Kids Cook!

Recently, we started something new I call "Kids cook". As I plan our monthly menu, I let each kid pick a recipe that they want to make. Then, on Saturdays, we have "Kids Cook" and one of our kids is a chef for the evening. They get to cook the entire meal. So far, our Kids Cook meals have been Caprese Pizza- Sarah, Broccoli Chicken Ring- Hayden and Skillet Lasagna- Sarah. I have really had a lot of fun setting a day aside to help our children learn to cook. Each recipe they have made has been really good. I'm sharing pictures from our latest Kids Cook night. By the way, I love the entries to the name my blog contest. Keep 'em coming!

Sarah & Emma removing the sausage casings

(they thought it was a little gross).

Nothing light about this Lasagna. Ricotta, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses.

My 'dairy free' version of the Lasagna (probably way less fat).

Chef Sarah and her Sous Chef Emma

And the verdict is...delicious!

New name CONTEST

January 29 is John's last day in the USAF. So, I can't really call my blog 'Texas Roots with Air Force Branches' anymore. I've been thinking of some new names, but wanted to see what you think it should be. I know that many of you read my blog and never leave a comment. I'd like you to consider giving me your input. I could call it 'somebody chopped down the tree', or 'the branches got pruned', or 'back to my Texas roots'... As you can see, I need some help. So, what do you think the new name should be? What if I throw in a FREE gift? I have a closet full of Creative Memories products and I will gather up a few things to send to my favorite entry. Oh, there should be a deadline. How about February 1st. So, leave a comment on this post and on February 2nd, I will take all the entries and decide which one I like the best. If you don't leave a comment, my sister is sure to win!

My sewing class

Most of you know that I have been sewing for years. Some of you may have even been in 4-H sewing club with me in Clarendon, Texas. Well, I must confess, I have never learned how to put in a zipper properly. There is this little sewing shop here in Beavercreek and the owner chooses projects and then has a class to teach you how to make them. The class I am taking is a Creative Accessories class. We are making some Vera Bradley knock offs. So, I am making a make up bag and a wallet. I have one more class left next Thursday and I will be done. I'll take more pictures then and show you my bag. I am also taking the 'perfect zipper' class tomorrow. I will be learning how to put 6 different kinds of zippers in. Look out, next year, you all may be getting handmade personalized makeup bags for Christmas!

I think I'm getting old

On my last post, my friend Tammy left a comment that said, "please tell me you get tired and worn". So, here is my tired, worn story...

I have been having some stomach problems and am finally tired enough of dealing with it that I decided to go to the doctor. (Believe me, you don't want to know the details) So, I go to the doctor and he tells me that many Caucasian people over the age of 30 can develop a Lactose intolerance and that my symptoms sound very much like that is what my problem is. So, I'm getting old and I can't eat dairy. So, what do I have to do you ask? Yep, you guessed it, a 100% Dairy Free Diet for 2 weeks. See my friends, you no longer only see just the good stuff here. Welcome to my world, my Dairy free world, where my friends call and give me a hard time that it is pizza night in our house and I can't have cheese! Where there is yummy chocolate in my 'food court' and I can't eat any of it. Where I find that even popcorn of all things has milk in it. Where I used to eat cereal and have an occasional ice cream sundae and now, I'm reading the label of every item in my house to make sure it doesn't have the "m" word in it. I'm on day three in case you are interested. I guess I'll keep you posted on my Dairy free journey...

I bet you're wondering what I'm doing...

Well, it is time for the Awana Bible Quiz. I am working really hard on getting some flash cards ready for our clubbers. We have some great leaders at our church that created this awesome website with all the information for Bible quiz. I just have to reformat it for flash cards. So, I finished my last book tonight and wanted to make a quick post to let you know that I have been busy. I have taken a few pictures and will be going to a sewing class again on Thursday, so I will post again after that. I got a little money for Christmas and decided to take some sewing classes. I have a class on Saturday to learn how to put in every type of zipper there is. I know that may sound boring to some of you, but I am super excited! Anyway, the kids are good and we are trying to stay warm.

I'm wired for sound!

Okay, I have seen this on other blogs and love it! There can be a problem or two with having music. If I have a video posted, you will have to go to the "my songs" section and click on the pause button twice to be able to hear the video. When you leave the blog to look at the comments, it stops playing because you have left the page. Just a little info. for the new feature. I hope you enjoy my music.

Oh, what a beautiful day!

Finally, the sun came out today. I don't think we've had a sunny day without snow or 30mph winds since I got my camera. I have been dying to get outside and play with it. Today was the day! It was still really cold, so we weren't out for a long time. It was still fun to let the kids get outside and take a few pictures.

Just a few pictures

Chores!

My kids are like most kids. They hate chores, but that doesn't mean that they don't have to do them. Most weeks, I assign chores on a chart on our fridge. Chores have to be done by Friday and no friends over unless they get done. Sometimes, we have "Choose a chore" and all the kids race to the fridge to sign up for the least amount of work possible, I mean their favorite chore. When we have choose a chore, they seem to get things done much quicker than if I had assigned them. Why don't we have it all the time, you ask? Well, because then it would be too familiar and get old just like regular chores. I have to keep 'em guessing. I try to switch chores around, so as not to make one kid do the same chore all the time. It's kind of funny though, Hayden really can't maneuver the vacuum cleaner or the swiffer sweeper very well. If I let him vacuum, I get about 50% of the floor cleaned. I think you have to be over 4 feet to have the right angle to make that thing turn the way you need it to. He doesn't mind though; he loves to try to vacuum. When I really need things to be done at a higher standard, I can assign chores according to my kids strengths. Hayden is the best sink cleaner and trash dumper I have. I caught a few pictures of him working on my sink a few days ago. That sink shines like the top of the Chrysler building.

A trip to the ER...

Kate's Crutches

Air Splint

Kate has wanted crutches ever since she was little. Well, this week, she got them. Wednesday, I got to the school and Kate was sitting in a wheel chair at the front of the school. I didn't know it was her at first. Then, I saw her hot pink back pack in her lap and knew that something had happened. Her teacher started walking to the truck. I rolled down the window to find out that Kate had fallen after play practice; she tripped over a ladder behind the curtain. I went to help her to the truck and she was very upset and crying and acted like it was hurting pretty bad. Once we got into the truck, she started talking about how it happened and she felt really bad that she did something 'so dumb'. I told her that it wasn't dumb and that things like that happen sometimes. I said I'm sure that people have hurt themselves doing some really dumb things. After talking about how her foot felt, we decided to take her to the Emergency Room just to make sure it wasn't broken. We found out that going to the ER on Wednesday afternoon was not so bad. We got right in and then they sent her to x-ray. Anyway, she did not break it, but did sprain her ankle. For a girl that wanted crutches so bad, she sure doesn't like them near as much as she thought she would. She says that it makes her arms hurt. We are thankful that she didn't break anything and she should be up and running again in no time.

I love my new camera!

"Sorting Money" a book from the library.

Hmmm, 2 quarters =50 cents, cool!

Hayden loves his new guitar.

Sarah had to design her own patch for Star Base.

"Flying Toast" is her call sign

I just wanted to share a few new pictures. Hayden wanted a guitar for Christmas so bad, but he didn't get one. Well, he got some money for Christmas, so he bought himself a guitar with the money. He has John tune it for him and love to play it. We went to eat at a place called Potbelly's a few days ago and they had a guy playing the guitar and singing. Hayden watched him the entire time. He kept commenting on different things he was doing with his hands on the strings. He really wanted to learn how to play like that guy. It was too cute.

Sarah finishes her Star Base program this week and got to design her own patch. The people that run the program told her that her call sign is the funniest one they have ever had. Sarah is pretty funny. As a matter of fact, she emailed me today to ask what the weather was going to be for the week. Don't worry, we still communicate around here. I think she would just like a few more pieces of mail in her 'in' box. I emailed her the 7 day forecast.

A new year, a new do!

Yesterday, we took the girls and got their hair cut. There is a local beauty school that charges $13.95 for a shampoo, cut and style. We had a couple of coupons for FREE haircuts. We paid $3 to get three haircuts. They did a really good job on all three of them. Rachel looks so different; she got her hair cut and layered and looks so different. She loves it!

I got a Nikon D40 for Christmas!

Ever since I had my 35mm SLR die several years ago, picture taking has not been the same. Point and shoot cameras are great, but you don't control anything. There is nothing like the feeling of a big bulky camera in one hand and the lens you are controlling in the other! A digital SLR just seemed a little too expensive, okay, a lot too expensive. I'm cheap! If I could get it at the Thrift shop, that would have been great, but no such luck. Well, this year, John decided I needed a new camera. He got me a Nikon D40 and I feel like a new woman! I forgot what I had been missing. Thank you sweetie! I can officially call this my BEST Christmas present ever. (My new laser level is a close second)

Gingerbread memories...

Christmas Eve...

Our family has a special early dinner on Christmas Eve. Later in the evening, we either read the story of Christmas(Luke 2) or go to a candlelight service at our church. That night, we open presents. Then, on Christmas morning, Santa comes and we have stockings... This works great for me because I don't have to worry about getting a Turkey in the oven on Christmas morning or trying to prepare a feast for later Christmas day. We all get to relax, enjoy our time together, our gifts and eat leftovers! A newly added tradition at our house is Gingerbread house decorating on Christmas day.

This year, we had several visitors for our Christmas Eve dinner; some expected and some were a last minute addition. My friend Linda and her girls came over. Linda's husband is deployed right now. We also have some neighbors that were headed out of town for Christmas and their little girl got sick on the way, so they turned around and came back home. They didn't want to get everyone else sick. I invited them to come make a plate and take it home. (We didn't want to get sick either.) Lynn was so glad she didn't have to cook. Also, we invited the mail man to dinner. I stepped outside as he was delivering some packages and asked if he got a break for lunch. He said that he would just be delivering all day and that he didn't really get a break. I invited him to come back at 2 o'clock and make a plate to take with him. He came back and we made him a plate for the road. It was really fun to share our meal with others this Christmas in an unexpected way.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

A little Christmas tune.

We shared that we got a keyboard for Christmas;we didn't share the details, but it has built in lessons. Kate has learned to play Silent Night and wanted to share that with all of you. She is very excited that it is that easy to learn.

Stuffing

Tomorrow, I'll be baking this stuffing along with a turkey and most of the trimmings. I have been asked about this recipe once or twice before, so I thought I would share it here.

Audra’s Cornbread stuffing
For Thanksgiving, I made this and used wheat rolls instead of bread heels. I love the texture of this stuffing and the flavor is phenomenal. I'm not a big fan of lunch lady stuffing; you know, the kind that turns to mush and you can scoop it with a large cookie scoop and it holds it's newly molded shape. Me, I like my stuffing light and flavorful.

2 pkgs. Cornbread or 2 8x8 pans- cubed (bake according to package)
3-4 toasted bread heels-cubed (or leftover rolls)
1 pumpernickel bagel-cubed
1 cup margarine
1 cup onion-chopped
1 cup celery-chopped
2 teaspoons rubbed sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4 cans chicken broth

Mix all breads and seasonings the day before baking and let dry out overnight uncovered in a large bowl. In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt margarine and cook onion and celery until clear. Pour over bread mixture. Transfer stuffing mix to large (9x13>). Add 1 can of broth and stir. Bake at 350* for 1 hour covered. Add 1 can of broth every 20 minutes.

Note: Turkey 15 min./lb. @ 400*

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Last year, I got this idea to do a caroling sleepover right before Christmas. I thought it would be fun to invite some girls in the neighborhood over, bake some goodies for our neighbors and then have a sleepover the following night to carol and deliver our goodies to our neighbors. We had so much fun last year, that we did it again this year. This has the makings of a Christmas tradition in our house. Last Thursday, we had 5 girls come over to help make our Christmas treats. We made Chex Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow), Chex goin' fishin' snack mix and something a friend of mine just made. She didn't tell me the name, so we just called them Ronda's chocolate covered chips. This is Ronda's favorite Christmas goodie to share:

Ronda's Chocolate Covered Chips

1 bag butterscotch chips (we used Reese’s Peanut butter chips instead)
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips
1 small can salted peanuts
¾ bag crumbled Ruffles Potato chips

Melt chips in microwave or double boiler. Pour over crumbled chips and add peanuts. Mix well and drop by spoonfuls into mini muffin cups and chill.

On Friday, 7 girls came over for our caroling sleepover and we had pizza then caroled through the neighborhood delivering our goodies to our friends. Kate and Sarah helped make personalized pillow cases for each girl. They used their newly learned sewing skills to make gifts for their friends.

Stephanie, Kate and KaLyn making Goin' Fishin' mix

Meredith (back), Emma and Sarah make Ronda's chocolate covered chips

Hayden gets to shake the bag.

Rachel, Grace and Hayden making Puppy Chow-Yum!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Sarah got glasses!

Well, in preparation for getting out of the military, we are seeing every doctor possible while we can. Last week, all the kids had an eye appointment. We found out that Sarah is near sighted. She had recently complained that the board was a little blurry at school. We thought maybe it was because a friend of hers just got glasses. Now we know it was she wasn't just saying it. So, she got to go pick out glasses this week and she loves these cute little pink frames. She was very excited to see her first movie with glasses. Yesterday, we took the kids and a couple of their friends to see National Treasure Book of Secrets. We loved it! It made me want to go back to DC again and go to the Library of Congress, Ford's theater and Mt. Vernon (again). The kids thought it was really cool that Mt. Vernon was in the movie and they had been there.

Star Base Extra Credit

Sarah's school is participating in the Starbase program at WPAFB. She had some extra credit assignments that she did last week. I thought you might be interested in seeing our future chemist, engineer, math whiz...we'll see. Once she finishes in January, there will be photos added to the Starbase website. She attends Fairborn intermediate school.

Weird Science

Sarah is participating in Starbase. A local program to promote math and science in schools. She has had so much fun. She is launching a rocket that she built today. This video was for extra credit. She is demonstrating Bernoulli's Principle.

A Christmas Classic...

We often hear the sounds of Christmas carols ringing through our house. This is the song that Hayden is heard singing most. Yes, he sings it that way EVERY time. Now, he just has backup music and a microphone.

It's almost Christmas Charlie Brown

Kate and Sarah ready to sing!

Sarah- just to the right of teacher

Ms. Gillespie, Sarah and one of her friends

Last night, we found out what it is like to be in two places at once. Kate and Sarah both had a Christmas musical performance for school at the same time. Sarah performed at the high school and Kate performed at her middle school and they both started at 7pm. We split the family down the middle, and off we went. I took Sarah and Rachel to the high school and John took Hayden and Kate to the middle school. We took a picture of them together before we left. They both did a great job and had a lot of fun. They have both been working really hard. Sarah has had to be at school at 7:30 two days a week for the past three months. They both had a great time and are looking forward to their next performance.

My Rootin' Tootin' Cowboy

Hayden got a cowboy hat from Pa Bob for his birthday in August. Well, let's just say we got some big heads in our family. (It didn't fit.) So, Pa Bob and Meme have been on the hunt for a new cowboy hat. It arrived in the mail and Hayden opened the big red box with glee. He just knew it was his hat. He was right. He loves wearing it and usually has some funny grin to go along with it.

The Littlest Reindeer

Rachel had her 2nd grade musical tonight. She has blossomed into a performer. She sang every song and did every motion. I don't know if you remember last year's performance... she didn't move. All hands were up in the air, except for Rachel's. It was too funny! Well, tonight, was much different. She had such a good time and did a great job. It was really fun to watch her perform. I included the group picture, but couldn't really make it much better. I'd need a better camera for that. A point and shoot just doesn't work well in a poorly lit room when you are sitting far away. It just gives you an idea of the stage... I just wanted to share.

Searching for Bolognese sauce!

Okay, this may sound CRAZY, but this is the best bolognese sauce ever. A friend of mine sends it to me ever once in a while if she has extra from her stash. She gets it from a friend that lives in Germany. I can't find this in any local market here in the Southwest region of Ohio. I have checked! I have found a website in Texas that sales this exact package, but it is $4 per package. In your shopping, if you happen to find this for less than $4 and would be willing to ship it to me, please let me know. I am out. The cupboard is bare. Now, that being said, if you know of a good bolognese sauce recipe, I'd be willing to try that too. Just thought I'd try my blog to see if any of you have seen it or would be willing to look for it. Thanks!

Snow Day 2007

Our kids and some neighbors playing in the snow.

Sledding down the hill...Rachel, Hallie and Hayden.

Sarah buried in the snow.

Hayden multi-tasking: sledding and eating snow.

Jesica had gone in and was looking out the window, watching all the kids play.

Our first snow day of this school year. We were expecting 2"-4" and we got at least 4". We haven't heard the official report yet. Either way, there was no school. Boy was there excitement in our house this morning.