Colonial Life

Dear Santa

2009-12-16T09:46:00.001-08:00

I am gonna mail this letter today and see if it works.

Dear Santa,

Until further notice my children will be duck taped to the wall. This hopefully will give them enough time to get on the nice list. With out the use of hands and feet hopefully we will not be repeating the antics of the last few days. So please check your list on Christmas eve and see if the plan worked. If there are no milk and cookies set out it will be because they are still stuck to the wall. Or lets be really honest, I ate them.

Sincerly,
the mother of the Destroying Angel and The Clueless One

We interrupt your regular scheduled program

2009-11-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a test, only a test. Had it been a real emergency there would have been great screaming and cursong followed by the sounds of much destruction. Due to heavy medications this has been avoided.

Thank you for your time. You will now be returned to your regular scheduled program.

Over Heard

2009-04-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

Cowboy: Man your mama was lucky that she married me, huh?

Zorro: No, I think she was crazy.

Cowboy: Crazy? How is that?

Zorro: Well, I saw a picture of her and she had this crazy look on her face!

What's in a name cont.

2009-03-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

That's it we're calling her Frank. This mornign at the Y, another Queenine!! How, How, HOw?????

What's in a name?

2009-03-22T15:09:00.001-07:00

When you name your children you look for something personable and different so that they will not be the 100th child named John in their class. At least that was the way it was for us when we named Zorro.

Zorro's name was different from anything we had ever heard and it fits (even if he does want to be called "Reilly" because it sound so much cooler.) for him. Now I had never heard Zorros name before in my life. For the first 5 and 1/2 years of his life I had never heard of another child with the same name. Until now.

Zorro had his first tball game last week. It was a long day of parades, pictures and games. While we were cheering on his team as they were marching by we heard a woman say "Zorro, come here!" Naturally we were concerned why a stranger would be yelling at our son. She wasn't, she was talking to her little boy with the same name.

Then at the game Zorro was up to bat. His father and I were cheering him on and shouting out encouragements "Go Zorro! Hit the ball Zorro." Now the other team was yelling at their first baseman at the same time: "Go Zorro! Watch the ball, Zorro, catch him out!" Yup, the first baseman and our son who was up to bat had the same name. I have never seen two children look more confused!! Do I hit or try and get myself out? He made a home run by the way.

But now we are confused with the name issue. How is it that we have never heard this name before and are now surrounded by other parents who were probably thinking the same thing. Thank heaven no one else will have Queenie's name. If they do, we'll call her Frank.

Not what I wanted to hear

2009-01-29T14:51:00.000-08:00

There are things that you never want to hear in your life. Unfortunately there are times when you do. This week I heard yet another phrase that I never wanted to hear. ( no we are not being forced to flee the country again, yet)

Me: Son, what are you doing in the garage?

Zorro: Playing with the nice mouse that I found. I am being very nice to him.

This took a minute to process what he had said, and yet it was a live mouse in our garage. So much for leaving the country life behind. Oh, and once again Cowboy was not here so guess who had to deal with the damn thing while trying to convince her children that wild mice do not make good pets. Yup, me, again.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-10-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

My life is a country song

2008-10-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Did any one listen to confrence last week? I tried but with two kids and a house full of men that cannot be indoors for more than 2 minutes with out pacing the floors, I must confess that I missed much of it. The one talk that I do remember is the about laughing about your problems. That was not the entire talk, but the part that I am going to be focusing on today.

The part that I am refering to is the part where the speaker told a few stories that could have been sob fest, but how they instead laughed about the problems and then fixed them. The point, try laughing and finding the positive in your current sistuation. My first thought was " I see absoulutly nothging funny about being forced to leave your home and community because of greedy, stupid people." Then I though about it and though "Hey! My life is like a bad country song!" (If it was a good counrty song, I would be lookin' like Carrie Underwood, and Brad Paisly would be my gardner.) So in honor of my country song life, here is a list that sums up my life as it stands now.

The fact that we are not able to be home right now due to stupid greedy people:
On the Seashores of Old Mexico _George Straight _But in reverse

Homeschooling children: Mr. Mom - Lonestar (yes, I realize it is a dad sing, who cares)

living in a run down ranch house- Draggin my heart around- Patty Loveless

The nearest town in an hour away- Tiny Town-shelly Fairchild

Given the fact that no one knows when we are going to be able to go home-
When God Fearing Women get the Blues - Martina McBride (Cowboy better pay attention to that one!!)

When I feel like crying because I found another Trantula/Snake/Mouse in the said run down farm house- Bring on the Rain - JoeDee Mesina

Chasing my naked baby girl out of the horse corrals for the 20th time- Wild On - Faith Hill

And when things get alittle tense with Cowboy - Lets get Drunk and Fight - Joe Nichols

And many more, but I really must go and chase Queenie out of the corrals.

Home schooling

2008-10-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

After four weeks of home schooling Zorro, I have figure it out. Women that home school their children drink. It is that simple.

I am not saying that they are hard drinkers, just adding a little something to their morning cup of OJ. How else can they get through a morning of ADHD children, screaming babies (she hates it when she doesn't get her way) and the fact that no matter how many different times you explain nickels, your child is not going to get it.

When it is time for Zorro to have a lesson the idea is that he will sit down and pay attention, then do his work. What really happens is we spend 15 minutes looking for his pencil that "was right in my bag last night" another 10 minutes for the eraser (same excuse) and then 20 minutes trying to get the crayons away from Queenie (who screams) and then by the time that we are stressed and ready to call it quits, we sit and try to learn something.

Home schooling has shown me that my son is most likely dyslexic, and has some form of ADHD. He cannot sit still and write. He must comment on everything, EXCEPT what he is supposed to be be doing, and remembers all of sudden that he needs his sword, go potty, tear apart grasshoppers, in order to concentrate. No matter how many time I redirect his attention,pointing out that he really does not need his sword to write, he just went potty 2 seconds ago and that grasshoppers really do not like benign pulled apart and he needs to remember to write his letter from right to left it still can take us 30 minutes to get through one writing of the word "I". After about an hour I declare recess for the rest of the day.

After doing this for four weeks I have decided the following items:

1. Zorro needs to go back to school if he ever wants to get past Kindergarten. First grade could case me to have a stroke.

2. Your house will never be clean if you are home schooling. There is not enough time to do lessons and clean.

3. Teachers are not paid enough. If it were up to me they would make over 100K per year. I think that for someone who is willing to teach my child AND 20 other students at the same time, deserves to make more than they do now.

4. if we do not get Zorro back into school soon I am going to sneak off the ranch to find something to add to my morning OJ. Cowboy won't notice I am sure. And who know we might actually make it past the word I and move on to A.

Never again

2008-09-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

I have decided that now that I am an adult (yes, i know I don't act like it) I get to make some executive decisions. manly involving things that I don't ever want to do again.

Things like cauliflower, and pickled beets. I am never going to make, serve or force my children to eat them. They were invented by the Devil. Ask anybody they will tell you. I will also never take another math class. I have yet to use Algebra in my daily life, years wasted listing to my teachers telling me that I was going to need to know this. Right, that is why all I need to know is what 30% off my purchase is.

Now I know that there may be a time when I have decided to never again do something, but I will be required to do it. Such as being asked to supply cauliflower for a ward activity, alright I will take it but I ain't eating it. Or traveling with my children in the car. Our very small Jeep Liberty. I never want to go for miles, and miles and hours and hours with my two small children again.

One screams "stuck, stuck" the minute that you strap her in her chair, the other has to pee every five minutes (that is not an exaggeration, ask anyone who know his father or uncles, they will tell you that it is a family trait.) Food gets everywhere, toys are useless, they usually get thrown back at me (the one screaming does it). By the time we get to our destination Cowboy and I have a glassy stare look to our eyes and want nothing more than to chuck the kids a room and lock the door. (We don't, apparent that is child abuse.)

This would really not be so bad, but I never get to drive. Cowboy has figured out that who ever drives, doesn't have to deal with the children. ( No, it is not because I am a bad driver. No matter what he tells you) So he is quite happy to do all 12 hours of the driving, leaving me to deal with the two maniacs in the back. (After 6 hours I can get kinda grumpy and have thoughts of hiding in the next stop restroom in the hope that he will forget that I am not in the car and drive off. It has yet to happen. He always seems to notice.)

But I know that if I want to get my children back home I will have to strap them into our tiny car and drive for 12 hours. 12 long, long loud hours. I am thinking of buying a new car so that I can drive myself. Cowboy can take the kids in the Jeep.

2008-09-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

Has any one seen this?? I need, need, need this product. It is the "mini box". Think of all the organization that you could do with this. Finally my kitchen would look like a kitchen again, and not like a preschooler got loose with some paper and glue. (Of course we would actually have to go home, is my house still there???) And when you are done it looks like a lovely cabinet, not some plastic boxes. Honestly, I think that cowboy should buy me a few.

Vanilla Joy is giving one away this week. Have you seen her site? She has some cute ideas for family fun ,creative dates and for all you homeschoolers out there that are not drinkers (more on this later) there is diciplice for children

So check her out and look at the mini box and all the other fun ideas that she has. Like the animal cookies, someone need to make those for me!!)

Yet another one

2008-09-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Zorro came home with his hand over his mouth and a little bit of blood coming out. Now there was a little voice in the back of my head that was saying "It's ok, it's normal. Every child loses a tooth." The front part of my brain, the part that is attached to my mouth automatically yelled out "oh my goodness, did somebody punch you??"

Zorro replied that he had just losed his tooth at the corner. The other little boy that was with him told me "it's ok, it happens to everyone." Thanks there rusty.

Zorro was soooooooo happy that he finally lost a tooth and the tooth fairy was going to bring him money. I wanted to know who told him about the money, we had been trying to avoid that one. His Auntie would be the culprut this time. Bad enough some fat man in a red suit get the credit for the hard work I do at christmas (and cookies, and a letter, where is MY letter and cookies??!) and some silly rabbit at Easter, but a fairy for money and teeth?? We were really hoping to avoid that one. (Sorry for the rant, to continue about how my son is cute/more adorable than yours.)

Zorro called his papa, told his great grandparents, Aunites, Cousins, you name he told them. Random people at the store. He actually went to bed willingly and with out complaint. The hard part was for me to remember that the blasted fairy was coming and take care of it. (The money not the fairy.) The sad part of this would that this means that Zorro really is growing up and he will not be a little boy much longer, how much longer will we have to play nijia turtles and Cars? But if you were to ask Zorri the sad part would be the fact that the tooth fairy only left 20P not 20 dollars. It's a sad life.

Yup, we now get to have lots of picture with missing teeth, probably should have givin the 20 dollars for a smile that cute.

Just in case you were wondering, no I did not send him to school with his hair like that. He did that himself. He likes to flatten it.

6 years!!

2008-09-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

Cowboy and I celebrated our 6th anniversary by going to the ranch with his entire family. All of them. IN one house. At one time. Did I mention that it was our anniversary?

The kids had a blast, they caught worms, threw rocks, rode, and got spoiled by grandma. Everytime they turn around there was more toys to play with, more candy to eat.

It was so very pretty and green in the Mts. and no phones or Tv to bother us. We ate, and ate and rested. Well I did cowboy had to go on a cattle drive in the rain for 2 days. But he loved it. Maybe next year I will have a horse and can go too, but I am thinking not, my tail end seems to enjoy the rocking chair.

Zorro was surrounded by people who would do nothign but pay attention to him and do whatever he wanted. How could you not want to live in a world like that? Queenie decided that Her little cousin, Em, was nothing more than something noisy and spent most of her time arguing with her. And getting dirty, lots of dirty kids. I wonder if they ever out grow the dirty part? After seeing all of Cowboy's siblings this weekend I am guessing not.

We made it!

2008-09-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

We have made it through the first week of school!! Zorro is excited about everything, homework, recess, lunch, new books. I wonder how long that will last!

He was not excited that he had to stay after school for taking tooo much, not being able to go to someones house everyday after school, not being able to stay at grandma's house, and not being able to buy candy from the snack shop.

Zorro did tell me that he did not need me to go with him to the Kinder room, he knew the way and I could get in the car and go home. Thanks Baby!!

Zorro did admit that he wanted me 1 day last week. He was bored and wanted me to come and get him so he could go play. Oh, how are we to complete wait for the next 20 years of your school life if we are starting out this way?

Finally an answer!

2008-08-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have finally found out why I am such a flake!! And it came from a published book, ok a magazine. Ok, it was only 8 sentence article. OK, OK, it was Glamour. But still it is on paper, and since they can't publish something that is not true it must be true. On the the answer!

First they asked questions. Are you disorganized? Do you get tense and can't relax? Are you forgetful at times? Are you restless and can't sit still? Are you unable to stick to a schedule? Do you overreact to criticisim? Are you always on the go? Are you impulsive, have an addictive personality, stormy relationships?

If you relate to more than 6 of these to could be ADHD. Not depression! Addictive personality, check, give me something new and I am all over that until I find something to replace it, thank heaven I never tried drugs. Overreact to critisim? Check, ask Zorro when he tells me the meal that I have spent all day working on taste bad and he just wants to eat cheese. Always on the go, yup, you only thought I was locking myself in the house not answering the phone when you needed something. I actually am alway somewhere fun and exciting. Forgetful, oh yeah, feeding my kids breakfast before church, never remember it. Thank heavens they have a father who tries to be there for them.

But there is hope, remember it is NOT depression. Not that I have depression, only on the days when my kids have wiped their nasties on me more than once, my hair looks like I let the dog do it, and nothing fits. Actually those days happen more than I would like to admit. But those are the days I make a batch of double chocolate cookies and feel better about myself. At least until Cowboy comes home and wonders why there is only 1 left and I made 50. See, now that would fall under the over reacts to criticism catagory, I tend to get a little defensive at question like that.

Apperently ADHD goes unrecoginized in women until they are in thier twenities or thirties. Having reached that age, 20 not 30, I am ready to believe that is my problem. Not the fact that I am a unorganized, lazy, high strung person. So what if I can't remeber that I promised to make a 100 cookies for your bridal shower, or I forgot that my son actually need to be at school by 8:30, not 10:00. When Cowboy gets home I am going to explain that I am no longer going to be able to be trusted in making major decisions until I get treatment, so he will have to make dinner and get the kids to bed every night until this has been resolved. Obviously I have a unrecognized problem. First thing tomorrow I am going to the Dr to get treatment. I am thinking that a week in a spa would do the trick.

This has got to stop

2008-08-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Queenie has a new past time. I can't post a picture of this new past time, I would be arrested for child porn. It is embarrassing, and slightly funny (the first 10 times it happened).

Queenie loves to streak. Bare bottom flasing in the green grass, clothes thrown to the wind. And she laughs as I try to run her down to at least cover that bottom in a diaper. The old diaper? Well that is the best part, sometimes she throws it away. Other times I have to hunt for it. It could be any where and a three day old used diaper is not something that I like to find.

She has done this at home, grandmas and Pops and Nina. Thankfully they laughed. Sure its all fun and games until someone gets peed on. Lets see 'em laugh then. So if you see my daughter trying to take her clothes off in an attempt to run around naked as a jay bird. Let me know, please. I really don't want to be arrested.

Lemon Curd

2008-08-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that something that taste so very good, usually has a nasty name? Take Lemon Curd. I have no idea why but the word "curd" really just does not sound very good. This is one of Cowboy's favorite dessert items though.

tThis stuff is very good. It even plays well with others. The Tangy lemon, with a little bit of sweetness, yum. You can use it as a filling for coakes. Making muffins? Use a bag and place some in the middle of your muffing for a tasty treat before you bake them. It is sooo good on Angle food cake, use it in place of butter on your muffins. It pairs wonderfully with anything blueberry, muffins, pancakes, coffee cakes. Make sugar cookies and place the curd in between two cookies for a tastey combo. Mix it with some whipped cream, place in a grahm cracher crust, and you have a chiffon pie. The list goes on and on. You can bottle it or freeze it for future use. Replace the lemon with any other cirtrus (sp) fruit for a new kick.

I have tried several recipes and this one is the best.

Lemon curd: 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into bits 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 large egg yolks Lemon curd: 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into bits 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 large egg yolks

Simmer lemon juice, zest, sugar, butter, cornstarch, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Lightly beat yolks in a small bowl, then add 1/4 cup lemon mixture, whisking. Add yolk mixture to remaining lemon mixture, then reduce heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, then cover surface with plastic wrap and chill until ready to use.

Banana Bran

2008-08-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

These are another of those wonderful recipies that can be used for diabetic cooking. If you switch the sugar for honey it makes a moist, yummy muffin. Even Cowboy will eat them without complaining.

Banana Bran Muffin

2 c. high fiber cereal made with wheat bran, such as All-Bran
1 c. skim milk, or low fat milk
1 lg. egg
1 large egg white or 3 Tbsp. egg substitute
½ c. firmly packed brown sugar
¼ c. honey
¼ c. canola oil
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
2/3 c. all purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. baking powder
Additional high fiber cereal, for sprinkling on muffins

1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease 8 Texas size muffins, or 12 regular size muffing cups with butter or cooking spay or line them with muffin liners. Stir together the bran cereal and milk in a large bowl; let the cereal soak for at least 5 minutes. In a seaperate bowl, whisk the egg and egg white until slightly frothy. Stir in the banana, sugar, hiney, vanilla and oil. Pour the liquid mixture into the bran mixture and stir until combined. Combine the whole wheat and all-purpose flours, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Pour the flour mixture into the bran mixture and stir until the slour is no longer visable, about 15 strokes. Spoon batter into the muffin cups almost to the top. Decorate the muffin tops with a sprinkling of high fiber cereal.
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tip: overripe bananas, with their characteristic deep brown skins, never seem to be on hand when you need them. At other times, you guiltly throw them out once they have turned from golden yellow to unappetizing brown. But wait! Don’t toss them out, toss them in the freezer. Their leathery brown skins act as a protective covering, allowing you to freeze them uncovered for weeks, ready to be defrosted in the microwawve at 30-60 intervals and used when ever you need them

Banana Split Dessert

2008-08-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to organize my photos (I have 75 just from easter and that was only 1 Day) and realized that I have a lot of food photos that I never shared with you. So get ready this week is going to be all about food, maybe, if Cowboy brings me my allergy meds so I can think clearly.

This dessert is a family favorite. My mother would make it for us when it was time for something really yummy. I must warn you there is nothing, absolutely nothing good for you in this dessert. I have no idea how many calories there are, nor do I wish to know, but I am guessing that it is more than your daily allowance. It is very, very yummy and I have yet to meet anyone who does not enjoy it.

Banana Split Dessert

1 box vanilla wafers
1 stick melted butter
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
½ c. powder sugar
2 c. whipped topping
2 c. pinapple tibbets, drained
3 bananas, sliced
1 ½ c. thily sliced stawberried
Additonal whipped topping 2-3 cups
1 ½ c. chocolate syrup
1 c. marichino cherries
¾ c. chopped pecans

Lightly spray a 9x13 in. baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350.
Crush vanilla wafers into crumb size pieces, either uning a resealable plastic bag and rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor. Add crumbs to baking dish, add melted butter to crumbs, stir to combine. Press crumbs unto bottom of pie pan. Place in oven until crust is set and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
In a mixing bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment, beat cream cheese and powder sugar together until smooth, mix in whipped topping until combined. Spread on top cooled crust. Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Top cream cheese later with sliced fruit and pineapple
Top fruit layer with additionsl whipped topping until completly covered, depending on how much whipped topping you like, this could take 2-3 cups.
Place a cherrie every 3 incehs on top of whipped topping, drizzle chocolate syrup over all the top prinkle with nuts. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Cut into squares to serve.

Twisties

2008-08-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

TO continue with food. Cowboy’s grandfather is diabetic and very careful about what he eats. We eat Sunday dinner together and he used to remark (sarcastically) about the dessert I would make and how I was trying to kill him off. He never ate the dessert, just complained about it. So in a flash of genius (rare and far between that they are) I started to bring him desserts that had no sugar in them.

Not all desserts can be transformed into sugar free desserts. Don’t even ask about the meringue I tried to make with splenda, or the cookies that you couldn’t eat because they were too hard to bite through. But these turned out very well, and are very simple to make.

Twisties:

1 package puff pastry, dethawed
3 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/3 c. honey
¼ c. honey

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Roll both sheets of pastry out to a 12x12 in. square. Sprinkle top of one sheet with cinnamon, place other sheet on top. Cut into 1 ½ strips, grab on end of strip and twist several times , fold in half and place on cookie sheet.

Place honey and water in a small sauce pan, bring to boil, reduce for 5 minutes. Using a pastry brush, spread honey mixture on top of twists. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with extra honey for dipping if desired.

Queenie, Queen of them all

2008-08-10T15:34:00.001-07:00

When we dound out that we were going to have a girl, we happy. (Alright, Derryl grinned like a fool, but refused to translate what the Dr. had said. I do know know enough spanish to understand "Nina" so I figured it really quick. That and the Dr pointed out certian features on the ultrasound.) Everyone kept telling us how sweet, lovely, cuddlie, special little girls are. Apperently they have never had a daughter like Queenie. As her Auntie say "If there was ever a tomboy princess Queenie would be it."

Queenie loves to get her brother in trouble. Everything is his fault. She screams if he gets a loy that she didn't know she wanted until he touched it. Her great-greandparents call her the destroying angle. She can tear up a house faster than a tornado in a trailer park, she wakes up screaming at 2:00 in the morning. She loves dirt, can't get enough of it. We must go through 4-5 outfits a day. She chews up food then spits it out.

People have commented on how she looks cuddly, and that they try to get ahold of her to cuddle with her and she just wiggles away. She has her great-greandparents, Aunties, Uncles, cousins, Papa, under her thumb. Her brother is terrified of her. I think Cam is terrified of her.

She does love her Papa though, and gets mad when he leaves her, won't let her sit on his lap (he is usually trying to use the bathroom when this happens) refuses to let her ride in the back of the truck. But for all of the hysteria that she brings into our lives, we are glad that she is ours and wouldn't trade her for a cuddly, quiet baby. Except at 2 in the morning.

Save yourself

2008-08-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have decided that Zorro will be famouse one day. Either he will take over the world very carefully and quietly, or he will be on the news sue to the fact that he managed to blow up the world accidentaly.

Zorr is very smart. I keep hoping that his commen sense will catch up to his level of thinking but this has yet to happen. Honestly after seeing a movie once, or hearing a song once he has it memorized. Can he remember to throw away his pull up every morning? No. Can he remeber what he ate for lunch or who he saw that day? No. Can he recite horrible facts about bugs, snakes and other nasty things, mummies, dead people, dragons. Yup. There are times when I think that I am raising that little boy from the comics. You know the one, Calvin. The only diffrence is that Calvin was allowed to carry a stuff tiger around, Zorro has to make to with just takling to his imaginary friends. Which are all nemed and have brough sleeping bags to stay the night. Now if you will exscuse me I have to go and save my house, you are on your own when it comes from saving the world from Zorro.

The perfect breakfast and dinner

2008-07-31T13:53:00.001-07:00

Honestly I think that waffles make the beast breakfast and dinner. Light, crispy, covered in butter and syrup. yup, perfection. We don't eat them very often (cowboy has some weird issues with them) but whenever he is not around to object we try to make a batch. Although the recipe does take a little bit longer than Bisquick, they are worth it! The rice crispies, melt into the waffle and give it some crispie goodness, you will never know that they are there! They also freeze well, just seaperate layers of waffle with wax paper and place in ziploc bag, make a double batch for the days when you are going to be busy.

Extra Light and Crispy Waffles
1 ¼ c. all-purpose flour
1 c. rice crispies
¾ c. cornstarch
¼ c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 large eggs, separated
1 ½ c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat waffle iron to medium. Meanwhile, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk egg yolks, milk, vanilla, and oil together in a medium bowl.
2. With electric mixer or whisk, beat egg whites in bowl to soft peaks. Pour milk mixture over dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Whisk in beaten egg whites until just combined. Do not over mix; a few streaks of egg whites should be visible.
3. Pour 2/3 c. of batter into center of waffle iron and use the back of a dinner spoon to spread batter towards the outer edges. (Batter should reach about ½ in. from edges of iron before closing lid). Close lid and cook until deep golden brown brown, 3-4 minutes. Serve immediately.

yet another tip of the day

2008-07-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

Can you tell I am just a little competative? For todays tip, let's talk about the end of summer, it came quick huh? Have you thought of all the things that you wanted to do but haven't? What about all the things that you need to get done? Here is how to get them all done.

First make a list of all the things that you wanted to do with your summer. read a book, eat poletas, take a bike ride, go to Paris, what ever it may be. Then start at the top and just start doing them.

Next make a list of all the things that you need to get done before school starts. Supply shopping, sorting clothes, making class scheduals, getting biks fixed, making ah omework basket whatever it is that you need to do for fall to start. As you are working on your summer start working on your fall list. That way you can do both at the same time. And get twice as much done. My to do list? Get to the pool every day I can. So far so good, we have only missed one day, it was a sad day.

Steam

2008-07-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Let's contuinue with me trying to win a contest. The tip today is all about steam. Yup, the billowing, white, elusive, can burn the snot out of you if you are not careful, harmless looking stuff.

Steam is very importan for cooking, canning or cleaning. And bathing. But it also can really give you a good burn, ask me I get one every year while I am canning. I don't do it because I like it, I am just not that paitent. When cooking or canning, always, always life the lid away from you, if it is a canner lid, let it rest proped up agains the jars in the canner to let some of the steam escape. The can take 3-4 minutes but it is worth the time. Ask my forearms.

Give a tip, win a contest

2008-07-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

In honor of Jen's contest I am going to give the best homemaking tip I can. Yes, normally I would not be offering this advice, let face it is you have seen my house you would be scratching your head at the words "Homemaking advice". But I have perfect faith that one day I will actually win a contest, this has yet to happen in my 31 years, but I digress.

Here is the tip, are you ready? By a swiffer Wet Jet. Yup, I'm plugging a mop (and they aren't even paying for the advertisment!) These little babies are great. Just cleaned your floors and Cowboy walks in with dirty boot? Break out the wet jet, kids screaming? Hand 'em the wet jet and turn 'em loose in the house. They will stop screaming at you and start screaming at each other to use the wet jet. Up, I am thinking these lovely things were worth the 15$. So there you are, a tip. Maybe tomorrow I will have found a way to get rid of all of these pesky flies!!

You too can join in the fun and enter Jen's contest by going to here page herehttp://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/2008/07/mazatlan-souvenir-giveaway.html. But don't exspect to win, its all me this time!

Yet another reason to love photoshop

2008-07-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

For some reason I only get 3 picture per post, so here is another reason for potoshop. I love how vintage this one came out, almost like a old wanted poster.

Why I love photoshop

2008-07-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

Can I just tell you how much I love photoshop!! I am not a very good photographer, I have no idea about light, position or anything. That is ok, becaue I have photoshop! Yup, pictures that are not all that great, spend a little lime in the shop and the possiblities are endless! Take this one, ok, not great but ok,

I can change it to B&W add a little showdo, lighten some areas, not to shabby

Or I can add a vintage look with some overlays and a little adjustments. Yup, love photoshop. Hope my computer dies so I can buy the next version!!

Train Stop Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

2008-07-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

Train Stop Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! So Cute!!!

Fried Hand Pies

2008-07-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

I thought that in honor of fruit season I would share a yummy variation of hand pies. These instead of being baked are fried in hot oil, and puff up wonderfully. They are also versital enough to be filled with fruit, or meat depending on how you would like them. The ones pictured are the ones that I made for Zorro and Cowboy and are filled with ham and cheese. But apples, peaches, cherries, blackberries anything would be yummy. And if you are afraid of frying, they can be baked (although they really are better fried.) No time to make the dough? Use the flaky refrigerated biscuts, simply roll 'em out, fill 'em up and fry 'em.

Fourth of July Fried pies

Blueberry, Peach and Cherry Fillings

½ pint fresh blueberries
¼ c. blueberry preserves
2 peaches, peeled and chopped into ½ in. dice
¼ c. peach preserves
1 c. fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
¼ c. cherry preserves

Dough:

6 c. all purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 c. chilled unsalted butter
1 ½ c. ice water

Oil for deep frying

Glaze:

1 c. powder sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
½ tsp. vanilla extract

To make the fillings: in 3 separate bowls, combine the blueberries with matching preserves, the peach with theirs, and the cherries with theirs.

To make the dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter into ½ in. cubes. Work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the ice water and gently form the dough into a ball. Divide the dough into thirds (each ball should be about the size of an orange). Sprinkle a think layer of flour on a pastry board or other flat smooth surface. Roll out each portion of the dough to 1/16 –inch thickness, a little thicker than a tortilla. Cut dough circles with a 5 in diameter cutter (the plastic top of a 1-quart yogurt container works well). Each ball of dough should make 4 rounds. Put 1 Tbsp. of 1 filling in the center of each round. Fold the dough rounds in half, wet your fingers and press to seal the edges with water. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork.

To fry the pies: Pour about 3 inches of oil into a deep frying pan and set it over med-high heat. The oil is hot enough when scrap o dough dropped into the pan sizzles and bubbles. Fry the pies, a few at a time, until golden brown (they float so this should take 2-3 minutes, per side). Drain the pies on paper towels.

To make the glaze: Whisk together the powder sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Using a pastry brush, glaze the warm pies. Serve immediately.

Variations-

For baked pies: If deep frying seems daunting, preheat the oven to 375F. Beat 1 egg with 2 Tbsp. water. Brush the top of the pies with the egg wash. Bake them on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powder sugar. These are best served warm and beast eaten on the day they are made, but if necessary, then pies can be reheated at 325 F for 5-10 minutes.

Savory filled pies: Fill pies with slices of ham, turkey and cheese; sauté spinach and crumbled feta cheese; scrambled eggs with bacon bits and shredded cheese; or goat cheese with sun dried tomatoes or roasted tomatoes. You can make pizza with tomato sauce, pepperoni, and shredded mozzarella.

A New Low

2008-07-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

if anyone has been following the presidental race you may have hard the comment that was made yesterday about Americans being whiners. This comment was made by Senator Graham, a McCain supporter. He made the comment that Americans are whining about the enonomy, and other finanical sitiuations. He and McCain have receive a huge amount of backlash from this comment. Apperently it is no longer acceptable to tell someone (or alot of someones) that they are a whiner. This is unreal. Have we become so hyper synsitive that the word "whiner" is unacceptable? I am not giveing a nudge in either direction for either canadate, but get real. I don't think that the fate of the nation needs to be based on if one canadate, or his supporter, calls people whiners. Whinos, I might have understood all of the hoopla, whiners, heck my kids get called that all the time (whiners, not whinos). Am I not supposed to call them whiners? How about "small persons of either gender who's voice and mannerisums are straying in to the rather high pitch and drawn out pronunciation feild of communications level that could be dangerous to their well being". Or is that now being offenisive to people that have a high voice or are small, what about the mute? Did I some how just manage to offend those that are mute because I mentioned the word "voice"? For pitty sake, focuse on what is important, not some petty whiney, or whino your choice, person who's knickers are too tight.

Real Men

2008-07-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering, real mean never get sick. And if they do they take 2 tylenol and then get on with work. Cowboy has been sick for about 3 weeks now and finally went to the Dr. (yup, he was that sick.) He has Typhoid Fever. (I know, I didn't know that people actually got that any more.) So in 3 months he should be just fine. Cowboy blames unwashed lettuce for this, I think this is bunk, Cowboy has not eaten wahed or unwashed lettuce in years. Or any other vegetable for that matter. It is nice to know that even real men go to the dr.s when they get desperate enough, and then get right back to work.

Hot Dog

2008-07-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

one of the nice things about living in Mexico is having the chance to try new things. Like hot dogs. These are nothing like the
Hot Dogs that you have out in the States. First of all they are wrapped in bacon and cooked on a grill. The bun is soft yummy bread,
the hot dog is covered in Mayo, beans, ketchup, mustard, salsa, onions, tomatoes and anything else that they may have on hand.
you don't even have to get out of your car to eat on, just pull up tell 'em what you want and they bring it to you! They are
loaded with flavor and calories, but are so worth it. Cowboy will even make some at home if he gets a craving for them. So next time you are down here give one a try!

it ain't pretty, but is sure is tasty!

Happy 4th!!

2008-07-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!! In case you are not enjoying a BBQ, swimming, fireworks or what have you here are a few favorites of American History to pass the time.

400 years of American Womans History, excellent book!! All about women! John Adams, another great (long) read.

1776, a musical about the 1776 continental convention? Sure, its entertaining!

or take on online US History quiz, see if you really know your history!!

Either way you do it have fun, and enjoy your holiday!!

Little Cowgirl

2008-06-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes while branding there is a little calf that is so little and gentle you can't but feel sorry for it. This year they had a little white calf that just laid there, didn't move, bawl or anything. Queenie was able to sit on it and play with the little calf it was so gentle. When it go roped, it just stood there. If only it could have been left alone, but it got the same treatment as all of the others. But hopefully it will stay gentle and won't try to gouge the crap outta the people that did this to her.

Go son go~

ever wonder what they do with the leftover nuts? That's what you call a Rocky Mt. Oyster! (No Cowboy is not allowed to eat them, and if he does I won't kiss him.)

Calf nuts

2008-06-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here are spme more pictures from branding. I seemed to have gotten alot with eveyone just standing around waiting for a calf. This actually does not happen very often. Branding is fast and if you don't pay attentions you will get run over by the roper. He's on a horse looking behind him and can't see what he is doing. Zorro's job was to count the "sacks" that came flying his way. After he got over the gross factor, he thought that they were pretty cool and started to play with them. Then he noticed what the other guys were doing. THROWING the "calf Nuts" them at each other. Well good heavens, who wouldn't want to do that? So my son has now become a "calf nut" thrower. I don't know if I should be proud that he is not prissy, or deeply disturbed by what he learnes when he goes branding.

Zorro also got to flank this year. He was bound and determinded to flank every calf, but thankfully we talked him into waiting for the ones that were his size. We have worked hard to get him to this point and don't want him to get damaged. He jumped on, held the leg and let the others get on with their jobs. When the calf was done, he jumped off looking for the next one. Maybe he'll stick with this and not the "calf Nut" adventures.

Happy Father's Day!!!

2008-06-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to everyone. Cowboy you are a great father and in case you were wondering what it is all about here it it:

yup, 20 more years of sibling rivalry.

branding

2008-06-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

These are just some pictures of the branding. So glad I am not a calf!

I wonder if they know what their in for.

Cowboy's Uncle

A little pep talk

Lookin' good Hon!!

yee-haw!!

2008-06-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

yup, we are finally back from branding! We have lots of pictures and stories to share, but I do not want to overwhelm you with them all at one time. (That and it is so slow around here, that I will have nothing to blog about if I do.) But we had a good time, both kids were sick and Cowboy smashed his hand, our car got pounded in a hug hail storm, but we made it back alive (and got to watch a heck of alot of TV)!What more could we ask for?

Frog princess

2008-05-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a little princess, who thought she was the queen. This princess loved to rule over her domaine, (anything she saw), and play in the mud. (we don't have grass yet.) one day when her father and brother came in from working hard, (we're democratic, can't you tell?) They had a present for little Queenie, her very own toad. (Apperently these are very popular with princesses, just grab any fairy tale book and you'll find out.) And not just any toad, a Honrey Toad he brother proudly proclaimed (yup, we teach our children all sorts of things here!). Now this little princess who loves to play in the mud, eat things that her parents could not identify, and squash bugs, was not going anywhere near this toad.

When her father placed it by her elevated chair for lunch, (this too is in fairy tales) she cried and pointed at it until it was moved to the top of the stove. (no it was not on. madam refuses to make frog leggs.) After lunch while Madam was cleaning the kitchen (again) her father and brother tried to get her to touch the toad,the princess was not even going to get close to it. It was agreed by her parents that the toad was to be set free as soon as her father and brother got back to the field it came from. ( I am sure that the frog was thinking that it could not get there soon enough!) We will never know if he was a prince in disguise, ( I don't think we have any witches here. At least not the kind that can do magic.) but we do now know that the little princess is NOT going to be kissing any toads. Stomping bugs, yes, kissing no. Let us hope that this has a happy ending for our princess ( and her parents) and she will not be kissing (toads or a prince) until she is at least 25! ( The stomping bugs part, we can keep that.)

no papa no

Singing In the Rain

2008-05-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely rain storm on Thursday. Zorro had to go outside in the rain (it was also cold) and use his umbrella. he has been dying to do this ever since we bought it in Mesa. (Why do they sell umbrellas in Mesa? It's like selling crack to chimps, it just doesn't make sense.) So out we trotted to frolick in the cold and wet, to use the umbrella. After a few pictures I managed to get my children in the house before anyone saw us. (I think that people around here already have enough to talk about with out us adding anything to their lists, thank you very much.)

After assembling the teepee, (note: do not do this on a hardwood floor, the leggs slip out and colapses the teepee. Although this is funny to watch as it turns in to a pile of sticks and fabric, the children get a little mad when this happens. It can't hurt that badly!) The children climbed in and pretended to sleep, (that lasted 5 seconds, Queenie likes to hit and pull hair, Zorro has learned to keep his eyes open.) and then tried to climb out the windows. Thankfully her leggs are short and she couldn't make it out!! Haha, that will give me enough time to go pee by myself! On the whole it was a lovely day, we needed the rain and Zorro needed time with his umbrella. Queenie? She needed to beat up her brother.

Yup, she only looks innocent!

She's going in for the kill. Notice the smile? It didn't last long.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-13T09:54:00.001-07:00

Yup, I know its late. But still, check out this sight and see how much your time is worth! Salary.com will allow you to add you the hours you spend doing diffrent task as a mom and your zip code and tell you how much you should make in a year. Bottom line, Cowboy can't afford me!! But I am happy to do it for free. Most of the time.

Queenieella?

2008-05-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Don't be fooled bythe picture. She is not being forced into children labor, nor am I about to make her sleep in the ashes. Nope, no matter how forlorn she looks she actually loves playing in the fireplace. She cares not if it is full of lovely hot coals or not. Those hot things can be taken out with a handy dandy shovel and placed on the floor (their wood, the floors not the shovel) and that leaves her free to scatter ashes through out the house. Grandma has a HUGE fireplace that you can climb unto. if it ain't going you can pull ashes right out of the chimney. Yup, we've got a live one here. Humm, maybe child labor is not a bad idea, might save my floors...

Good for what ales you

2008-05-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

Queenie and I have been sick. The kind of sick that makes me slow to react. This is good for my two ankle bitters. They get to run amuck and I am to dim witted to react. This is why I have pen marks on my leg and Greysen got to eat candy and chips for lunch. They love it when I am like this.

But I have been able to make soup. Don't trust the picture. I have been on some lovely medications this week and that is as close as focused as my eyes will allow. But it is lovely soup, chicken torilla soup. Hot, spicy and flavorful, and so very very easy.

1 16 oz. chicken broth
1 can El Pato sauce
3 chcicken breast cut up
1/2 onion sliced
1 12 oz. can fire roasted tomotoes
1/2 c. green chili
1 avacado diced
shredded cheese
totrilla chips or flour tortillias

1. Place broth and el pato in large sauce pan allow to come to boil, reduce heat and simmer.

2. In a med. suacepan heat 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chicken to pan and stir fry untl cooked thru. Chuck into El Pato mixture. Repeat with onion, cooking until crisp/tender. Add green peppers and tomotes, with or without juice. I like mine without the juice, it give the soup a sweet taste, but it is your choice. Chuck everything into the pot, allow to simmer foor 15 minutes. Serve adding Avacado and cheese as wanted. I don't Zorro and Cowboy do. Top with crumbled tortilla chips or a tortilla on the side.

leftovers? Then next day shred the chicken and make chicken tostadas.

Children's Day

2008-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

trying to run

and stomping on the finish line.
the victory hop.

And the lovely ribbon.

At the school Zorro goes to they have Children's Day once a year. They run races, play water games, eat hot dogs and poletas, and just get to run amuk. Zorro won 2nd place in the running race, (he really is not a fast child, so we were quite happy with second) and really didn't clue into the hopping race. More of a lurching gallop. but he had fun and that is all that mattered! And by golly, one of these days he might get to be faster than the girls in his class.

French Toast Banana Bread

2008-04-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have manky bananas in the house? Make banana bread of course! And by manky I mean anything that is not slightly green. So given the fact that they are only eatable (by my standards) for 1 day, and one day only, we tend to have alot of banana bread around. Nobody seems to mind. Except Zorro. He actually likes to eat banana's when they are yellow. Haha, that crazy child! So for those of you who tand to have manky bananas bake bread, it will make your family happy. ( And think about it bananas are a fruit, so it must be good for you right??)

Any way, on the the second reason for this post.Not Quite Nigella is hosting a banana bread cooking contest, and here is my entry. Frech Toast Banana Bread. Yumm! Even Cowboy ate it! You can go here it check out the contest.http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/04/10/nqns-banana-bread-bakeoff-event/. I like mine with just a sprinkle of powder sugar, Cowboy likes his plain or with strawberry jam, and Zorro? Lots and lots of syrup. Queenie, she's just there to make a mess of course. Why eat it when you can throw it?

Banana Bread

2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 beaten eggs
5 medium bananas, mashed
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. cooking oil, or melted butter
1/4 c. pecans (optional, this means that if you are cooking for Cowboy, you leave them out.)

1. Grease bottom of 1 large or 3 small bread pans; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon,nutmeg set. Make a well in the center of the mixture, set aside.

In a medium bowl combine eggs, nanans, sugar and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened, batter will be lumpy. Fold in nuts. Spoon batter into prepared pans.

bake in oven at 350 50-60 for large loaf, 40-45 for small. Let cool.

Next day (unless you get up prett early to make the bread) Heat a large skillet with a pat of butter while preparing egg mixture for frnch toast.
whisk 2 eggs, 2 Tbsp milk, 1/4 tsp. vanilla, dash of cinnamon. Cut banana bread into slices. dunk each side of bread into the egg mixture, quickly!! Banana bread is moist and does not need to soak up any extra moisture!

Add egg coated sliced to hat skillet, cook 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Turning once. Plate and serve!

Happy Passover

2008-04-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

First let me say that I apoligize that I have no pictures of the following recipes to give to you. My lovely little ankle biter, Queenie, has lost the cord to my camera and I am unable to download the pictures of these lovely desserts. And they are yummy! So use your imagination, they may turn out prettier than my photos that way.

First of all we have Matzo crunch candy or how I like to call it Crack on a Stick. It is very easy to make and very easy to eat, alot of, at one time. Caramel, chocolate, what is not to love?

Then Chocolate Floureless cookies. Yup imagine melted chocolate in the form of a cookie. Can't get any better than that. Unless it also has caramel. It doesn't, get over it.

These are classic passover desserts that you can make for your Jewish friends. If you are like Rae and can't think of anyone Jewish, think of me I will be your Jewish friend. Provided you bring me passover treats.

The last recipe is a loveley whole wheat apple muffin. I made these lovelies for Grandpa and Jae, since they cannon eat sugar, I used Honey. They must have been pretty good, because they ate them. I don't liked cooked fruit so I cannot give a very good opinion. I think that next time I will use shredded apples instead.

Flourless Chocolate-Walnut CookiesAdapted from François Payard’s Chcolate Epihany
These cookies were crispy at the edges, chewy at the center and have filled our apartment with the most intense chocolate aroma.
Yield: 20 to 24 2-inch cookies
2 3/4 cups walnut halves3 cups confectioners’ sugar1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder1/2 teaspoon salt4 large egg whites, at room temperature1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Spread the walnut halves on a large-rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 9 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then transfer the walnut halves to a work surface and coarsely chop them.
Position two racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and lower temperature to 320. Line two large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk (or combine in an electric mixer on low speed) the confectioners’ sugar with the cocoa powder and salt followed by the chopped walnuts. While whisking (or once you change the speed to medium), add the egg whites and vanilla extract and beat just until the batter is moistened (do not overbeat or it will stiffen).
Spoon the batter onto the baking sheets in 12 evenly spaced mounds, and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked; shift the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through to ensure even baking. Slide the parchment paper (with the cookies) onto 2 wire racks. Let cookies cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Chocolate-Covered Caramelized Matzoh CrunchMakes approximately 30 pieces of candy
This recipe is adapted from Marcy Goldman of Betterbaking.com, whose latest book is A Passion For Baking. It's super-simple and requires no fancy thermometer, equipment, or ingredients. If you can't get matzoh, use plain crackers such as saltines instead and omit the additional salt in the recipe. For passover or vegans, Marcy advises that it works well with margarine. And for our gluten-free friends, this would be superb made with any gluten-free cracker. I'd love to hear about any variations you might try with it.
4 to 6 sheets unsalted matzohs1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, cut into chunks1 cup (215g) firmly-packed light brown sugarbig pinch of sea salt1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (160g) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup (80g) toasted sliced almonds (optional)
1. Line a rimmed baking sheet (approximately 11 x 17", 28 x 42cm) completely with foil, making sure the foil goes up and over the edges. Cover the foil with a sheet of parchment paper.
Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
2. Line the bottom of the sheet with matzoh, breaking extra pieces as necessary to fill in any spaces.
3. In a 3-4 quart (3-4l) heavy duty saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together, and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted and the mixture is beginning to boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and pour over matzoh, spreading with a heatproof spatula.
4. Put the pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 350F (175C) degrees. Bake for 15 minutes. As it bakes, it will bubble up but make sure it's not burning every once in a while. If it is in spots, remove from oven and reduce the heat to 325F (160C), then replace the pan.
5. Remove from oven and immediately cover with chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes, then spread with an offset spatula.
6. If you wish, sprinkle with toasted almonds (or another favorite nut, toasted and coarsely-chopped), a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or roasted cocoa nibs.
Let cool completely, the break into pieces and store in an airtight container until ready to serve. It should keep well for about one week.
Whole Wheat Apple MuffinsAdapted from King Arthur Flour
These dark, crazy moist muffins will keep well for several days, and the brown sugar on top, should you not skimp on it like I did, adds a crunchy touch, perfect for those of you who know that the lid is the best part.
Yield: They said 12, I got 18
1 cup (4 ounces) whole wheat flour1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon cinnamon1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed1 large egg, lightly beaten1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk or yogurt2 large apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease and flour an 18 cup muffin tin and set aside.
Mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well; stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.Mix in the buttermilk gently. (If you over-mix, the buttermilk will cause the mixture to curdle.) Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the apple chunks.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkling the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar on top. Bake for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the tin, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Already?

2008-04-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

These little shoes have latley caused a huge brewhaha at our house.

One day I got Queenie all dressed up and tried to put on some lovely yellow shoes. She would have none of it. She started screaming, (she can scream very loud) marched over to where her shoes are kept pulled out the sparkly green ones, marched over to me (all the while screaming) sat down and held up her foot so I could change her shoes. One she had on the sparkly green shoes she was fine, happy to go on her way.

Now I thought that we were not to be exsperiencing emotional outburst over clothes for another 13 years. But we do, often. For an 18 month old child she is very picky about her clothes, very picky. Apperently we are going to have a lot of fun when she is a teenager and can actually talk. Although I think that there will still be screaming. Thank heavens for Aunties that can do exchange programs!

Nacho Libre

2008-04-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

One if my favorite hobbies, when I have the time, (read, when the kids are asleep, Derryl is gone and I am not falling asleep in the tub) is to look at food blogs. This is a wonderful way to find new recipes, mostly the kinds that involve a lot of sugar, and to have a good laugh.

Yup, I said laugh, why? Because of all of the Mexican food entries. I live in Mexico and can tell you that 99% of the recipes for Mexican food are not really Mexican food. No black beans, cheddar cheese, pear salsa or low fat (come on almost everything is deep fried and covered in cheese, or bacon fat). So I feel the need to do my part and add to the list of “Mexican” food. I don’t want to be left out.

This “Mexican” food is tah-dah! Nachos! Now I am sure that they may eat Nachos in Mexico, I have never seen them. So here is a simple, everyone loves it, will eat it and can continue to breach the cultural gap between you and you Mexican neighbors. Go ahead, take a dish of Nachos over and call it Mexican food, I bet they laugh.

Nacho Libre

1 bag of tortilla chips ( here is Mexico you can buy 2 kinds, the kind that are freshly deep fried, and the kind that I am not sure they are deep fried)
About 1 ½ Lb taco meat (if you cannot make taco meat, email me we’ll go over it)
Salsa, you favorite homemade or not
3 jalapenos, sliced and diced
Roasted green chili
Queso Chihuahua, Oaxax, or Mennonite (just kidding about the Mennonite, but if you like it eat it) shredded (cheddar can get to greasy in a dish like this, just don’t do it)

Use a disposable aluminum pan (less clean up after words), throw in the tortilla chips, then layer meat, salsa, jalapenos, chili, and top it off with shredded cheese. Throw it under the broiler until the cheese melts and then serve, with or with out plates.

I blame primary for this

2008-04-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

If you have not seen this cartoon, you should. It is one of the funniest that you will see. It also is a good example of how I feel when dealing with Zorro on somedays. He is like Cronk, happy and oblivios to most things, lacking the common sense that most people have. I feel alot like Isma, hitting my head and moaning "why me!"

Zorro is a smart child, he just has no common sense. Nope, none, zilch, nada. Case in point.

On Sunday afternoon he decided to get ready for FHE and procedded to place the papers around our living room so he would be ready for the lesson on Monday. I made the comment that it looked great but that he might want to get the footsteps up off the floor before Queenie ate them.

So Zorro went to pick them up, (can you tell where this is going?) he then said "these are stuck pretty hard". So I asked "what did you use to stick them to the floor?" (As a note we have lovely hardwood floors, very pretty) "tape?" And here come the kicker: "Nope, glue!" Yes, he glued the footprints to the floor and the other pictures, (there was 4 of them) to the wall! Apperently he did not want them falling down! HAHA! He was handed a bottle of 409 and a rag and a loud lecture on why we do not glue things to the floor. I am wondering what his primary teacher uses in class.

These kind of things are actually pretty regular in our house. I only pray that Queenie will be blessed with an Abundance of commen sense. Pretty please?

The amazing flying baby!

2008-04-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

I realize that the following pictures are probably in most states illegal, but Queenie loves it! She love to fly high and fast! As long as Cowboy keeps on catching her it's fine, but the day he misses, that's it no more!

Horse

2008-04-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is what Cowboy gave Zorro for his birthday. His very own horse!! Queenie is so jealouse. We went to the ranch to collect the horse, and got to go fishing. Zorro caught a huge fish, then fell into the river. He loves to go fishing. Mayeb when he gets a little older he will be big enough to actually make the horse move. Right now he doesn't have enough body weight to kick into gear.

So glad I am not a teacher!!

2008-04-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Zorro had his class party on Wensday, and boy howdy, I am sooooo glad that I am not a teacher!

If you have ever seen the cartoon "Recess" I sugesst you do. I think that the writer must have been teachers at one time. In the cartoon the Kindergartners are protrayed as savages. Everyone on the playground is terrified on the Kindergartners. The little savages routinely tie other kids up that dare come near the grunting, screaming, messy little kids. This would be an excellent protrayal of walking into Zorro's class. It was like watching Chimpanzees on crack. PIZZA, TRANSFROMER PLATES, CANDY!!! I am sure that if it was not for the fact that I had brought goodies, I would have been tressed up and offered up to what ever preschool deities there maybe. The heathens used the blue icing as war paint, I kid you not! Why eat the dang thing when you can smear it everywhere. The teacher calmy stood there watching this all eating a slice of pizza. If I didn't know her better,I would think that she was hitting the bottle during class, how else could the woman remain so clam? I was in shock by the time it was all over, and I was only there for 15 minutes. But Zorro loved it! All I know is that I am so glad that I am not a teacher. So very, very glad.

Easter Photos

2008-03-25T08:00:00.002-07:00

2008-03-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

We had our ward Easter hike on Friday. Zorro loved the running around, and the zip line. Queenie loved the candy, she went on an egg hunt way before the rest of the kids (that is what they get when they place bright colored eggs where she can reach them). She was so excited when she found candy in them. Even Cowboy went and helped cook the chicken!

Zorro's quips

2008-03-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Zorro goes to play at a friends house and as the friends mom was driving him home this is the conversation:

Zorro: You can just drop me off at my grandma's house.

FMom: No, I think that I better drop you off at home so your mom doesn't get worried.

Zorro: No really! It's ok if I go to grandmas house!

(he was dropped off at home! Much to his dismay!)

Zorro on starting his journal:

Cowboy: Ok, we need to write how old you are, your name and why you are writing in a journal.

Zorro give the info, except for "I don't know why I am writing in a journal."

Cowboy: (After giving me a dirty look) How about because your mom said so.

Zorro: Yes! That is good, write that down. I am writing gin my journal because my mom said so!!

Madam: Don't you dare!

Zorro: Yes! Write that!!!

Zorro on asking me for something:

Zorro: Hey, I have great idea!

Madam: what?

Zorro: Let do (insert whatever he wants to do here).

Madam: Well I'll think about it.

Zorro: Well you think about it. (puts finger to head and pokes at head) Think really hard. Use your finger.

The most fun you can have with your clothes on!

2008-03-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

I have finally found something that will make you so happy that you scream with joy!

This does evolve shopping, cooking and dishes.

Go to the store, buy a new set of dishes. ( I finally was able to replace the set that is chipped and for some strange reason got hot, but not the food. They are white.)

Now make the messiest lunch that you can think of. We had BBQ pork sandwiches and tamales.

When it come to doing the dished, simply throw the dishes in the trash. It will make your day. Unfortunately this can only be done every 5 years or so. Unless you are rich and have loads of money to throw away. Someday I hope to be like that. Now you may be saying that you can do this with paper plates, and you are absolutely right, but then you would be missing out on the satisfying "clunk" when the cursed dished are tossed into the garbage for life. There is just something about that sound that will make you just want to dance with glee.

As a note, do not allow husband to know that you mearly through the dishes in the trash. This can cause some strange reactions. They simply just don't understand.

El Zorro!

2008-02-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Zorro now has a new favorite movie. Zorro! I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

On Sunday he went to his room after church and came out wearing his spurs, hat, superman cape, mask and had a sword in his hand. He lept on his trusty stick pony and went gallping off into the kitchen. We did manage to convince him that he needed to stand still for some pictures.

He was willing to cast me in the role of the damsel in distrees, Cowboy could be the bad guy, and Queenie could go to her room. Apperently there was no need to cast her. So watch out for the super-ninija Zorro coming to see you. He misses a bit with his sword now and then, but loves to carve Z's into every surface that he can find. Namely my windows.

This would be the come hither look.

Note that his pants are ALWAYS on top of his boots.
And the sign off!

Flowers for me

2008-02-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

I let Zorro bike around the High School while I was on a walk. When I went to check on him I saw him on the ground. As soon as he heard me he came tearing over to me. When I asked him what he was doing on the ground, he exsplained that he was picking flowers for me. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a huge handful of Pansey's that he had picked from the grounds. I laughed so hard when he pulled those poor, pretty flowers out of his packet. I just hope that the director doesn't figure out who took all of his flowers!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T19:10:00.000-08:00

New mom needed

2008-02-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Zorro's teacher told me a very enlightening story today.

Apparently the class was going over the month of Feb. and discussing Valentine Day and talking about love. She said that she could tell that Zorro was thinking pretty seriously about this love deal and then finally said "Well I think that I need a new mom because mine is pretty bossy." This set the whole class off. A little girl declared that she needed a new Daddy, another wanted a new sister, and so forth. The teacher said that she learned way more than she need to that day.

After I heard this "funny" story I asked Zorro about it. He wants his new mom to be Grandma because she lets him do what ever he wants and never gets mad. Poor little guy is in for long haul with us I guess. Maybe someday he will get his wish and I will give him his own TV and never say no. But I really doubt it.

What is this Crazy thing?

2008-02-10T15:57:00.001-08:00

When we woke up on Tuesday we had snow! The first thing that Zorro said when he saw it out of his window was, "What is this crazy thing?!" He loved playing in the snow, but Queenie was not quite so sure. She was pretty sure that it could be fun, but she was taking no chances.

What is this Crazy thing?

2008-02-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

Pictures redo

2008-02-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

These are the pictures that I tried to post a while ago, and no I don't know what I did wrong, but here they are! They are a couple of years old. My camera that had this last years branding on it was stolen so you get to see some of when Greysen was a little boy!

War of the wills

2008-02-01T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have not posted in a while, and this has been for one simple reason. We have been sick. By we I mean Zorro, Queenie, and myself. Cowboy has been gone, and even if he were here he wouldn't be sick. He NEVER gets sick. I don't understand it. First I came down with a retched cold. My children could sense the weakened in me and took and unfair advantage of it. They would do anything, right in front of me, that they knew they should not do, just to see how long it would take me to react. Often it was a while. Although my brain would start shouting NONONONONO! My body just couldn't react fast enough. Happy days for them I guess. I really didn't care that all Zorro wanted to eat was Roman Noodles, or the fact that Queenie was eating the fire wood again.

Then Zorro came down with a nasty cough. He sounded like a 20 yr. smoker. It kept me up at night wondering if he was ever going to stop, but other than the fact that I was sure he was going to lose a lung he was fine. Then there was Queenie. Ah, now there is going to be one stubborn, willful, demon child. She has caught a lovely cold! (I blame the Nursery. Last time I agree to help out there!) Runny nose, horrible cough and whiney attitude? Check! She got it. Now this would not be a problem if she was like her brother, who LOVES to take medicine!! He gets it from his Grandfather. Queenie? Nope, you have to prie that child’s jaws open, shove a syringe down her throat and pray for the best. This is a 10 min. procedure and just keeps getting better. Now you can time her, wrench jaws, shove the tube in, count to 10 and yes! Vomit!

Her latest thing is to throw up all over herself and me once that medicine is on it's way to her tummy. No way is she going to accept the stuff gracefully. This would not be too bad, but we are running out of burp rags. I can't keep them clean. Zorro has lots to say on this subject, and is willing to discuss the latest batch that we have been given. I am just going to have to accept the fact that I am raising a daughter with a future in Bulimia, and a son that will be able to clean out those bedpans with no problems!

Picture of me

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Ok. So there have been some complaints that I haven't had my picture taken in 15 years. So to make everyone happy, here you go. Just don't hate me beacuse I am beautiful!

A Cowboy's life

2008-01-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

The question has been asked “what is it like being married to a cowboy?” This can be answered in one short word. Dirty.

Dirty can sum up the whole deal. A cowboy spends all day fixing fences, branding and cutting steers, riding his horse looking for the steers, planting feed for the cows, fixing tractors, and feeding the chickens. His boots are covered in dust, mud and cow nasties. My floor are covered in dust, mud and damn well better not be cow nasties. My once white couch is covered in dust, grease, and other stains that are not identifiable that came in with the Cowboy; it is now a “cream”. The rug is very much the same, although that is also the effect of Queenie's being sick and Zorro's spills. At times you can actually see the imprint of Cowboy after he has gotten up from the couch. This is not from the cushions being flattened; this is from the dust out line that he leaves behind.

A cowboy gets up early and comes home late. I actually think that this is so that he can avoid the screams and cries of the children when they hear the dreaded word “no”. This happens a lot as I am not willing to let them eat Marshmallows for breakfast. Apparently Cowboyl does. Hmmmm. Even after he gets home people will show up to the house looking for him, or call his cell phone. Normally this would not bother me, but the calls at 4:30 A.M. can get a little grating, as can the people who are convinced that I speak Spanish, even after I have told them 500 times that I don’t.

As for fashion, Wrangler, Wrangler and more Wrangler. From shirts to pants it is Wrangler. His boots cost 150 more than any of my shoes, Justin’s or Tony Lammas, and they wear out so quickly that they need to be replaced every 2-3 months. He wear a cowboy hat everyday, and will get incredibly (possible violent) if his hat is missing or damaged in anyway. We have about 100hats in the bodega and I am not allowed to throw them away. So there they sit. I have only ever bought Cowboy one pair of Tommy jeans and a pair of Doc Marten’s. That was 6 years ago and they still look brand new. I have never seen my husband in a polo shirt, sandals or a Tee- shirt. And I never will. Even his church clothes are Wrangler, and Justin boots.

As for his relationship with his horse. Even I do not know that. You will have to ask him, if you can get him to talk.

It is the ipitomy of every man’s dream, to get dirty, be outside all day, and never have to wear a tie. And since we have a boy, he also gets to participate in this grand men’s world as well. Queenie?? well we’ll see.

Pictures of Zorro and Queenie

2008-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Here are my some pictures I took of Zorro and Queenie. Zorro is convinced that he has tons of mucles and is a "Babe magnet" (his words). Queenie is always curious of the camera and will never smile! She also will never keep a hat on her head, but they are cute kids and thought that I would share these pictures.

What I did on my Christmas Vacation

2008-01-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

What I did on my Christmas Vacation

2008-01-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

People celebrate the holiday season in different way. Some go caroling, some might enjoy the snow, others may go and visit family members to remember why they only go home once a year. Here in Mexico we decided to do something completely different. We carved a deer.

Cowboy went hunting for New Years with a couple of friends, and managed to shoot a deer. Or as our darling and ever sarcastic son commented "You killed Bambi's Mom". (Please keep in mind that this child is 4. We are in for some deep dodo when he becomes a teenager!) Cowboy brought the deer home, skinned and hung the carcass up to allow the blood to drain out. Now this is interesting in the fact that it shows how completely stupid the neighbors dogs are. We currently do not have a fence, which allows the neighbors' dogs to sample our garbage when ever they feel the need. Apparently this need MUST be satisfied every 5 minutes. Now these particular animals are connoisseurs of garbage if you will. No meat for them, oh no, these fine animals prefer nasty diapers, and other vile objects. Now as we were gone on New Years Eve for a few hours, this lovely carcass was hanging out side of our bodega where any smart animal would have smelled the blood pouring out and proceeded to have a very happy new year. Nope, they got the garbage cans. But I digress, back to the deer.

As if being shot, skinned and hung up to allow the blood to flow out was not enough, this animal was still in for it (and so was I). Up to this point I had been spared seeing of any hide, carcass and I was not complaining. The next morning while others were trying to recover from a night of celebrating, Cowboy announced that it was time to "carve the deer". Now having grown up in the city, I was in for a surprise. This would be one of those cultural differences we experience now and again. I was imagining deer roast or steak, something akin to what you would see in the grocery store, nicely formed and ready to go, just needing to be sliced and made into Jerky. No. I walked in to the kitchen and saw the entire skinned deer, bones and all ready to be sawed apart, and then deboned. What a New Years Day that turned out to be. After sending Queenie to Grandma's and getting Zorro in return we went to work. Zorro was excited to see the deer, but after being disappointed that the deer was already skinned, degutted, and free of most of its blood ( he loves to watch that part) he mearley sniffed in disappointment and went to his room to play.

So away we carved. Never in my life have I seen an animal sawed apart. I can go my entire life with out seeing it again! After cutting my self twice, my brother in law, Mark, was kind enough to take over for me. (I think actually he wanted to keep me from screaming out any more swear words.)In my defense, YOU try deboning a deer leg and see how well you do. Much harder than it looks. After a few hours, and several band-aids later, we had a lovely pile of deer meat. Here is an interesting tidbit for all of you who have never had the experience of cutting up a whole deer. Only about half of the deer is used for human consumption, the rest goes to the dogs. We carved the legs, and part of the back, the ranch dog (whose name is Ranchero, origional huh?) got the rest, and that seems to me to be more than what we kept.

After we had the meat that was fit for humans, it was then cut into strips, marinated and then dehydrated into jerky. This is where I normally come into the picture, after the blood, guts and gore, I make jerky. Now why, you ask, would you turn an entire deer into jerky? That is very simply answered, Venison is nasty. No other way to put it. So we currently have a pantry that is filled with jerky, and a house that smells like jerky. So who knows, perhaps this will become a new tradition for our family, but I really hope not.

2008-01-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2008-01-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Greeting from the sticks! I am going to be adding photos, more post as time allows. Right now just to let you know that it is up and running and once I get Queenie down for her nap (hahaha) I will try to add some more.