Samson

We put to rest our dearly beloved St. Bernard mix dog today. We are at our family's house and the trip out here was hard on Samson. 

He had begun having accidents here and there in the house. He was deaf as a post. He had a large non cancerous tumor on his leg and he was having a hard time getting up and down and walking around because of hip dysplasia. 

We adopted him seven years ago. Shelby and I found him at the pound. We took him to the common area and we fell in love with him. We were just going to "look" but ended up adopting him on the spot. Dan was a bit surprised when we showed up at his work with a big dog slobbering out the window. 

He had had a tough life being abandoned twice before we took him in. He was a mere 90 Lbs when we adopted him and he was 150 Lbs at his glory. 

We took him home and he fit into our family immediately. He was a watchful gaurdian over the triplets when they were small and went outside to play. If they got too close to the road he would herd them back toward the house. He was always protective over the kids. He was a constant companion and friend. 

He didn't like men with ball caps and the UPS trucks or delivery men. 

It's not suppose to hurt this much to lose an animal but it does. I can't even imagine daily life without him. His memory will live on in our hearts forever. He is missed deeply by our family. RIP Samson. 

Baking

The smells of baking are wafting through the air. The snow is piling up outside. Pandora is playing Christmas music on the computer. How I love this time of year. I have been busy in the kitchen baking this-n-that. We started on Sunday when some friends joined us to do some baking. 

We've made peanut butter kiss cookies, lady fingers, Mexican wedding cake cookies, roll out cookies, soda cracker toffee, pumpkin bread and zucchini banana bread. 

I've had my hands full trying to keep large and small fingers out of everything. 

Most of the stuff I've baked so far is pretty much common Christmas goodies. If something I've listed peaks your interest and you don't have the recipe just respond on my blog and I'll get it to you. 

I'm a toffee addict. I had the soda cracker toffee and would have never guessed the base was crackers. 

Here's the recipe. 

Soda Cracker Toffee 

1c brown sugar

1 c butter

Sleeve of soda crackers

Chocolate chips

Nuts - chopped 

Using a 9x13 baking dish line the bottom of the pan with soda crackers. In a sauce pan combine the butter and brown sugar and boil for 3 or so minutes. Pour the syrup over the crackers. Bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Pour chocolate chips over the top of the crackers mixture. Spread chocolate. Last layer is the nuts. Use whatever kind you have around the house or better yet, any kind you like. 

Let the toffee harden a little. Then, go ahead and try not to eat em. I dare you. 

A few things

I had an MRI last Thursday and I'll have a PET scan on Wednesday and combining the two scans will let them see how I'm doing head to toe. 

I've been feeling well. I like that things are returning to normal. Whatever that is, right? 

We put out tree up last week. Wouldn't you know it that every single strand of lights we had had something wrong with it. We ended up scrapping them all and getting LED lights. I can't say that they are my favorite. Super bright and the blue is so bright it'll burn holes in your eyes if you look at it too long. 

Things are looking mighty Christmassy around here. This is my favorite time of year but that's not telling you much if you know me.

 I don't want to get so wrapped up in "commercial" Christmas that I forget the real reason why we celebrate. It's amazing to think that just a few thousand years ago our Savior was born in a stable in Bethlehem. 

May you know the real reason for the season. 

Uuuh It's A Little Chilly....

It was suppose to be -18 below last night. Instead, when we got up this morning it was almost -30. That's a bit chilly - even up here.

 

Dan and Kylie are headed to her basketball game this morning. Guess -30 below is not too cold to play. :)

I Made These...

I went to a women's group at church last night and we completed our mittens made from recycled wool sweaters. This is the pair I made. What a great gift idea!

Turkey a la King

I love the time after Thanksgiving. You know. Leftovers, specifically turkey leftovers. I had a bag of turkey left over and I was wondering what to fix with it. I went to one of my favorite food websites and this recipe looked interesting. I didn't fix it exactly as they said and I think it's better. 

Try it and see what you think. If you don't have a leftover turkey, FIX one so you can have leftovers. :)

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1/2 c diced onion

2-3 sweet mini peppers or 1 green bell diced up

1/2 bag of frozen peas

2 c chicken broth

1 c half and half or heavy cream

1 1/2 tbsp cooking sherry

2 c turkey (you could even use a rotisserie chicken if your in a pinch)

I browned the butter in my cast iron skillet. After it was a toasty color I added the onions and peppers. I cooked these until they softened a bit. I added the flour sprinkling over the mixture and stirring until I had a nice roux. I added the chicken broth and then the milk a little at a time so it didn't curdle. Then I added the cooking sherry. I seasoned it with salt and pepper to my liking. Then I put in my leftover shredded turkey. 

I was going to serve the whole hot mess over pastry puffs but I bought the mini ones on accident so I used leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving and served them over that. 

I've licked my plate clean. I thought it was delicious. Maybe I just have a palate that is easy to please. 

Tinker with the recipe as you choose. Hope you like it. 

New Mantle

While my brother-in-law was here for Thanksgiving, he and my hubby built me a mantle for the fireplace. It's so beautiful! It's made from old barn wood. It makes the fireplace in the front room take center stage. I can't wait to hang our Christmas stockings. Love it!

It's Snowing - Finally

It's snowing! It's snowed here and there but never enough to amount to anything. It was snowing when I got out of bed and it's continuing. Yay!

I'm thankful for ...

Being born and living in America. I wouldn't choose anywhere else. She's got some big flaws but she's still the best! 

The Grim Reaper Does Lawn Care

Shelby was raking leaves in the yard and she put on Levi's face mask because it was quite chilly. I had to laugh when I looked out and saw her! :)

I'm Thankful For...

I noticed on Facebook that everyone has jumped on the "I'm thankful for" band wagon. What an awesome thing to do. I thought I would do the very same thing here the next few days.

I'm thankful for God, the Savior of my Soul. I can't say enough about the miracles He's brought about in my life. I wouldn't be here to tell you about it if it weren't for Him. 

I'm thankful for a husband that I love and cherish more with each passing year.

I'm thankful for four beautiful, lively children that bring joy and happiness daily to my life.

I'm thankful for an extended family that is caring, fun, concerned, kind and completely crazy sometimes!

Little hunter, big hunter

Dan and Levi went deer hunting this past weekend. It was Levi's first time. They got decked out in their hunter orange and, of course, I had to have some pictures to mark the occasion.

They had fun but alas no deer was killed this year.

I went shopping during this time and received a free t shirt that says "He hunts I shop". I will actually wear it because it's cute. 

Our town turns into deer central for two weeks every fall. I love going to get groceries and seeing all the different attire being worn by the men. I was in the store and passed two men in full camo with painted faces. I almost didn't see them. Just kidding! Not sure what they were hunting without the orange. 

Our local fleet farm advertised Orange Friday (similar to black Friday) the day before hunting season opened. Nice play on words.

Anyway, I posted this picture a few years ago. I passed the local eatery and saw this. It still cracks me up.  

Homemade Granola

One more recipe for you. Today, I made granola from scratch with the help of my sister in law's recipe. Oh goodness, I may never eat anything else.

Here's the recipe:

My New Favorite Granola
6 c. oats
2 c. of large coconut flakes
1 1/2 c sliced almonds (or coarsely chopped)
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. honey
1/3 c. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/3 c. plus 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. sea salt


Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix oats, coconut, nuts and flour in large bowl. Set aside. Add the remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan over low heat until smooth and liquified.  Drizzle half the liquid over the oats and mix well. Drizzle other half. Mix well again. Spread in thin layer over cooking sheet. This might take 2 or three baking sheets. Bake for 40 minutes stirring half way through. The granola will be lightly golden brown. It will get crunchier as it cools.

You can add all kinds of stuff to this recipe. Some suggestions are walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia, pepitas, etc. If you add raisins or dried cherries, do so after the granola cools otherwise they will burn.

I fixed a single batch today because I didn't have enough ingredients for two batches. Next time, I will fix a double batch for sure. I can't seem to keep my kids, not to mention my husband, out of it.

It's good Clark, real good.

SOS

If you are looking for an easy, quick supper, SOS or hamburger gravy is the way to go. I think it got it's name in the service. My dad said they used to fix this for them when he was in the Air Force.

Whenever I need to fix something quick and cheap I think of this and my husband and kids love it.


Hamburger Gravy
2 lbs of hamburger
a quart or so of milk - I used 2 % and throw in a little 1/2 & 1/2
1/4 c flour
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

I fry the hamburger in a deep skillet - like my cast iron skillet. When the hamburger is done I drain off some of the fat and then sprinkle the meat with all the flour. As soon as I've stirred that in, I add the milk and let it simmer until it thickens. Then I season it with the onion powder and salt and pepper. It's ready when the gravy is as thick as you like it.

If you wanted to take the time, you could dice up some onions and cook them with the hamburger and then you could omit the onion powder. There really are LOTS of ways to fix this with many additions.

I serve the gravy over toasted bread (Dan's favorite) or biscuits or mashed potatoes (my favorite).

Wha la, a quick and easy supper.

Halloween fun

This year the kids dressed up as an Egyptian princess, a pirate (Kylie is a pirate every year) and Jason from Duck Dynasty.

We took them trick-or-treating and then they brought the spoils home and traded with each other.

It was rainy, cool and a bit misty or foggy tonight but we had fun.

A dad who dressed up as the big, bad wolf from Red Riding Hood. Great costume!

I hate spelling

Sometimes homeschooling is not all roses and sunshine. I snapped this picture of Kylie today as she was working on her spelling. She missed a few words and she was very mad about it. We had some tears and then she turned her sweatshirt around to cover her face. She sat this way for awhile and then she uncovered her face and began studying her words.

I had to smile. But not around her. :)

Beautiful Blankets

I have been thinking about all the kind things done for me while I was sick. One of those things was blankets made for me or bought and given to me. I had an idea to take pictures of them and put them in this blog. If I've not included your blanket its because I have a poor memory and a really poor memory of "those" days. Forgive me.

Some blankets have wonderful Bible verses. Others have get well messages on them. They are all special.

Here are some pictures. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

The view out my front window

Today

Sitting in the sunshine. Enjoying the warmth and the bounty of fall. Love this time of year.  My phone says its 68 degrees. 

We are going to the football game tonight. We will help the community celebrate the new addition to our high school. Free admission tonight and free popcorn. Fun!

Blessings.

Salsa and Zucchini Banana Bread

Wow, we've been busy. I know, everyone has. The end of summer and beginning of fall brings such bounty from our gardens (not mine, not this year). My sister-in-law brought me fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, green peppers and onions when they came to see us recently.

Those ingredients make me think of fresh salsa immediately. Have you ever tried making your own? I promise you, there is really minimal effort on your part for maximum taste.

I took:

7-8 roma tomatoes
1/2 - 1 medium onion
1-2 cloves garlic
1 green pepper
3 or 4 jalapenos or peppers of your choice
juice of 1/2 lime - squeezed

I took my immersion blender and blended everything together. I don't like chunky salsa but you might. Blend to your heart's content.

Season with salt and pepper. Really this isn't much of a recipe because so much depends on your taste. Adjust accordingly.

Get a bag of chips and chow down! That easy! Such a good snack for you. (Not including the chips.)

The other thing I've been making a lot of is Zucchini Banana Bread. This is a recipe from my grandmother, Opal. It is almost a near death experience because it's so good. :) There's nothing better than bread, just baked in the oven and butter slathered generously over it. Mmmm good! This is not low cal or low fat, no siree. Here's the recipe:

Zucchini Banana Bread

4 eggs (told you)
2 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
2 medium ripe bananas (mashed and mash 'em good)
3 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c shredded zucchini (peeled or unpeeled)
1 c chopped nuts (Iomitted these)

Mix sugar, eggs and oil. Add bananas and mix well. Add zucchini and stir in. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to mixture. Add nuts and stir in.

Oven at 350 degrees. Makes two loaf pans. Bake 1 hour.

That's it! Yum is right. Now you know what to do with all those zucchinis! :)

Lots of this and that

I had another spinal tap today. It went very well and I was home by fourish. We seemed to have settled into a routine of some sorts.

I saw my doctor today and he said that I was just a "miracle child". I don't mind being called that. I don't mind being used by God that way either. I just have to give it up to him each day. I think I've already done that and then something else comes up. I reminded again to open my hands and give everything back to Him.

I had a small lump on by left breast for awhile but really though it was more of a pimple, It's been around for a long time but just recently got bigger. Another chance for my mind to run away with all sorts of unhealthy thoughts. What if.... I've also had several bouts with dizziness and vomiting. I have this for several days and then it goes away.

My doc wants me to watch and write down when I'm feeling sickly or throwing up but doubts it's the tumors because it would be more regular. He agreed with me that the "thing" on my chest looks more like a zit. Yay, I was so glad to hear that.

So, on with life. We look forward to having company over the Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, we will have nice weather and the sticky will go away.

My cousin and his wife visited us last week.We had such a fun time. I will have to share her recipe for chocolate zucchini cake that was to die for! Maybe next time. Take care!

Worn

I heard a beautiful song today. I had heard it before but the words really sank in. It's called Worn by Tenth Avenue North. Seems like some days I could've written these very words.

Click here to hear the song.

Here are the lyrics.

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

Where have I been...

Well, I've been squeezing every bit of summer I can out of July and August.

 We have had some cool days but its recently decided to be summer again. We've spend two days already at the beach this week. 

My sisters came up so we could celebrate our birthday (I'm a twin) last week. They spent the week here and we shopped and ate and boated and sunned. It was wonderful. 

Two of our children went home to Colorado with the aunts so its been quiet here this week.

We took the remaining two out for ice cream and miniature golf at a fun place in Brainerd.

We played the game chairs on the porch tonight. What a beautiful day.

We are busy with the last days of summer. Hope you are getting chances to be out in the sunshine.

I have treatment again this coming Tuesday. Please pray for me as you always do. 

Tap 101,922 (oops, now they call it lumbar puncture)

Hello. I did a treatment today. It's been over three weeks since my last one. LOVE that there's more time in between. 

I'm feeling not too bad since I came home and went to sleep straight away. I thank God that I have less side effects recently.

Probably helps that I made the Dr swear on her life that she would never leave me for another cushy job somewhere. I've learned to be very picky about who can touch me. Guess I've been around the place too long. :)

Anyway, life goes on. Its all in God's hands and that makes me feel better. Thank you for your prayers and concerns. 

Huevos Rancheros

I think I just fixed one of my favorite breakfasts out there. I had made home made pork green chili last night so that was the prerequisite for my huevos. There are many recipes for huevos out there but this is what I've come up with.

This morning I fried corn tortillas in hot oil for a few minutes each side. Then I cooked the eggs. Dan wanted his over easy and Shelby and I like our eggs hard - not hard boiled but NO yolky middle (I made pancakes for the triplets as they are not into spicy foods so much). After the eggs were done we started assembly.

corn tortilla
refried beans
eggs
pork green chili
cheese
sour cream
salsa

Wow! Major yummy in my tummy. I love to start Saturdays with a tasty breakfast.

Wish I had a picture but we ate 'em almost faster than I could make them.


*** If you are not into making your own pork green chili a canned version would do. Not as good as mine ;) but it will do in a pinch.

Driver's Ed

We will have another driver in the house soon. Yes, Shelby will be turning 15 in September and we are working on her learner's permit right now.

Since she is homeschooled I am allowed to do 30 hours of instruction here at home. We looked at some curriculum and found what we needed. We discovered that the Driver's License Bureau doesn't give out driving books anymore. All that information is online now.

Anywho, after we figured out a few things I assigned the 1st chapter of the book for Shelby to read and memorize. She did for about five minutes and then told me she would work on it "later". I asked her what she was doing and I had to laugh when I looked at her laptop. She had Googled "How to take a good driver's license photo" and it was up on the computer.

Do you remember 15? I do. Maybe at 15 a nice photo on my license would have topped actually studying for the test. Who knows. :)

Softball News

We finished the softball season this past Saturday. Shelby's team made state and they played on Saturday in Elk River and Kylie's playoffs in Brainerd were on Saturday also. So, Dan and I had to divide and conquer.

Shelby's team won the first game and lost the next two. 

Kylie's team won their 1st game (on Thursday night) and lost their last two games. 

   Both girls had great seasons. 

Kylie catching

Kylie's team - white hats, a few no hats and Kylie in her John Deere camo hat. Yup, that's Kylie!

Kylie catching

Shelby's team

Shelby's team

Here's what happens in the car after a long day of softball.  :)

Swim Lessons

All the kiddos are taking swim lessons again this year. It's a beautiful day - suppose to be 90 today.

I bought a new floatie the other day so I could make like an alligator and lay in the water just under the surface. Worked great the other day so I might just do the same today. 

Aaah, I'm lovin' the dog days of summer!

Cool cars

It's definitely summer here. Went to the store for a few things and found a Maserati parked in the lot. Summer is when we see the 'expensive' cars around here. We know they must be from the cities because most 'ordinary' folk around here drive Fords or Chevys.

Older but still a cool car!