Birthday Success

Basketball cake made by me. :) It met the little guy's expectations. Birthday activity was for JMS to make pizza's for all of us for lunch. He did a great job!

And...he even blew his candles out.

Joy of Motherhood

Oh, to be sitting in the congregation today...they called the children to the altar for "children's moment" and JMS goes up as he has done for the past two weeks. This week...it was his show, the preacher just didn't know it. So, the children's minister was discussing keeping promises and pointing out symbols of promises such as wedding rings....and any pause in the story JMS was sure to pipe up with "I have dinosaurs!" or "I have lots of dinosaurs." or "I'm wearing a blue shirt." or "I like the Blue team."(go Kentucky) and he was sure to draw many laughs from the grandparents in the audience. I was just quietly praying for the lady to quickly wrap up the story telling....and she did by saying "okay, it's time to go to children's church"....which JMS quickly comments "These are all my children!"

As soon as the kids were filed out of the church the preacher says, "It is a good thing when they get comfortable up here. It is a good thing."

After church I drew a crowd...all complimentary, I think. :) Then, quickly called my husband to tell him what HIS son did.

Brad Paisley Concert

My husband got us tickets to see Brad Paisely for Christmas...and last night was the concert. He was preceded by Justin Moore and Miranda Lambert. There was a surprise singer....Blake Shelton...and then Brad Paisley. The clip I've attached is of his song..."You do the math.." He was really good at exciting the crowd by dropping comments about UK...basketball team being undefeated....his favorite color being blue... He is an entertainer that you can tell works really hard to be as good as he is....look at his guitar skills! He also had a great sense of humor that came out in his video that accompanied his performance. My only complaint was smelling like a keg b/c I had beer poured all over my coat.

Worn out Toddler

There is this new place in town called Monkey Joe's. Anyone heard of it before? You pay four dollars and sign a liability waiver and then your child can play on these 10 blow up toys. They also have party rooms for birthday parties. It reminded me of a skating rink...the kids off playing and the parents hanging out doing their own thing. JMS ran for an hour straight, was a sweaty mess, and slept like a log last night! We got a 10 visit pass and plan on going often! They advertised a "lounge" for the parents, but it wasn't the cocktail lounge that I was envisioning...hehehe. Can you imagine? Enjoy the video.

Finished Sweater

I finished crocheting the sweater I was making for JMS two days ago. I'm really proud of myself...it all matched up....and was even...and fit him. The hardest part was attaching the hood. I took these photos before I attached the hood (obvious, I know). I'll have to get another picture with the hood later. :) I made the sleeves a little long (the sleeve cuffs are rolled up) just in case we have a growth spurt.

JMS in person...

So, this video stuff is pretty cool. I'm really impressed with how easy this little Kodak camera is...it has this little arm (USB) that pops out and I just hit the upload button and it transfers my video straight to my blog. Unreal! Now, if anyone knows how to edit these videos before I put them on...they won't be so long or boring. I took this video b/c I realized some of our friends back in Washington and other places around the world have only ever seen still pictures of JMS. Well...now here he is...live...talking...moving...and eventually I'll capture him doing something and he'll crack you up like he does us...we love him to pieces.

Dinner tonight...I made baked potato soup: baked 4 large potatoes until soft (450 about 1 hour and 10 min)

In my new dutch oven (thank you mom and dad) crisped 3 slices of bacon. In the bacon grease I cooked 1 small onion - chopped, and 1 clove of garlic -minced. Then I added 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp pepper, 3 Tbsp flour. Stir. Then I poured in one box of chicken broth ...about four cups. Bring to a boil. Then add the potato...scraped out of the skin and mushed with a fork. I then added 1 cup of heavy whipping cream...you could use half/half...whatever you have on hand. And...if you can handle it...1/2 tsp of hot sauce. I haven't served it yet...but I plan on topping with cheese...sour cream...chives...and bacon. Mmm...great for a cold KY night.

Snow Day...

Today we attempted to make a snow man but the powder was too soft. So, we made big snow balls with the hope that they will freeze overnight and we might be able to stack them in the morning. Maybe with our new Kodak video camera I will be able to post more video....so far though it is taking forever to upload. Quincy dog really likes the snow which always makes me laugh b/c his belly drags in it. Our neighbor has a mastiff and that dog doesn't like the snow at all.

Crochet Projects

Mack and I named all the crochet projects from this past year...my fingers sure have been busy:


blanket for Deb's mom

blanket for Eli

toddler poncho for Zoe

toddler poncho for Harper

pillow for Camille (no picture unless Aunt Cindy will kindly send me one)

scarf for Laura

poncho for Peggy

blanket for Joseph

beanie hats for dad

Brr Mama it's cold

The bank thermometer said 10 degrees this morning and the radio said we had a wind chill of ZERO! Quincy dog is modeling his crocheted sweater...can't say he likes wearing it. :)

For my recipe followers:

Tonight I made an easy Alfredo-garlic sauce and served it on fettuccine noodles with baked chicken tenders and broccoli on the side....

I first put the water on to boil for the noodles. I didn't start the sauce until the water boiled up so that it would all be hot at the same time.

For the sauce:
Heat 1 Tbsp EVOO
Add 1/2 an onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
Once heated through add:
1 1/4 cup milk, 1 package room temperature cream cheese, and 2 Tbsp room temp. butter
Stir often and do this on low heat
Then add 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt

(the original recipe suggested adding bacon, spinach, and/or pine nuts...go ahead if you want...but it was good as I've commented above)

For the baked chicken:
Heat oven at 350 degrees.
Melt 2 Tbsp butter.
Add raw chicken tenders.
Cook 9 minutes on each side. Salt and serve. For some this might make the chicken too dried out...set the timing for how you like your chicken.

I felt like I out did myself tonight. My husband didn't have to eat leftovers ...again. :)