Building a better mousetrap?!

Is it even possible to improve on Hasbro's 1963 invention? Nah, probably not!! (however, Parker DID notice that the board graphics had changed from the version that he and Arielle played several years ago!) Santa brought Paxton this classic game and we christened it the other night with an exciting round. Beckett was mostly interested in turning that crank to kick the boot. Paxton just got giddy watching each piece fall into place. And Parker was in charge of dispensing each piece as needed. Although we didn't stay true to all of the printed directions, we had a ball and that's all that counts, right?!

What's for Supper Saturday

A few weeks ago in my very first Meal Planning venture, Pepsi chicken was on the menu. I had several requests for the recipe and here it finally is!! Enjoy =)
One whole chicken, cut up (I actually used bone-in breasts this time)
1 C ketchup
2 Tbls worchestershire sauce
garlic salt
1 12-oz can of cola (PEPSI in this house)
Mix all ingredients except the chicken. Place chicken in a large skillet and pour sauce over the top. Simmer on stove for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is done. I always serve over rice, but pasta would work too!!
PS, yes I know the chicken got away from me a bit--watch a little closer than this as time ticks down!!

Flashback Friday!

Way back flashback! Before digital even--HA! This was taken at an EMS Christmas party--I'm not even sure of the year, but check out the fashion!! Kurt and I are both in this pic, any guesses which ones we are?

If you can sew a straight line...

...you can whip up some seriously CUTE burp cloths to give as baby gifts. OR, make em' to keep at your own house for your own little burper! I got a head start on these because I started with a pack of one dozen "pre-made" diapers, purchased at Wal-mart, Target, K-mart--pick your pleasure. Then it was a small (HA!) matter of picking some fabric at Hobby Lobby, ribbon optional--as you can see, some of my creations got some, others didn't. Then just cut your fabric a little bigger than the area you want to end up being covered. Fold and pin then stitch away!! I used white for my bobbin thread and co-ordinating thread on top.
I would LOVE to be able to embroider monograms onto these, but alas, no monogramming capabilities on my machine. They are darn cute even without the monogram, I think--how about you?

Wordless Wednesday

Signs of the scholars that live here...

Menu Planning Monday

It must be Monday!!!! Once again, I am linking up with HERE with LOTS of other bloggers, so GO for tons of menu ideas. Up for this week is:
Monday: My night class starts, so MIL feeds the boys =0
Tuesday: Burgers/buns, fries, baked beans
Wednesday: "Papa Special" ie: beef tips/gravy over egg noodles, green beans
Thursday: Rotissere chicken in the crock pot, potatoes, veggie
Friday: Broiled pork chops, shell pasta/tomato soup, peas
Saturday: Taco salad
Sunday: Beef roast, mashed taters, veggie

Feeding the Pig

A few weeks ago, Beckett was climbing on Paxton's dresser (a huge NO-NO!) and managed to tip it enough so that Paxton's pink piggy bank (the only pink thing I've been able to buy my little boys--HA!) slid to the unforgiving hardwood floor and smashed open. How that little ceramic pig held $794,281.04 in change (or at least it seemed like it) was beyond me, but we got every last coin and glass piece picked up. Parker oh so kindly offered Paxton HIS pink piggy bank that, as a 15 year old, he no longer used. THIS pig is plastic and will be able to stand up to whatever Beckett dreams up for it =(
Putting $812,502.76 in change (interest earned in the zip-loc bag, or at least it seemed like it) was a big job that took them quite a while to do. Until the inevitable arguement started. SIGH....

Backyard Fun Time

Kurt took the boys outside yesterday for some time out in the snow. They are always wanting to go out, but 98% of the time it is just too cold to do it =( Paxton gets to play outdoors at recess during school, but Beckett gets the shaft--not that he realizes it though, HA! As we get closer to Spring and it gets warmer, they will get out more--maybe even over to Miner's field for a little more of a hill than our backyard offers, but we are not at all ready for "killer hill" over on campus!
The fun saucers the boys got last year for Xmas (thanks Aunt Mary Lou!) are still a big hit and lightweight enough that they can carry them by themselves!!
AND, I want you all to know, I actually stood out there and took a ton of pictures, none of this "shoot through a window in order to keep the tootsies warm" business that I am so well known for =)

Flashback Friday!

I just stood outside shooting some pictures of the boys playing in the snow. I am DEFINATELY in the mood for a flashback like this one!

Truthful Thursday--New Year's Resolution Update!

So we're 3 weeks into 2010, and I posted here--for all to see--what I wanted to improve on throughout the year. So far I'd give myself a passing grade: I've been darn faithful with meal planning, paying particular attention to sale items and building from there. I've taken at least 4 nice size bags of items to the thrift store as a result of de-cluttering, and today I tackled 2 problem areas in the kitchen!
Under the sink is a perpetual nightmare, and I think I speak for MANY when I say that--HA! I discovered a watering can (and I haven't had a live plant since I don't know when), more sponges than I can use in a year--all new!, and all of the pieces to my battery-powered scrubber. Said battery-powered scrubber's location escapes me at the moment. I bought a trash can for under here so that I could open up some more space in the taller cabinet that I had other ideas for. In THAT cabinet I was able to slide in a tower of drawers to hold the snacks that the little boys like to indulge in--granola bars, fruit snacks, etc. Not HUGE amounts of visible improvement, but I'm happy that it's done!!

Wordless Wednesday

Freezing Fog and Hoar Frost

Wacky weather abounds here! While it's not uncommon to wake up in the morning to a gorgeous coating of Hoar Frost, it usually burns off by mid-morning. Saturday we were greeted by the flocked frost on everything--but it stayed! I took the pictures above on my way home from work tonight. (Pulled over to the side of the road with my window rolled down---HA! I'm not a huge "nature" photographer!)
The wind is supposed to pick up tomorrow, so that'll probably blow all of the trees bare again. Anything to get us closer to Spring!

Menu Planning Monday

And I continue to keep up with this portion of my New Years resolution!! Go me--HA! So far weekly meal planning is working out well--I love not driving home from work and trying to decide WHAT I'm going to come up with for supper (that way I don't have to text "IDK" in response to Parker's text of "what's for supper"!) We stayed pretty true to last weeks plan, except for the day when the little boys talked Kurt into spaghetti and ice cream (translation: China Buffet) so the hamburger pie got pushed to this week!
As before, I'm linking up with take a peek there for LOTS of menu ideas, and lots of those ladies post links to their recipes. I'm trying to pull from the freezer a little more--Kurt will love me for that, for example, I wanted to do BBQ pulled pork with a roast I was SURE was in the freezer. He looked and came up with a few beef roasts, but no pork. So, this is where I meet a goal of trying a new recipe, LOL.
Monday: Pulled BBQ beef in the crock pot on buns, potato chips, baked beans
Tuesday: Hamburger pie, rolls
Wednesday: Easy Round Steak, au gratin potatoes, veggie
Thursday: Stuffed peppers, not sure of a side
Friday: possible dinner out with my parents =)
Saturday: Crispy-Creamy Chicken, rice, veggie
Sunday: Steaks on the grill, baked potato, veggie

Project Reveal!!

I've finished with the fabric I posted a picture of a few days ago!! Actually, I made two set of the same items--adorable little zippered tote bags along with coordinating cosmetic bags and tissue covers. The totes turned out a little smaller than I was anticipating, but that's alright! I was drawn to the fabric for the "Vera Bradley" type of vibe they were throwing off--HA!
OK, time to move onto the next project =)

Goodbye lazy Saturday Mornings....

I miss you already!! Today was the first day of clinical. Every Saturday morning I get to climb out of bed and head off to a local hospital for 9 hours of learning the skills of being an RN. The top picture show the time it was as I drove past the bank this am--except from here on out, subtract a half hour because we've decided to push our start time back a little to catch shift change with the staff. It does mean we'll be on our way home that much sooner, but my foggy brain won't be able to comprehend that at such an early hour--HA!

Flashback Friday!

Some shots taken on a much warmer day than today!!! These were from a picnic at Eagle Point park in Dubuque--right above the Mississippi River.

Arielle vs Hobby Lobby

Today Arielle and zipped to Dubuque to run a few errands. She asked right away if one of the stops was going to be Hobby Lobby. I said "yes, I need a zipper and want to look at some fleece". She groaned and reminded me that she "hates" Hobby Lobby. (I know--we're looking into professional counseling, there's obviously SOME sort of problem there!) I kept my promise and picked out the zipper I needed and decided on my fleece (on sale, of course). Meanwhile she announced that she wanted to make her a hat with ear flaps on it to go with the scarf I just made her. (I have ideas for another hat, which I'll show you when I get it done--along with all the OTHER fun projects I got "makins'" for!). I sent her over to look for a pattern and once I got her out of the drawers and perusing a pattern book, she found the one she wanted--although LAST week patterns were $.99!
There's a soft lining to the hat and the "fur" selection was nothing I was in love with. Over in the baby section they had a soft fuzzy fabric that looked just like the picture on the envelope so she tucked the bolt under her arm and we headed over to fleece (again). After about 3-4 minutes I looked over at Arielle and she was COVERED in that white fluff!! It was everywhere! I busted out laughing and she figured out right away what the problem was. I laughed for a full 5 minutes before I even remembered that I keep a camera in my purse for moments just like this! Her commentary while trying to brush that fluff off was priceless and included LOTS of mention of how she doesn't even like HL to begin with and this didn't help!!
She raced that bolt back to the baby section and picked out some faux suede/sherpa type of fabric and we went to the cutting table. She was telling me that "this stuff better not shed!" and the clerk said "this stuff isn't bad, but we've got some stuff over there (and waved her hand--you guessed it---towards baby) that REALLY makes a mess!!! These pictures show her AFTER she was able to get about 90% of it off of her =)
Arielle did find the episode mildly amusing while I thought it was a total riot. Wonder how long it'll be before I can take her back there?