It's Almost Time

It won't be long until Adam and I are with PK and Nick. Can you believe it? This will be the 4th time we've managed to get together since last June and I couldn't be happier. I always thought long distance friendship like this would be hard but not with PK.

We have such an ongoing relationship that there's never an awkward moment.... just lots of fun. And even when we're serious... or quiet.... it's not awkward. PK did tell me though that I had to wear clothes because it would be awkward if I didn't.

Let me explain. We were discussing clothes. PK and I neither one are "girly girls" but I have however developed a bit more of an interest in clothing since my weight loss. Like a friend who also lost weight said to me recently, "It's fun to buy clothes when Omar the tent maker is no longer making them for us."

True dat.

Anyhow, I was half tormenting PK about my clothes when she said she didn't care what I wore, that I could even show up naked. She back pedaled quickly by saying I had to wear something, that my nakedness would just be awkward.

True dat, too.

Anyhow, Adam and I are pretty well packed except for the few last minute things that we won't pack until the last minute... which is why I referred to them as last minute things. Anythow....We'll be gone from Tuesday morning until late Sunday afternoon. It's going to be a nice get away. Where we are going is not important. Being together is.

I hope our rooms at the hotel are right next to each other. That way if I hear any noise that sounds like PK getting her bottom burned, I'll be able to let you know and give you the details.

Speaking of PK getting her bottom burned, Adam and I were in the back yard today playing with the pup. No, it wasn't really warm enough but we were out there anyhow. After the pup tired out we were picking up some sticks and branches that the winter months have brought down from the trees. Adam threatened me with a few switches. They looked stingy and whippy so we decided to NOT use them on me but to take one to PK and Nick.

Wasn't that thoughtful of us?

Oh, yeah... one more thing.....

Another Photo Meme

Tracy is at it again... and of course I stole from her again!!!

1. Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Copy the html and paste for the answer.

1. What is your name?

2. What is your relationship status?

3. What is your favorite color?

4.Who is your celebrity crush?

5. What will you do tomorrow?

6. What is your favorite Disney princess?

7. What would you splurge on if you won the lottery?

8. What was the last thing you bought?

9. Where is your dream vacation?

10. What cell phone do you have?

11. What do you want to be when you grow up?

12. What do you love most in life?

13. One word to describe yourself?

14. What drives you crazy?

15. What is your favorite food?

16. Least?

17. Something you're really good at?

18. Random picture:

19. Biggest fear?

20. Favorite dessert?

A New Post

Let's see...

What's new?

Two more days of work and then I'm off for TEN wonderful days.

Squeezing a road trip in. Spending a few days with PK and then a few days with offspring #1.

Life's been kind of busy but nothing worth blogging about.

Gas prices are crap.

The men on American Idol are better than the women.

I LIKE Amanda Overymeyer. Why in the world did she get picked for votefortheworst.com?

For the first time ever I've been following Biggest Loser. Wow.The loss has been amazing to watch.

I actually saw a new number on the scales this morning: 165 but won't change the ticker just yet. I am honestly wondering if I'll get this last 8 or 9 pounds off? I guess I don't really care as long as I don't gain. I don't want to gain. I don't ever want to go back.

Is it spring yet? Considering my area got hit with a fierce snow storm just less than 2 weeks ago I'm happy to just not have snow on the roads. Even better is that it's almost gone from the ground. It's taking a while for some of the big piles to melt. Fingers crossed that we don't get anymore this year.

I need more chicken and dumplings. Adam volunteered me to make some for a young couple with a new baby on Friday so I'll make a huge batch again when I make it for them.

So do you know what PK said? She said that she's so excited to see us that she wants to hold hands and skip.

Excuse me?

I told her that yes, I'd hold her hand but I am NOT skipping. I have to maintain a certain level of dignity doncha know?

So what's this about Grace and some hotel suite or something?

Well good for her.

Okay.... let's call it a post.

Bye!!!

Cooking With Eva

We are snowed in. Most churches in our area - including our own - have canceled church today.

We slept in. I'm enjoying the time with Adam.

I'm cooking quite a bit even though I can't eat much of what I have made this weekend. Later today our daughter and son in law are coming for dinner. Hopefully the roads will be cleared enough for them to make the 7.5 mile drive. I am making their favorite - ribs. Along with that we'll have some green beans, applesauce, and potato salad. Oh, and I'll be baking some biscuits too. I baked Adam's favorite cake. It's from scratch. No box mix for this baby. Wanna see a picture? It's a red velvet cake but you can probably tell that from the picture.



So I know.... it's a bit sloppy looking. Would you believe me if I said it's SUPPOSED to look that way? I'm hoping to eat three bites ... three SMALL bites of it just for memory's sake. It's been a while since I made one of these.

With the good dinner and the red cake with ice cream today is a celebration. Both Adam and our son in law have birthdays this week.

Oh, and I'm working on a batch of chicken and dumplings, too. We have company coming Tuesday night and I've promised this to them. Seeing as this is a dish you don't want to rush and also it's better the second time around anyhow, I'm making it today. I'll keep it in the fridge till Tuesday morning. Then I'll put it into the crockpot on low all day. It will be perfect by then. I have a picture of this to show you. I made this batch a couple weeks ago. I took a picture of it to torment PK with. Now I guess I can torment you all, too.



Yum. Trust me, this dish is to die for if you are a chicken and dumplings fan... which I am.

Ramblings

We had an ice storm yesterday.




Pretty, huh? It didn't bother me much since the roads were fine. I did however get another snow day today. We've had more than we're allowed this year so this one today will have to be made up. I don't care. I'd rather go one more day in warm weather than go out there today in the snow and blowing freezing cold.

This is March, yes? Spring is close by, I hope.

I'm cleaning and doing laundry today. This way Saturday will be a play day all day long.

Here's a secret... shhhhhhhhh...... Adam has a birthday next Thursday. He's going to be... well... forty something. We're not doing much special for it because we're saving our pennies for a road trip over my spring break. I can't wait!! It's always nice to get out on the open road with Adam. We seem to be at our best then.

This weight thing is frustrating me!!! I have gained a couple pounds. Never fear though... I'm all over it like - as my twin would say - a duck on a June bug. Or is that a June bug on a duck? No matter. The point is, I'm on it. I'm pretty sure that eating sugar free chocolate is my cause. PMS is a horrible thing without chocolate but I will not not not purchase anymore. I've also kicked up the exercise a bit. This morning I was back down a pound. See, I am eating more normal like now and have to really watch. I had gotten used to the first six months of not having to be all that careful. I knew it wouldn't last forever and I'm ready to meet the challenge and get those couple of pounds back off. Not only that, I still have my goal of 157 to get to. I am pretty sure I will and that this is a very temporary set back.

The pup is laying by my side. He's so sweet. We just love him to death however ... there is one little problem. He turns into Kujo over stupid stuff like Popsicle sticks and Kleenex. Now, don't tell me to watch the Dog Whisperer guy. We've done that. He will bite your arm off for a Kleenex. If it's a toy or something he's allowed to have he will let you take it from him. We've been handling it by double teaming him. One of us will distract him by getting him to come out of hiding to play while the other goes to the hiding spot and takes the goods and throws whatever it is at the moment in the trash. Other than that, any suggestions?

Gosh I hate winter but I sure do love snow days.

I recently sent a bunch of recipes to Terpsichore. She's decided that she can cook after all. Once she saw that her family didn't need medical attention and that the food actually tasted good she has decided that cooking's not so bad after all. I'm going to post one of the recipes here. This is my newest favorite dish. I've always loved chicken and dumplings but I swear to you, this is the best I've ever eaten. I actually started with a recipe and tweaked it by adding ideas of my own. After making it three times I don't think I can make it any better than this. If you try it and find a way to improve it, by all means tell me!!!

Chicken and Dumplings

INGREDIENTS

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 6 cups college inn chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 small bag baby carrots
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 tablespoon butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 Tbs. Chicken bullion granules
• 2 cups all-purpose baking mix
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold water

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot over medium heat, simmer chicken in 6 cups broth until no longer pink. Remove chicken, cool and shred. Keep the broth!!!!!
2. Return shredded chicken to pot and stir in butter, salt and pepper. Cook until chicken reaches desired tenderness, 15 to 60 minutes.
3. Add soups, vegetables, butter, salt, pepper and bullion.
4. In a bowl, stir together baking mix and milk until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Stir flour mixture into soup; bring soup to a rolling boil.
5. Drop baking mix mixture by tablespoonfuls into the boiling water, neatly around the chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Then cover and cook 10 minutes more. (Sneak a spatula under the dumplings to prevent chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.) Serve hot.

I cook the chicken on the stove in the morning, transfer the broth to a large crockpot and then mix everything in letting it slow cook all day adding the dumplings a few hours before surving. The longer the dumplings are in there, the better they are.

Laundry is calling my name and I have to tend to it before the pup runs off with a dirty sock or underwear or something. Yes, he steals those things too and will bite you for them. Grrrr.... how can he be so very sweet but turn so mean over something so stupid? We just don't battle him. We have a system but sometimes I get ticked and grab for what he's taken. He's only broken my skin once with his teeth. It's okay. He has all his shots. And don't tell me "I'd shoot that dog" or something else. We love him. That's NOT an option. I mean seriously. Look at this face. What's NOT to love??

Carye and Terpsichore

Most of you know Carye and Terpsichore. They are regular readers/commenters without a blog of their own. They have each bestowed upon me the honor and privilege of publishing their individual memes.

First up is Carye~

1. What is your occupation?

full time mom, and part time computer data validation and programming person.

2. What color are your socks right now?

No socks on, but mine are white :-)

3. What are you listening to right now?

my husband looking at butterflies on the computer with my youngest son trying to settle him for sleep!

4. Last thing you ate?

home made pizza, 6 types of veggies, and 5 types of fruit

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

yep, my first cars were all stick! I love stick shift. too bad conversion vans don't come with them!

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Yellow! Bright, warm happy color

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

my daughters piano teacher so I could pick up her math flash cards that she left there!

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Absolutely love her!

9. How old are you?

42 and 8.25 months

10. Favorite drink?

coke zero! and propel!

11. What is your favorite sport to watch?

football and gymnastics

12. Have you ever dyed your hair?

nope

13. Pets?

breeding guppies, and praying mantis pods.

14. Favorite food?

hmmm. too many to count.... probably hostess 100 calorie chocolate cupcakes!

15. What was the last movie you watched?

the princess bride

16. What was the last book you read?

Shoo! Fly Guy!

17. What do you do to vent anger?

yell at my husband, and usually end up getting spanked!

18. What was your favorite toy as a child?

chemistry set, and hotwheels cars

19. What is your favorite season?

Summertime!

20. Hugs or kisses?

Hugs

21. Cherries, Blueberries or Strawberries?

MMMM LOVE THEM ALL but my favorite would have to be cherries.



And now our friend Terpsichore~

1. What is your occupation?

nurse of booboos and runny noses, singer of lullabies,
caretaker of well loved dollies, stuffed animals and
other toys, personal shopper, house cleaner (sometimes),
chauffeur, laundry mat, cook (out of necessity), baker
of cookies and birthday cakes, teacher, referee, event
coordinator, letter writer and card sender, bill payer,
art curator of finger paintings, playdough sculptures,
and other abstract art, clothing consultant, detective
(to find missing toys, miscellaneous objects, and socks
taken by the sock fairy), assistant to Santa Claus,
the Easter Bunny, and in training to be assistant to the
toothfairy, and believer in all things magical...yes,
I am Mommy to two small children and wife to the love
of my life...and when I am not taking care of my own
children I work part time as a teacher taking care of
other people's children and hopefully inspiring them to
become creative individuals as much as they inspire me...

2. What color are your socks right now?

black...however, most of the time I am barefoot...

3. What are you listening to right now?

the chatter of my children.talking with one
another and the sound of the music from the 
Nutcracker in the background...

4. Last thing you ate?

yogurt

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

No...my husband has wanted me to learn
since he first met me...maybe someday...
or maybe not...

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

As my students would say if they cannot
make a decision...every color of the
rainbow... :-)  Truly though I like
deep colors - true reds, majestic purples,
forest greens, and royal blues...as
for the color I would most wear - that
would be black (though I suppose that
is the absence of color)  :-)

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

My husband

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Very much so!

9. How old are you?

30 something...ok, I will be 35 in
another month

10. Favorite drink?

water (plain or with lemon)...I know,
boring but truly it is...

11. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Hmmm...does watching  "So you think you
can Dance" and "Dancing with the stars"
count???  If not...then....ice-skating...
and I have been known to keep my husband
company from time to time when he watches
Nascar...

12. Have you ever dyed your hair?

Not until recently but yes...started
getting grey hair in college and finally
decided to do something about it after
the birth of my first child a few years
ago...

13. Pets?

Not at the moment...I can barely manage
the chaos with two young children running
around not to mention anything else
added to that welcomed insanity...but
definitely someday would love to have a
pet...I grew up with lots of animals
around and would love for my children to
experience having pets too...

14. Favorite food?

Ice cream

15. What was the last movie you watched?

I watched Mary Poppins with my children...
and right now we are watching the
Nutcracker

16. What was the last book you read?

I admit it has been a while - this summer
I finished the  Harry Potter series and
loved every minute...

17. What do you do to vent anger?

Honestly I have a hard time being angry...
I am extremely sensitive and usually
cry...but have been known to yell at my
kids...and I hate when I do...sometimes
to vent anger I will give myself a
timeout - just some space to be by myself
for a moment...

18. What was your favorite toy as a child?

I had a favorite ragdoll, Ginny dolls,
star wars figures I played with my brothers,
and I loved playing dress up, and dancing
with dresses that twirled - I know...girly...
what can I say?  :-)

19. What is your favorite season?

I love watching the change of all the
seasons...I just wish we had more spring
and fall...and less of the season we are
currently in...

20. Hugs or kisses?

I love both but if I have to choose only
one...hugs.

21. Cherries, Blueberries or Strawberries?

I love most fruit.

Sunday Afternoon Delight

Never - ever - tell a spanker "That didn't hurt."

I did.

What was I thinking?

We had just finished making love, having sex, etc.

Adam decided THEN to spank me a bit.

I was kidding.

Honest.

His response to my comment?

He upended me fast and spanked till I begged for mercy.

I was laughing the whole time.

So was he.

It was fun.

I hope we do it all again real soon.