SMOKE!

Okay, most people have bloopers at the Thanksgiving Dinner. Oh, burned rolls, underdone mashed potatoes, or too much salt in a dish making it un-edible. We were very fortunate that all of the dishes that were prepared by family and friends turned out very nicely for our dinner at Grandma's house. No bloopers to speak of for the turn out there --- OH NO!! My 4 yo son certianly made up for that when we returned home.

He decided he was hungry and wanted to warm up a roll in the microwave. He and I have gone rounds about that microwave too. I have repeatedly told him to leave it alone and if he wants something warmed up to come and get me. Inevitably he will push 5 across the board on the micro.

And sure enough that is what happened!

Best as I can recall I was laying down with Logan on the bed, my husband Sean was on the couch watching TV and the older boys were out in the living room playing. I rarely see my husband MOVE THAT FAST! He was off that couch in the bat of an eyelash and in the kitchen. All I heard was "SMOKE!"

It was billowing across the kitchen ceiling and winding its way to the bedroom and living room. Sean unplugged the toaster and microwave and opened the door. He discovered the source of the smoke instantly as the thick acrid stuff poured out of the microwave.

One VERY CHARRED dinner roll lay in a blackened heap on the glass protective platter. My microwave will take months to get rid of the nasty smell. And the 4 yo found out the hard way how serious Mommy and Daddy are about leaving said appliance alone.

Weekend Cat Blog # 25

Missy posing!

Missy adopted my family some time back when I was still living with the ex and she really is one very lucky and loved cat. Shortly after we moved to the trailer park from "&#*( someone decided she looked good for target practice. They blew out her right leg just below the elbow joint. She was rushed to the vet and the vet and the ex insisted it was a "dog" wound... Yeah, right...... After x-rays and a good cleaning the attendant found shrapnel. Some dog bite -- he must have had filings...

And without further ado please continue with -------------

Attention Cat Lovers! It's time for Weekend Cat Blogging #25!
Food Bloggers around the world unite each week and share pictures of our favorite felines. See cute cat photos and discover yummy food blogs. We'd love to have you join us. Just send your permalink in a comment to Clare & her amazing cat Kiri at Eat Stuff in Australia--where you'll find all the links to this week's kitties.

Alligator Bites!

I attended a little tech college in Arkansas a few years ago when TJ was in Headstart and Calvin and Caleb were in Elementary school. My dad and uncle had the rock quarry in Lockesburg at the time and this particular quarry is known for the exceptionally hard sandstone it has there.

We went to the quarry over a weekend on a Sunday, and the boys of course wanted to play outside. It was warm out so they had taken their shirts off...

Now, I lived with my dad at the time and he had a girlfriend. So often he would be home early on Friday or Saturday nites and would get ready to take her out. As is norm for him he would shower, get dressed and ask me to iron his shirt. Now while I was ironing his shirt he would shave. The boys always followed him into the bathroom for this little procedure.

Now, my dad -- bless his heart -- has a skin condition. He's got all these little red marks all over his back. The boys, being children, asked about these marks. He told them each and every time about this.. "Oh, those are alligator bites!" Or, "Those are bear bites! I had this really big fight a long time ago with a bear." Back to the weekend adventure at the quarry.........................

TJ took a spill out in the oversized driveway... grass simply doesn't grow on those rocks... trust me. He scraped his chest and just had a few scratches.

Next day -- Monday and back to the daily grind of classes, work and school.
The two older boys rode the bus to the Headstart building a few blocks away from the school. My afterschool childcare provider lived next to the HeadStart Building. I finished up classes for the afternoon, went to work and about 6ish went and got the boys from the girl that watched them. Now, when she saw me pull up in the van she immediately came out. She says to me "I need to ask you something." My first thought was "UH OH.... Now what?" Calmly I asked her, "What's up?". Her response was, "How did TJ get those scrapes on his chest?" So, I told her about our trip out to the quarry and how they had been playing and such. She had children too, so she says "Okay, you HAVE to hear this!"

She tells me, "Since it was hot out today I let the boys take off their shirts to play. Now, I saw those scrapes on his chest and asked him how he got them. You are not going to believe what he told me."

I asked, "Ok, what did he tell you?"

She says, "He told me about going out to the quarry but that he got into a fight with an alligator and it bit him."

I, of course, had to giggle feeling relieved it wasn't more serious since I understood immediately where he conjured that comment from.

She goes "Oh, it gets better. The first time I simply told him okay and let it go at that. After a little bit I asked him again about the scrapes. He told me again about the alligator. I told him that we didn't have alligators here and that he couldn't have done that. He didn't change his story."

She continued,"After a little bit I called him aside again and asked him about the scrapes. He still insisted it was an alligator, so I put him in time out. After letting him out of timeout and talking to him about lying and telling stories I again asked him how he got the scrapes. He got this really exasperated expression and goes. ............."



"OK! IT WAS A HIPPOPOTIMUS!"

Thanksgiving Fun!

"On the way to Grandmothers House"
I just could not resist this beautiful shot. However, I did not take this picture. My 12 yo did! He wanted so bad to play with the camera so on the way to the dinner festivities I let him take pictures. This one is of course my favorite that he was able to take.



"Logan and the Singing Reindeer"

My MIL has this reindeer that rocks and sings! Logan positively LOVES it! He will beg any nearby adult to turn it on for him. Then he sings with it and grins while it rocks to and fro.



The Turkey!

My MIL prepared this turkey. She makes positively the best corn bread dressing I have ever tasted. And in the south its very common. Generally I won't eat it because I do not particullary care for it. However, I would not dare offend her by telling her that I don't like it and therefore won't eat it. The turkey and dressing were done to perfection and everything was delish. Below are "before" and "after" pictures of our dinner!





Look for my fun stories over the next three days!
You will get a giggle out of "Look, I can fly!", "Alligator Bites", and "SMOKE!"

Many blessings.

My project.....

Now what could I possibly be wanting to do with two old wicker chairs? I will keep you posted as they progress... tomorrow there will be a new picture of the progress I have made. I have divided this project into 14 phases. I choose the one on the right for my project. The one on the left my 11 yr old son wants to do a project with but he's not very productive. So, it was my "desk" for the afternoon.





Phase 1 -- Making repairs to the old chair. It's got broken spots all over it. I also started phase two -- but we are not done yet so no pictures yet of my project.

Many blessings!

Pecan Trees.....

We have about 17 pecan trees in our yard. Each year they produce these wonderful little nuts that we collect both from the tree and off the ground. The deer love them too, and will come up to the house and eat them. Which can be rather disconcerting at 2 am in the morning when you hear "thunk thunk --- crunch crunch crunch --- thunk thunk --- crunch crunch crunch."


This is what is currently left on the tree. To see an earlier version of the same branch look here.


This is what fell out of the husks on the tree.

And here you can see a pecan still in the outer husk, fallen from the tree probably before the freeze. The freeze stimulates them to open and drop out.

Weekend Blogging Extras

Weekend Blogging Activities!!!

Wow! We have several different blogging activities!
We have so many to choose from!

Weekend Cat Blogging that is hosted by
Kiri and Clare

Weekend Dog Blogging that is hosted by
Nick and crew

Weekend DONKEY Blogging that is hosted by
Farm Girl

Weekend Favorite Blog Spots that is hosted by
Becca at "A Little of Everything"

Weekend Herb Blogging that is hosted by
Kalyn's Kitchen

If you happen by my blog and know of any other blogging extras that I do not have currently listed please comment with the Blog of interest!! I would be glad to add them to the featured list of weekend blogging extras!

Farmgirl... Have you thought about hosting a weekend farm animal blogging? You have such a variety of creatures to feature, and I have a few here I can add in.. my neighbors chickens, goats, and sheep.... as well as horses, cows and maybe even a camel! (He's kind of stuffed... but he looks really good for his age.. LOL) *picture featured soon*.

Weekend Herb Blogging # 7

My Peppermint

Hello Bloggers! It's time for weekend herb blogging. Kalyn's Kitchen is your lovely host. She has many participants for your viewing enjoyment, along with some yummy recipes to use those lovely herbs you have growing! Please visit and post about your favorite herb!

Weekend Cat Blog # 24

"Xannon and Marlin playing outside"

It's time for Weekend Cat Blogging and we are here late! Kiri (the boss) and Clare host Weekend Cat Blogging. Clare has greatly improved after a catastrophe several weekends ago and is back full force. Please visit them at Eatstuff and check out all the other Blogging kitties!

Another Yummy Dairy Free Recipe!

The cucumber -- its a good little veggie that is yummy in many recipes. I grew up with my mom making this recipe all the time.

Creamy cucumbers
1 or 2 cucumbers -- peeled and sliced into disks ( I quarter it and then slice it.)
vinegar - 1 or 2 teaspoons
sugar - 1 or 2 teaspoons
mayo -- 2 to 3 tablespoons
Blend all the ingredients in together and chill for several hours for flavors to blend. Enjoy cold!

Easy and simple.

Many blessings! Hopefully will be back around later.

Weekend Cat Blog # 23

"Marlin -- de cat! Getting a bath."

It's time for Weekend Cat Blogging. Boo-licious over at Masak-Masak is hosting this weekends cat blog. Many of us are sending in treats we made to share with Kiri and Clare since they had such a rough weekend and week of it last WCB. Farm Girl is our co-host encouraging everyone to pitch in a weekend kitty picture and a treat to share!

If you would like to join in -- post to your blog a candid picture of your feline friend or friends, a treat if you have one and send in your permalink to Boo-licious. Boo will add your link to the ever growing list of Kitty Cat bloggers! And share with your friends how to join in too!

Now for a treat!

On-the-go S'more Treats

These little treats are sure to make a hit with the kids!
Easy to make and fun to eat!

S'more Treats
1 (12 oz) package of chocolate chips
large marshmellows
pretzel sticks
crushed graham crackers

In a double boiler melt the chocolate til smooth. While that is warming up take pretzel sticks and pierce the marshmellows on one end. In a bowl crush up some graham crackers til small crumbs. Dip the "sticked" marshmellows into the chocolate and then roll the still warm chocolate into the crushed graham crackers. Set on waxed paper to cool and set up. Serve to your favorite munchkins, or eat em all up yourself! YUM!

Many blessings to everyone!

Dairy free dinners........ Yummy

I have always wondered what food allergies I have. I stumbled upon the dairy allergy after finding a challenge at another web site. GoDairyFree web site is where I got started. I have been making recipes slowly, adapting them without milk or dairy products.

These are a few newer ones:
Hamburger Gravy
1 1/2 pounds hamburger -- cooked through and drained of fat
2 to 3 teaspoons celery salt
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
3 to 4 t. beef boullion
3 to 4 T flour
4 cups water
Add seasonings to cooked beef. Put flour in small bowl and slowly add water, stirring after each addition til you have a smooth liquid with the flour. Add the flour to the beef and stir throughly. Heat beef mixture over medium heat until the flour is cooked through and thickened.
Serve over cooked rice or egg noodles.

For a side dish:
1 pound frzen peas
water to cover
2 t flour
1 t sugar
salt to taste
some recipes for creamed peas call for dill weed -- however we do not like dill so i dont add it.
Heat peas and the water. Put flour in a bowl and slowly add water to it so it forms a smooth flour paste/liquid. Pour this into the peas and add seasonings. cook until peas are tende and taste test. Adjust seasonings.


Zippy and Tangy pork chops
4 to 6 center cut pork chops
2 to 3 t olive oil
1 med. onion - chopped
1 med bell pepper- chopped (i omitted this since dh doesnt like them)
1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 T vinegar
4 T brown sugar
2 t worcestshire
This recipe was supposed to cook all day in the crock pot, but I just did it on the stove for about an hour.
In a large skillet heat olive oil and add chops. Start chops browning on the first side and add chopped onion and bell pepper. Turn chops over after about 4 minutes and brown the other side. Brown for about 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer over med low heat, turning the chops periodically for 30 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Serve with your favorite side dishes. YUM!


I have found main dishes that are dairy free to be very good! YUMMY!

Many blessings.

Fall Fun with Pictures

These are pecan trees in our yard -- most of the limbs have been trimmed up so that they do not bash us in the head as we walk by -- but this limb had some goodies on it, so we left it til the pecans break out of the outer shells and fall to the ground. We had recent really cold weather which opens up the outer shells, so they should fall soon.


My rose bush wanted to have one last go at blooming -- this is one of 12 blooms on the bush. Very pretty splash of colour for late year blooms.


We got some fall colour! Though we may be only seeing bright pretty yellows, its certainly better than the drab browns that have been so common recently with the lack of rain fall. We still need rain but it's not quite so bad now, as we got a few inches not too long ago.

Many blessings!

Weekend Cat Blog # 22

Boots bustin tires!

It's time for weekend cat blogging! Come join us for food recipes, and kitty cat fun! Boo-licious is our hostess this week since Clare is out at a very important function!

Be sure to go check it out and have a look see at all the other kitty cats for the weekend cat blogging!

Many Blessings! @>-*--

Puff-LESS Pita Project

The Littlest Helper!

I got my recipe from Farm Girls Archives to make pitas. Now, none of my pitas puffed... which was just fine really since I have a crew of 5 to feed that were looking forward to pita pizzas. So, two pita recipes later and no puffs. At first I thought I had not let the dough proof long enough. Or maybe my helper did something to the dough -- he of course had to smack in the middle of things. As you can see by my helper's picture. He poured out my small measuring cup of sugar all over the table -- so you can see that any project I start with him up and around takes me twice as long because I have to figure out how to fix the boo-boos... So, round two with the pita project was with him finally sleeping -- and basically produced the same effects. No puffed pitas -- thus the only thing I can resolve from this is old yeast.

Now for a recipe --
Pita Pizzas
Puff-less pita breads
Pizza sauce of choice
meats -- breakfast bacon ( a personal favorite), hamburger meat, pepperoni, canadian bacon, italian sausage, or ham
vegies - onion (I sauted some in the bacon fat), olives (black only here), bell peppers (green or red), and mushrooms.
and choice of cheeses. mozzeralla, american cheese, parmesan
pineapple is good to add too!

However, I cannot have the dairy products listed.. which by the way means I get to enjoy "dairy free" pita pizzas.. You should try one too! They are delish by thier own right!

Many blessings! @>-*--

Rescued Feral Girl...

Another Feral Rescue -- we have worked and worked on this female kitten. However, I do not think she's ever really going to come around. She will let us handle her but only if she's in the bathroom we currently house her in. Otherwise, if she's free run of the house she runs away from all of us. I am going to get her spayed and put her outside. That way, she's got a decent life, and no worries about repeats with her.

Wisps of Wind

Wispy Clouds wisked across the sky by the wind...

Comfort Food at its Best.

I have been sore and feverish all morning long. I do not feel good. So, with that in mind I want to fix comfort foods for me today.

1st -- peanut butter and jelly grilled sandwiches.

2 slices bread
mayo (dairy free of course)
peanut butter
jelly of choice -- raspberry today -- we ran out of strawberry flavor

heat up your grilling skillet. assemble your peanut butter and jelly sandwich and use the mayo just like you would butter -- and cover the outsides of the bread. grill til golden brown, turning to get both sides and enjoy!

2nd -- homemade chicken noodle soup
1 whole chicken
3 stalks celery
2 carrots
1 small onion
seasonings of choice -- I like thyme, oregano, salt and pepper -- just add to taste what you like.
1 pkg. Lipton Noodle soup mix
dumplings -- home made or maybe store bought biscuits
Cut up the vegies into small pieces. Place chicken in a large stock pot and cover with water. Add cut up vegies and bring it all to a boil. Simmer until the chicken is well done. Remove chicken to a large plate to cool so that you can debone it. Pour the broth through a sieve into a large bowl so you can remove all the vegetables. Give the discarded vegies to the neighbors chickens if there is such available. Otherwise just toss to the compost pile or your trash. Place broth back into the stock pot. Debone all the meat you can get off the chicken. Bring the broth back to a boil. Add seasonings, then add the meat to the broth and add the soup mix and dumplings. Simmer until the dumplings are cooked through and serve!

Simple easy comfort food and delish too. I will add a picture later of both the soup and sandwich.

Many blessings. @>-*--