The Mama Test

THE MAMA TEST
I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter.
She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in
her mouth.
I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.
'Why?' my daughter asked.

'Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been,
it's dirty, And probably has germs,' I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and
asked, 'Mama, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart.'
I was thinking quickly and replied, 'All moms know this stuff. It's
on the Mama Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a
Mama.'
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information.
'Oh.....I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you
have to be the dad.'
'Exactly,' I replied with a big smile on my face.

Best chili ever!

I found this recipe for "best chili ever". It sounded promising so I tried it this afternoon.
Wow!!!! It doesn't lie. The flavor is just incredible. I was worried at first because I tasted it before I let the flavors simmer and it was NOT good!
Let it simmer the whole time and wow- I was floored!!!! I'm not a real heat lover so I toned it down with some tomato juice.
I think you'll love it as much as I do!

Best Chili
Ingredients:
2 1/2 lb. lean chuck, ground
1 lb. lean pork, ground
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
8 oz. hunt's tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 can beer (12 oz.)
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons instant beef bouillon (or 6 cubes)
2 Tablespoons cumin, ground
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons oregano leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon louisiana hot sauce
1 teaspoon cornmeal
1 teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon warm water
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan brown 1 1/4 pounds of the ground meat (the beef and the pork), drain the fat.
2. Remove meat (the beef and the pork). Brown the rest of the ground meat, drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
3. Add the garlic and onion, cook and stir until tender.
4. Add the other half of the meat and the tomato sauce, water, beer, chili powder, bouillon, cumin, paprika, oregano, sugar, coriander, cocoa, and hot sauce. Mix well.
5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, covered , for 2 hours.
6. In a small bowl, stir together the cornmeal and flour, then add the warm water and mix well.
7. Stir into chili and cook, covered, for an additional 20 minutes.

Picture of the week

I put this on facebook so most of you have seen this already- but this is so cute I decided to post it here too:

Halle started reading her books and I looked over and saw this:



How cute is that! She's convinced he likes to listen to her read. I think it might have something to do with that box of cheez-it's sitting right next to her!

Can you believe it???

Yes- I'm actually posting!!
I made this recipe for supper tonight and it's so good I wanted to share it.
This came from Kraft's Food and Family magazine. I love that magazine- they have great recipes that are always inexpensive, easy and they taste great. This recipe didn't dissapoint.
It's meatballs- 2 ways. You make the batch of meatballs and it's enough for 2 suppers served different ways.
Meatball recipe:
2 pds ground beef
1 pkg stove top stuffing mix- chicken flavor
2 eggs
1 1/4 c. water

That's it!! Mix it together. Line a pan with foil and shape into 32 balls - using 1/4 c. for each.
Place 16 meatballs in each pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes at 400 until they reach 160 degrees.

Then you have 2 sauces (one for each night)

Tomato Basil Creme Sauce:
Mix 1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce with 2 oz. cream cheese and 2 T. fresh basil in large skillet. Cook on medium-low heat for 3 minutes until heated through- stirring frequently. Add 16 meatballs; stir evenly to coat. Sprinkle with 1/4 c. parmesan cheese. Serve over cooked linguine noodles.


Creamy Brown Gravy:
Mix 1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy with 1/2 c. sour cream and 2 T. fresh parsley. Cook on medium-low heat 3 minutes until heated through, stirring frequently. Add 16 meatballs and stir to coat. I plan on serving this with baked potatoes.

These meatballs are so delicious. I usually slave over homemade meatballs and I won't quit making them but these are right up there with flavor- very very yummy!

Fundraiser

Friends of mine have started an awesome ministry in Haiti. They are doing a fundraiser to support this cause and they have a matching donor right now.
For more info please go here:
http://www.chipin.com/mywidgets/id/b6a454f679f902ea

They would truly appreciate any support you could offer.

Another yummy recipe for you

This is a quick easy delicious brownie- love those kind of recipes:

French Cream Mint Brownies
1 pkg brownie mix
1/2 c. margarine softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1 T. milk
1 tsp. peppermint extract

Frosing:
1/2 c. margarine
6 oz. chocolate chips

Prepare brownie mix for a 9x13 pan as directed on package and bake. (I used the chocolate chunk brownie mix)
For cream filling, mix together margarine and powdered sugar. Blend in milk, peppermint extract and green food coloring. Spread filling over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until firm.
For frosting, melt butter with chocolate chips and pour evenly over filling layer. Chill approximately 30 minutes. Cut into squares and return to refrigerator until firm. Serve chilled. Chocolate will crack if cut before it is chilled.

Enjoy!

Are you ready for a sweet taste of summer?

Mark is working on the deck today so I wanted to make him a special treat.
I saw this recipe and it looked delicious so I tried it today. It's delicious- you HAVE to try this one. I would double the recipe for a family.

3 1/2 c. water
1 3/4 c. sugar
strips of zest from 2 lemons
1 pint (16 oz) strawberries- hulled
1 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice- about 9 lemons
Ice cubes for serving


Put 1 1/2 c. of the water and 1 1/2 c. of the sugar in a saucepan with the strips of zest. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let syrup steep for 10 minutes.

Puree the hulled berries and remaining 1/4 c. sugar in a blender or food processor. Put into a large pitcher and stir in the syrup (without the zest), lemon juice and water to taste- up to 2 more cups. Chill well. Stir before serving. Pour over lots of ice and enjoy!

Requested recipe

A couple of people requested a recipe I made last night for supper. Unfortunately this is one that I just put together myself so here's as close to the recipe as I can get.

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole:
1 pd hamburger
1/2 pkg. egg noodles
1 pkg frozen broccoli
8 oz co jack cheese
bread crumbs
cream of chicken soup
cream of celery soup

Brown hamburger, seasoning it with salt and pepper and onion powder.
Cook noodles and broccoli to directions. Add these to the hamburger. Stir in soups until well mixed. Top with cheese and then bread crumbs. Melt a little margarine and drizzle over top.
Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until cheese is melted.

You have to check out this story

This story touched my heart and you just have to go check it out!

For whatever reason the link button isn't working so copy and paste this address:

http://www.godsnotfinishedwithusyet.com/2009/06/post-office-at-its-best.html

Can anyone tell me....

WHERE THE TIME HAS GONE?


Baby Nick:


Halle with Grandpa and Uncle Duane:


Arianna and Halle:


Arianna with Grandma:


Arianna:



Baby Halle with the donuts:


Sorry there's only 1 of Nick- I was in the old file and it was mostly the girls.

Nascar Race

Mark got free tickets to the Nascar race today so off we went! We've always wanted to go but never have.
We had so much fun! It was so cool to see it in real time. You know the cars go really fast but it's pretty amazing to actually see it!
Here are some pictures from our day.

Here is the entrance to the grandstands:



During the pre-show they did a parachute exhibit. I loved this one because he came down with the American flag:


Jeff Gordon:


Dale Jr:


Ryan Newman:


Matt Kenseth:


Jimmie Johnson's car:


Right before we go green:


Kasey Kahne- pit stop



Matt Kenseth:


The one crash- a single car accident:


Matt Kenseth flying by:


The winner- Mark Martin. Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson both ran out of gas so Mark was able to win. He's Mark's favorite driver so that was pretty cool!


We had so much fun and weather wise it was great. The sun only shone 1/3 of the time. The other 2/3rds it was cloudy which was wonderful. What a fun unexpected day this was.

Taking a moment to brag on my guy

Today was a big day for Mark. He completed his first Triathlon! This is something he has always wanted to do but after he got meningitis in Russia he never had the stamina.
Well at the beginning of this year he really dedicated himself to get fit and conquer this goal and today he did!
His goal was to do it in 2 1/2 hrs and he completed it in 2 hrs and 25 minutes so he made it!
I am so proud of him- this is quite a race- a 1/2 mile swim then a 22.8 mile bike ride and then a 5 mile run.
What a great accomplishment!

His bike all ready to race:


Minutes before the race starts:


Starting the swim- 64 degrees- brrrr and no wet suit!


Finishing the swim- he was glad to have that part done- that was the hardest for him:


Starting off on the bike:


Finishing the bike ride:


Starting the run:


The finish line! He was pooped!


Mark center and Pete ( a guy he works with) on the right


He's already wanting to do another one in July!

It's enough to make this mama turn into a puddle

This note came sliding out from under Halle's door last night after she went to bed:



It says:
I love my mom. She is the best mom. She is the bestest mom in the world. She is my mom. I dedicate this note to my mom. Love Halle


Right before bed she had asked to look at her baby pictures. She wanted to see the pictures of when we got her and saw her for the first time. So we had fun looking at all those special memories! So when she wrote in the note the line- "she is my mom" It brought me to tears.

That is a treasured keepsake for sure!!! Love that precious peanut!

Great Craft Idea for Kids

I saw a link for this craft idea on Sandra's blog a long time ago. I tried it today with the girls and it was a huge hit!
Puffy Paint

Mix 2 T. flour
2 T. salt
food coloring
enough water to make a think paste.

The kids can use the paste to paint pictures on thick pieces of cardboard. Then you microwave it for 20 seconds or until dry.

The girls absolutely loved it and had a great time with it!







Here they are all painting:



Here is what it looks like before microwaving:



This is after- all puffed up:


Here are the girls with their favorite designs:



Arianna did a picture for Uncle Duane. He takes her fishing so she did a fish picture:



Marissa did this one:


Halle did a fireball:

French Lasagna

Joanne requested this recipe so I'm just posting it here:

1 pd ground beef
1/2 pd sausage
1 small tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce (small size)
1 T. parsley
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 c. onion- diced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce
3 crescent rolls
1 c. cottage cheese
1/4 c. paremsan cheese
6 slices mozzeralla cheese

Brown ground beef and drain fat off. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, onion, salt and pepper, worcestershire and simmer 10 minutes.
Place 2 crescent packages on large cookie sheet. Pinch edges together. Spread 1/2 the meat mixtures over rolls lengthwise. Mix cottage cheese and parmesan cheese together. Spoon over meat. Add remaining meat over the top. Place mozzerella cheese slices over top. Bring rolls up and over. Lay the last crescent roll package over the top and crimp all the edges together to seal well.
Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Brush with melted butter.
Enjoy! It's so delicious. It's a favorite here and I bet it will be at your house too!

Changing back!

Well remember awhile back when I told you change had come and I was starting work at Arby's? Well change has come again and I'm back home- (where I belong!)

As badly as I thought I wanted to get outside of the house and work I soon discovered that it was not where my heart was. There were several things that brought about my change of heart. First- Arianna is dealing with some issues and God confirmed my decision to quit and stay home by some of the writings she came home from school with last week.

Second- I was only working for 2 hrs a day- from 11:30-1:30. Right smack in the middle of my day so my whole week was shot. Frankly- the 8-10 hrs of work at minimum wage was NOT worth it!

Third- the manager at Arby's- I'm not a huge fan. The days he was there the whole environment changed and not for the better I might add!

This was a real learning experience for me. I thought I was so ready to get out of the house. This just proved to me that my heart is right here with my family and the real desire of my heart is to be a stay at home mom!

I'm praying Mark's job continues to be ok- they did just get 6 machine orders so that's a huge blessing. I am keeping my ears open for possible daycare opportunities but I'm leaving it in God's hands. For right now- I'm right where I belong and my heart is happy and content!

Help!!!

Anybody out there have any cures for ants? I've occasionally had ants before but I could always put the ant traps out and it would take care of it. With Oscar in the house I can't do that. However, I've never had ants like this before- it's driving me nuts. They are coming in my french doors in the kitchen. I've cleaned and cleaned- you could eat off my floor! Mark has sprayed over and over the outside around the house and the doors and I've tried vinegar and cayenne pepper inside but they are still loving my house!
I want them gone- they're driving me nuts. Anybody have any cures that have worked?

A great Sunday afternoon

Today we went to Hemlock Crossings Park. What a wonderful place. It's a park with beautiful trails! The girls loved it and so did Oscar.

Such beautiful scenery:


Oscar just loved being able to full out run!






After that we went to the Park where Mark is doing his Triathlon in a few weeks so I would know where to go. I've never been there before, but it's a beautiful park too. They had brand new playground equipment and the girls loved it. We finished the afternoon with some ice cream!