Grocery store finds . . .

I thought I'd share every so often some items that I find in the grocery store that we think are tasty. Working fulltime I don't have the time to make a homemade everything from scratch meal for dinner during the week. And with us both getting home at different times during the evening, it's not always easy to plan dinner. It seems that so many of the different "convenient" foods you can pick up at the store are basically . . gross (ie. TV dinners, boxed macaroni dishes, frozen precooked chicken strips, nuggets, etc.) Others are not too bad, sometimes you just have to doctor them up a bit. So although Rachael Ray claims anybody can cook a homemade meal in just thirty minutes, I don't have her energy after work OR her personal shopper that can get me all of the fresh ingredients that she uses daily. Good for those of you that do/can, but my time for cooking is usually on the weekends, otherwise its fast and easy or I use the "let's go out to eat" card. Most frozen grocery store pizzas are bad, they taste like cardboard and although the picture indicates a delicious looking pizza on the box, the opened contents speak otherwise. I picked up this BBQ Chicken pizza at Trader Joe's, and much to our surprise the pizza was really good had more ingredients on it than what appeared on the box and the crust was fresh and tender tasting. Since hubby likes to eat more than a couple pieces I ended up buying 2 of them, but you could get by with one especially if you had a nice salad to serve on the side. Do you have any finds? Enjoy!

Hey Obama, step aside . . .

The thaw begins . . .

Finally, after days of snow we are thawing out!! How nice to be able to get out of the house again and just go to the store without fearing for your life. The neighborhood streets are still snowy and icy in alot of spots but the main roads are good. There is tons of gravel everywhere, now the job of sweeping all of that stuff up begins.

Well, our Christmas holiday was fantastic!! We weren't able to attend church services on Christmas eve like we normally do because of the snow, which my hubby and son gave a collective "oh darn" sigh too. I guess that you don't have to be "in a church" to give thanks and besides God wouldn't want us risking our lives to get there just for the atmosphere and communion, we can reflect on all that's wonderful in our lives in our own way, which we did/do?. On Christmas eve afternoon we gathered again for lefsa making, this time at Blake and Diane's house with a new technique, and on the BBQ grill method, which worked great. It is hard as the family grows for everybody to coordinate their schedules so at least a part of the day can be spent all together on Christmas. We were very fortunate this year that Josh, Dani, Brayden, Chad, Nicole and Lucas, Andy and Grama Howson were all able to come over on Christmas morning. After opening gifts here we headed to the Boyles house in the evening for a fabulous turkey/ham dinner and more gift exchanges. Brayden and Lucas were SO good for being up all day with hardly any naps due to all of the excitement. I think all of us that went home that night were exhausted. Then, it was a surprise party for Chad on Friday night with Dale keeping him out all afternoon shoveling snow (the decoy) at the two Grandma's house's. Poor guy he was so tired when he walked into his house when we all yelled SURPRISE!!, I didn't know if he would make it through the evening, but he did and Nicole got him good, he had no idea. Last night was a trip to the Blazers game vs. the Toronto Raptors, We had planned a couple months ago for a family night at the game. It was alot of fun and YES!! the Blazers won the game with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden having an awesome 4th quarter, the crowd was really into it and since they scored over 100 points . . YES!!! it was also FREE CHALUPAS from Taco Bell for everybody . . yippeee!!! It was a great holiday and today I am a vegetable on the couch. Except for a brief trip to Best Buy, Dale and I decided for our gift to each other we would buy a BluRay DVD player since our player was having problems. So I am laying here watching him try to figure out how to connect it all together, I am learning some new cuss words and hearing a comment about needing to go back to the store to get a cable that is required for maximum picture quality. . So perhaps I will take a little snooze while he goes to yell at somebody at the store.. . poor soul.

Merry Christmas to all . .

Happy 30th Chad! . . .

Geezzzz. . . how did this happen so fast? I now have a 30 year old son! Very proud of you and the Daddy you have become!! Have a great bday!

News flash . . .

We now have chains on both vehicles and Baby Jesus may be getting crushed shortly in a manger cave in. Santa is stuck nearly waist deep in snow on our roof and it will take some serious reindeer power to unearth him from the current snow drift in time for his big holiday.

Our Koi fish in the pond must think we have relocated to Minnesota . .

Where everybody knows your name . . .

When Dale came home from work early yesterday (around 2:30) I said, "I'm taking you out for a birthday beer, let's go.". So we bundle up and head out slowly, we still have lots of snow and in many places it's still really icy. He doesn't mind driving in it though so we take off. We drive up to McMenamins so he can order his favorite Terminator and I order a Ruby Ale. As we enter the bar, there sits one of our high school coaches and his wife, having some munchies and beers, "Hi, you guys enjoying the snow!", "We sure are this is great!", they say. As we get seated in the bar I look across the room and there sits another teacher and a couple of staff people, "Hey! how have you been all week?" "Oh fine" I say "Just getting alittle cabin fever". We decide to grab our beers and head to one of the side rooms near a roaring fireplace, as we enter the room there sits one of our vice principals with a couple of friends, having a good time. "Well, hi! guess this is the place to be today! Happy Holidays . . cheers!" I say, As we find a place to sit in a cozy area near a fire Dale says in his grumpy voice, "Jesus, are all the school district people hanging out here all week?" . . Uh no . . it just looks like people from the high school . . ha! These days off just "irk" him, "Teachers better not be getting paid for all of these days off!!, "No, dear they won't be, just like your wife won't be either." hmmppffff. . . he goes. So after we enjoy our beers and visit for awhile he says, "Let's go out to Gales Creek Tavern for some pizza". So we head out there . . oh my gosh . . . the roads were really snow covered heading out there and of course parts of the road never see the sun with all the trees hanging over it. Well, we make it and it's completely dead, for a Friday evening there are only 2 other customers in the place. Nice for me . . . no fighting people on the Video poker machines . . !! So we enjoyed our pizza and a beer, then decided to head home, it was 7:00pm. It's amazing how the weather can completely control your life. The bar was so quiet that there was even a seat available for the bar cat.

It's Official . . . .

We will not in the near or distant future ever be retiring to Alaska. Day 3 of snow day and the cabin fever is setting in. I don't want to clean my house anymore, I don't want to watch daytime TV (even the Food Network is getting boring), I finished my book, done the laundry, now what? I suppose I could bake? Being home bound isn't everything it's cracked up to be. I am not good at doing nothing. How do people in Alaska do it? Tons of snow, never seeing the grass, I like grass. Suppose you are probably better prepared and know how to handle the conditions there. Some of us just get too ansy being inside all day long. Doesn't look like the rest of the week is fairing any better, now they are talking freezing rain, yikes! I know my non "school district" friends and family have no sympathy for my plight . . as they are traveling into work everyday . . . poor souls, thanks for keeping that economy on the upswing (sorry, just my nature to be a smart &ss)!!

That's a great idea . . .

I'm up with the paper this morning and head to the recliner, along with my cup of Irish Cream flavored coffee. We are entering Day 2 of "Snow Day" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The paper has it's usual depressing front page news for the day, "Oregon's state jobless rate hits 8.1%, experts predict more layoffs in the new year", "Shoe video of Bush in Iraq becomes symbol of Iraqi's rage", "Suspect arrested in fatal bombings of 2 Woodburn police officers". And of course, the weather, lot's about the weather . . . rumor has it we may be out of school for the entire week. That would be something that hasn't happened in the 13 years I have been with the district.

Anyway, I noticed an article about suggestions for making donations that I thought was interesting.

Do-It-Yourself Donation Party: Along the lines of the Tupperware or Home Interior Party, you host a party and ask guests to bring items or checks for your chosen charity. Just like home parties you can extend the invitation to people who cannot attend but would like to donate, from your work or school. So let's say your theme is Linens, guests would bring unwrapped blankets, pillows, sheets, bath towels, washcloths, etc. You could have any number of themes: canned food, sleeping bags, coats, children's clothing, etc. depending on the needs of the organization you have selected. You could drink wine, visit with girlfriends, have snacks and know that the get together is for something good, and not more candles or home decor. Perhaps at the party you could even show a short video about the organization that you will be donating their items to.

Maybe when you get to be my age you have plenty of Tupperware and your house is already as decorated as you want it to be, why not still have the fun of the get together and have the contributions go to a worthwhile organization? I'm gonna have to followup on this . . .definitely.

Here are just a few organizations that could benefit from something like this:

http://www.raphaelhouse.com

http://www.oregonredcross.org

http://www.handsonportland.org

http://www.oregonfoodbank.org

http://www.dvrc-or.org/

http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/

http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org/

http://www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/

http://www.outsidein.org/

Yippeeee . . No school! . . .

My most favorite phone call from our Athletic Director is when I hear these words, "There will be no school tomorrow, so you don't need to come in" . . Yeaahhh!!, No school in Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington County tomorrow . . . I feel like one of the kids in celebration! Now maybe I can get some stuff done around here that has been getting put on the back burner. And maybe, if I get bored I will head out to the front yard and make a snowman. It might be time to resurrect my Viking Snowman again I did a couple of years ago. He was a big hit with the high school kids in the neighborhood. It will be interesting to see how many days this may lead to, they are talking temperatures under 30 degrees for the next week, we shall see!

It's a SNOW day! . . .

It's snowing and snowing and snowing, please, please, please no school tomorrow!!!

Come on over to Grama's house . . . .

Fun time this weekend babysitting the Grandsons. Brayden spent the night on Friday so his Mom and Dad could have a date night, and Lucas came over on Saturday for awhile so his Mom and Dad could get some holiday errands done. They kept Grampa and I busy, but it's so worth it for these bits of funny moments and smiles.

I feel for photographers that can get 2 little ones to both look at the camera and smile at the same time . . . it just wasn't going to happen for us this time!

A little family movie . . .

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Pass me an Advil please . . .

Once a year the high school holds it's annual "Lip Sync" Assembly. Classes compete against each other for the title of "Lip Sync Champions". The classes stage their performances in our main gym, they have the songs memorized and the dances practiced to perfection (not really, but close). Our observation is that the kids put more time and effort into this assembly than probably any homework assignment or sports practices they might have. They stay late after school practicing and come in early, really early in the mornings to practice before the big day and their routines are usually very good. Well, this year a staff member said, "Hey, the staff should put a routine together too!" . We have never participated in the past . . So, she sent out an email to everybody and got back about 40 responses "YES, sounds like fun, count me in". One of those responses was from me. So although the kids have been practicing for weeks, our first practice was Monday and the assembly is this Friday. What a hoot! Our song mix is about 5 minutes long (as required by the judges), with a combination of tunes in this order: Rockin Robin, I'm a Believer, Time Warp, YMCA, Footloose, Ice Ice Baby and Mambo #5 ( . . a little bit of Monica in my life! ha). Our PE/health teacher is attempting to teach us the choreography, it's hilarious, some swing dancing, the frog, the sprinkler, a kick line, the Roger Rabbit (this is hard), the Time Warp, and breakdancing. All these moves in a 5 minute routine, while lip singing the songs perfectly...aawwww!!. The kids will love it, primarily because we are ALL going to look like we are making asses out of ourselves. It's Wednesday morning and after two morning practices and two evening practices . . . . . I can hardly move. This is pathetic, just how out of shape can one person be?? I need to go to the gym again . . .argghhhh . . or just pass me the Advil . . now!!

But it's sooo cute . . .

That's how my obsession started . . . . I love to decorate for Christmas and it's my favorite season to tole paint things for as well. Actually I didn't realize how much until this weekend hubby was starting to unload the Rubbermaid bins out of the attic that are filled with Christmas decorations and lights. "So you stand at the bottom of the ladder" he says, "I will hand stuff down to you" 'OK, just do it slowly" I say. Well after the 9th huge bin is handed down I say, "How many more . . geezzz . . I don't remembering this much last year?" "OH, there are still some more, just hold on!" he says. FINE, so down come 5 MORE bins and a variety of other things, like the nativity scene we display in the yard, big santa for the roof, extra large boxes with pictures in them (yes, I take down my pictures and replace them all with Christmas ones) . . see I am obsessed! It's embarrassing actually . . . I go to a bazaar or a gift shop and there it is .. a really cute Snowman or Santa, that ends up coming home with me. Until recently . . . I have said to myself . . enough is enough . . no more Christmas decorations . . .period! Well, except if I see a REALLY cute thing. . . . NO . . I must stop. It's all BiMarts fault, they need to quit having sales on those Rubbermaid bins, then I wouldn't buy them. It does look festive around here though!!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

For my best friend Lisa, a little rhyme for your birthday!!

This says it all! . . .

A video for my daughter in law's . . . and other Mom's out there!


The Mom Song from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Oh brother, daytime drama . . .

We are in a soap opera, yes seriously . . . boring little ole' us.

I pulled into the driveway last week and began to unload some groceries when a car pulls into the driveway behind me. A gal gets out and I notice it is someone that we went to school with. We know her and her husband but don't really do anything with them socially. About 10 years ago we attended a bunco party with mutual friends and they were there other than that we see them in town, they see us, but we don't really hang out. I had heard through the "beauty shop" grapevine that her and her husband had separated and she was filing for divorce because he had become a very heavy drinker over the last few years. SO anyway, she approaches me as I am unloading groceries and says, "Can I speak to you and Dale for a minute?", Well sure I say, come on in. She says, "I just wanted to let you guys know about something, my husband soon to be ex is telling people that I had an affair with Dale a couple of years ago, at the same time I was also having an affair with ______and ______ (two other guys in town that we know)" she explains, "I just left the house of _____ and his wife and let them know about all this and came over here, then I am headed to ____'s house to let them know about it too". "We live in a small town and I just wanted you all to be aware that if you hear anything about it, that's where it's coming from, and I am soo sorry to even be here saying this, he is very angry that I'm filing for divorce and he is saying so many terrible things it's unreal" . . UH WHAT? . . I look at Dale and he looks completely dumbfounded, and after a few moments of absorbing what she has just said I say to her, "I am very sorry that you are having to come around and talk to us about this, it must be awful and embarrassing for you and your kids, but can you please tell me one thing? . . what are you taking to be able to handle 3 affairs and a husband all at the same time, because I might want some?". . . Well, that broke the ice . . she felt alot better. . we all laughed. . .she was so nervous when she stopped by . . how absolutely horrible. Of course Dale chimes in then and says, "Well, was I good? Not much fun to be part of the rumor and not part of the fun?" But really he wants to beat the __it out of the guy in a dark alley for being a complete idiot. . . just like on the soap operas. Well, this week . . .These are the Days of our Lives.

The tradition of . . Lefsa

In the blur of the Thanksgiving meal planning, Civil War game, crazy Black Friday shopping, there are a couple of things that remain constant. One of our family traditions over the years before Thanksgiving and Christmas is the making of lefsa. Usually whoever is hosting the meal that year, also has the honor (cough,cough . ha) of being the site of the lefsa making the evening before the holiday. This year was our year for Thanksgiving so Dale, his mom and a couple of his sisters all came over on Wednesday night to make lefsa. For those who don't know what it is, it's a flatbread like a tortilla, but made with potatoes, shortening, salt, flour. Rolled out and fried on a skillet at very high heat (until lightly browned and bubbles) then flipped to the other side for the same.
I still don't think anybody makes it as good as Grama Esther did, but it's been close. It's great to serve for the holiday meal because you can stuff turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce etc. inside, roll it up like a burrito and eat it. This year we were able to share our tradition with our

German guest Joe who had never tried lefsa before, he had a really good time. He especially liked the beer drinking that went along with the preparation process (it's a requirement, ha!). He had us take lots of pictures so he could show his wife that he learned a new skill while in America that was completely unrelated to work. I think Grama Esther would be really happy to know that the tradition still lives on.

I can take it . . . NO I CAN'T !

So the humiliation of returning to school after the pathetic display of football by the Beavers on Saturday was everything I thought it would be. "Hey, Mrs. C . . .what happened to your Beavers?!!" "Uh, what was the score Mrs. C, I forgot??" . . . Coaches coming into the office PROUDLY wearing their "hurt my eyes" yellow and green accented Ducks apparel (that has been hiding the majority of the football season), "Like my shirt today Monica?" "Did you stay until the end of the game? uuhhh..why?" So many questions . . . some kids just walked into the office with sh---ty little grins on their faces, "Hi, Mrs. C how are you doing? I felt really bad for your Beavers." Well, at least some of them are showing concern for my well being. I tell them . . I'm over it, I have moved on and they need to move on to, BACK TO CLASS!! I did get some good pics that day if nothing else. Dale with some Dance Team girls in his traitor sweatshirt. Jacquizz getting off the players bus (man he's short!) and Dennis cooking up some stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon that were sooo good!!