Where Spiders Go To Die

Not sure why these creepy things insist on coming to my front porch...but I know why they died. My sweet husband, protector of our house killed them. Probably not in the way you are imagining. No. Jim is more of the bear and bad guy and zombie slayer. When it comes to spiders, he prefers a more passive approach. 

His poison of choice is a lovely product called Home Defense. And apparently it does it's job. I leave the carcasses out for their friends and relatives as a warning. I feel it's the humane thing to do. Also they can't sue us for not warning them that the poison was harmful. You know how litigious everyone is now days.... 

Sneak Peak

Just a sneak peek at the room I am working on. It used to be Jo's room. We are converting it into a guest room. I needed to change it from teen-chic to cozy and welcoming. I am using a dark gray on this one wall. It looks black...but it isn't. Just a nice warm gray. The carpet measure guy is coming today. As soon as it is all put together I will show you all. I am already loving this room!! ((On a side note...the yellow took 7 (!!!) coats to cover the gray. Yikes!! I covered the bright purple with a light gray in 2 coats...I am using Behr paint + primer....and still 7.dang.coats!!))

Wordless Wednesday

A Food Post

Here lately I have been missing my Mama. So many things are happening in my life right now. Most of them good. All of them are topics I'd like to discuss with her. She was so good at coming up with solutions and giving such good advice. She was a typical middle child. The ultimate peacekeeper. She was also really good at being excited for the milestones in my life. We have hit SO many lately. Four years and I'm still not very good at being without her. Dang. Well....onto the food then. My Mama made simple, no fuss meals for us every single night. Even when she worked she cooked. One of our favorites was Chicken Rice Casserole. I will give you the recipe as she made it....and my adaptations.

Boil one chicken and set aside to cool. (I use three big boneless chicken breasts and pull out 2 c. of shredded chicken and freeze the rest)
In 1 c. of the broth, boil 1/2 c. chopped carrots and 1/2 c. chopped celery and 1/2 half a medium sized onion for about 5 minutes and set aside. Do not drain. (No...leave out the celery. It's gross. I usually add more rice and carrots so I use 2 c. of broth)
Melt 1/4 c. butter and add 1/4 c. flour. (I use about 5 TBS butter and a heaping 1/4 c. of flour)
 Add 2 c. broth and bring to a soft boil to thicken. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. paprika. Stir in 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1/2 c. uncooked (not instant) rice (I use 1 c. of rice and lately have used 1/2 rice 1/2 quinoa...delish!). 
Add chicken (that you have pulled off the bones) and the veggies you boiled...water and all...and stir to combine. Put in buttered baking dish (9x13) and cover. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350*.

This casserole is by far my favorite comfort food. When I am missing Mom...this is what I cook. Due to the unusual longing for her lately, I also made her Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Applesauce Cookies. The last few times I have made these they have dried out pretty fast. My sister Kim is the ultimate cookies maker and they turn out for her every time. These cookies were the first thing I learned to make by myself. I would whip up a double batch on a Sunday night and take a bunch to my room to "help" me with my homework....you know, brain food!!
3/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. applesauce
2 c. oatmeal
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 (heaping) tsp nutmeg
1/2 (heaping) tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. milk
2 c. flour
Cream together Shortening and sugar. Add the eggs. Add the dry ingredients and then the rest of the stuff (yes, that is what my recipe card says). Using a medium cookie scoop (about a golf ball sized scoop) place on cookie sheet and bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes. The bottoms and edges will be brown...but not the tops.

So there you have the ultimate comfort food....for me anyway. It's not really working. I still miss her. What?? Food won't take away the hurt? No...it will. I just have to eat more :) Do you have a favorite comfort food recipe??

Her Last Year as a Teen

19 years ago this little girl came into our family. She was sweet and snuggly, but we were soon to discover that this girl had a mind of her own!!

She was adored by all her aunties and uncles (still is) and was Aunt Michelle's choice for a buddy and Aunt Kim's for an... EVERYTHING!! She was (and is) easy to hang with.

She never got that baby sister she wanted so badly, but found time and energy to devote to her beautiful cousins. She has taught them well.

Even when she hit that unenviable rough patch all kids get to endure...she was still funny and beautiful.

Of course she didn't ever lose that wicked sense of humor or her snarkiness (I blame her mother...oh wait...that's me).

But she used her strong will to over come many challenges in her life. She is kind and smart and strong. She is sweet and beautiful and strong...did I mention that? 

I am so very proud of this young woman. She amazes me every day. My heart swells with pride just thinking about her. My eyes leak too...because I am sure I miss her more than any mother ever missed her daughter. She is not just my kid...she is my friend. I treasure our relationship and this girl. I am one proud Mama.

Happy Birthday, my darling girl. You are SO loved!!

Chore Chart

My sister asked me to make a chore chart for her family. They all will have things to be responsible for every day. And some different chores for the weekend. 

Of course I added some they can do if they are trying to earn some extra cash....like clean out their Mom's car and clean the fridge. 

I do hope it works for their family and helps them stay organized (especially in the evenings when she gets home from work!). Here you go sister. Hope you like it :)

Menu Boards

Here are the finished projects that I started on Monday. I love how different they all are. It all started with my desire to help my little sister be less stressed in the evenings.

Working a full time job AND being a Mother is like having three full time jobs. I wish I lived closer so I could help in a real physical way....but alas...it is not to be. Yet.

So I took sheet metal and glued it in a frame and Mod Podged scrapbook paper to it. I made magnets with glass marble thingies with a flat side and more paper and Mod Podge.  

I printed some dinner ideas and laminated them. I folded an envelope to store them in and a hook at the bottom and there you have it.

I have this one sold to one of Kim's friends in Idaho. I hope she likes it. I am still trying to decide how to hang them. I love them in a big easel on the counter, but some folks (me included) don't have the counter space.

I have made a menu for years now and I love it. I make a list of things I will need (I usually make a two week menu, cuts down on going to the store) to make dinner for the week (or two) and BAM! Done and done.

I do hope this will help Kim with her hectic evenings. Planning for a weeks worth of meals on one day and getting all of the shopping out of the way is very helpful. I will probably send her a link for some freezer meals too. Those are always great to have on hand.

So if you know of anyone looking to buy a menu board....I have the yellow and gray one and the orange and gray available right now. 

Next project will be a chore chart. Wish me luck :)