacks as well.
Then we brought home an extra kid for a few hours of merriment for Darly. This worked out as there was a Youth Group event that evening that Darly & I went to.
Sunday we had the honor of having the pastors from the Estonia Tartu Academy join us and present the message. We had a lot of guests because of the Annual Gathering. Then the church threw a bbq lunch where we learned even more about the Tartu Academy.
Then Darly & I went to the convention center to get set up and ready for the opening of the Gathering. We were asked to run the merchandise table along with our friends the P family. The kids did a lot of running around for us.
We enjoyed dinner at the conference, I don't know what part of the pig that roast was from but it was sure yummy. I had to force myself to stop eating it. At our table was a youth minister and missionaries from Kenya who help streetkids become reunited with their families. They provide counseling so that the kids and families are reconciled and stay together.
After dinner we got to go to worship with over 1200 pastors from all over the world! It was an incredible experience with a great message provided by a pastor from Evergreen.
Monday we started the day early (for us) at 7:30 at the conference with more merchandise table work. At lunch we shared a table with a pastor of a small church in Oregon...his wife homeschools their kids and runs their entire Sunday School program as it is just 6 kids...her 3 and their cousins. They're looking and praying that they can grow.
After lunch it was time for break-out sessions. The kids and I helped everyone find the rooms that they were looking for. We all learned that while the convention center's computerized map was helpful the scrolling list of classes was too fast for anyone to read. I gave Darly a list of classes & rooms which she found most helpful.
Tuesday early again and off to work the merchandise table. As Darly was very tired she set up a nap area in the back of the coat closet and zonked out for about an hour & a half (she was much happier after that!) we had another afternoon of directing traffic...but we were prepared with a list of classes this time. However, there was one class that not many had signed up for, but everyone wanted to attend...so it was put in a room that wasn't big enough. I later learned that if folks had signed up for this class they could have scheduled a larger room...but they could only go by how folks registered. I'm betting that the nearly empty larger room was where all the extras came from. :(
That evening I had a board meeting with my homeschool group...so I was up pretty late.
Wednesday was early again but it was also the final day. We were expecting a lot more sales that day, but it seemed that folks weren't so eager to buy a lot of stuff they had to figure out how to get home. So instead we had to figure out how to get all the extra merchandise back to Michigan.
I was able to get our laundry done when we got home.
Today is Thursday and Darly & I are heading up to Celestial Seasonings for a tour and some tea! Then Darly has her CYT class at 4:30. I think I'm going to try to go to the gym as I haven't been able to do that for a while.
Friday, October 05, 2012
Brined & Roasted Chicken
Brine
about 29oz of veggie broth (2 cans)
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground allspice
combine and bring to a boil to dissolve the salt & sugar. Then cool with ice. Once the brine is cold, pour over your 5lb (aprox) cleaned roasting chicken and let the brine do it's job for at least 2 hours.
discard the brine
using kitchen sheers remove the back bone from the bird (save this in the freezer for chicken broth later) and crack the breast bone so that you can lay the bird out flat on your roasting pan.
Then I used Alton's recipe as a guide
Place chicken on a plastic cutting board breast-side down. Using kitchen shears, cut ribs down one side of back bone and then the other and remove. Open chicken like a book and remove the keel bone separating the breast halves by slicing through the thin membrane covering it, then by placing two fingers underneath the bone and levering it out. Turn chicken breast-side up and spread out like a butterfly by pressing down on the breast and pulling the legs towards you. Loosen the skin at the neck and the edges of the thighs. Evenly distribute the garlic mixture under the skin, saving 2 teaspoons for the jus. Drizzle the skin with oil and rub in, being sure to cover the bird evenly. Drizzle oil on bone side of chicken as well.
Arrange bird in roasting pan, breast up, atop vegetables.
Place pan in oven being sure to leave the oven door ajar. Check bird in 10 minutes. If the skin is a dark mahogany, hold the drumstick ends with paper towels and flip bone-side up. Cook 12 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Juices must run clear. Remove and place chicken into a deep bowl and cover loosely with foil.
Tilt pan so that any fat will pool at corner. Siphon this off with a bulb baster. (This fat is great in vinaigrettes). Set pan over 2 burners set on high. Deglaze pan with a few shots of red wine and scrape brown bits from bottom using a carrot chunk held with tongs. Add chicken stock, thyme, the remaining garlic paste and reduce briefly to make a jus. Strain out vegetables and discard. Slice chicken onto plates or serve in quarters. Sauce lightly with jus and serve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
note: all that oil so close to your broiler is going to make a lot of smoke! make sure you ventilate your kitchen well unless you like a smoky house.
I didn't make the sauce, the chicken has enough flavor from the brine that it doesn't need it.
I made this on Wednesday. Thursday we had it again...and now tonight I'm taking what's left and making the chicken & rice recipe below.
about 29oz of veggie broth (2 cans)
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground allspice
combine and bring to a boil to dissolve the salt & sugar. Then cool with ice. Once the brine is cold, pour over your 5lb (aprox) cleaned roasting chicken and let the brine do it's job for at least 2 hours.
discard the brine
using kitchen sheers remove the back bone from the bird (save this in the freezer for chicken broth later) and crack the breast bone so that you can lay the bird out flat on your roasting pan.
Then I used Alton's recipe as a guide
Broiled, Butterflied Chicken
Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time:30 min
- Level:Easy
- Serves: 4 to 6 servings (we're getting a lot more servings out of this!)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns (I used about a tsp of ground pepper)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (I used about a tsp of garlic salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (omitted due to garlic salt above)
- 1 lemon, zested (about a TBSP of lemon juice)
- Extra virgin olive oil (canola oil)
- Onions, carrots and celery cut into 3 to 4-inch pieces (omitted)
- 3 to 4-pound broiler/fryer chicken (oh, my bird was bigger!)
- 1 cup red wine (omitted)
- 8 ounces chicken stock (omitted)
- 2 to 3 sprigs thyme (omitted)
- Canola oil
Directions
Position the oven rack 8 inches from the
flame/coil and turn broiler to high. Crack peppercorns with a mortar and
pestle until coarsely ground. Add garlic and salt and work well. Add
lemon zest and work just until you can smell lemon. Add just enough oil
to form a paste.
Check out your refrigerator for onions, carrots and celery that are
a little past their prime. Cut vegetables into pieces and place in a
deep roasting pan.Place chicken on a plastic cutting board breast-side down. Using kitchen shears, cut ribs down one side of back bone and then the other and remove. Open chicken like a book and remove the keel bone separating the breast halves by slicing through the thin membrane covering it, then by placing two fingers underneath the bone and levering it out. Turn chicken breast-side up and spread out like a butterfly by pressing down on the breast and pulling the legs towards you. Loosen the skin at the neck and the edges of the thighs. Evenly distribute the garlic mixture under the skin, saving 2 teaspoons for the jus. Drizzle the skin with oil and rub in, being sure to cover the bird evenly. Drizzle oil on bone side of chicken as well.
Arrange bird in roasting pan, breast up, atop vegetables.
Place pan in oven being sure to leave the oven door ajar. Check bird in 10 minutes. If the skin is a dark mahogany, hold the drumstick ends with paper towels and flip bone-side up. Cook 12 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Juices must run clear. Remove and place chicken into a deep bowl and cover loosely with foil.
Tilt pan so that any fat will pool at corner. Siphon this off with a bulb baster. (This fat is great in vinaigrettes). Set pan over 2 burners set on high. Deglaze pan with a few shots of red wine and scrape brown bits from bottom using a carrot chunk held with tongs. Add chicken stock, thyme, the remaining garlic paste and reduce briefly to make a jus. Strain out vegetables and discard. Slice chicken onto plates or serve in quarters. Sauce lightly with jus and serve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
note: all that oil so close to your broiler is going to make a lot of smoke! make sure you ventilate your kitchen well unless you like a smoky house.
I didn't make the sauce, the chicken has enough flavor from the brine that it doesn't need it.
I made this on Wednesday. Thursday we had it again...and now tonight I'm taking what's left and making the chicken & rice recipe below.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
wardrobe try two - another fail
So yesterday we were near the mall and decided to try there for Darly's fall wardrobe.
We went to lunch first and then headed over to JCPenney. Part one of our problem is that I wanted to use my creative financing plan on this and did not have a gift card with me (didn't know how much of a card I would need!) So we were just looking.
We did find things that fit and were acceptable (although no real winter clothing). So my plan was to write down everything that we liked and then order them online using the gift card.
The problem is virtually NOTHING that we found in the store was available online!!! See JCPenney has a creative financing thing of their own and where you used to be able to find everything that they sold online as they could just pull stock from a store if needed, they don't do that anymore. What's in the store is what you get and what's online is all you can get. They don't backorder, they don't restock. You can't really call it catalog ordering anymore. :p
So now I have to drive all the way back to the store as Darly really wants the cute owl shirt we found.
Sigh! But at least we'll have the gift card with us.
We went to lunch first and then headed over to JCPenney. Part one of our problem is that I wanted to use my creative financing plan on this and did not have a gift card with me (didn't know how much of a card I would need!) So we were just looking.
We did find things that fit and were acceptable (although no real winter clothing). So my plan was to write down everything that we liked and then order them online using the gift card.
The problem is virtually NOTHING that we found in the store was available online!!! See JCPenney has a creative financing thing of their own and where you used to be able to find everything that they sold online as they could just pull stock from a store if needed, they don't do that anymore. What's in the store is what you get and what's online is all you can get. They don't backorder, they don't restock. You can't really call it catalog ordering anymore. :p
So now I have to drive all the way back to the store as Darly really wants the cute owl shirt we found.
Sigh! But at least we'll have the gift card with us.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
clothing frustrations...I'm naming names!
So yesterday I took Darly shopping for her fall wardrobe because she refuses to quit growing and her clothes from last year aren't fitting. sigh!
We looked at Target a little, but honestly the quality there is too cheap for the price they're asking. And we didn't see anything that we liked.
So we went to Kohls. And here is where things got interesting...
Darly currently has some Mudd girls size 14 jeans that fit in the waist but the length is a bit short on her. So she tried on some size 16s. I grabbed two skinny jeans and two flair jeans. (unfortunately the two skinny jeans were the exact same pair...oops!)
I also grabbed a pair of SO jeans in size 16...I believe that they were bootcut.
And while looking in the Junior dept we picked out a few pair of Mudd Jeans in size 1.
Mudd 16 skinny - fit in the waist, too tight in the thighs, the length was very long and she didn't like the coloring on these (they had the bleached in distress marks)
Mudd 16 flair - were way too big in the waist...and even though they have adjustable waists, what 14y/o wants that??? oh and the length was too long.
SO 16 boot cut were just too big everywhere...we could pull those right off while zipped.
The Junior sized jeans were too tight and too low. I'm not putting my 14y/o in super low rise jeans. They are stupid, jeans are supposed to cover the entire bottom and underware.
So she tried on the Mudd 14 flair... um fit in the waist, but the length was too short. grrr
Sales lady suggested that we try Levis. I don't like the price on Levis, but we tried. and even though we were in the 7-16 section, these were super low rise also. I refuse to pay extra for less pant.
So sadly Darly did not get any new jeans. We also struck out on shirts as the ones she picked out were itchy due to the cute silver threads in the material...soft on the outside, itchy inside. Ummm Nope!
I sure miss the days when each size was the same, but now it isn't even the same with the same maker.
We looked at Target a little, but honestly the quality there is too cheap for the price they're asking. And we didn't see anything that we liked.
So we went to Kohls. And here is where things got interesting...
Darly currently has some Mudd girls size 14 jeans that fit in the waist but the length is a bit short on her. So she tried on some size 16s. I grabbed two skinny jeans and two flair jeans. (unfortunately the two skinny jeans were the exact same pair...oops!)
I also grabbed a pair of SO jeans in size 16...I believe that they were bootcut.
And while looking in the Junior dept we picked out a few pair of Mudd Jeans in size 1.
Mudd 16 skinny - fit in the waist, too tight in the thighs, the length was very long and she didn't like the coloring on these (they had the bleached in distress marks)
Mudd 16 flair - were way too big in the waist...and even though they have adjustable waists, what 14y/o wants that??? oh and the length was too long.
SO 16 boot cut were just too big everywhere...we could pull those right off while zipped.
The Junior sized jeans were too tight and too low. I'm not putting my 14y/o in super low rise jeans. They are stupid, jeans are supposed to cover the entire bottom and underware.
So she tried on the Mudd 14 flair... um fit in the waist, but the length was too short. grrr
Sales lady suggested that we try Levis. I don't like the price on Levis, but we tried. and even though we were in the 7-16 section, these were super low rise also. I refuse to pay extra for less pant.
So sadly Darly did not get any new jeans. We also struck out on shirts as the ones she picked out were itchy due to the cute silver threads in the material...soft on the outside, itchy inside. Ummm Nope!
I sure miss the days when each size was the same, but now it isn't even the same with the same maker.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Some creative financing...
Normally I just pay for everything using my cashback credit card and am fine with that.
However if I buy gift cards at my grocery store, I can earn more fuel points (=cheaper gas)
I have gift card that gives me 5% cash back when I use it.
so I use the cashback credit card to put money on the 5% gift card that I can use to buy other gift cards to earn more fuel points.
Confusing, I know. But it is saving me money.
However if I buy gift cards at my grocery store, I can earn more fuel points (=cheaper gas)
I have gift card that gives me 5% cash back when I use it.
so I use the cashback credit card to put money on the 5% gift card that I can use to buy other gift cards to earn more fuel points.
Confusing, I know. But it is saving me money.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Pizzagna
I cudda sworn that this recipe was already on my blog, but I couldn't find it...so here it is...again if you've already seen it.
16 oz cooked large egg noodles (or if you're fancy use one of those other noodles that will grab a lot of the sauce)
2 jars of your favorite pizza sauce (sorry I don't remember how many ounces that is...if you make your own pizza sauce it's about 4 cups or so, I think)
8oz LARGE curd cottage cheese (you could use small curd or ricotta cheese if you like...we like the large)
any pizza toppings you like (we like pepperoni & canadian bacon cut up)
mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top
cook up your noodles and drain them
In that same pot heat up your pizza sauce with the toppings and the cottage cheese. Add the noodles back in and stir well to mix. Serve with the mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top.
This recipe is modified from one I saw on Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals...but she makes her own sauce and uses ricotta cheese.
16 oz cooked large egg noodles (or if you're fancy use one of those other noodles that will grab a lot of the sauce)
2 jars of your favorite pizza sauce (sorry I don't remember how many ounces that is...if you make your own pizza sauce it's about 4 cups or so, I think)
8oz LARGE curd cottage cheese (you could use small curd or ricotta cheese if you like...we like the large)
any pizza toppings you like (we like pepperoni & canadian bacon cut up)
mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top
cook up your noodles and drain them
In that same pot heat up your pizza sauce with the toppings and the cottage cheese. Add the noodles back in and stir well to mix. Serve with the mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top.
This recipe is modified from one I saw on Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals...but she makes her own sauce and uses ricotta cheese.
chicken & noodles
a family favorite
2 chicken breasts cut up
chicken seasonings (whatever your family likes)
cup of water mixed with 1 tsp chicken bouillon
cooked noodles (I use about 5 good sized handfuls)
frozen peas (I tossed them in with the noodles about 3 min before they were due to be done)
cut your raw chicken into bite sized pieces and season. Allow this it sit for a bit while your pan is heating up.
Spray a frying pan with spray oil and heat over high heat. Add in the chicken to the pan and let it brown a bit. Stir to turn the chicken over and get as much browing as possible. add in 1/2 the chicken bouillon liquid and cover to steam the chicken until it is done...then let as much of the liquid evaporate out as possible...I let the pan get completely dry.
Mix the chicken with the noodles and peas in the pot you cooked the noodles in...add the remaining chicken liquid to the frying pan to loosen up the dried on seasonings and then add that to the chicken & noodles. Mix well and serve!
This is also really good with some chicken gravy, but my daughter doesn't like gravy. :(
2 chicken breasts cut up
chicken seasonings (whatever your family likes)
cup of water mixed with 1 tsp chicken bouillon
cooked noodles (I use about 5 good sized handfuls)
frozen peas (I tossed them in with the noodles about 3 min before they were due to be done)
cut your raw chicken into bite sized pieces and season. Allow this it sit for a bit while your pan is heating up.
Spray a frying pan with spray oil and heat over high heat. Add in the chicken to the pan and let it brown a bit. Stir to turn the chicken over and get as much browing as possible. add in 1/2 the chicken bouillon liquid and cover to steam the chicken until it is done...then let as much of the liquid evaporate out as possible...I let the pan get completely dry.
Mix the chicken with the noodles and peas in the pot you cooked the noodles in...add the remaining chicken liquid to the frying pan to loosen up the dried on seasonings and then add that to the chicken & noodles. Mix well and serve!
This is also really good with some chicken gravy, but my daughter doesn't like gravy. :(
beef tortilla soup
I just sort of made this up as I went and it turned out really well...
1 lb ground beef
1TBSP onion powder or 1/2 chopped onion (I have to use the powder because of the pickies!)
1 15oz (are they still 15oz?) can of pinto beans
1 can (I don't know what size it was...way smaller than other cans) Tomatoes w/ green chilis (like Rotel)
1 can (a bit larger that the "Rotel" can) diced stewed tomatoes
20 oz chicken broth (since I had so much broth I drained the tomatoes, but if you're using canned, put in the liquid from your tomatoes also)
aprox 3 oz tomato paste (I had some left-over in the freezer...this is optional)
2 tsp cumin
salt & pepper to taste
brown the gr beef with chopped onions if you're using them and drain (if you're using onion powder add it in later as you don't want all your onion to go down the drain!)
add in your seasonings, tomatoes & beans.
Let simmer
I served this with rice, cheddar jack cheese & tortilla chips. Hubby picked out the tomatoes.
This would also be good with carrots, corn, peppers and squash if you have it. Just toss them in and let it simmer until the veggies are cooked.
1 lb ground beef
1TBSP onion powder or 1/2 chopped onion (I have to use the powder because of the pickies!)
1 15oz (are they still 15oz?) can of pinto beans
1 can (I don't know what size it was...way smaller than other cans) Tomatoes w/ green chilis (like Rotel)
1 can (a bit larger that the "Rotel" can) diced stewed tomatoes
20 oz chicken broth (since I had so much broth I drained the tomatoes, but if you're using canned, put in the liquid from your tomatoes also)
aprox 3 oz tomato paste (I had some left-over in the freezer...this is optional)
2 tsp cumin
salt & pepper to taste
brown the gr beef with chopped onions if you're using them and drain (if you're using onion powder add it in later as you don't want all your onion to go down the drain!)
add in your seasonings, tomatoes & beans.
Let simmer
I served this with rice, cheddar jack cheese & tortilla chips. Hubby picked out the tomatoes.
This would also be good with carrots, corn, peppers and squash if you have it. Just toss them in and let it simmer until the veggies are cooked.
Chicken & rice recipe
I haven't had a lot to say here, so I thought that I would share some of the recipes that have worked for my picky family...
I needed a quick and easy recipe for dinner the other night (as I had forgotten to thaw anything out) so I ran to the store and picked up a rotisserie cooked chicken.
I ripped half the chicken off the bones (saved the bones for broth later in the freezer) and cut up the meat into bite sized pieces.
I cooked 4 cups of rice in chicken bouillon* in my rice cooker.
Then I just mixed the two. I served it with cooked frozen veggies on the side.
The next day to mix it up a bit, I "whipped" up a batch of gravy...
2TBSP butter
2TBSP corn starch
chicken bouillon, water, salt & pepper
and poured that over the left-over chicken & rice.
Both dishes were a hit here.
*note: you could easily use chicken broth or stock. I just didn't have any at the time...but I will soon as I have that carcass in the freezer.
I needed a quick and easy recipe for dinner the other night (as I had forgotten to thaw anything out) so I ran to the store and picked up a rotisserie cooked chicken.
I ripped half the chicken off the bones (saved the bones for broth later in the freezer) and cut up the meat into bite sized pieces.
I cooked 4 cups of rice in chicken bouillon* in my rice cooker.
Then I just mixed the two. I served it with cooked frozen veggies on the side.
The next day to mix it up a bit, I "whipped" up a batch of gravy...
2TBSP butter
2TBSP corn starch
chicken bouillon, water, salt & pepper
and poured that over the left-over chicken & rice.
Both dishes were a hit here.
*note: you could easily use chicken broth or stock. I just didn't have any at the time...but I will soon as I have that carcass in the freezer.
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