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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:
Salt
Olive Oil
Medium size Pumpkin

Directions:
1.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut open the pumpkin and use a strong metal spoon to scoop out the insides. Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse the seeds.

2. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (more if you like your seeds saltier). Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

3. Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread the seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 10-20 minutes. When browned to your satisfaction, remove from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating. Either crack to remove the inner seed (a lot of work and in my opinion, unnecessary) or eat whole.

***We like to season our seeds before we bake them with a little bit of Chili powder, cinnamon and sugar.***

I found this wonderful recipe @ Simply Recipes

PhotoHunt: Bags

This week's theme for PhotoHunt is "Bags". So here are a few pictures of the kiddos decorating gift bags at Alex's birthday party this past weekend! They had a great time like they always do @ his birthday parties! :)
For more photos and this week's PhotoHunt check out: tnchick.com

Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins

Hi all, another week is almost over and it is time for yet another weekly installment of Friday Fill-Ins! Janet asks the questions and my answers are underlined.

1. It was a dark and stormy night, and my bad mood scared off all the Goblins...

2. I was headed that way so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out of the house I slipped and fell into a big mud pit!

4. Oh no get down and crawl quietly...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh....if you are really quiet you can hear how pissed off I really am...

6. Trick or Treat, tickle me feet give me something good to eat!

7.And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to carving Jack O' Lanterns and making Magic Wands with the kiddos, tomorrow my plans include taking Spunky to her Brownies costume fashion show and then of course Trick or Treating with friends and Sunday, I want to rest and eat candy! :)

For more Friday Fill-Ins participants click here!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

27 of 52

The girls and I at Amy's Baby shower this past weekend! We had a lot of fun, but as you can probably tell by our smiles, we were all a bit tired and irritable! lol :)
"52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!"

To join in on the 52 Weeks challenge or just to see some awesome photos visit Forever in Blue Jeans.

Thursday Thunks

A brief description of the meme:

"We pick a subject, and your job is to interpret it anyway you want. Write about it on your blog... simple as that. Maybe you can interpret it as a picture - we don't care!"

Now on to the questions and of course my answers!

1. So Halloween is this weekend, if you haven't heard. Are you gonna open your doors up or not?
Nope we are going to be out Trick or Treating.

2. You better open 'em cuz I'm coming... what are you putting in my treat bag?
Well if you are coming we might leave you a little somethin' somethin' behind the trash can! lol

3. Since October is the bestest month for television (well for cable & dish subscribers it is) and there is a horror movie on at any given time of the day - are you sick of them yet?
Nope only watched one so far....

4. Which one of those movies can you watch over & over again?
Any of the Jason or Freddy movies!

5. Tell us about a Halloween scare you've had....
When I was younger my dad's friends would dress up and jump out of the bushes and scare the crap out of us! lol That's about as scary as Halloween has ever been for me so far....

6. Did you watch the old Casper cartoons when you were a youngin? Well, back then they weren't old I suppose, but I'm sure you still understand my question.
I did and still do, love them! :)

7. Have you ever found a four-leaf clover?
Nope, not yet!

8. Haunted Houses... you know, the kinds you pay to get in and they chase you with chainsaws and severed heads.... do you like 'em?
Depends on how spunky I am feeling that day...... I have only been to one and it was back when I was young and invincible! lol I might want to try to go to one next year.....maybe.....

9. Do you use cute cartoon type wrapping paper for Christmas presents or the not cutesy paper?
Cute cartoon type wrapping here!

Or are you one of those gift card and/or gift bag people?

I do give gift cards to those I know that like them or want them and I use gifts bags for the smaller presents, it's easier that way!

10. How long do boiled eggs need to stay in the boiling water before they become hard boiled eggs? 17-20 minutes

11. Jason is coming in through your front door... Freddy is coming through your back door... zombies are at every window of the house and Norman Bates is calling to invite you to dinner... what do you do? Uhmmm run and hide in the corner crying!! lol

12. Did you know that the scariest part of Halloween is giving all of your Reeses Peanut Butter Cups away? Ok now that is funny and oh so true! lol

13a. If you were to play a part of a haunted house (not the ghosts in the attic kind), what would you want to be? I would like to play a Vampire!

13b. Have you ever played a part in a haunted house? No :(

14. If Thursday Thunks had a Halloween party, what do you think Kimber & Berleen would come dressed as? I see Kimber as sexy Witch and I see Berleen as a sexy Vampiress!

15. Do you cook a turkey for Thanksgiving?
Yes, I learned how to make one three years ago and have made one every year since. It's not actually hard to make a great Turkey you just need patience and a LOT of butter! lol

16. Have you ever read a book that scared the pants off of you?
Yes actually Bunnicula scared the crap out of me when I was about 9yrs old!

17. Whats the predicted high temperature for today? 75'

18. Have you ever howled at the moon? Oh yea!

19.You are in an alley and a werewolf and a vampire are coming at you - one of them has to win. Which one do you want to bite you? The Vampire, but of course!

For more Thursday Thunkers please visit here!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday participants check out these wonderful blogs: Ma Vie Folle, Mommy's Joy and 5 Minutes for Mom. Make sure to check back tomorrow for the story behind these pictures on Tell Me Thursday.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ruby Tuesday

"You are invited to participate in Ruby Tuesday!

What are the rules?
On Tuesdays you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that contains the color RED. Your photo can contain lots of RED or a little RED. When you've posted to your blog, come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky and leave a comment."

When we were at Amy's Baby shower this past weekend we passed by these Longhorn cattle. You have to love living in Texas, where it is actually quite normal to pass by random places where you can pay to take pictures with a big stinky cow in front of the Texas flag! lol $13.00 a picture to be exact!
Please visit Mary @ Work of the Poet for more Ruby Tuesday participants!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

PhotoHunt: Tied

This week's theme for PhotoHunt is "Tied" so I thought these photos would be perfect! This summer the girls wanted to be tied up to one of the trees out back so we of course let them have what they wanted! lol
Awwwwww how sweet! :)
For more photos and this week's PhotoHunt check out: tnchick.com

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins

Hi all, another week is almost over and it is time for yet another weekly installment of Friday Fill-Ins! Janet asks the questions and my answers are underlined.

1. The crickets sing, a most annoying song that leaves me wondering why?

2. I am always with you wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the hustle and bustle of the real world for awhile!

4. Sometimes I wish; this was a dream.

5. But as for me I need a JOB!

6. Crazy Town is where I come from.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making marshmallow spiders with the kids and having movie night, tomorrow my plans include taking all the kids to Alex's bday party and then the Fall Fest at the school, man what a busy day and Sunday, I want to take the kids to the "Fright at the Museum" downtown!

For more Friday Fill-Ins participants click here!

To Do This Day

As soon as it begins, take control of your day. Decide in detail what you intend to do and commit to making it happen. If you sit around and wait for events and circumstances to pull you along, you'll end up getting nothing accomplished. If you have no firm and resolute plans, you'll waste all your time on meaningless distractions and interruptions. Certainly unexpected situations will come up that require your response.

Yet you can choose to respond from a position of power and control, rather than from a position of weakness and ineffectiveness.
Decide what you will do with this day, and get busy doing it. Make a difference, establish a positive momentum, and get your goals accomplished. Time is here, right now, for you to use. Transform the passing time into lasting value by making effective use of it. This day is filled with great possibilities. Choose certain, specific ones, and make the effort that will make them happen.

-- Ralph Marston

Thursday, October 22, 2009

26 of 52 and a haircut!

This week I want to share this photo of Princess and I, plus some photos of my new haircut! I love it and my little sister is the one who cut it so can't get better than that right! :)
Oh and I got my eyebrows waxed after not having it done in well years! It HURT! lol
"52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!"

To join in on the 52 Weeks challenge or just to see some awesome photos visit Forever in Blue Jeans.

Tell Me Thursday

This weeks Wordless Wednesday photos were taken at my friend Amy's baby shower this past weekend. She is such a sweetie and really family, her mom and mom are BFF's and I used to babysit her sister and her when they were younger. I was so excited to go the shower and be able to share in their excitement.

The gorgeous cake Misty, the soon to be first Grandma made and some of the party favors.
Brandon proud first time daddy, Amanda proud first time Auntie and coordinator of the shower and Amy proud first time mommy!
The awesome party favors!
Isn't this the cutest idea ever!?
Click here for the original WW photo's and if you would like to join in the fun and tell the back story to your Wordless Wednesday post or just to read the stories behind others photos please visit Tell Me Thursday!

Thursday Thunks

A brief description of the meme:

"We pick a subject, and your job is to interpret it anyway you want. Write about it on your blog... simple as that. Maybe you can interpret it as a picture - we don't care!"

Now on to the questions and of course my answers!

1. If you were to start a meme (or a second or third), what would you call it and what day would you pick?
Gosh I am terrible about picking names...I would most likely make it a photo meme of some sort though. I would probably pick Wednesday or Monday.

2. When a celebrity endorses a product, do you really believe they like it/use it? Depends, but not most of the time......

3. Why don't zombies ever just eat each other?
Cause they taste nasty and they have to eat live things to keep up their energy! DUH!

4. If you were an elephant, would you rather roam free or be in a zoo? I think I would rather roam free.

5. The doorbell rings on October 31st, do you answer it?
If it is during Trick or Treat time than yes, if it is in the middle of the night than NO!

6. If you see a piece of paper on the ground while out & about, do you pick it up? Yes

If so, do you look to see what it is?
Yup yup cause I am curious like that! lol

7. If Jon Gosselin and Octomom got married and then their own reality show, do you think she would try to get pregnant again for better ratings? Yes I do and I think he would as well, sad as that is.....

8. If Thursday Thunks was to be put on hold or quit completely, would you be sad? Yes :(

For more Thursday Thunkers please visit here!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday participants check out these wonderful blogs: Ma Vie Folle, Mommy's Joy and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Why Homosexuality Should Be Banned

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pita Pocket Sandwiches

We have been having lots of meat based dinners lately and Princess is not much of a meat eater soooo we made tonight's dinner specifically for her. Thank goodness my kids like veges! lol I was worried, but it's actually quite good!

I remember having a sandwich that was very similar to this when I would visit my grandmother. Use your imagination and have fun with it!

Here are just a few things you can put on the pita bread. Onion, Cheese, Tomato, Radishes, Jalapeno, Cucumber, Pepperoni, Bell peppers, Mushrooms, Bean sprouts, Alfalfa sprouts, Refried beans, Sour cream, Ranch dressing, Italian dressing.

Directions:
Stuff your Pita pocket with any and or all the above ingredients that you like. Topped with either Sour cream, Ranch or Italian dressing and BAM there ya have it! :)
I received this wonderful award from Tracey.

Here are the rules:
1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

Here are the seven things that people may not know about me:

1. I have an addiction to Sunflower seeds and Salt/Vinegar potato chips.

2. I have a planner AND a notebook I carry around in my purse to write down important happenings. I am not really as organized as people think and if I lost either I would be so confused! lol

3. Our youngest is not biologically mine, but I love with all my heart and soul!

4. I love silly B movies!

5. I am Bi-polar and I have anxiety quite a bit, but with a combination of meds and techniques. I have figured out ways to calm myself so it's not too bad.

6. I love to dance, but don't cause I am horrible at it.

7. I laugh as hard at the fart and butt jokes as my kids! **hangs head in shame** lol

The 7 Kreativ Bloggers that I am nominating are:
1. Yvonne
2. Julie
3. Shasta
4. Dawn
5. Becca
6. Jenni
7. Auntie E

Ruby Tuesday

"You are invited to participate in Ruby Tuesday!

What are the rules?
On Tuesdays you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that contains the color RED. Your photo can contain lots of RED or a little RED. When you've posted to your blog, come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky and leave a comment."

My friend Amy had her Baby shower this weekend at the Oasis here in town. It's a gorgeous restaurant with an awesome view of the lake which happens to be REALLY low this year due to the drought. I took these photos during the party, enjoy! :)
and the neat sculpture that looks like a man diving into the lake!
Please visit Mary @ Work of the Poet for more Ruby Tuesday participants!

Ten On Tuesday

" 10 Guilty Pleasures"
  1. Facebook
  2. Taco Bell
  3. Playing online games
  4. Salt and Vinegar chips
  5. Vodka
  6. Horoscopes
  7. Anything fried and drowned in gravy.
  8. Twilight
  9. Reality TV shows
  10. B movies
To play or just to see others answers please visit Ten on Tuesday!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

PhotoHunt: Free Day

Since today is a free day on PhotoHunt, I thought I would share some pictures of the decorations we put up today for Halloween today. I hope you all have a great weekend! :)
For more photos and this week's PhotoHunt check out: tnchick.com

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins

Hi all, another week is almost over and it is time for yet another weekly installment of Friday Fill-Ins! Janet asks the questions and my answers are underlined.

1. So are we going to Scarborough Fair?

2. Changes, changes and more changes is what's up ahead.

3. I love to cook! Weird I never thought I would say that until recently. lol

4. I would really like closure of some sort.

5. I walk a curvy, uphill and sometimes treacherous road!

6. Diet Dr Pepper is the true elixir of life! ;)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making homemade pizzas with the kiddos, tomorrow my plans include taking the girls to Amy's baby shower and Sunday, I want to have lots of fun at T-man's birthday party!

For more Friday Fill-Ins participants click here!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Chicken Fried Steak

Ingredients:
Cube Steak (we had 6)
2 cups Canola Oil
2 egg, beaten
2 cup buttermilk
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups all-purpose flour

Gravy:
4 Tbs Flour
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1/2 inch Canola Oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

While the oil is heating, prepare the cube steaks. In a shallow bowl, beat together egg, buttermilk, salt and pepper. In another shallow dish, mix together garlic powder and 1 cup flour. Dip the cube steaks in flour, turning to evenly coat both sides. Dip in egg mixture, coating both sides, then in flour mixture once again. If you would like it extra thick just repeat the process once more.

Place the cube steaks in heated oil. Cook until golden brown, turning once. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining cutlets. Drain grease, reserving 1/2 cup.

Using the reserved drippings in the pan, prepare gravy over medium heat. Salt and pepper the drippings over medium heat. Place 2 cups milk, 4 tbs flour in a bowl and mix well until no lumps. Add milk and flour mixture gradually to the drippings and cook until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve over Chicken Fried Steak.

I found this awesome recipe at AllRecipes.com and of course made a few variations of my own.

25 of 52

Amazing enough I managed to get a picture with all four kids and the man again this weekend! We had a wonderful time at the Pumpkin Patch like we always do and thankfully we found a nice passerby to take a picture of the whole family!
"52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!"

To join in on the 52 Weeks challenge or just to see some awesome photos visit Forever in Blue Jeans.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Spunky's new glasses!

Spunky failed her vision test at the doctor's office a few weeks ago so this past Monday she had her first ever appointment with the eye doctor. Turns out she has an Astigmatism in both eyes and that is why she has been having some trouble. We originally though the reason she wanted to move closer to the chalkboard had to do with her ADHD and that it helped her concentrate being closer. Now we know the real reason.

Today we picked up her glasses and she just loves them! Thank goodness she only has to wear them while at school (not on the playground) and while doing her homework! :)