2/20/2013

Eyes are a Changing

So, for the past two months I have not been able to ready ANYTHING up close.  Sigh.....
Not what I really want to face - the need for bifocals.
Today was Dr. day and surprise my script went down.
I could read up close and see far away so with some luck bifocals or reading glasses have been pushed back.
I will not know for certain until I gety new lenses but am totally thrilled with the news.

2/16/2013

What do we see....

The puppies are getting bigger every day. They love the great outdoors and exploring.

2/03/2013

Mini Chicken Pot Pies




One of my all-time favorite meals of comfort - Chicken Pot Pie
 There is just something about that creamy inside that is all warm and filled with delicious chicken and veggies.
Plus you also have that wonderful flaky crust.
Yummy!
I had never attempted to make them before.
Kiddos never really liked them when they were younger.
Now however they are not opposed to eating them at all.
Enter in out new kitchen gadget.
A mini pie maker by Bella.
I know crazy right but...
DH and I are the only two in the house that eat pies.
Making a large pie for this house is crazy because we tend to throw away more than we eat.
This new little friend allows us to make the perfect size and amount of pie.
So easy to use.
I could not wait to make our own warm, tasty and personal pot pies.


The filling was quite easy to make.
Can of Cream of Mushroom soup
3/4 cup of shredded cooked chicken breast
few dashes of onion powder
1/2 cup of mixed veggies
1/4 cup of skim milk
Mix well.

I have to admit to cheating on the crust.
We had a leftover pie crust from Trader Joe's that I opted to use.

I have to say this little cooking gadget has come in handy. 
The sky is the limit on what tasty treats we can create.

1/27/2013

Two...



Hugging


Two...
Two puppies.
We have two puppies.
Siblings.
Male.
Squabbles galore when together.

(Georgie)

What a way to start a new year.
Not what I expected to say the least.
We tossed the idea around of a Bulldog since Spencer is a HUGE UGA fan.
Then he asked for one.
There was a tiny $$ issue.
He has really never asked for anything.
REALLY.

So...
Enter in the Beabull.
A Beagle/English Bulldog mix.
He thought they were so cute.
They are.

Go for one.
End up with two.
DH could not resist one.
Call it his midlife crisis.

They are 9 weeks as of today.
We have had them since they were 6 weeks.
Way too young to be taken from mom.
Poor little fellows.

Sleep...
I miss my sleep.
No, I really miss my sleep.
When one is up the other is sleeping and then it flips through the night.
We have yet to make it through the night.
Up two times.
I know this shall pass but the lack of sleep is starting to take a tole on me.

(Oscar)
Whine.
Yeah, they do that.
A lot.
Working on this issue.
No yappy dog in my house.

Elder dogs.
One (Sasha) is thrilled.
Her own play toy. lol
Though she needs to learn when to stop playing.
Teddy.
One low growl and they know who is boss.
Fingers crossed they all get along.
And soon.





1/25/2013

If..



I have kept quiet for over a year now about Joe Paterno's passing and the whole
scandal that has rocked my beloved university.
Time to break the silence.


This video speaks volumes about Joe Paterno. 
The poem is IF by Rudyard Kipling which also happened to be one of JoePa's favorites.


If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! 


I had the wonderful opportunity to meet JoePa.
Not once but twice. 
Right after a game as he was walking home. 
Yes, walking. (which is a bit of a hike back to his house)
I was not sure if I should say anything to him.
My friend dared me so I yelled out, "Hey Coach."
He stopped, looked up and said, " Good evening ladies."
We chatted for a good ten minutes before he stated he had a party to get home to.
Honestly, he took the time to talk to us about our studies.
I cherish my memories of talking to him and call still hear his voice in my head. :)

We have been asked by the university to move on.
HA!
I am sorry but the way they treated him in the end is a total disgrace.
It is not who WE ARE.
The amount of love and respect he and his family have placed in 
Penn State deserves more.
We have never been able to mourn his loss properly.
We have not been able to pay tribute to the man. 
Instead they have done everything to wipe him from the university.
Took down his statue. 
Removed his photos. 
Success with Honor statements removed.

Disgraceful.

To the BoT - 
DO NOT underestimate the power of those who have
graduated from this fine institution.
We are strong in number and we will right the errors made by you.

A link to share - really hits home with my feelings.

There will never be another like JoePa.




1/02/2013

Southwestern Beef Stew


Nate was put in charge of finding a recipe for us to make because I was all out of ideas. My only requirement was that it should be for the crockpot because I really did not feel like cooking. Off he scurried to go through the recipe books. I have to say it did not take him long to find this recipe. Quite simple to make and full of flavor. We all enjoyed this dinner and heard quite a few requests to make it again.

I added some mixed veggies about a cup since they were leftovers and thought they would make a nice addition. I have to say that it rounded out the stew nicely. I also used 32 ounces of Pace Picante sauce, increased the meat and did not use corn starch that the recipe had called for. The stew was quite thick the way it was and just opted to leave it out.

Southwestern Beef Stew

7 servings

2 lbs beef stew meat cut into cubes
32 ounces of  picante sauce
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
fresh cracked pepper

In a large skillet, brown the beef on all sides and drain. Add beef to crock pot, then picante sauce, toss in the mixed veggies, onion, chili powder, salt, pepper. Give it all a good stir, cover and cook for 8-9 hours on low.

Recipe adapted from: Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook-Regina Stock









1/01/2013

Happy New Year!!

 
 
 
Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
So hard to believe that it is 2013 already.
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