My faithful friend...

The October blizzard. Every single year. Just when you think you've gotten away without it, it comes. And it almost always falls the last week. Just enough to freak you out for Halloween but alas, as always, it will be cold and clear.

We hunkered down this year for the storm and got to spend the day in our jammies (of course, I say the day...the storm still continues with another 8" expected).

Even Humpty Pumpky froze.


I do however, embarrassingly admit that since having Harper, I have spent way too many days in my jammies.

It kills me when Mason is talking to his daddy around noon and let's him know that mommy is still in her jammies.

Busted.

I have to say that I love living in Colorado, even with the snow. I would be so sad if my kids never experienced playing in the snow!

Sorry relatives in Arizona and Texas!

Mason (now 4) is able to fully dress himself in snow gear. Minus his gloves but that is quite tricky!


He'll be making his snowboarding debut in the 2026 olympics. He's looking forward to perfecting his skills this year as he yet again, snowboards down the icy driveway on a piece of wood...hence the "boarding".

I am quite thrilled about him getting himself ready since he goes in and out a minimum of 4 times a day. Yesterday it was for a maximum of about 5 minutes since with the windchill it was under 20 degrees.

Why does he ask for hot chocolate every time he comes in?


Not that I blame him!

We made popovers for breakfast. Oh so yummy. I'll share the recipe with you. Nice pipping hot with butter and jelly and a hot cup of coffee...or hot chocolate.

Have I enticed you??

Mmmhhh...I love hot chocolate but it makes Harper throw up so I have to skip it. Speaking of miss Harper Mae, look who smiled for you despite the blizzard and the brother who kept rubbing his sweet pink, freezing cheeks on her?


Here's the popover recipe:

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup WONDRA flour

½ tsp salt

Whisk eggs lightly; stir in milk, stir in flour and salt just until blended (do not beat)

Spray 6 custard cups and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 25 min.

Some wintry day yummies

So I actually accomplished something Monday.

Not only did I wash, fold, and put away 4 loads of laundry (which included sheets and towels!!!), I did it all within a few hours. And then, I cooked!

Okay, I have to clarify the above statement. 2 of those laundry loads were actually done last Monday and they just kept my laundry room company until Friday. At which point the joined the family room and we stared at them all weekend.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I decided to post my recipes. Now, they are not anything spectacular and to be honest, the poppy seed bread didn't rock my world. I had 2 recipes and couldn't remember which one was better. Now I know. I'll make that one in a few weeks and post that one too.

But anyway, if you want some good wintry recipes, here are some for you to try!

Potato Bacon Soup
*this recipe is homemade which means the amounts are kinda funky-
you will probably adjust them over time*

Combine below and simmer for 1/2 hour

• 3 3/4c water
• 4 cubes chicken bouillon
  
• 1 carrot
• 1 stick celery

While simmering above...

• Boil 4 or 5 medium potatoes- 2 to slice, 2-3 to mash
• Fry 5 strips of bacon
• Sautee 1/2 onion in bacon drippings
  

When the potatoes are done, drain and set aside 2 to slice up in the soup. You will want to mash the remaining. I tend to use the less is more theory with the mashed because they thicken a lot. I like to mash them with some margarine, butter, and onion salt. You really can't screw them up.

Next, add potatoes (sliced and mashed), onion, and bacon to the simmery mix. Add 4 ounces of Velveeta, a pinch of parsley, and grated pepper to the pot. Let it all melt together and blend for about 1/2 hour before serving.

Keep in mind I'm saving for a new camera at which point, my pictures will all start to look a little more beautiful. Or maybe I'll just care more.

Poppy Seed Loaf

Combine

• 3 cups flour
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp. poppy seed
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 t. almond extract

Combine all ingredients until smooth and placed in 2 greased loaf pans or one greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Immediately, pour the following glaze over the top:

• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 1/4 cup confectioner's powder

And here is a picture of Mason just to make you smile. He is being a musketeer.


What a day we had with our swords and guns...but that is another post all together.

A fireplace, some snow, and some debt-free living

Now it's my turn to remove the blog that is humbling and embarrassing all in one. Thank you Robs for your sweet words...and for the reminder to change all of my passwords!

I love winter. I love dressing cozy, wearing my Uggs and bundling up. I relish my daily coffee and long for my fireplace to work so I can lounge in front of it.

When we moved in and got our inspection, we weren't told our fireplace wasn't working. If we had been, there is a chance I may have backed out of the deal. I know it used to work because when we moved it, we vacuumed out all of the soot.

One of my favorite feeling's is the hot fire on your back causing you to sit still because if you move, you shirt will literally burn your skin. Ahhh...winter.

Once when Robin and I were little, we had our bath and then went and stood in front of the fire to warm up. Somehow, I slipped and fell backwards landing in the coals and burning the extent of both of my palms. To this day, they are bright pink and speckled which I think must have something to do with the latter.

Somehow, I have not decreased in my love for it. If anything maybe I love it more because somehow, I have overcome fire...huh, interesting. But doubtful.

Anyway, this blog was going to be about Mason. Maybe I'll get back to it.

Today there is a lite dusting of snow on the ground with the promise that it will snow 5" by tonight.

Translation: We'll get anywhere from 1/2" to 7" and tomorrow it will be 58 degrees.

Supposedly the wind chill is -7 below. I am not going to find out.

Because it is a great winter day in which I have don't have to work, I am going to catch up on my winter baking.

On the menu:

• Potato Bacon Soup
• Poppy Seed Loaf with an Orange Glaze

If I actually get to these items, perhaps I will return and post the recipes.

And maybe I will get them done because I don't have the luxury of sitting in front of my fireplace and doing nothing.

We are planning on getting the fireplace fixed this summer. I figured that would be the cheapest option and I can't go another Christmas without my stockings hanging about a non fiery fireplace.

The reason for the wait? I have been introduced to Dave Ramsay and he is rocking our world. Or so he's trying.

We are trying to get debt free so in the spirit of such, we have just sold one car (Joel's not mine- did you know how much I love my car? I could blog on it). Which is why I'm home today because we bought a beater from my brother and we haven't registered it.

Actually, it's not a beater but it's actually quite a nice little car that we'll have for years. But after that, I have promised Joel he can finally have his Toyota truck.

Wow I have really rambled. Sorry about that but if you are still here and hanging on, kudos.

So to summarize:

• My fireplace doesn't work but it will someday
• I'm going to cook today
  
• Because there is snow, Mason will change in and out of his snow clothes precisley 5 times today
• I'll blog about Dave Ramsay more another day
• You like me way too much if you read this whole blog

Thanks for reading!

My eating plans

I'm off to Massachusetts for the funeral.

When I come back, I will have gained several pounds.

"Why?" you think as you inquisitively turn your head to the side.

Because I will eat several Dunkin Donuts and several ice cream cones at Friendly's.

For some reason, unbeknownst to man, there is no Dunkin Donuts in Colorado (that I know of)!

What the heck?!?! It's an American Institution!

I guarantee you, if there is one at Logan Airport in Boston, I will get one even thought it will be 5 o'clock at night and I'll be one my way to a fancy dinner.

And for desert even after a fancy dinner in which I am ready to vomit and my pants will be unbuttoned to accommodate that delicious meal?

It will be off to Friendly's for a coffee ice cream cone dipped in chocolate jimmies.

Mmmhhh...perfect.

And it's supposed to snow so I'll enjoy the ice cream in the 25 degree weather that will feel like 13 degrees.

It'll be great!

2008 CCDA's

I come to you tonight from a place not so glamorous as Hollywood, but just as exciting.

The smell of award night is in the air.

I am dressed to impress in my JCrew formals, setting the stage for an enchanting evening.

Is the Oscar's?

Or perhaps the Golden Globes?

No indeed, it is neither.

But rather the CCDA's.

Yes...it is...the...

2008 Cookie Contest Decoration Awards!

The awards are as follows:

Best Use of Color

Best Bling

Most Unidentifiable Object

And emerging this year...
in a surprising twist...
Best New Artist

Congratulation to all the participants!

Newollah Palooza

We had our church fall festival this weekend. Weird name, you think?

"Neewollah" is Halloween spelled backwards...otherwise, I'd have no idea how to spell it.

Mason was supposed to be the Incredible Hulk. But isn't there something so incredibly grown up about that? He's only 3 and still my baby. So what did we/I choose instead?


It also clucks which totally sealed the deal.

So a chicken it was.

And what do you think his father chose to accompany this outfit?!


Hmm, Joel and Kari Osbourne...it has a ring to it for sure.

Mason told the girls "My daddy is going to be a farmer and he is going to cut off my face and cook it".

Seriously, can we get more disturbing folks?

To complete the look, I sported a basket of hard boiled eggs and wore a classic apron from 1972.

I'm pretty sure my grandma hand crocheted it and I have reduced it's status to a halloween costume.

It didn't last long however. One broken smelly egg was all it took and no one wanted to come near me.

And check out these cuties bugs and fairies...



And a little late, but here are some fun pics from carmel apple day!

Can you tell the who did the eating and who did the decorating?

Well, don't get me wrong, we did some eating too. But those pictures are forever locked away.

Mmmhh, so good.

Who doesn't love fall? I challenge you to give me 5 good reasons you don't. Except those of you in Arizona and Texas. The weather is reason enough!

And a picture of my front porch. Just for my Grammy since she in now a faithful reader!

pickling...or is it canning?

Do you ever have those days where you just feel totally domesticated? Those days where you are totally proud of yourself because you feel you fit the mold of the perfect housewife?

I totally had one of those days yesterday because...

I canned!!!

Or maybe I pickled. I'm not sure of the difference. I canned pickles so maybe the 2 words are interchangeable.

Seriously, never done anything like that before. When I think if canning, I think of jams (gross), fruit (can't I just buy motts) and botulism.

No seriously. Having taken semesters upon semesters of bodily diseases, I am a true botulism phobic.

Anyway, Robin and I are trying a new form of domestication in the form of pickles!

Until yesterday I had never heard of brine (still not totally sure what it is), thought that you still sealed canning jars with wax (apparently that is so old school), and thought you boiled everything you canned (just jam- I think...I'll never know because I'll never do it).

I really knew nothing. I am a canning virgin. My only experience witnessing it was in Sweet Home Alabama when Reese Witherspoon finally hangs out with her mom while trying to forget Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas (and let's be honest, that's basically impossible).

I digress.

The reason this all began is because Robin's friend Lorrie makes these amazing pickles. The jars are filled with dill, garlic, and onion. I have never just popped an uncooked raw onion into my mouth before.

Until the pickles.

Joel doesn't like pickles. He won't eat them. But he loves eating just garlic and onion so when we ran out of cucumbers, we made Joel some jars of just garlic and onion.

Any time we've seen Lorrie in the past year, we have selfishly and unashamedly tried to woo pickles out of her.

We eventually drew the conclusion that if we wanted one year of pickle bliss, we'd need to take matters into our own hands.

Again, I digress.

We began with a bushel of cucumbers just made to be pickled.

A bushel.

I don't even know how much that is. This is a bushel:



Then we cried.

And cried some more.

Because we sliced at least 10 of the largest onions you've ever seen. I can't even slice 1/4 of a onion without crying. So 10 was monumental.

We stuffed the jars.

Artistic isn't it?


And 4 hours later...

we had 41 jars of pickles...

(doesn't she look thrilled?!?!)


ready to sit in the basement for 1 month until we can eat them.

Yeah, a month.

Isn't that obnoxiously long?

Mason and I were reliving our canning (or pickling) moments this morning and he asked if we could have pickles tonight.

I told him they'd have to sit in the basement for a long time so they turn yummy.

His reply?

"Stink mom. That's stinks!"

I agree. Sorry that your canning/pickling (???) virgin mom said they'd be ready to eat last night.

Pure Berry Bliss

Mmm.




Can you think of a better way to kick off a Monday morning?!?!


I saw 2 blogs last week with fresh berry muffins that got me wanting blueberries.


And not just plain blueberries.


Mouth watering, hot, bursting with seeds, blueberries.


In pancakes.


Yum.

I love breakfast.

Especially homemade buttermilk pancakes.

This is the best recipe I've found and they are oh so fluffy.

So here's the recipe. I hope you love it.

• 2 c. flour


• 2 tsp. sugar


• 1 tsp. baking powder


• 1 tsp. baking soda


• 1/4 tsp. salt


• 2 eggs, separated


• 2 c. plus 2 tbsp. buttermilk


• 2 tbsp. melted butter


• as many fresh blueberries as you want

Combine dry ingredients. Beat egg yolks, buttermilk, and butter. Combine the buttermilk mixture with the dry ingredients. Fold in blueberries. Lastly, fold in egg whites (don't forget that part!!)

For an added treat, try this:

• 1 1/2 c. fresh blueberries


• 3 tbsp. brown sugar


• 1 tsp. cinnamon

That certainly isn't artistic but look at those berries. Yummm....

Fantabulous Cinnamon Twists

You HAVE to try this. Basically, my world may never be the same.

Does this picture NOT make your mouth water?!?!

Well, maybe it doesn't because it's not the best picture but keep reading!

1 package of Pillsbury pre-packaged bread sticks

Melted butter

Cinnamon and Sugar mix

Lay the twists out flat on pan covered in foil (you'll thank me later)
Melt butter and DUMP it on the twists
Then dump on the cinnamon sugar
Twist em up and dump it all again

Follow the directions on the can for baking.

After they are cooked, drizzle them in a milk, powdered sugar, almond flavored, icing. YUUMMM!

WARNING: If you are tempted to eat them all yourself, you can make half of the twists. They don't taste that amazing the next day so I would advise this (unless you are so confident of the winter fat that 12 twists don't phase you).