What a Crock!

In the week before Christmas I was up late one night finishing gifts (surprise, surprise) and I decided upon completion, to be a good little wifey and to put some breakfast in the crock-pot for DH. He gets up hours before the rest of the family (which is saying something around this place) and is off to work before anyone is awake most mornings. The early hour is not conducive to either cooking or even wanting much of a breakfast but as the morning goes on he is frequently in need of something substantial to fuel his physical labor. The point of all this is that if I leave something like Breakfast casserole in the crock-pot he has a warm filling to put into a tortilla or even just in a bowl and take with him for that later hour when he is hungry. While my recipe doesn't really resemble the one linked, other than it has potatoes (mine are freshly shredded) eggs, milk, cheese (however much I happen to have), usually some kind of meat garnish and always some greens thrown in, it always has similar proportions and turns out a favorite every time. Now back to the story, upon deciding to spoil my early rising man, I get all the ingredients assembled and layered in, only to discover I can't find my lid. I proceed to spend 45 minutes looking (which is a feat considering the size of my kitchen) and am unable to locate it anywhere. Deciding that maybe my sleep deprived brain is not conjuring the logical place that I should be looking (other than where it belongs, on top of the crock-pot) I go in to shake DH awake, to see if he has seen it. Well, he had. In about a thousand little safety glass pieces the week before. Having failed to tell me that he had broken it, I was now left with what to do with a full pot and no lid (to cook the breakfast for the man who had broken the aforementioned item). So with much colorful language (not to be described on this family friendly site) I trouped back out to find another solution. The tin foil cover I came up with served it's purpose, though it left a bit of crust on the casserole. At the end of this long lament comes the point. After sharing my pain over this event with my dear mother, I waxed nostalgicly over this really cool new crock-pot I had seen this summer that had 3 different interchangeable bowls that nested together. How amazing to have 2,4 or 6 quart size when you needed it and have only one appliance! Well, she very frugally advised me to find a new lid in the thrift stores or even replacements.com and not spend money on a new item, especially the week before Christmas. Being the fabulous mother that she is, she then went out and found me the very item I had been drooling over. This thing is just wonderful! I can do crock-pot oatmeal in the small dish without overcooking it and yesterday I cooked two whole chickens in the big one! The crockery is oven proof as well so I can use the extras for cooking or serving (they are even pretty colors) while one is in the warming dish. The old pot will go to church for keeping food warm during brunches and my new one already has a place of honor in my little appliance cupboard. Thanks mom! Also, thank you to DH as well for your part in my new favorite kitchen item. LOL

Buzz Buzz...

In the past few weeks we have had a classic Colorado Christmas. Bitter cold days and inches of snow interspersed with warm days that invite opening up the house for some fresh air and playing outside for hours. Today is one of the latter and the girls are running around and through on their adventures in the sunshine. The doors are not to be a hindrance in these childhood adventures and so, I now have a friend in my window. For some reason we have an abundance of bees by our home and the slightest thawing brings them out exploring. On a day such as this I have already shooed 4 out of the house and am obviously not finished as I listed to the frustrated buzzing of another confused honey-maker. Though I can empathize with their enthusiasm for wringing a bit of warmth from the suns winter rays, I shall never understand why they are so determined to come in and so immediately eager to be back out again. Perhaps I should ask the kiddos?

A Knitting Cruise?

Yesterday DH asked me what I would do with 80Million, this being the winning Lotto amount of course (he dreams a little to much). Well, there were many more practical things; some land and a bigger house (after all it couldn't get any smaller) be debt free forever, donations to certain charities and helping out family. This however, would have to fall in the category of, only if, I won 80 mil. A knitting cruise. All ports, discussions and activities geared to the stick lover in us all. A bit over the top in my view of the world, but if I had that much money burning a whole in my pocket, who knows?

To Grandma with Love

A few pictures to share just for my mom. Because, what grandma wants, she should get, especially when it's more pictures of the holiday fun. We love you grandma!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

From The Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR TODAY December 29th.
Outside my window... golden rays of morning sunshine
I am thinking... of my smelly fridge.
I am thankful... for the feeling of peace and joy left by the extended holiday.
From the learning rooms... engineering done Lincoln Log, Quadrilla and Tinker Toy style.
From the kitchen... massive cooking to conquer the fridge funk.
I am wearing...red plaid skirt, ribbed turtleneck and Hubby's smart wools.
I am creating...a place for new gifts and more clothes for our new dolls.
I am going...to try out my new serger.
I am reading...This is the Star, Jane Doe, and Dead Souls
I am hoping...to have extra time for sewing this afternoon.
I am hearing...the ticking of my Regulator pendulum.
Around the house... joyful activity from all the new gifts.
One of my favorite things...sisters playing together.
A few plans for the rest of the week: M: cleaning up after the holidays, T: some deep cleaning before a New Year, W:Staying up to late, T: Things I hope to do all year, F:Enjoying DH's extra day off, S&S: Quiet time with DH gone hunting :P.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...because at the end of it all, still surrounded by gifts, what do they choose to play with? The bubble wrap. :)

Oh, The Smell!

While I might usually hesitate to share how funky my house is out of a sense of embarrassment, I am currently more frustrated than anything else. My refrigerator reeks, intensely, grossly, like I can smell it the moment someones opens it when I am in the other end of the house. Granted with only 500sq ft it's not like I am ever that far away, but that is sorta the problem! Now the logical answer might be to just clean it out, that would be my answer, in fact it was, three times! I have gone through and gotten rid of anything questionable and even wiped out the shelves with vinegar water. There is nothing left that looks remotely funky and yet I can't get rid of the smell. I even got rid of the old baking soda (it obviously wasn't doing it's job anyway). Our fridge has been decidedly bare of late and so anytime prior to Christmas this would have been an easier fix to be sure. Right now it is currently stocked to the point of exploding (sorry, bad visual) and I just can't bring myself to toss everything out to eliminate the horrid odor that wafts out the minute someone has the foolish thought of actually eating something out of it. Even without my frugal nature, reinforced by a shrinking budget and my commitment not to eat out during 2009, I still couldn't bring myself to throw it all away and start fresh (literally). After all, there are starving children in the world and I AM LUCKY TO HAVE IT! EVEN IF IT STINKS! Sorry for the shouting, that just popped out of my childhood psyche somewhere and wouldn't be restrained. My dilemma is that now I need to find tons of inspiration and fortitude to cook everything in the fridge, now. My typical method of cooking is to open the cupboards and fridge and whatever jumps out gets combined to be that particular meal. Unfortunately, I don't want to even open the Pandora's box of smells, let alone see what jumps out at me! I find myself wishing for the first time ever that I was a meal planner. Then I could at least know what I needed out of the re-funk-aerator and I could go in quick and get out even quicker, no reconnaissance needed.
Just in cast there is any belief I might be exaggerating, here is proof! DH actually passed out from the smell, and he's had 2 septoplasty's (no smell buds)!


Also, my youngest has packed up and moved out with everything she can carry, just to avoid the stench!

Daddy's Vacation

Oh have we enjoyed the five days of vacation. We have laughed, played and just loved having you around daddy! Thank you for your smile, your help, the completed list of honey-do's and your companionship during last minute crafting of gifts (even if you were asleep). It has been wonderful to see you smile and be merry.

A Year Without Eating Out

My dear friend Gina has issued a challenge. To go the whole of 2009 without eating out. Well, after talking it over with DH we are going to take up this challenge, mostly. We have had periods in the past with this same goal and have found two things that lead to real success for us as a family. First we will be allowing one meal out per month. This is an allowance for special occasions, as we gave up fast food last May and haven't looked back since. The second caveat for our family is an easing of restrictions while traveling. We have found during road trips to see family and other such adventures some allowances must be made. Bearing in mind these two allowances however, we are taking up the challenge. Our health will certainly be better for it and our budget should show improvement as well. I find this to be more possible since our larger lifestyle change in May. A group of friends sat down to watch the documentary 'Supersize' and we walked away different. I don't know how sustaining the changes were for the other viewers but I can honestly say that in 9 months we have not eaten at one fast food restaurant, I have stopped buying convenience foods from the deli (though DH gives in to fried chicken from time to time) and that we have ordered pizza only twice. We have learned to plan ahead for meals and snacks so that I am not tempted to go with convenience foods and we feel healthier for it. DH was showing up as borderline hypertensive on his physicals before and now is completely normal again with no other lifestyle changes. That was a harder change, I think, and I believe that come 2010 we shall not be disappointed in the results of this next challenge. So to Gina I say Yes! I will go year without! You can see the progress at a year without eating out.

A Smattering of Christmas Pictures

Last minute shopping for a few baking ingredients. There is a reason I don't ever do this! It was insanely hectic and I was only getting groceries at 9 AM! The girls were surprisingly cheerful and helpful throughout, bless them.



All dressed up for Holy Supper.

Grandma B putting finishing touches on supper. Details and pictures of the actual Holy Supper will follow in a later post.
Daddy taking a few minutes while waiting for supper.
Back during Thanksgiving my brother found a new way to entertain the little girls. He is seen here dragging both my girls and their cousin around the hardwood floors of my parents home. This has been elevated to high fun and grandpa had the honors this time while waiting for Holy Supper. Like son like father I suppose.

A new bike! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa.

A new doll from Grandma and Grandpa B, already sans clothes.

Grandpa B opening is opening his gift from me. I have given him the same Farmers almanac tear off calender for over 15 years and he still looks forward to it. Sometimes you just don't mess with what works.
I don't think my girls were too worried about this but even so, it was nice to wake up to some Santa surprises.


Opening our stockings, we love toothbrushes.
Trying out our new balance beam amongst the Santa clutter. Thank you daddy!
All dressed up for the Christ Mass. Thanks for the new hats Grandma and the new coats Grandma B!

Opening gifts from mama. A doctors coat for the bug and a mermaid for the munchkin.

Oh the havoc that presents shall wreak. The smiles that come along are surely the greatest treasures though. These two particular bits of joy are due to Grams and Grandfather. The play- dough being raised up in excitement is classic kids. The Bug couldn't be happier with her drawer of money, then again would any of us feel so differently?


Thank you to my DH. This clock was made from a redwood burl that has aged longer than I have been alive. My DH took the wood from up in Grandpa B's garage attic and made both myself and his parents one of these lovely timepieces. I shall cherish it always my love.
The girls (and daddy) love their new Quadrilla. The building of marble runs has already made for hours of fun. Thank you L,M &K!
Ready for testing out our new bikes. Checking out our pose in the window reflection as well.

Holiday Treats

Baking is always big part of our holiday experience. Some years it is done weeks ahead to accommodate the large numbers of family passing through town. This year Thanksgiving was the big family celebration, with 42 people at our table and many of them in town for up to 10 days. The result was that no one came visiting for this Christmas and so many things were quieter. Our baking was not even started until the 23rd, and as Mama was well under the weather, it was quite simplified. The main goal being entertainment of my troops and a few small plates of goodies to give way, we used a few shortcuts and even made single batches of most everything ( a quantity typically unheard of around here).


This book was gifted to me already filled with family favorites by my MIL when I married and has been added to many times since. Included are cards like the one below, written in my dearly departed paternal Grammy's hand, which I will cherish the whole of my life.



Not written in our book is the recipe for a successful day of sugary baking that has developed in years past and we continue to refine to perfection. It starts with lovely fresh foods that everyone enjoys, to encourage munching and filling up on foods that make us feel good, therefore limiting the amount of sugar we are tempted to consume.




Next, we add lots of patience and yummy ingredients mixed together with tons of help from little hands.


The resulting treats range from timeless favorites like these Hello Dollies,





to new creations made with the skill and creativity only a couple of little girls can imagine.

Overall the spread was pretty impressive for a days work.
A few breaks were taken to enjoy some music. 'Moses Supposes his Toses are Roses!' and other Singing in the Rain classics brought laughter to the day.
Energy levels were a bit too low for homemade frosting and gingerbread this year, so the shortcuts were well used to create lots of inedible fun. We even used the boxes from the graham cracker to ensure stability this year!

The decorations came from whatever was on hand, (thanks Grandma B for the bag of mix, it came in very handy).

Our results may not have been as impressive as in other years, but we had a lot of fun and in the end, joy was definitely the feeling of the season.