Christmas

I just love Christmas. Not just the day, but the whole season. I always say that I'm going to just sit back and enjoy but stress usually creeps in. I need to bake cookies, decorate the tree, hang outside lights, clean the house, etc.

Tonight my two older boys, A and K, wrote their letters to Santa. Some things they are getting and some they're not, but I don't think that they'll notice.

They were the most wonderful Santa letters ever. I think I could drizzle them with chocolate and pretend they're cookies and no one would notice that either.

Updated Christmas List

Still need to buy for:
Mom D
Dad D
Dad C
Susan
Chad
Rindy
Grandma D
Jeramie (Rachel, Rylie)
Clark x2
Aunt Sissy
Uncle Marv
Rod

Not too bad actually.

Updated To Do:

Balance check book
Call eye Dr.
Boxes for quilts
Call for haircuts
Decorate Christmas tree
Laundry

Thanksgiving x3

My dad's coming over today to celebrate Thanksgiving (for the 3rd time) and to watch the Bronco game.

He said to me Wednesday and I quote, "Don't go to any trouble, lets just order pizza."

I'm embarassed to say that I might take him up on his offer.

Note to Self

Never, ever, ever go to WalMart on Sunday. Ever.

Up Against A Wall

Craig (husband) comes home tomorrow morning. We will pick him up from the airport about 10am.

The house is clean - for a few minutes anyway.

We will be having our "first" Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday at my SIL's. I will probably bring dessert. Maybe cheesecake.

We will be hosting our "second" Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. We've always had it at my grandma's, but she passed away this summer. My family has always trusted me with very important elements of Thanksgiving dinner. Usually I bring the canned green beans - not green bean casserole, mind you, but just cans of green beans. They have always added the cheese sauce and almonds. It's not that they think I'm a bad cook, we are just ruled by "that's how it's always been." Grandma did the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. My aunt does the potatos (sweet and mashed), rolls and pies. Nobody messes with the homemade pumpkin pie and homemade whip cream, nobody! I bring the aformentioned green beans and my cousin brings the relish tray. This is never varied, ever.

My assignment this year is the stuffing, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce and green beans. I have to add the cheese sauce all by myself:)

I was going to do the turkey, but my aunt is going to cook it and save the broth so I can use it for the stuffing and gravy. I think she was worried about me doing too much and I thank her.

I'm expecting between 13-16 people. Should be a great time! I better add beer and wine to my shopping list.

My "third" Thanksgiving will be Sunday at my house. But no pressure here our only guest will be my dad and he will eat anything as long as it's not rare, or chicken, or has large chunks of vegetables. I'm thinking that I might try beef brisket. (Pioneer Woman Cooks! recipe).

I should weigh 10 pounds more by the time this is done.

Christmas List

Big Boy (A): bionicle (Santa)
clothes (mom and dad)
telescope (family gift from Santa)
Remote control helicopter (Santa)
Ben 10 game (Santa)
Meet the Robinson's (Santa)
Shrek 3rd (Santa)
pillow case (mom and dad)

Middle Boy (K): transformer (Santa)
clothes (mom and dad)
telescope
Ratatouille (Santa)
Snoopy game (Santa)
Shark Rescue (Santa)
pillow case (mom and dad)

Little Boy (C): Buzz (Santa)
Woody (Santa)
Zurg (Santa)
clothes (mom and dad)
Curious George movie (Santa)
pillow case (mom and dad)

Craig (H): Transformers and clothes?
Aunt Sissy: Harry Potter book?
Uncle Marv: beer?
Secret Santa (drawing hasn't been held, yet):
Mom D:
Richie: pillow case
Grandma D:
Dad D:
Jeramie:
Rachel:
Rylie: pillow case?
Clark:
Chad:
Rindy:
Aubry: pillow case
Mandi: pillow case
Tegan: pillow case
Trenton: pillow case
Brett: NE plaque?
Diane: "?
Jared: pillow case
Nicole: pillow case
Emily: pillow case
Dad C:
Susan:

To Do:

vacuum CHECK
laundry CHECK
finish making beds (mine and middle boy's) CHECK
make banana bread CHECK
make cinnamon roll dough CHECK cinnamon rolls made!
call eye dr for appts.
clean out second fridge CHECK
mop/dust CHECK
pay bills CHECK
balance check book
find boxes for quilts for Christmas
take MP3 player and grass seed back to Wal-Mart CHECK
call gas company
call for haircuts

Shopping list for Thanksgiving:
cranberries
day old bread
celery
onion
green beans
slivered almonds
wine

Really Good Chicken

Sweet & Spicy Chicken
2c orange juice
1c pineapple juice
2tbsp orange zest
2tbsp garlic
1tbsp sesame oil
1/2c soy sauce
1/2c white wine
1c sugar
red pepper flakes
salt
chicken (I used boneless, skinless breasts)
Place juices, orange zest, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, wine, sugar & red pepper flakes into a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce to a thick syrup (about 20 minutes).
Season the chicken with favorite seasoning. (I used paprika, pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano cayenne.) Place in casserole pan.
Cover with the glaze and bake at 375 degrees for about 40-45 minutes.

Served with garlic cheddar mashed pototoes.

Flying Solo

Yesterday, I took my husband to the airport. He flew to sunny FL to see his brother take part in some sort of military shin-dig.

I was not cut out to be a single mom.

However; my boys know this and are on their best behavior.:)

Go, Broncos!

I'm addicted to Denver Bronco's football. It's my dad's fault. No, really it is.
My wonderful sister-in-law is a Kansas City Chief's fan.
I so badly want to call her right now. (But in the interest of family solidarity, I won't.)
Denver 27
K.C. 11
4th quarter

Happy First Blogday to Me!!

I've been wanting to try this for a while now and today seemed like a good day to start.

I'm a 31 year old mom of 3 boys, yes I said THREE BOYS!! My husband is also a boy. Both of my dogs are boys and 1 of my cats is a boy. (1 is a girl, but in the great tradition of female cats she's somewhat standoffish and not a whole lot of support.) My house has an overabundance of testosterone.

We live in a small western Nebraska town. My husband and I both grew up here. It's a great place to raise a family.

I have an almost full time job in the field I went to college for. It wears on me and I try hard not to be cranky because of it.

Last summer instead of paying off almost all of our bills, we paid off about half and moved to an old farmhouse complete with 7 acres of land. It is our own personal money pit and the bane of my existence but secretly I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I struggle with my weight and a lack of activity.

Oh, and I like to cook (see above) but my family would prefer to eat spaghetti for almost every meal.

Welcome to my blog!!