Ice, Ice Baby

Okay, so yesterday was more of a "Snow, Snow Baby" but there is no such song.

It started with me having duty after school. I can't say it was easy being pelted by mini snowballs falling from the sky while putting about 100 children into their cars to go home. I was so wet by the time it was over - but only the back of me. My clothes were soaked. Thank goodness for seat heaters.

I rushed my wet self out of school to get home before the roads got any worse. But, my car showed me we needed a pit stop:

Yep, no gas. That's okay. There's a station on the way home.

So I stopped at the gas station, opened my door, and WHOOSH! A huge gust of wind flung open my door - straight into a brick column. An expletive flew loudly from my mouth as the door flew open. Hopefully the wind carried it away from the 1000 other people getting gas with me.

Must get door fixed. Repeat expletive!!!

No problem. A car can be fixed. I can make it home safely. I'll just drive slowly and carefully. Like 20mph and no faster. Seriously. No faster.

That's okay. I only live about 20 miles away. I'll be home in an hour. (Note: It was 56 minutes.)

GO PEOPLE. UGH.

Streets were slushy, but at least I saw snow on my car. Will I ever get home? Why are my clothes still wet?

Must entertain myself in the process. Traffic? Check! Snow? Check! Entertainment? CHECK!!!

How befitting for this lovely day. God brought us snow. Robbie VanWinkle brought us music.

Welcome to Texas. It'll be 90 degrees tomorrow. :)

Kong, Ka-Kong Kong Kong

**For full effect of this post, sing title to the tune of the Thong song**

Our dogs have been barking like crazy since new dog-owning neighbors moved in across the alley. Today I pulled out the ever-neglected Kongs, filled them with some peanut butter, and let Steve & Pippin at 'em. Let's just say I revived a new trick to add to my bag. I hope it helps the barking some!

Steve was in love with his Kong but not too interested in me. I can't figure out how to rotate the video, so you'll have to rotate your head.

Pippin loved her Kong but was scared I would take it from her.

I knew in advance that a Kong would be challenging for Mackey, so he got spoon-fed. I became his new best friend for a short time today! :)

Happy dogs = Happy home!

What's Cooking?

We both had a difficult week of work. It's a VERY stressful time at my school as well as Todd's. Today I thought I'd make us some comfort foods. Although it looks like I was in the kitchen for a while, I wasn't. That was my favorite part!

For breakfast - Sausage Balls
I made a variation of the recipe on the Bisquick website. The recipe called for 1" balls, but I'm obviously a bit measurement challenged. They were so good though! (ps - There were twice as many earlier today!)

For lunch tomorrow: Grandma's Chicken Salad

My Grandma Tolle hooked me with her chicken salad. Of course, she doesn't have a true recipe. "It's just chicken, onion, celery, mayonnaise, and salt & pepper" is what she always said every time I asked how she made it, so I quit asking. Thanks to much practice and my food processor, I have it down and Todd LOVES it. He adds curry to his while I eat mine as is. I've thought of adding nuts or apples or grapes to it, but why mess with perfection? Cindy - if you read this, you can come over and have some. Only one sandwich though!

For dinner - Chicken Pot Pie

This is a variation of a pie a friend made for me once. It's so easy and so good. It's just two pie crusts, boiled & diced chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup & Veg-All. When I asked Todd if Chicken Pot Pie sounded good for dinner, he responded, "Yes. My throat hasn't been feeling good this week and I think chicken would help." :) He wasn't sure as to why I was laughing. My mom's husband, Rick, swears it's the best he's ever had.

Next: Work on my food presentation skillz. I'm obviously not a professional chef or food photographer, but we don't starve around here!

Happy Birthday Whitney!

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY, WHIT!

I can't believe it, but my niece Whitney is 15 today! It seems like just yesterday that she was born and I was trying to get her bathed & to bed without too much struggle.

Our family is blessed to have such a pretty, smart, together, loving, and talented young lady. Happy Birthday to my Sweetie Girl!

Valentine's Romance

Valetine's Day was a typical day at our house - get up, go to work, come home. However, we had some special time together and with our animals. Here's a video to show you the beginning of our special time together. It may be a bit difficult to hear Todd, but you'll get the gist of it!




After our backyard fun, we cooked a fabulous (and HUGE) dinner. We had steak, garlic mashed potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus, grilled onions and peppers, sauteed cremini mushrooms, and salad. We enjoyed it with a wonderful bottle of wine that we received as a wedding gift. For dessert, we had chocolate lava cakes with vanilla ice cream. No pictures since they went so fast!



It's about time we put some of our new china, flatware, and Waterford to use! Our first Valentine's Day as a married couple was fun, relaxing, enjoyable, and spent together - just like we like it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Married, engaged, dating, or single, Valentine's Day is for everyone. Yes - it's a commercialized event, but it's also a day where everyone is just a little kinder and a little more thoughtful than usual. Can't we all use a day like that at least once a year?

I hope your day was a good one. On behalf of our family, our three happy canines send their wishes to you!

Where Did January Go?

And when did it become February? Why did time seem to move so slowly when we were young & now it just flies by? I'll take it - if it'll get us closer to the end of the school year!

The dogs are enjoying the nice weather. Of course, they prefer to enjoy it asleep on our leather couches. (Rotten beasts.) Believe it or not, I don't have much to say today. Here's a picture that makes me smile:


Steve with one of his many nasty tennis balls. (on one of the leather couches w/ a pillow of course!)

And one more - Pippin enjoying the "Puppy Bowl" on television today. :)