Friday, October 29, 2010

random thoughts on weather

When we went to bed last night there was a frog singing. I love listnening to frogs and it was so comforting to fall asleep with a frog croaking and the rain falling. I miss the sun and its heat but I do love to listen to the rain.

I am also bummed that today is such a beautiful day and Sunday is supposed to rain. Seems such a waste of good weather.

Alicia and I heard that some areas back East buy snow suits and decorate them so that they don't have to cover their costumes with coats. She thought this was a great idea.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Return of the Quack.

Last year I posted the video for "I love my Ducks:I Smell Roses." I just had to add the new one that is out. I know it's been out a bit but I like posting things so I can find them again.

I love my Ducks!

And here it is: Return of the Quack

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Holiday Season is upon us


How can I help? EASY AS PIE.... Order a pie or cobbler from us, or anyone attending Stayton Christian for that matter. Alicia and Ethan are both trying to win a class party. Please help them out and have your pies, fruit and cobblers back just in time to bake up fresh for Thanksgiving. Order extra for Christmas too. ;)
Pies available: 40 oz
Pumpkin Chiffon $13 Specialty pie of the month
American Apple $12
Marionberry $12
Cherry Crunch $12
Mini Pies: $4 "Pie for YOU or pie for TWO"
American Apple
Cherry
Marionberry
Raspberry Rhubarb
Peach
Cobblers: $9 26 oz.Forrest Berry
Marionberry
Peach
IQF Fruit: $8 2 lbs ripe fresh berries frozen
Blueberries
Red Raspberries
Strawberries

Thank you Alyssa. I cut and pasted from your blog. hehe

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Birthday shopping

Since my kids were itty bitty my mom has come up on Columbus Day and taken me shopping. We use to take the kids with us, then they started school and now they are both in all day school!! Some years my birthday falls on Columbus Day sometimes not. This year it did but the Christian school gave them a 5 day weekend and they were home on Columbus Day. BOO. So my mom came up on Wednesday and we went out for our day of fun. We went to Salem first for breakfast at Word of Mouth. That place is so good. So good. We have decided to add that to our annual date. Then we headed up to the Woodburn outlet for some shopping. I found some things for myself and some Christmas presents for the kids. I also bought some snow pants. That has made my week. My old snow bibs were from college. They do not fit well at all!! So now I can go out with my kids and not worry about those awful pants.

We had time left so we then headed to Target where I found the decorations for my kids bathroom. I have wanted to redo it since the day we painted it yellow. Now I know which direction I want to go.

It was a super day, the weather also cooperated.

I love the time I get to spend with my mom. I hope we do this for another 30 years. I would love to start this tradition when Alicia moves off.

Monday, October 11, 2010

homemade bolognese sauce recipe (gluten free as well)


This is my new favorite bolognese sauce. I got it off of The Pioneer Woman site. She had a guest cook on about a year and a half ago and he made this. It is also his picture as when I made it today I didn't know I would be blogging about it and didn't take a picture. :)
I love it in lasagna as it stands up really well. It doesn't get runny and leaves a piece of lasagna looking good. It also tastes better and I know what is in it, completely healthy and gluten free.

Hope you try it and find it is just what you have been looking for. O, and it has a hidden veggie for those of you with kids.

Ryan's Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients
■½ cups Olive Oil
■1-½ cup Grated Carrots
■1 whole Large Red Onion, Diced
■2 pounds Ground Beef
■2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
■2 Tablespoons Dried Basil Flakes
■1 can (6 Ounce) Tomato Paste
■5 cloves Garlic, Minced
■1 cup (to 2 Cups) Red Wine---------I use cranberry juice and still love the taste
■2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
■2 cans (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
■1 cup Milk
■Salt And Pepper, to taste
■Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Preparation Instructions
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add grated carrots and onions and cook for a few minutes. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and then add in the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes until brown, gradually stirring it into the carrot mixture.

Throw in oregano and basil. Use fresh if you have it; if you don’t, it’s fine. When the meat is browned and combined with other ingredients, make another well. Add tomato paste and let it heat. Add garlic and stir to combine.

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add red wine (or cranberry juice). Stir together. Add Worcestershire and stir. Add canned tomatoes. Finally, pour in milk, stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours—however long you need.

Serve with pasta and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fall sports





So the kids are doing soccer again this fall. This year Alicia is old enough to be on a team of just 3-4 grade girls. I am loving watching her. There is such a difference in the ability between the 1-2 grade team and this team. I mean I enjoy watching Ethan but watching his sister is so much more exciting. :)
And because they are an all girl team they can have a color like pink for their tee shirts!!
Ben is helping coach Ethan's team again this year. Ethan likes this but it makes game days a bit harder. Ben has to stay with Ethan and I go with Alicia if their games overlap. Kind of stinks for him to miss her games but I am glad I get to be the one to go with her. hehe They both seem to like being forwards. Alicia has gotten her fair share of being a goalie as well this year. She has decided she doesn't really care for that position.




They both seem to love soccer. I think we will continue this sport every year while we can. I know Alicia has most likely decided not to play basketball again this year. She didn't enjoy it that much last year.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Choose to SEE Him!

"...when the path is darkest , He leaves little bits of evidence all along the way-bread crumbs of grace-that can give me what I need to take the next step. But I can only find them if I choose to SEE."
Mary Beth Chapman


I just finished Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. It was suggested by Alyssa Worst and it was a great recommendation. Mary Beth writes about her life and some of her lifelong thorns. She also walks through the process of adoption and then about the loss of her youngest, Maria. I cried at almost every page. The Chapman family has gone through some amazingly tough situations and through it all have been able to turn to the Lord. They are still walking through tough days but they have not let Satan tear them apart. I wish I had bought this book in real hands-on format but I got it on my Kindle. Otherwise I would be loaning it to every one of you. It talks mostly about how their family walked through the loss and kept the faith but it has something for everyone who has gone through any type of problem.

In the background they talked about their son, Caleb, who has started his own band. I went online today and I love his voice!!! LOVE IT. I would download his songs but sadly I don't really care for the songs themselves. Hmmm, I am hoping I can follow this young mans career and find some songs I would love to buy.

Go to the library today and read this book. You will find something in it will speak to you. It also may give you a desire to adopt. :)