Dec 17, 2010

Granny Cookies aka Christmas Cherries aka Butt-Loads of Butter

Alison and Kelly, enjoy.

PS - I doubled this recipe. So FOUR sticks of butter were used. FOUR.

Christmas Cherries
(pioneerwomancooks)

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks Butter, Softened
  • ½ cups Sugar
  • 2 whole Egg Yolks, Stirred
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • Zest Of 1 Lemon
  • Zest Of 1 Orange
  • Juice Of 1 Lemon
  • 2 cups All-purpose Flour, Sifted Twice
  • Candied Green And Red Cherries (sold Around The Holidays)

Preparation Instructions

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add egg yolks, vanilla, orange peel, lemon peel, and lemon juice, and mix until combined. Use rubber spatula to scrape bowl, then mix again.
Add sifted flour and mix until combined. Place dough in a ziploc bag and refrigerate for at least one hour, or until firm.
When ready to make the cookies, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut candied cherries in half.
Roll dough into small balls and set on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Gently press the cherry halves, cut side down, into each ball.
Bake for 20 minutes, removing from oven before they start to brown. Cool on a wire rack.

I Have Nothing.

To say, that is.

I do not feel compelled to blog, period.

No reason, really. Things are good at work, great at home, awesome with D&H.

Christmas shopping is done.

The baby is growing...lots.

I don't feel like decorating, that's new.

I made some old-lady Christmas cookies last night for a cookie exchange tonight.

Today is our last day at work until after the new year. That's exciting.

That's all I've got.

Dec 9, 2010

Oh My Gosh, I Laughed So Hard.

(Do you watch Survivor? I don't - but I would if this was truly the next idea!)

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 2 kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 2 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. In addition, each man will have to budget enough money for groceries each week. Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room. He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.

Each man will be responsible for
decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside, and keeping it
presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television
when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs,

wear makeup daily,

adorn themselves with jewelry,

wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,

keep fingernails polished,

and eyebrows groomed

During one of the six weeks,

the men will have to endure severe
abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches,
have extreme, unexplained mood swings
but never once complain or slow down
from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings,
and find time at least once to spend
the afternoon at the park or a similar
setting.

They will need to read a book to the kids each night
and in the morning,
feed them,
dress them,
brush their teeth and
comb their hair
by 7:30 am.

A test will be given
at the end of the six weeks,
and each father will be required to know
all of the following information:
each child's
birthday,
height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size,
doctor's name,
the child's weight at birth,
length, time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear,
and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...
he still
has enough energy
to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win,
he can play the game over and over and over
again for the next 18-25 years,
eventually earning the right
to be called Mother!
(found on justbeachy.com)

Dec 8, 2010

Well I Can Check THAT Off the List!

So long, #8. Truthfully, this was the only one I really cared about and the only one I was worried wasn't going to happen.

But it did and I am eternally grateful.

For real.

So, I'm also taking #16 off the list because, well, duh. And I'm also taking #11 off the list because I have cut so far back it's as if I don't drink it anymore. And it's my list.

My 30 Before 30

1. Successfully grow a garden

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Take Hallie camping.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Get my ears pierced!

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.(I am actually making progress with this.)

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado.

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 5 pounds. (changed from 10 to 5...let's be realistic)

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)


19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Dec 7, 2010

What To Say, What To Say?

Not much going on here. I do look at this blog every day, but can't seem to find much to write about.

  • Still pregnant - going on 15 weeks - yippee! My next appointment is in two weeks.
  • Hallie is awesome. We figured out not to give her any sympathy for the little owies and she will stop complaining. Okay, she still complains, but not as much.
  • We are doing the "Elf on Shelf" tradition this year. If you are not, you should. It's hysterical. Pictures to come as soon as I take them.
  • I'm almost done Christmas shopping. It would help if certain people, *ahem, Megan and Beth, ahem* would give me their lists.
  • It's really, really cold and Dave is gone. Which means the bed takes a lot longer to warm up in at night. It also means Zoey is inside at night. She loves it and so does Hallie.
  • I've started buying a few baby things - a little at a time. I found something new to obsess over that I wish I had when Hallie was a baby. Oh well, it's fun this time around too!


Dec 3, 2010

We Laughed Until We Cried.

Hallie's Christmas program was last night. Her first of many to come, I am sure.

Gosh, I love that kid.



They placed her right in front of the microphone in her polka-dot dress and tights.



can you spot the little girl in the polka dot dress (not Hallie) giving me a death glare??? Creepy!


I worried - would she cry (like her dance recital)? Run from the stage if people laughed? Freak out?



Nope. She rocked the stage. That kid belted out those songs like a professional, except about two beats behind the main tune. What can I say? She goes at her own pace.



Seriously, though. Hallie's voice filled that entire gymnasium. You could hear her over any of the other rugrats on stage. It was hysterical. And I cried I was laughing so hard. Which also made for some pretty crappy pictures.

Sorry!




Nov 30, 2010

360 Degrees of Bed Head.

So awesome.







It must have been a good night! 

Nov 29, 2010

Well, This Feels Different.

Welcome, 13 weeks!

Yesterday I felt like doing something! Dave dragged the tree from the basement and while he and his "helper" put it together, I cleaned. Yes, I cleaned!


It felt so good! I vacuumed, steam mopped and straightened things up. I love clean floors and mine haven't been clean for a looooong time. 
 And then I got hungry! For lasagna! So I cooked!!
I was a fool and decided to make my own sauce, so things took longer than expected, but by golly it was good!
And then I wanted cookies! So I made cookies! I mean, do you see how much better I feel? My energy is (somewhat) back and I don't feel sick. It's a Christmas miracle.

Yes, I went to bed at 8:30, but what do you expect??

Nov 23, 2010

This Is What 12 Weeks Looks Like.


Yowzers. Time to put mama on a diet!

******************************************************

Last night we broke the news to Hallie that she would no longer be the sole recipient of our attention. Parents, never make the mistake of telling your child you "have a surprise," lest you run the risk of them thinking you got them a PUPPY or a KITTEN. Ah, geez.

We bought her a book and had a Big Sister shirt for her. She burst into tears when she saw that it was not a puppy, not a kitten, but a book and clothes. Oh the disappointment. She cried until I finally just said, "Hallie, you are going to be a big sister!!!"

Confusion, a hint of a smile and then absolute JUBILATION. I have never seen this kid happier. And my stomach has never recieved so much love. My belly has been kissed, rubbed, gently hugged, patted, etc since she found out. It's all she talks about. The baby. Oh, the baby. How much she loves the baby.

It's darling. I love that girl.

Nov 22, 2010

Yes, Today is a Good Day.

Today.

I am back after conferencing for three days - Wednesday thru Friday. It sucked, but that's okay.

I am back after seeing Harry Potter 7, Part I, with fellow nerdlings like myself. That was good.

I am back and was able to be very nice to Home Depot, hopefully smoothing over my husband, who called and yelled at them. Yikes.

I am back to a crazy office, lots of appointments, but

here's hoping for a GREAT DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 16, 2010

Yes, I Am Still Working On This List.

I know this has been going on for a million years. And to be honest, I can look at 9 and know they are not going to be done. I'm obviously super worried about it.

But at least the ding-dang-dong WINDOWS are installed. Do you know this saga yet? Brand new house, brand new windows. Extreme air infiltration. Jacksonville Home Depot traded us for top-of-the-line windows and they were finally installed last week.

Praise the Lord. You can seriously tell a difference.

My 30 Before 30

1. Successfully grow a garden

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Clean the basement

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Get my ears pieced!

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.(I am actually making progress with this.)

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (September!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi. (we leave August 1st!)

16. Lose 5 pounds. (changed from 10 to 5...let's be realistic)

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)


19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.
25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Nov 15, 2010

Well, That Was Disappointing.

We had an appointment with a pediatric allergist today. It was time once and for all to get Hallie tested to find out what was causing this



 to happen.

I mean, hello, obviously she is having a reaction to something. But she tested negative for everything in the panel today. Trees, grass, mold, dust, cats, dogs, etc. Negative. I am stunned. And totally disappointed. I mean, I don't want something to be wrong with her, but obviously something is wrong with her.

So it's not something easy. Of course. Poor kid.






Nov 11, 2010

Ah, Shutterfly.

So it's Christmas card time again. I usually try to do something funny, tie it into a Christmas carol and call it a day. Every year I use Shutterfly. They are super easy to use and there are tons of design choices. (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery   ) I like that they are quick and since I usually scramble at the last minute...that works for me.

The first year it was a "Bah Humbug" with a picture of Hallie bawling.

The second it was a super cute picture of her with food on her face and a phrase from "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "She had a round face and a little round belly that shook when she laughed like a bowl full of jelly." That was my favorite for sure.

Last year was not my favorite. It was a series of crying pictures (again) with the "He knows if you've been bad or  good" caption.  Boring. Predictable.

This time I'm struggling!! My creative juices are not flowing. I am not doing a crying one again. I refuse to do the professional cards. I am too cheap and everyone does them. I like being weird. Shocker! Maybe I'll do some Hanukkah (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/hanukkah-cards ) for a shout out to my Jews for Jesus peeps.

Blah.

Nov 10, 2010

Hmm.

Something sucks about today, but I can't put my finger on it.

I'm tired, but not overly tired (yet).

Hallie was in a great mood this morning and slept all night long.

My car is getting its oil changed and breaks checked, so I'm driving the Caddy today (thanks, Barb!).

My boss is out this morning.

My coffee/creamer/sugar ratio is spot on.

So what gives?

It might be my impending conference next week.

It might be the thought of traveling again this weekend.

It might be how dirty/gross my house is from the construction of new windows.

It might be feeling sorry for myself for not having a husband for the past 30 days, having to ask every family member for help with my daughter because work is so busy in the evenings, dealing solo on all of the construction stuff, single parenting and feeling guilty about not spending enough time with my kiddo.

Yeah, I think that's it. Today I am feeling sort of sorry for myself and I'm working on snapping out of it.

Snap.

Snap.

*sigh*

Nov 9, 2010

Beep.

Last night I had a scary dream.

I dreamt that I was dust-busting my floor by the basement stairs and noticed there was a light on in the basement. I threw my dust-buster down the stairs (huh?) and a man poked his head up to see what was going on. So there was a man in my basement - scary! I grabbed Hallie and ran for the door, and the man kept saying, "I'm from Illinois Power! I'm from Illinois Power!" Middle of the night? I don't think so.

So I woke up all scared and out of sorts. And then,

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! BEEP! BEEEP!! BEEEPBEEEP!

Smoke Detector.

I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest it was pounding so hard. I jumped out of bed but there were no red lights on anything and it didn't beep again.

I called Dave immediately. Did I mention it was 2 o'clock in the morning? The first thing he said was to check the geothermal unit....in the basement.

I have never been so scared.

Everything looked fine. So time to check the batteries.

One smoke detector had a red light, so yep - it needed a new 9-volt. Back to the basement for batteries. Again, I am such a wimp. So scared of the basement.

Put a battery in - Beep. Beep. Beep. Okay, apparently that was an old battery. GREAT. Thank goodness I am a genius and brought up a few more just in case.

Battery was finally changed. I said good night to Dave, and then it took me another 8 hours to fall asleep.

Long story, but it was a scary night.

Nov 8, 2010

Dear Bloomington, Indiana.

Dear Bloomington, IN,

I hate you.

You are lucky my darling husband was there to make the trip a success. Otherwise, you would have ruined my weekend. You, with your stupid traffic cones and one-way-only main street. Yes, I realize a huge football game was going on (plus parents weekend), but to make your main street, like the MAIN street only one-way is not very helpful for the out-of-towners. Especially those who could give a flip about Iowa vs IU. Seriously.


And did you really also need to block any left-hand turns? Honestly. Thank goodness there were groups of policemen on every corner to not be helpful and just look annoyed when I asked for alternate directions.


Now if you ask my 4-year old daughter about her weekend in Bloomington, she starts talking about stupid cones, cops and one-way streets. And mommy screaming in frustration when she had to drive up and down the main street 10 times only to have her way blocked by cones that weren't there five minutes before. We will not be back.



Unless Dave is there, of course. But otherwise, you can bite me, Bloomington, Indiana. Bite me.

No Love,

Keri

Nov 4, 2010

The Coldest Field Trip Ever.

It was only 45 degrees, but the wind was gusting like crazy.

It was miserable and outside.

Really, really cold.





Nov 3, 2010

One More About Halloween.

Guts.


 Not my best work. I accidentally gave my pumpkin a cleft lip.

And then we forgot to EVER light them.

I am not too worried about it.

Nov 2, 2010

The Obligatory Halloween Post.

I'm back.

Feeling more motivated. Work is crazy, but at least the days go by fast. Dave was home for his 36-hour break and is now back on the road. Two more weeks and he will be home for awhile.

We are ready, but I'm not sure he's ready for the craziness that has become our lives.

Hallie was a ballerina for Halloween. This was the original plan. She changed her mind 87 billion times, and I didn't care at all. As long as we had the costume components already at our house, go for it. She made a darn cute ballerina though.

 
 
 


Nov 1, 2010

Soon Enough.

Soon enough I will post again. It's been busy at work and home both. I'm not motivated to download the pictures of the coldest fieldtrip ever, Halloween or the gorgeous purple sunset this morning.

Sometime, yes. Today, no.

Oct 28, 2010

Dear Dave: Nothing to Report.

Dear Dave,

Well, you know. Sucky week. You come home in three days for one day. Not exactly fair, but we'll take it.

The fieldtrip today was windy and cold. Be glad that you missed it. Your daughter and niece are really cute.

Love,

Me

Oct 22, 2010

I Hate Caterpillars.

I really do.



They make my daughter swell and rash-up and itch like crazy. Their tiny black hairs get stuck in between her fingers and cause her to cry from pain during the wee hours of the night.

Imagine me: glasses, robe, tired, with tweezers.

Imagine hallie: crying, pillow over her head (because I had to turn on the big light).

I have to hold her little hand and try to yank out the hairs with my best tweezers. It's really no fun. And they do not come out easily.

She is now forbid to ever touch another caterpillar. Ever again. No more. Ever. I mean it.

Oct 21, 2010

Good Morning, Daddy!

Dear Dave,

Here was your daughter this morning. Just in case you forgot what she looked like. I had to carry her out of her bed, sound asleep, into our room where she demanded I turn off every, single light. I complied, of course. She can be totally grouchy in the morning if you don't work it just the right way.

I knew I was okay when she smiled for this picture.

I knew things were NOT okay when all of a sudden her legs were too tired to stand up to brush her teeth.

5 days down, 25 more to go!

Love you,

Me

Oct 20, 2010

How Long Has It Been?

Dear Dave,

Has it really only been FOUR days?

Seems like forever, maybe I need to stay busier. I sure am sorry you missed last night and today. Could have used you. No worries. She has 1,800 samples of Claritin to see if it truly is seasonal allergies causing the raccoon eyes. We will be fine.

Now you, on the other hand, need to drink lots of water. Stay out of the sun. And don't forget us. We love you like crazy.

*sigh*

26 days to go.

Love you.

Oct 19, 2010

Dear Dave: Ugh.

Dear Dave,

Three days down, 27 more to go.

I'm sure I don't have to remind you of this, but too bad so sad. I'm still holding on to hope that you might get to come home for 24 hours in two weeks.

Joy!

Rapture!

Today has been pretty sucky. If you were home, I would ask for a hug and you would say no, but would just be teasing and do it anyway.

Love you,

me

Zoey aka Pest Control

Do you want to rent our dog? I think you do.

Have a mole problem? Zoey will dig them up and kill them!

Have a MUSKRAT? No problem! Zoey is on it.


Gross.

$50/day should do it!

Why We Will Never Own a Horse.

My husband is terrified of getting kicked, or having them kick me or Hallie.

He almost had me convinced last week. These stinkin' horses, I tell you what. We decided to go pick up golf balls, our favorite evening past-time. Dave thought (and I agreed) that it would be smart to bring a bucket to put the balls in after they were gathered. We usually just stuff them into pockets or make a hammock out of our shirts. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Anyway, I thought it was brilliant right up until the horses thought we were feeding them and just about ran us over to get the food...err, golfballs. I wasn't too worried, and just shooed them away. Dave, on the other hand, freaked out and made us run away like sissies.

I will say it was a tiny bit nerve-wracking, but we made it though.


Hard to climb a fence in skinny jeans!

They seemed so harmless at first...no big deal. Although if you click on the picture you can see how nervous Dave looks.
Trying to eat the golfballs. For real.

Oct 18, 2010

Day 2 of 30

Dear Dave,

Only 28 more days!

Things you have missed: youth group, wiener roast, snuggling, waking Hallie up out of dead sleep, listening to Hallie cry about having to share her tootsie roll since she chose to take it into Irma's.

That's it so far.

I hope this goes by fast. We love you like crazy.

Love,

Wifey

The Annual Harvest Photo.

I almost missed my chance this year.

2008
2009
2010
They barely fit on the wheel this time. They look huge!

Oct 15, 2010

A Haircut for Hallie.

Hallie has been bugging me for months to cut her hair.

So I did.

And it looked cute for the first night. Now it is a total and complete afro of blonde-ness. It cracks us up, so I suppose it brings us happiness and that is a good thing.

And she loves it, so that is great.




And yes, I cut it. And yes, it's even.