Change is Good...Changing for Good!

For My Kiddos Today

2012-02-14T08:45:00.000-05:00

I kept it simple this year. Honestly, had we not been so involved in this silly Candy-Gram fundraiser (that we are most likely going to LOSE money on as a team), I would have done several other things.

It says I'm so glad you are in my class. Happy Valentine's Day.

I really love this quote. The longer I am married, I realize how much truth there is too it. I found it as a free printable the other day over at We are THAT Family, and decided to frame it. It is now in our dining room. This quote is also the theme of the married couples Valentine Dinner HH and I are hosting in our home at the end of the month.

V-Day

2012-02-14T08:39:00.000-05:00

HH calls today V-Day for men to make or break it with the romance department. I thought I would share what has been going on around here.
On Sunday, I had another ladie's fellowship at my house. (I have arranged these to be monthly.) I had eight ladies attend. I made some awesome food.

The first was "To Die for Roast" from the Crockin Girls. I am just amazed at HOW EASY this was. I know I'm going to need more crockpots. I really enjoy cooking from them.

Bacon-Ranch-Pea Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Somehow, my Orange Dreamsicle Dip didn't get pictured. I severed this with graham crackers instead of fruit, because the fruit doesn't look so great right now in the store. HH and I both did think it needed sugar added to it. It was just too tart without it. Perhaps that is where the fruit would have balanced it out better.

I talked with the ladies about fear, and what God was teaching me.

My students and I made Hershey's Kisses rings. One of my boys said we were wearing "24 Karat Chocolate."

Did you know Cupid has a mailbox? Yep. It's in Valentine, Nebraska. I sent HH's Valentine card in the mail to be postmarked from there.

His personalized Valentine's card. Although he has gotten several small things from me.

I got this off a primary teacher's website. Her printables were a lot cuter, but my printer needs a new color ink cartridge.

The Dating Divas are awesome ladies. I recreated their "Now That I've Kissed The Ground You've Walked On...." invite.

I also did my own version of The Dating Diva's "Love Potion No. 9"....please ignore that the potion is almost empty! I took the picture late!

On the way home from counseling a married couple HH and I stopped at Dairy Queen. He had bought me a blizzard cake. :)

HH helped to plan tonights evening. The Dating Divas had a text message thing to "Help Your Husband Plan A Date."

Love is in the AIR!

2012-02-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

My first idea for HH came from The Dating Divas.

Then I created the ABC's of US, also from The Dating Divas.

I found this printable from Creative Juice, and it has been such a sweet blessing in our house. I put up a note for why I love HH each day. He loves it. He has started putting up notes back to me. It is hanging in our bathroom, and a nice surprise to see.

I also made this "I'd Follow You Anywhere" frame for HH. I am showing you the one from Creative Juice, where I got the idea, because I can't figure out how to block out my addresses that are listed on it under photo editing.

Then there are HH's valentines he has been getting each day. He has four animals so far!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip: Mmmmm, this was awesome! We took it to a Superbowl Party.

Easy Cheese Salsa Potatoes

A lady I work with has a birthday today. I called her husband to find out what her favorite kind of sweet was, he said Angel Food Cake. It looks and smells like it, I hope it tastes great. I loved how the almond extract added such a nice aroma to the cake.

I also made Sloppy Joe Pasta, but forgot to take a picture.

HH has been having fun figuring out his Valentine Scrabble grams.

I am loving reading ICE T's newest book. HH is loving all the things from the book that I feel I HAVE to share with him from the book. I have to always share the book love!

What Women Fear is a book I'm speaking about this upcoming Sunday to a women' event that I'm having in my home. I am learning a lot, and am glad I am reading it.

I bought my plane tickets to go back to Kentucky at the end of May for my plastic surgery, and also my ticket to go back in July to teach the reading class. I am excited about being able to be with my family. I wanted to get my tickets before a summer spike might hit, and I wouldn't be able to afford one of the tickets.

We have decided that this year we will go to HH's family for Christmas break. I brought this up because I'm going to get to spend about seven weeks with my family this summer, so in fairness I thought we should see his family this year. Then we will start rotating. I've already told my parents, because I wanted to soften the blow. They were actually very understanding about it, and agreed with our decision.

My music husband, Amos Lee, is releasing new music on Valentine's Day. Yes, he DOES love me. Check it out for free here!

Song I am Really Digging Now....

2012-02-01T08:13:00.001-05:00

2012-02-01T08:12:00.000-05:00

Just another small trinket thing for HH for leading up to Valentine's Day. I hope I shave something for Valentine's Day itself!

Chicken Enchiladas: I made these for HH and I the other night. I brought the leftovers in to a fellow coworker.

Brown Sugar Blondies: These look so awesome! There is a secretary in my building who I am close with, and she has been working on a project that brings hundreds of thousands of dollars into our district. She has finally finished it up, and I want to celebrate it up BIG!

In part of doing it up big, we have on the hour gifts. :) I know she loves Reese's products, so I got her all the varities that our town had. I sent her a note yesterday with a picture of Sherlock Holmes and told her to be in my room at 12:05 today. HH came up with four amazing clues, to be delivered each hour with the candy. At noon, my kids will be at lunch, and HH and I will have her come into our room, and culminate with a singing event. We are singing a completely reworked version of Alabama's "Forty Hour Week For a Living" just for her. (HH is the brain child behind this, I gave him a few words, the rest was all his wordsmithing.) I think especially in education we take few times to celebrate the accomplishments of those around us. Everyone needs people to make a big deal of their accomplishments once and awhile, and I'm so excited to be doing this today!

Love is in the Air!

2012-01-24T09:09:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day came a little early here. Ok, ok...I got HH's stuff, and I just couldn't wait to give it to him! I love my personalized candy heart he made with my favorites.

We are "couple of the year." :)

Everyone needs their own street sign right?

Love prescription pills with red hots!

Bags for HH to open on the hour with little treats in them.

I made these snowmen for my kids. It was so easy to do! They loved them.

There has been lots of controversy over Paula Deen's reveal of her being diabetic. My super talented friend and former co-worker wrote a great piece about this subject on his blog Late Nights, and Early Mornings. The article is titled Get Out of My Kitchen, Tellin' Me How to Cook.

First "Snow" Day

2012-01-18T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yeah, today is my first "snow" day. Or shall we say windchill is predicted to be -25 to -35. There is some law in SD that says you can't be in school when it is that cold. Heck, maybe the buses won't even crank over at that point. We have kids that are picked up 80-90 miles ONE WAY to come to school. So how did I find out about there not being school....viral. I saw ONE post on Facebook. I start trying to confirm it by logical means such as the local TV station, our school's website, our teacher website for grades/plans/attendance, our school answering machine, and the bus garage. No DICE. I call the local public roads department, and they say we are closed. I also check with the grocery store, and our local gas station...both say we are closed. My phone tree person did not call. Grrr....

I love having my satellite radio, and I discovered this group on The Highway station:

I've started looking on the internet for our "next" thing. I have decided we must ABSOLUTELY go to a concert at Red Rock Amphitheater! They have a ton of big hit people, just waiting for the new schedule to come out! We are only eight hours from this awesomeness!!!

I have made an appointment to get HH and I's pictures made in the Black Hills in May. We want some outdoors shots. Ok, I want some outdoors shots, and he is willing to go along with me and do this. There are so many gorgeous places to have your picture taken there. My family didn't take a lot of formal pictures together, and while I really appreciate the candid ones, I do want to be in a regular practice of taking formal (nontraditional) pictures together. You and Me Photography is going to do our shoot!

My niece Kate has had some developmental difficulties with speech. She is 2 1/2, and yesterday she said her first sentence!!! She was at the dentist and she said, "I want to go home now." Poor baby girl!

I'm going to relax for a bit, then try to do two lessons for my New Testament class, and one assignment for my maintaining my certification classes. I will have to go up to the school today and plan. I have training the next two days and need to get everything in order there. Now, I will nap. :)

Joy Dare

2012-01-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

We are having laptop problems (as in it needs to be replaced), and I am starting classes (I need two classes to keep my SD teaching license), but I am going to try to post my pictures from the Joy Challenge over at A Holy Experience.

I started late, but yesterday I took a picture of three gifts...

Something Old

This is my grandmother's chest. She got it in 1945 when my grandfather got out of WWII. I received it when I graduated college in 2001. I love this chest, and hope to be able to pass it down to one of my children.

Something New

I had a cool picture of the wind blowing across the prairie, but my iphone is not cooperating.
Something Blue

Again, IPhone issues....I had this large blue paperweight that looks like a gem that sits on my desk. HH gave it to me while we were dating.

My "Destination Imagination" Girls...

These girls are so much fun, and hard workers. I was in DI when it was called "Odyssey of the Mind." We have to create a movie trailer as part of our prepared challenge. They are practicing for their instant challenge in the picture above.

I Can Do This!!!

2012-01-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

Today, I am hosting my first ladies fellowship at our house. These series of meetings each month were my idea, and HH has happily supported them.

Here are some of the goods we are having...

Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup

Chili and Garlic Chex Mix

I love making different versions of Chex Mix, because they are so quick. They always end up being a big hit.

Veggie Pizza:

Fruit Brownie Pizza:

While making some of the brownie pizza, a bit spilled over the edge in the stove. I think to myself, "I'll get that later." While making the crescent roll pizza base, things start to get smoky, and the brownie blop had caught on fire. Fortunately, it was a very small one, and all food was still able to be saved.

HH helping prepare things with me in the kitchen...think I've got some things to teach him! He's actually doing an impression of Kevin from the Office.

HH wrangled up the cats to put them in the basement. I did a few final touches on our house. All the food had to be stuff that I could just pull out and go since we are having this event right after church at our house.

Merry Madagascar ICE in Nashville

2012-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

A few months back, I told my parents to "save the date," for one of the days I would be back home. Ben and I had went to ICE, and I wanted to share this experience with my parents.

They fly in forty artisans from China to create this massive artwork exhibit.

There is nothing that my parents would have gone to on their own. They both had a great time. We got a long time to talk in the car on the way down and back (three hours each way). On the way back, I added about fifteen books to my dad's kindle app on his phone. You can tell we are father daughter, because many of my "weird" book choices were exactly things that he was interested in.

Until next year Nashville!

Sip n' Strokes Art Class with My Mom

2012-01-02T11:01:00.000-05:00

I'm all about creating experiences with people, instead of just gifts. This is especially true for my parents, because as they get older, there is not really a lot that I can "give" them. To celebrate my mom's birthday, we went to a "Funky Circles" art class.

There were about forty people there, and the atmosphere was super laid back. Here is my canvas and colors ready to go.

The studio:

Mom and Daughter picture! :)

A work in progress:

My mom's final piece:

Together with our completed work:

We had a blast together. The people at our table were friendly, but I would like to consider brining a larger group to sit together in a class. I defintely want to go back and do this again with my mom or maybe my brother this upcoming summer.

O Holy Night and Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T23:23:00.000-05:00

This was our first Christmas without visiting either of our families during the actual holiday. We didn't have services on Christmas Eve, but did celebrate on Christmas day with our church family.

I bought this ice cream from our school's fundraiser, and was saving it just for last night. HH and I approved. (Love my wedding china! I was able to complete the set this summer, and I'm happy I have it. It's dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe too.)

We got a knock at the door around 8:30. HH went to take care of it, because we get a lot of men who are drunk knocking at our door. It turned out to be the grocery store general manager (who attends our church), with a lovely gift basket. He asked one of his employees if there was anything special that Pastor likes to personalize our basket, and the employee said, "He sure likes Diet Mountain Dew." (I know SMH ChiTown Girl....I deserve it!) I thought it was nice he tried to personalize it.

This is a print we got a bit ago that I forgot to photograph. It says 6-29-11. This is the day we moved to South Dakota. I want to do a whole theme around it, and perhaps put it in a different place, but for now it works here. I love Etsy!

These two pictures were taken in the lobby of our hotel. (We are heading out bright and early to see our families...HH is going to NC and I'm going to KY.) HH says, "I think these pictures should be on our Christmas card next year."

HH was talking about something, and I just downloaded the "Instagram" app that everyone seems to be using now. I was playing around with it. I have seen several bloggers who have captured their "week" in instagram pictures. Maybe I'll try that soon.

We continued our tradition of having Chinese on Christmas day. Last year, we went to have Chinese as a late dinner because my sister had not left the hospital on Christmas day. There was someone to stay with her husband, and we convinced her to have dinner with us. That was a sad time. It was nice to have a light-hearted meal this year.

I'm landing in Kentucky at 1:18 tomorrow! So happy to be able to be with my family until Saturday morning!

Just a Pinch Recipes

2011-12-24T02:31:00.000-05:00

I've needed some new recipes. I'll be making some of these things in the next few months...It makes me wish we were not leaving right after church on Christmas Day! (Maybe I'll make one or two things for my family while I'm home. What is harder about cooking at home is my mom doesn't cook much at all, so she hardly has any basic spices, so I need to make sure to buy everything!)

Beef Squares

Sausage Rice Casserole

Sausage Balls

Italian Sausage in Pastry Puff

Chicken Empandas

Tater Tot Nachos

Cherry Salad

Pineapple/Lime/Parmesan Cheese Salad

Alfredo Bacon Potatoes

Bacon, Beans, and Everything Nice Soup

Spaghetti Soup

Basil Tortellini Soup

Potato Casserole

Christmas at The Capitol

2011-12-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

I am so happy that we were able to go to Christmas at the Capital! I know this will be an annual event for our household! I loved all the detail that was put into these trees. I also got my hair done, and we had a really nice lunch at the local Italian restaurant.

My favorite tree was the Narnia tree.

Gotta love this tree topper!

I thought this was a Bob the Builder themed tree from far away, but it turns out it was thanking all the volunteers for the huge flood that took place in SD this summer! I loved the clever use of sand bags! There were a LOT of sandbags when we arrived here.

Posing together, and I'm rocking my TOMS snowflake shoes.

I have arrived as a teacher! On the last day of school, one of my students comes in beaming and says, "Merry Christmas, Mrs. F. I killed it myself." He proceeds to tell me how he killed it, plucked the feathers, and all. Awesomeness!

Picture Full Post

2011-12-22T11:24:00.000-05:00

It feels great to update the blog! Sorry for the rapid fire of posts! :( Above is a bag with peanuts and hard candy...one of my students gave it to me. What makes it special? It is from a student who has taken a bit longer to start liking me (although I don't think she even disliked me, just indifferent before). Our church passed out candy bags, and she put the candy in a different bag and gave it to me. She didn't have anything to given, but wanted to give something to me. Those gifts are priceless to me.

This made my reading teacher heart smile! :)

I saw this on a blog, and found it on the Etsy website. You can find anything and everything you ever have wanted there. Much of which is sold at a very reasonable price.

I also bought our stockings off Etsy. Stockings were/are a big deal in my parent's house. We looked forward to our stocking contents just as much as presents. HH and I really go out personalizing the contents of our stockings since we don't do big Christmas gifts too each other.

LL Bean Moccasins...they are WICKED GOOD just like the website says. I love these things!!!

About Christmas Treats...

2011-12-22T11:11:00.000-05:00

People bake A LOT up here. It's kinda like one of the ways women "prove" themselves I think. I think I see that cooking/baking is valued differently here than when I lived in a major city. I'm actually burned out on holiday treats. This year especially I haven't even wanted a piece of fudge to pass my lips. It isn't doing anything for me.

I did make these cookies last night for a dessert for a friend's birthday. I just added peanut butter and honey to the middle of them to make the "sandwich" effect.

Our Love is Black, White, Tan....

2011-12-22T10:42:00.000-05:00

My post title is a song that came out years ago by Nicole C. Mullen. I loved the message of our love for her husband, and their multi-racial family. This is a conversation I had with one of my girls last week.

"Mrs. F, why do you want to adopt black babies?"

"Well G, I think that God loves all colors of babies, and so do I."

"I know, but why don't you want a tan baby (motioning down to her skin tone...Native American)?"

"Well, G, I guess if you think about it black babies are just like you except they have really really good tans."

G giggles. Then, fearing she has offended me, she starts talking about how she will be a really good babysitter when we get the baby, etc.

I love innocent conversations with kids about race.

We meet in April with the adoption agency to start the process. I am excited. HH is excited.

Can't wait to read Kisses from Katie...

Christmas Break Starts at 12:40.....I Think I CAN

2011-12-21T11:22:00.002-05:00

Life has been busy, and I haven't been documenting it. That makes me sad. I'm going to have to set aside designated time to blog every few days.

I didn't know my coffee could get any better, with my Keurig machine and flavored syrups, but it can. I got this homemade pottery piece for judging a contest in town. LOVE!

HH hard at work on home improvements....(You use a chalk pen to write what you have to do for the week.)

A fun paper plate drawing activity I did with my kiddos...

End of the day mayhem...

Our church kiddos performing...They did good for the first time around. I learned a lot, and we had a "kid friendly" potluck. I pride myself on bringing new and innovative things, but for this day, I made sixty chicken fingers and brought a big bottle of ketchup. It was a hit.

My kids rock at art, and make me look awesome...

Rolling....

2011-12-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

Last night was rough. I just had a bit where I was very emotional. I felt really crapped on, and it wasn't cool. We really have an amazing situation here, especially compared to some of our other friends who are starting out in ministry. I had my good LONG cry, HH was there....then I read Grace Full Mama's post. MUCH. NEEDED. I may never arrive.

I really have good days at school. I love teaching so much more now than I truly have in the past several years. That makes this place awesome. I really got a double portion of laughter today.

We'll start out with one of my little friends who is pretty far behind. He was rockin it today, and I said to him, "T, you are really smokin..." to which he looked at me very puzzled. Yes, he thought I meant he was literally smoking.

Then we are lining up for lunch, and the principal's son says, "You know what would make my life better Mrs. F..." I say what is that. "If I had a tail." Then, another student says you wouldn't be able to sit down. He replies, "There is a hole in the back of the seat." It was as if he had seriously contemplated this, just like HH has a zombie plan.

I finally used my coupon codes for canvaspress.com. I got two 16 by 20 pictures, one from our wedding day, and one from the professional portraits we had taken in February. They will be in before Christmas. I've saved two spots on the wall for them. I got $221 worth of artwork for $90. Not bad!

I bought two pairs of Easy Spirit mini-boots back in September when I had a 30% coupon code. Today was the first time I wore them, and they are so comfy! I still remember when Easy Spirit first came out, and they showed women playing basketball with heels on. While I'm not ready to play basketball in them, I have no swelling, and my feet do not ache.

One of my girls today asks me at recess why I always dress up so much that I look like I am trying to win a dress up contest.

Time to rest, and read for my Old Testament class.

Rocking Out to the 80s....

2011-11-30T19:30:00.000-05:00

I was blasting Guns and Roses on my satellite radio in the new car. I LOVE satellite radio!

Our first car together! 2011 Toyota 4Runner

We got one night at the Atwood House Bed and Breakfast. We had wanted three, but because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we were not able to do so. Our one night was awesome.

Everyone had written in the guest book about how amazing the breakfast was, and it sure didn't disappoint.

I did accomplish getting HH to get some new blue jeans. He hasn't bought any since we've dated. The condition was that all his old pairs must go in the trash. We found some loose fitting dark wash jeans from Old Navy, and we got him seven pair.

I got an apology from a parent who was really rude to me last Tuesday. It took a lot for me to let it go, and I was worried it would ruin my holiday, but I didn't let it. It was nice to get the apology.

Decorating the church tonight with the group for Christmas. Our tree is up. Pictures soon!

One of The Best Books I've Read in a Long Time

2011-11-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

Now if I can just learn Keep Calm and Count On....

Hello Omaha!

2011-11-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

I drove HH and I all the way to Sioux Falls last night, while he read my Old Testament homework to me. (Awww....) I did my shopping yesterday morning, and then I drove us into Omaha. (While HH read more Old Testament homework to me!)

The picture of HH and I together turned out super blurry. :( I'll redo it tonight.

We watched Tyler Perry's new play...

Two Recipes I've Made...

Cream Cheese and Crab Stuffed Crescent Rolls (Got this from the Pillsbury website, but can't find the link to the specific recipe). Saturday night was girls night, and I brought this. We had Korean BBQ too.

Pumpkin Spice Truffles:

I cannot make desserts look pretty. I made these for all the staff I like at school.

Two Recipes

2011-11-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

Lasagna Soup

We LOVED this. I made it with sausage not hamburger.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Nesting Photos....

2011-11-16T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of the items I have bought to make our house a home. I'm still combing through etsy, and know I'll be buying more soon.

(Yes, this is where we live. I'm just not blogging about the name, as to try to keep myself out of search engines.)

I love Julia Child. This is one of her tons of inspiring quotes for would be chefs like myself.

This is too big for the space. I bought it because the wall behind it is very ugly. For the most part it serves my purposes.

I love this. It makes me think of HH and smile.

I'm planning a display of plates, and am currently looking for the plates I want on etsy. I am really enjoying decorating this place and making it HOME.

Organizing...Before Meets After

2011-11-12T23:28:00.000-05:00

BEFORE...

AFTER:

Counterspace is such a beautiful thing!!! I need workspace.

We also unpacked eight boxes, and removed one bag of trash from HH's home office. This is the only room in the house that is not officially "done." It is taking a bit of time, because my husband's office at work is not complete, and we can't move as much stuff as we would like. I am so thankful for every single step we take to being "here."

The electrician came yesterday. We were on his waiting list for five weeks. We had about four hours worth of work for him to do. We now have an outlet for our deep freeze, and will be making a trip to stock it very soon.

Wishing every weekend was a three day one!

What I've Been Reading

2011-11-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

What Has Prevented Me From More Personal Reading...

(I jest....I am really enjoying what I am learning for this class. I am not however happy with myself that I allowed myself to be backed up against a deadline, and have to work like mad to finish this course on time. I am through lesson 13, and am completing tests I and II today. It has also been awesome having HH as a personal tutor. I've been able to ask lots of questions, and we've had some great discussion from this.)

Fun Foods....and Other Snapshots...

2011-11-11T10:14:00.000-05:00

I made Kitty Litter Cake for my class....I set the stage by talking with them at lunch about where I could take my cat who was sick. They were so cute giving me suggestions and well wishes.

I also made Halloween Candy Bark for the staff.

I didn't make anything this past week. I need to do a major grocery run, and make a plan for next week.

I love TOMS shoes. LOVE THEM. Like I have eight pair, and just bought four more. They are very comfy, and just my style. I love what they do with their ONE FOR ONE project. I wrote them an email, asking if they only did international work, or if they ever gave stateside. I told them about the dire need in my area, and included my contact information. I never heard anything, so I figured they didn't do stateside giving. Then a TOMS truck shows up at my school with 1100 pairs of shoes for our kids. I was at training in another city that day. My kids were so excited. I want to have a TOMS day soon where we all where them. Here is a picture of one of my kids. (Needless to say I am a TOMS for LIFE now!!!)

I'm coming into my own figuring out what my role will be as "Pastor's Wife." I'm good at hospitality. I've put together some events that I will be having for ladies at our home.

Cookie Swap
Mad Hadder's Tea Party
Fear Factor
Jammies and Junk Food
Recipe Swap
Mission Impossible

HH's mom and I spoke yesterday. She said that this year she would like to get the kids (us) services in the next year instead of gifts at Christmas. She asked if we would like weekly house cleaning and a monthly detailing for our car. There is a time when that would have offended me, but not so much now. I happily said YES. She was tap dancing around, trying to make it sound like we didn't need it, etc. I said it is not like we have a lot of "options" for types of services we could have here. I'm also going to start having more people in own home, by my choice, and it would be nice to have that aspect taken care of. She is going to ask a lady in our church if she would do the housecleaning. I really hope that she says yes, because I don't know who else I would want in our home.

I was getting my dental work done in the city yesterday. While I was there, our car was being serviced. We are getting an automatic starter and a heating block put on it. It is going to be a two day job, completed next week with my husband. The manager was really nice. He comes out telling me what they have done, and how the automatic starter works, but there is a glitch with it. He says he is going to need to research it to figure out how to override it. He gets a little uncomfortable, and says, "Now since I don't know you, I am going to have to ask you to pay for the car starter today, since it is already installed." I had to bite my lip not to laugh. Wow...small town USA! Of course I thought I was going to have to pay for the product!

My Visit Home

2011-10-31T21:25:00.000-04:00

I worked summer school this summer, specifically to buy a plane ticket to visit my family. When HH and I moved here, we knew that I would need to supplement seeing my family because my family does not have as free finances to visit.

I left Friday morning, and arrived at 1:00, and left Sunday at 7:00 (both times eastern). We got home to our house at 2:30 am. I learned that I can't do this short of a trip again. It took a toll on me, though I really enjoyed myself.

I loved seeing my Gran. She has really had some health issues lately, and I was worried that I may not be able to see her again.

With my nieces Meredith and Mallory.

With my best friend.

I loved how snuggly my nephew Lucas is.

My brother and I spent a lot of time together. My sister was not able to spend as much time with us.

Goofing off with my dad.

My dad bought me three bags of Tootsie Rolls for Halloween too. He also suggested to my mom that she pack up a favorite blanket

Another best friend of mine. I will be teaching a graduate class with her next summer in Kentucky.

It's Close to Midnight....

2011-10-31T21:05:00.000-04:00

Halloween 2011...

Jobs would be so proud....

The boy on the left made most of his costume out of duct tape.

One of my new students...

I did this while HH was at the grocery store. He loved it.

We are all about the candy at our house. HH got this from an idea I saw on the Dating Diva's website.

Hunter...

I loved our Popeye and Olive Oil costumes this year! I am very happy that my husband has always been more than willing to dress up.

Loving the Slow Cooker

2011-10-16T22:24:00.000-04:00

I am loving making dessert in the morning, letting it cook in my classroom, then passing out treats to the staff. I've made two recipes which turned out awesome...

Chocolate Cobbler in the Crockpot

Apple Crisp in the Slow Cooker : Only problem with this was I stink at peeling. I can peel, as long as I don't mind about 1/3 of the apple/potato going out with the peel. I used a peeler, so this helped a lot.

I made HH a "Some Mummy Loves You" candy bar from The Happy Home Fairy. I also went ahead and made a few extras for the ladies at church to give to their husbands. I might do this for the kids at school, but I have several other food related Halloween goodies for them coming up. HH loved his candy bars!

Saturday was game night, and it was my turn to host. We had two new pharmacists in town come. They were an awesome addition. She made an awesome Alton Brown dessert, and we completely bonded on foodie things. Score!

I made Kielbasa with Pasta, Asparagus, and Shitake Mushrooms

I also made Taco-Seasoned Chex Mix. This went over well too, but when I make it again, I would certainly double up the seasoning. I think it just needed more.

I made my first attempt at fudge tonight. I waited until I my candy thermometer came in from Amazon. I got the recipe for Pumpkin Fudge from Brown Eyed Baker. I am glad I had the candy thermometer. I would not have let the stuff to boil as high as it did without checking the thermometer. Here is what my stove looked like:

If it doesn't turn out, HH says that is no problem he will eat it with a spoon.
Friday night a special was aired on 20/20 by Diane Sawyer. It was called "Children of the Plains." I highly encourage you guys to check this special out. This is VERY close to where we live. This is a very accurate description of life where we are.

Art My Students Did with ME!

2011-10-16T21:32:00.000-04:00

I'm not an artist. I found a step-by-step art project, and we did these as a reward for compliments earned. They loved the project, and I was really pleased with the results. :)

A Few Pictures From My Classroom....

2011-10-02T00:23:00.000-04:00

Math Activity:

The Oreo Project/Oreo Sculptures

I really try not to focus on the negatives but there are a few that I have to get off my chest.....

Attendance here is the absolute worst I have ever experienced in my 11 years of teaching. Sadly, my class is not different from other classes in my school or the district in general. Things are very lax in this regard. I have fifteen students, and I had fourteen absences this week. Roughly 20% of my class missed the entire week when you look at it broadly like that.

The hardest thing was Friday night at youth. One of my students who didn't come to school (and missed 23 days last year, and is well on her way to doing that this year)....came to youth. She comes up and tells me that she is sorry she wasn't at school, but her grandfather wanted her to ride with him to a nearby city (45 minutes away) to get his license plates. REALLY? I don't want to turn these kids away from Jesus, but it is really a slap in the face to me that you can't come to school, but you can come to something "fun" that night that I help lead.

I have another student who has moved cows six days this school year. No homework has been turned in the entire year, and this student is really low.

The doctor for the town is a five minute walk from our school...and the kids will miss all day for a doctor appointment. On the 1st and 15th when government checks are issued, students often go to Rapid or Bismarck to shop.

Many times they stay home for days with no doctors notes at all.

It really seems to be accepted and a "fact of life" here on the reservation and it is sad.

There are some really good teachers where I work, but most of my kids are not used to being pushed like I am pushing them. I think I really stepped up my expectations at my last school because that was our entire school culture. We just expected more, and worked hard to provide them ways to get to the goals we set. One of my really good kids the other day, you know the kind who always do what they are supposed to, asked me if we would ever get "free time."

I've probably said too much, so I'm going to stop now.

Homecoming in Small Town, USA

2011-10-02T00:02:00.000-04:00

We had Homecoming at 2:00 during the school day. It is expensive to turn on the football field lights, and schools have to travel so far that most of the games are during the day. (Usually a Saturday though.) All the kids got to watch the parade (A.K.A. seven floats) during the school day. Many of my kids didn't come, or were checked out to go to the game. (Middle and high school were on early release while elementary was still in session.) We watched a movie...since at 2:00 I had six kids in my classroom.

Here are a few pictures from the day...

One of my students in her traditional Lakota costume (I am pretty sure that costume is not the proper terminology for this, will have to see what it is called.)

Another one of my students in the purple:

We won the game in overtime. I just wish I could have seen it.

Oh Crap....I Still Have a Blog Post....

2011-10-01T23:54:00.000-04:00

Yeah....It's been awhile!

Here are a few of the things I have been cooking:

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

This was crack good. I could munch on this all week. I made it and quickly got rid of (most) of it to my co-workers and church members.

Gave HH a treat from The Dating Divas

Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes

I sure wish mine turned out looking as nice as the website I got the recipe off of. My co-workers and students loved them though. I asked HH if he liked his and he said, "Did you miss the part where I enhaled it in one bite?"

Pumpkin Dump Cake

I also made the Chocolate Eclair Cake, a few soups, but forgot pictures of those things.

I ordered a candy thermometer...can't wait to learn to make fudge.

Recipes

2011-09-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

HH was visiting with a couple and they had their neighbors over. One of the men works with me at the school. He said I was noticably absent because he didn't have any treats on his desk!

Eclair Cake

Chocolate Chip Trifle

I think I am making this on Wednesday night....

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

I have to get a crown. The good news is that she doesn't think I need a root canal. I go back in October.

What I've Been Making...

2011-09-18T00:52:00.000-04:00

Chicken Broccoli Supreme

HH loved this. He said it was one of my best creations. The only down side of this dish was it required a lot of different pans, which means a lot of dishes. It made for tasty leftovers the next two days for lunch.

Streusel Cake

This was awesome! I shared it with my co-workers. I was worried that I didn't do the "streusel" part right, but it came out just fine. HH said, "I don't get to have any right?" It made me feel bad. Who cares if there is a piece missing when I take it to work? I cut him a piece, and he was super happy.

Rice Crispy Treats (Funfetti Style):
I made this for the kids on Friday, and it was well received. One of them said, "It takes like cake." It has 3/4 cup of Funfetti Cake Mix in the treat. I didn't try them.

Knock Off Zuppa Toscana

I did add fennel seed, along with more chicken broth and heavy whipping cream. I wanted to substitute the spinach for kale, but the grocery store didn't have it. This soup was better than Olive Garden's version. I'm glad I learned how to make it myself! The girls came over for a movie tonight, and we all agreed it was great comfort food!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
I forgot to take a picture of them! I gave these out to my co-workers as well. I forgot to put the oil in them, so I think they will be better the next time I make them.

One lady at work stares holes through me. She is rude, and has no general social skills. I sent her down a muffin via one of my students. We have a meeting shortly after to which she brings the muffin, and proceeds to give it to another co-worker in front of me. I'm not saying you have to love everything I send, but just put it in the trash or privately give it to another co-worker if you don't want it. It was rude. I'm not making another thing for her.

The other day, the same lady was making copies. I was waiting in line for the copier, so I asked her how her weekend was. *Insert crickets chirping.* She waits for OVER A MINUTE (yes, I watched the clock), before she quickly says, "Fine." No other comment.

HH had to go to a business meeting four hours away in the middle of nowhere. One of the guys said he hoped to meet me at the next meeting. I'm all about supporting my husband, but there is NO purpose for me going to this type of meeting. He explained that I have back troubles, and long rides in the car aren't that good for me. For a long car ride, it better to get some CITY time!!!

Trucking Along

2011-09-16T18:33:00.000-04:00

I am glad it is Friday. I've had a full week for sure!

The "best" part of the week was Wednesday night...

I felt a jagged spot on one of my molars. I had HH look at it to which he replies, "Oh my word." Not what I wanted to hear. His facial expressions didn't help. He said that the tooth was gray and black. I was at the dentist in January, so it has surfaced since this. When I was getting ready for bed, I was brushing my teeth, and felt that about 1/3 of the tooth was gone. I'm not in any pain, but I am worried about what they are going to do to it. I don't mind a crown/root canal....but I don't want them to pull it. I will be going on Monday to get it fixed.

I made this Pizza Dip recipe this week.

I've started this year doing a team building activity. I'm really enjoying watching the kids interact with one another. This week they had to design an advertisement for a vacation to the moon. They were so creative and really did work together.

The girls are coming over to my house tomorrow night. I have not decided what I'm going to make yet.

New Blog, New Recipes to Try

2011-09-11T20:04:00.000-04:00

I discovered Brown Eyed Baker today....and boy are there some amazing recipes on her site I want to try....

Appetizers

Chicken Spread

Taco Dip

Sausage Dip

Ranch Pretzels

There is a lot of exploring to do on this site. I know I will have more posts soon.

Baking

2011-09-10T21:38:00.000-04:00

Grasshopper Pie

I had to make this twice. I couldn't figure out why the pudding wouldn't set. I bought the cook 'n serve Jello pudding not the instant. I was really happy with how cute it turned out!

Lime Bars

Thanks to Get Off Your Butt and Bake!

Our Trip to The Badlands...

2011-09-10T13:20:00.000-04:00

This is a platter that our Sunday School class back in Kentucky had made for us. It was supposed to be a parting gift, but was not ready in time. It was so awesome to get this from a group of people that had greatly impacted our lives.

Almost all the pictures I took were at Crazy Horse. I got caught up in things at camp, and didn't take much of anything else worth sharing.

I've Read a Few Good Books Lately...

Do Something That Matters

Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey from an NFL Cheerleader to National Graphic Explorer

Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children

My plan was to sleep in today. I went to bed about 10:30, and was wide awake at 4:30. I feel a nap in my future.

Regularity Soon, I Promise

2011-09-07T00:03:00.000-04:00

I saw this tonight, and wanted to share.

HH's mom and aunt have been here visiting, so that has changed up my evening schedule. We leave at 5:45 in the morning to take the sixth grade students camping. We will get back Friday evening.

Catching Up...

2011-08-31T23:05:00.000-04:00

My students are standing by their freestanding structures they had to build with a limited amount of straws and tape. They could not talk while building them.

HH brought me flowers on the first day of school. AWE!

I made Homemade Hot Fudge Oreo Pie tonight for church. Thanks Get Off Your Butt and Bake for this amazing recipe! One lady from church jokingly took the dish to her seat when going through the line as if that was all she was going to eat for dinner! I can't believe how easy it was to make the hot fudge!

We have the big Pow-Wow this weekend. I'll try to take some pictures of that.

Back to School...

2011-08-24T22:26:00.000-04:00

Today was our last prep/meeting day, and we had a team lunch. I brought Frozen Strawberry Crumble. My co-worker George said that it kicked-*ss! :) HH put something on top of it, so when it froze, it messed up the top of it. I really liked this recipe, but it was a bit labor intensive as I had to make two desserts last night. HH wanted to know if I had any ice cream left over, and I said yes. He went to get a bowl out, and I told him to eat it from the carton with a spoon. He said, "That is why I love you." I replied, "I've washed three sinkfuls of dishes, and I don't want to wash one more dish."

I made Frozen Butterfinger Dessert for church. HH had to go put it in the church freezer last night because I didn't have enough room to store it in ours. I should have put it out sooner to thaw out, but people didn't have a problem eating most of it. Sorry for the afterthought picture.

Best Black Bean Dip

2011-08-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

The girls that I am friends with have a weekly "Pizza and Movie" night. It started up this Friday. The host makes the pizza, and everyone else brings other items. I got veggies. I was kinda bummed because I had this great dessert recipe. HH said this gave me an opportunity to show that I am not a one trick pony.

Best Black Bean Dip

I love Tastefully Simple products. I love all the recipes that they offer on their website. My dip was a success!

This is a staged picture HH took of me in my classroom. He needed a picture of me to put in the first edition of the church newsletter that will be sent out to people who support our church all over the country. This edition will profile different members of the church and what they do. It is not a good picture to see that I got my hair highlighted and colored. I feel ready to start the school in that regard.

HH is working on installing our pantry shelves. We have a ton of cabinets, but I've used them for cooking supplies.

My Grocery Store Experience...

We stock up when we go to the grocery store. We have a local grocery store where we can get an impressive selection, but price is an issue. I try to get the bulk of my items when I go to a big city (closest one is 90 miles). I had the cart stacked to the heavens at the Wal-Mart checkout. I start putting my items on the cart, and I notice that a 60ish year old lady has her stomach pressed up against my cart. There is no one behind me. She has a look that she is "special", and my conversation with her quickly proves this to be true. She starts peppering me with questions, as she continues to watch everything that I put on the belt along with standing with her stomach touching my cart. "Do you have kids?" "Did you just get paid?" "How far away do you live?" I move my cart at one point, and she moves up and LEANS ON IT. I was seriously feeling my personal space invaded! The checker could not get me out fast enough!

What Do Pastors (and their wives) do for fun?

2011-08-19T00:13:00.000-04:00

Lots of stuff like...

Hmm...like right now HH is creating a bogus ticket from the city to one of our congregation members who was out working in his yard with his shirt off. This is going to be awesome. We are going to go tape it on his door. The guy we are playing the prank on has an awesome sense of humor, so it will be on in a sense that he will be looking for a chance to pay us back!

HH studies hard for his sermons, prays with people, loves on them, but I am so glad this man knows how to have FUN!

We also watch Budweiser Real Men of Genius ads on Youtube like...

Mr. All You Can Eat Buffet Inventor

There are about thirty or forty more. We have a fun mini-date the other night of just listening to a bunch of them!

A New Love...

2011-08-18T21:02:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the blog I've been looking at for at least an hour:

Get off your butt and BAKE!: Impressive Recipes Made Simple

It is hard narrowing down what I want to make, but here are some awesome recipes you will be seeing here soon.

Strawberry Swirl Cupcakes

Frozen Strawberry Crumble

Peanut Butter Toasted Marshmallow S'mores
(I think I am starting to have a s'more obsession.)

Lime Bars

Magic Marshmallow Cups

Chicken Broccoli Supreme

Hot Fudge Oreo Cupcakes

Red Robin BBQ Chicken Salad (Copy)

Hot Sausage Dip

Sweet Goobers

Frozen Butterfinger Dessert

Sock It To Me Cake!

Pork Chop Hashborn Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Struesel Bars

Grasshopper Pie

Upside-Down Chicken Pot Pie

I better quit now....I've got a whole lot of cooking and baking to do!!!

Dinner Tonight and Teaching Article

2011-08-17T22:43:00.000-04:00

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This is the first time I have ever cooked pork tenderloin. It was like walrus blubber coming out of the package. I cooked it in the over on 350 for an hour. It was incredibly moist. I used Jamacian Jerk Seasoning from Pampered Chef that I bought from the 5th grade teacher at work.
Broccoli Salad

broccoli slaw
1/2 cup mayo
Garlic, Garlic (love this stuff)
bacon
powdered ranch dressing mix

Blueberry Sour Cream Cobbler
(I brought this to church tonight.)

Thanks, Alison from a Prairie Story....we had very happy churchgoers, and as you can see below, an extremely happy husband.

HH says, "It combines the chewiness of pie with the crunchiness of cake."

This article, Extraordinary Isn't Enough was printed in the L.A. times, and has been circulating around the education blogosphere. Good stuff.

The Girls Are Back in Town Menu

2011-08-15T08:31:00.000-04:00

Pretty much everyone goes away for a large portion of the summer here. With weather restricting your travel for a good 6-8 months per year, summer is the time to go. I wanted to host a "Girls are Back in Town" event, because the school year will be starting soon, and most people have finished their summer travels. Here is what I made:

Emeril's Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili:

(I don't like my chili spicy or with any big kick to it, so if you are looking for that this recipe will not satisfy your needs!)

4 slices bacon, diced small
2 medium yellow onions, diced small
1 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced small
1.5 lbs of turkey
3 Tablespoons of chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 cans (15.5 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. Cook bacon.
2. Add onions and bell pepper, cook until softened.
3. Add turkey, chili powder, cumin, garlic, and oregano.
4. Cook until meat is lightly browned.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add tomatoes and juice, beans, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 20 minutes.
7. Serve with cilantro. (I am leaving this as optional, since people either love or hate cilantro.)

Marc Forgione's Cornbread with Creme Fraiche (Almost)

1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons of sugar
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1.5 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup whole milk
3 large eggs
1/2 cup creme fraiche

This is my first time making cornbread that wasn't from a Jiffy box. I also hit a major snag in that I could not find creme fraiche. I found a Mexican crema. It didn't taste Mexican per say, but I decided to not use it. I google "creme fraiche replacements," and found that several people had used the new Philadelphia Cooking Cremes in place. I decided to give that a go. I grew up with really thick cornbread, and this recipe produces a very thin sheet of cornbread.

Almond-Grape Tea Cake:

10 tablespoons (1.25 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1.5 cups slivered almonds (.5 lb)
1/4 salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1.5 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
18 grapes, halved crosswise

1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly butter and flour a 3x8 inch metal loaf pan. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar on high until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined, scraping down bowl as needed.

2. In a food processor, pulse almonds and 1/4 cup sugar until finely ground. Add flour and salt and pulse to combine. With mixer on low, beat almond mixture into butter mixture until combined. Beat in vanilla and lemon zest. (This was the first time I have "zested" anything.)

3. Transfer batter to pan and smooth top. Press grape halves into batter in rows and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour, rotating pan halfway through. Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack. To serve remove cake from pan and slice.

I was worried about this dish, because it seemed that there was way too much batter coming out on the fork each time I tested it. I know I cooked it for an additional 10-12 minutes. It ended up turning out just fine. The tea cake was the only part of the meal that HH got to sample, and he loved it.

Back Home

2011-08-14T16:24:00.000-04:00

I took my mom back to Sioux Falls to get her plane on Friday. We stayed the night there, and I took her to the airport around 1:00 yesterday afternoon. Before she left, she helped Ben put up this wall art that I bought on Etsy:

Below this quote above our bed is going to be a 16x20 canvas. I have not placed that order yet.

I also had one made with our name, and the year we got married.

One the way there, we went to the one and only "Corn Palace" in Mitchell, SD.

Next stop was Sioux Falls Park, home of Sioux Falls. I went to Niagra Falls in 2008. It is no Niagra, but it is nevertheless very impressive. I told mom if I were a guy, I would propose to a girl here! My mom relayed the message to Ben that I wanted to have our vows renewed there.

My mom loves close-up pictures!

Of course you know I had my dessert seeker in STEALTH MODE:

I found S'more Cheesecake: AMAZING!

Sioux Falls has an amazing vibrant downtown culture. It is much more active than Louisville, especially when you consider how much larger Louisville is. They had sixty sculptures that you could walk around and view.

I could not leave Sioux Falls without visiting Oh My Cupcakes! It is the first gourmet cupcake shop in town. They had tall shoes to fill, since I came from Louisville. I was already well acquainted with the four gourmet cupcake shops there. I didn't just like these cupcakes it was LOVE. What I liked best were that you had the "mini" option. This option was just right for me! I got eight different "minis" to try out. It equaled about 1 1/4 cupcakes. There was a perfect amount of icing on them too. I know that this shop with be a huge hit, and will be on my list of places to visit EVERY time I am in Sioux Falls.

I also went to Starbucks, got a pedicure, and visited by beloved Cato for some new clothes. While getting my pedicure, the early sixties Asian man was singing "Don't Want to be All By Myself." It was hilarious!

Two breathtaking views on my way home:

Here I am this morning, holding my new notebook for work stuff. Yes, it says, "Geek out with your beak out." Awesome! I also have on a new outfit from Cato.

I am having four ladies over for dinner tonight at my house. Pictures and recipes will follow!

Great Quote

2011-08-11T23:54:00.000-04:00

"One reason we struggle with insecurity: we are comparing our behind the scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." - Steven Furtick

Of Gods and Men

2011-08-11T20:12:00.000-04:00

Of Gods and Men....This looks good!

Baking and Humor...

2011-08-10T23:15:00.001-04:00

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole:
One of my students Tyrese this week loved this! I offered him some on Monday at lunch, and he asked for some yesterday and today!

Snickers Popcorn

S'mores Bars:

These were a HUGE hit with my kids at school (and staff members), along with church members. I know how important it is to celebrate important holidays like today, NATIONAL S'MORE DAY.

My mom took these shots in front of our house.

A guy stops by our house last night wanting to talk with HH. He is at a finance committee meeting, so I invite him in. He asks if we have anything to eat, to which I reply I have some leftover beef stew. I fix him up a huge bowl of it (probably three servings). He asks if we have any cheese. I have a block of cheddar cheese, so I slice him about 1/4 of the block of cheese. While eating his beef stew, he brought our Morton Salt (big container that you use to fill up smaller containers) into the living room. He drowns the beef stew in salt, four different times as he is eating. (Don't get me wrong, HH loves him some salt, and I have watched him give his fries a very "healthy" dose of it, but I have never in my life have I seen anyone put THAT much salt on something.) I asked mom after he left how much salt she thought he used, and her estimate was the exact same as the one I had come up with in my head: 1/4 of a cup. (He also drank 10 glasses of Kool-Aide.) He asked for more cheese, so I finished cutting up the other 1/4 of the cheddar block. I told HH today that some people have to put up the expensive alcohol and get out the cheap alcohol when certain guests come over. I told him that we were going to have to keep the "cheap cheese" for when this guy visits. I hate "plastic cheese," but I think he will have to get plastic cheese from now on.

HH tells me that after taking the guy home, he said that I made a "Kick Ass Beef Stew." I rolled my eyes and told him that was NOT a compliment. I said that man would have been happy with a salt block. Seriously, I know salt is supposed to enhance the flavor, but if you need that much salt, the dish must have been pretty bad!

Spirit of Loss

2011-08-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

Last night was the second "goodbye" dinner I've attended. I also found out at this goodbye dinner that we would be having another one by the end of next week. While God has been faithful bringing new people in, my husband and I and another couple this summer, it is hard realizing that where we are is a stopping point for many people, and not a permanent stop. I say that fully recognizing that this may well indeed be a stopping point for HH and I. Goodbyes are hard, but a part of life.

Today is day six of eight for summer school. All next week I will be at new teacher training. I will even have a mentor teacher even though this will make my eleventh year teaching! I have eight days of meetings, and then my students come on August 25th.

Bear Country U.S.A.

2011-08-07T09:43:00.000-04:00

Bear Country U.S.A. was my favorite part of mom and I going site seeing. Here are the pictures...

Grape Salad

2011-08-06T23:43:00.000-04:00

I'm getting in lots of momma time. I will post pictures soon. Here is a picture of the grape salad I made last week:

I got this Grape Salad recipe from Twirl Ministries. The bowl was CLEAN when the night was over. One lady at church said I had not made anything she didn't like!

Update

2011-08-04T23:08:00.000-04:00

You guys asked for the recipe for the chicken salad and black-eyed bean salad, I updated the link below.

Thanks ChiTown Girl

2011-08-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

HH and I watched this video from ChiTown Girl's Blog...

Finally Back Up and Running Fully Operational...

2011-08-03T18:16:00.001-04:00

Major backlog post, as our laptop was not connecting to the internet properly, and that is how I post my pictures!

I made this last Wednesday night for church supper. They were dubbed "Sloppy Cups" by one of the members. There was a ton of food that night, and I thought that I had overdone it, but all thirty of them were GONE by the time dinner was over.

We took one of the school cars to the reading conference. It was a former driver's ed car, so it had a break on the passenger side!

Major foodie geek-out time: Minerva's in Sioux Falls. I realized that I could have easily replicated the potato topped salmon, but I would need a good sauce to go with it.

Key Lime Pie from Minervas. This was great, but I could only eat about four bites.

A random snapshot from downtown Sioux Falls. I can't wait to explore more (and try out some more new restaurants too) when I take my mom back to catch her flight.

I was so geeked out when I read that Danny Brassell would be speaking at the conference. I have read all his books, and love his website "Lazy Readers." I have bought a bunch of books over the years to add to my classroom library from there, as well as found many personal choices I have enjoyed. I listened to all five sessions he did, and can't wait to get back into the classroom!

I am going to submit seven proposal ideas for next year's conference. We'll see if any get accepted. The fifth grade teacher and myself:

On the way back we stopped at Al's Oasis. I have no clue where this is, but I loved the chair.

In Midland, we stopped at a very small family owned hotel. I loved that they still had a phone booth inside. I had to use the cell since there was no phone hooked up.

This sign says: "Smoking Cures Cancer." I love my sense of humor!

Outside the hotel: (I would love to come back and use the mineral baths here. They have been around from at least the 1940s....and at $4.00 a person, I think it is in my budget!)

Schooling Myself in Cooking:

I plan on teaching myself a lot, but I know I'm going to need some help. Here are a few of the books I bought to start out.

This is the book that I am starting with:

Black Eyed Pea Salad:

2 T Fresh Parsley (I used half of this since dried spices are so concentrated.)
2 T Fresh Basil (Repeat of above)
1 T White Wine Vinegar
2 T Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 garlic clove (I added more because there is never too much garlic)
2 tomatoes chopped
15 oz. can black eyed peas, rinsed and drained

Chicken Salad:
I used a store ready made chicken and cut it up, added apples and grapes to it. This would have been so simple, but I am a slow cutter, so that added about ten additional minutes to the prep time.

1/2 cup Mayo
1 t curry
1/2 pound grapes
3 apples cut up
salt and pepper to taste

I also made Avalanche Bark and Pink Powder Puff Crunch for my students and co-workers. I did not take pictures of those items though! I am trying to add a little "pop" to summer school, and keep my students coming back for more. It helps that HH has been reading them The BFG each day too.

Internet Problems

2011-08-01T22:26:00.000-04:00

I have many pictures to post, and recipes of things I have made. The internet is not working properly from the laptop. We have a work order in with the cable company (it started after a storm, and we have done all the basic over the phone recommendations they have suggested), but they didn't tell us when they would be out.

I started summer school today. I had four students, two of which will be in my classroom in a few weeks. We are starting to settle into life here, and that feels really good.

More soon....

Kitchen FAIL, but not all hope is lost!

2011-07-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

I tried to make flank steak tonight on the George Foreman. They were not cooked as well as they should have been. I'm not a big steak person myself. I liked the appeal of these very thinly cut steaks. I used a store bought marinade. HH says it was good. His definition of good was that he did not have to put ketchup/steak sauce on it. It stood on it's own to eat.

Mac n Cheese Muffins

The Happy Home Fairy scores another home run in our household! HH and I loved the mac n cheese muffins. At first they would not come out right, but it was because I did not let it cool long enough. Once they cooled, they popped right out!

Strawberry Soup:

2 cups strawberries (I used frozen ones)
8 oz. vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup orange juice
whipped cream topping

Other AWESOME News!

I am going to be teaching Jumpstart August 1-4 and 8-12. This will be for incoming sixth graders, so I may even have a few of my students. I am really pumped about this, because it will afford me the opportunity to make a surprise trip to Kentucky to see my parents. My mom will be here for four days of summer school, but she was already going to be at the school doing small projects with me anyhow. I cannot wait to surprise them!

Dinner is Served

2011-07-25T22:40:00.000-04:00

Green Pea Salad

Creamy Spinach:

* 2 T Butter
* Minced Garlic
* Let spinach wilt
* Add 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
* Add Parmesan Cheese (4 T) until thickened

Parmesan Tilapa:

* Broil Tilapa in oven for 5-7 minutes. Put cooking spray and lemon juice on it.
* Mix 1/4 cup mayo, 1/8 t Hot Sauce, green onions, and Parmesan Cheese together
* Put mixture over Tilapa, cook for 2-3 minutes

I loved that this fish didn't taste too "fishy" when the topping was applied to it.

Final Plate:

Just waiting on HH to get home so I can make his plate for him. :)

Cleaning Up Other People's Trash

2011-07-25T22:19:00.000-04:00

I worked in my classroom from 1:30-6:00 today. HH had church business to take care of, so he helped me from 4:00-6:00, and worked HARD!

I spent a lot of time getting rid of stuff that I didn't want. Granted, most of this belongs to the school, so I had HH put it in the cupboards of the room I was supposed to move in. I seriously need all my space.

I put away about 3/4 of the random books. These were the books that my students were reading right up until the end of the year, and didn't have time to go back into their appropriate containers.
I put a lot of supplies in my desk and organized my filing cabinets by subject area. (When my mom visits she will organize them by sub-category: Reading...Poetry, Below Grade Level Comprehension, etc.)
HH carried out tons of things that I didn't need.
HH hung my diplomas and a few other items.
I started creating my student access supply center.
I started organizing cubbies with student textbooks.

It was a good day. It's not finished, but another good dent was made.

My mom said for me not to do everything, and I laughed. I can always think of things that need to be done. I never got it when people couldn't keep their assistant busy (back in the day when an assistant actually got to help you do whatever you needed as a classroom teacher).

I'm going to do another half day tomorrow, probably in the afternoon.

A Few Quotes from Julia Child's "My Life in France"

2011-07-25T00:55:00.001-04:00

I think what I like so much about Julia Child is that she learned to cook as an adult in her early thirties. She has shown me through her writing that I CAN cook, it will just take time and practice. I've ordered several more things from her, which I will be sharing soon.

"I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make....
Usually one's cooking is better than one thinks it is. And if the food is truly vile, then the cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile-and learn from her mistakes."

"One of the secrets, and pleasures, of cooking is to learn to correct something if it goes awry; and one of the lessons is to grin and bear it if it cannot be fixed."

"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!"

"Nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should. Good results require that one take time and care."

It's Our Second Anniversary

2011-07-25T00:36:00.000-04:00

Dorks unite! :) Yes, we are celebrating at Dairy Queen, because the closest steakhouse (20 miles away) was closed when we got there.

So we've had two blizzard cakes this month. We need a reason to have one next month....hmm, I am thinking....Admit Your Happy Month, Work Like a Dog Day, National Smores Day, or Just Because Day. Who knew we'd have to narrow the field with so many great things to celebrate!

Back in the kitchen at FBC. Getting into serious potluck mode. Today's potluck was special because two of our members are moving back to Knoxville. They have been a part of the community for four years, and it was a sad day seeing them move on.

I want to give a huge shout out to The Babbling Brunette and The Happy Home Fairy. You both made me look really good today, and I got lots of compliments.

Cornbread Salad

The Babbling Brunette was right, this dish isn't much for looks, but it packs a great taste! I "almost" ruined it though. I was scraping a jar of mayo out for the dish, and needed more. I grabbed what I thought was mayo, but was actually miracle whip. If it were not for the saltiness of the Fritos, I think the dish would have been a wash. I made a rule that we cannot have Miracle Whip in our household anymore. (HH's mother purchased it for a dish she made.) We are a mayo only household, since this is the second time I've almost ruined something due to miracle whip.

Sausage Cream Cheese Rolls

Popcorn Cake:
Note: The Happy Home Fairy is right that you need a bowl the size of Jupiter to mix this up in! This dish was a huge hit with the kids!

Crockpot Cajun Chicken

2011-07-23T20:37:00.000-04:00

I cut up four tomatoes, one green pepper, used 1/4 cup Worchester Sauce, 1/4 cup soy sauce, some garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and minced onions to make this dish. I poured it over cauliflower. The cauliflower added some great texture to the dish. It would have been very quick to make, but my chopping skills are pretty sorry, so it takes a bit of time to get everything chopped up.

One of My Favorite Songs by Amy Winehouse

2011-07-23T14:03:00.002-04:00

My New Winter Hat

2011-07-23T11:42:00.002-04:00

Lunch Yesterday and Shopping!

2011-07-23T10:56:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, one of the ladies from our church came over to have lunch with me, and I made

Smothered Beans and Rice Burritos

It was just us girls for about half the lunch, and then HH joined us for the rest of lunch. I really enjoyed gettign to know this lady, and about her family at lunch. We have a lot of sweet people in our church.

My official Chef's tasting spoon came in the mail yesterday:

I love my Toms shoes. I've never bought a pair before, but several people at my old job had them. I love that Tom's gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair that you buy.

These are my new hiking/snow type boots. (I have another pair that would be for more heavy duty snow, that go up higher, and have a thicker base.)

I got a much heavier duty fleece jacket that will do me as we transition into the colder season.

Today is a day of REST!

Two Dinners

2011-07-20T15:55:00.000-04:00

Italian Frittata

This was just ok. I wanted it to be better than what it was. I know I did not fluff the eggs as much as I should have. It is a protein packed meal, so it was good for me in that regard, but I'm not sure that I will make it again any time soon.

Cuban Tacos

I LOVE the Cuban restaurant in Louisville, Havana Rumba. Oh, the many many good meals I have had there. I saw this recipe, and was very excited to try it.

2.25 pounds ground beef
1 green pepper, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
10 pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped
1.25 cups tomato sauce
2 T Capers
3 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 t ground cumin
1 t dried oregano
2 T olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
tortillas

Combine beef, green pepper, onions, tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, and garlic. Heat oil in large deep skillet. (I did not pay attention and cooked my beef first. I can imagine how much better it will be next time when I really let the flavors marinate together.) Cook until beef is no longer pink.

What a Day!

2011-07-20T00:54:00.000-04:00

I did cook last night, and will post that tomorrow. I had plans to cook tonight, but that wasn't what happened.

I started off the day by going back to bed on the recliner when HH went to work. I got up with the chickens again, and had a bad headache. I got two hours of sleep in. BLISS.

Our garbage can finally arrived. It only took two and half weeks, one visit, and one follow-up phone call to get. We can now stop using the lady's dumpster across the street.

The furniture store came with HH's desk and three bookshelves. Two of the bookshelves went to the church, and the other one went to our house. They had to take one of the legs off the desk in order to get it down the hall and in the room, but they were able to do it.

Next, I call the driver's license branch of South Dakota. We were denied a driver's license because we didn't provide mail that was professionally addressed (no handwritten envelopes would do). We live in a county that is not 911 equipped, there are no street sign names. It took a month to find out what street we lived on, only to find out later that was supposedly wrong....yet we have no way of confirming that. They also want proof of our physical address (even though our P.O. Box will be on our driver's license), and we have no way of providing that. The church doesn't own the parsonage, the association (two hours away) does. All bills go to the post office box, etc. I finally think the lady took pity on me, and had her supervisor override us, so our license could be mailed out.

I read more of Julia Child's, "My Life in France." I really like her!

I called to double check that everything was set for my South Dakota teaching license, and they need a paper from my undergraduate institution signed. This was an oversight on my part, so I'll hop right on that. I do not want to be getting substitute teacher pay come August!

The fifth grade teacher drops by and introduces herself, saying the principal wants me to call her. She also invited me to attend the South Dakota Reading Association Conference next week in Sioux Falls! She didn't have to twist my arm to get me to say yes to that! I looked up the conference and the main speaker is Danny Brassell of www.lazyreaders.com! He has easily caused me to purchase a few hundred books over the years, and I've read a few of his books too.

There is a small chance I might be teaching a program called "Jumpstart" for eight days in August. It will depend on a lady who has had surgery. If she is not up to it, I will fill in. It is four hours a day. It would be a good way to get to know kids too.

My principal gave me the choice of two rooms. I decided to take the one NOT backing up to the boy's restroom. It wasn't as much the restroom, but hearing the hand dryers go on and off all day long would get to me after awhile.

HH calls to ask if I want him to come over and move a few basics around, so I can start setting up. I eagerly said yes! He calls back about fifteen minutes later, and says that TEN people from the church group are on their way with him to help. Think several teenage boys who have healthy backs! I was afraid that HH had not prepped them for just how much they would be moving. They were prepared and eager to help. I was floored having so much help. They sorted out my book boxes into categories, which was very helpful! All my shelving is along the walls, and they exchanged desks for tables. It took them about an hour to do what it would have taken HH and I a week to do.

We treated everyone to blizzards from Dairy Queen afterwards. Well. Deserved. Blizzards.

Tomorrow I am getting the oil changed (reading my Kindle while I wait), grocery shopping (small trip for odds and ends I forgot), cooking lunch (it was supposed to be tonight's dinner), working in my classroom, going to VBS (I don't have a working role here, just "there"), then coming home.

The temperature on the gas station sign said 111 degrees this afternoon. Granted, I will never feel like I just want to stand out in the sun being the indoors girl I am, it felt like the equivalent of 85 degrees back in Kentucky. I can't believe what a difference it is with humidity.

My principal invited me to come to her house to learn to make jam. How awesome is that? I've wanted to learn, but just never took the time to do so.

Totally GEEKED OUT!!!

2011-07-18T12:18:00.000-04:00

I have used VistaPrint before, but I've never known how to make it work for me. I've seen teachers get tons of stuff from there for pennies on the dollar. Well, this is my version of Extreme Couponing. For $3.00 per child I was able to get all the following PERSONALIZED items:

hat
t-shirt
4x6 photo book called "Sixth Grade Memories"
key chain
address labels
notecards
car magnet (with homework help information on it)
window decal
TWO rubber stamps
post-it notes
ink pen
mouse pad
mug
tote bag

It did take about two hours to do this, but look at what all I got for my work! I went ahead and bought enough for 25 students, even though I should only have no more than 20. The total cost per student is: $2.98! The post office ladies may just kill me.

Another Good Recipe I Want to Try

2011-07-18T02:17:00.000-04:00

Smothered Beans and Rice Burritos

I invited a lady from church who works at the bank to come have lunch at our house on Friday. She works about two blocks from our house. I think I might make this recipe then.

Tonight's Dinner

2011-07-18T02:01:00.000-04:00

This blog is going to pretty much go all foodie for a bit. That's all I have folks. We are still working on the house, specifically the office/bunk bed room, and the sunroom. I am trying to decide how much I will blog about the specifics of the church or where we live, as I don't want to be the target of a Google search gone wrong. I know I will blog about my life, I just want to think about how I go about that living in such Small Town USA.

I am going to start working on my classroom soon. It may not be until next week, because I will need HH's help. I do know that I want to do a classroom makeover. My classroom was never blah, but I need some new decorating themes/ideas. I will be on the lookout for things from Target, etc to make my room more personal and homey. After all, I have to spend eight hours a day there, I need to like it too!

Mediterranean Pork Chops:
I used the George Foreman grill (second night in a row). I don't know why I got away from using this thing, I used to use it quite a bit in college back in the day. While the pork chops were grilling, I sauteed zucchini in a skillet, added 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1.5 t Oregano, and some cherry tomatoes. I poured this over the pork chops.

Roasted Asparagus:
I set the oven to 450, and put salt and pepper (and a bit of cooking spray) on the asparagus. It cooked for eight minutes, and I added Parmesan cheese to it.

I personally think this meal was a whole lot better than last night's dinner. (Remember HH is staying mum.) I used chicken from a bag, and there was a bit of a "weird taste" to it that had to have come from the chicken itself. My pallet is very picky, and I noticed this right away. It certainly wasn't the sauce it marinated in, because I sampled that several times while making it, and loved it.

Lessons I am Learning:
Cooking is less time consuming than I used to think. I am learning the art of multi-tasking, and this whole dinner took me about twenty-five minutes. I used to send HH all the time to get me Moe's Southwest Grill across town, had I just known how I could have made myself something quick and easy. Nothing like the learning you are forced to do when your back is against the wall...I have the time and resources to cook here, so I might as well.

Reading Material:

I have burned through all nine Pretty Little Liars books. The next one doesn't come out for months. I am now going to read Julia Child's My Life in France.

Completely Unnecessary, but I wanted it...

When I was taking my cooking classes, all the chef's who taught it had their own "tasting spoon." It was just as much a part of their tool kit as their knives and apron. I ordered mine off an etsy shop tonight!

Of course mine will say Chef Tiffany!

Tomorrow I am learning how to make Indian Tacos and Fry Bread at the church. I will try to snap a few pictures! I have already sampled Fry Bread (think funnel cake without the powdered sugar, yet it is sweet enough to stand on its own), and know I like it. The Indian Tacos will be a new venture for me.

Dinner Tonight

2011-07-16T22:49:00.000-04:00

Balsamic-Garlic Chicken:
I grilled the chicken on the George Foreman Grill. The sauce in the skillet was: 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 T Lemon Juice, 1 1/2 t honey, and garlic. The sauce was supposed to thicken, but it really didn't thicken up too much. The sauce smelled amazing, and it made the chicken very tender.

Pesto-Tossed Cauliflower:
I boiled cauliflower, and tossed a few spoonfuls of pesto into it, after I drained the water. Cauliflower is quite bland, and this helped give some taste to it.

Brown Rice

Cookies and Milk for Dessert

HH's Current Role:
I know that eventually I need to know which recipes HH really likes, and which ones he doesn't care for. I told him that right now, I am so excited about putting this energy into really making one good meal a day, I didn't know if I would get emotional if he told me he didn't really care for a dish. So he is cute, he is remaining neutral, and just eating what is served to him. Like I've said before, he is so polite that if you served him shoe leather he would eat it up, and ask for seconds.

After I build up my confidence, I'll be able to handle a bit more honest criticism.

Awesome Artwork

2011-07-16T22:08:00.000-04:00

I just placed an order for two of these:

I'm going to submit a local paper to replace where it says "The Tennessean." The artist has quite a bit of backlog, so I probably won't receive them until September, but I am excited about these! (One is going in our house, and the other in my classroom.)

Up at the Crack of Dawn

2011-07-16T09:12:00.000-04:00

I got up at 5:00 this morning. I will be having a nap later on today!

Yesterday, we went into Pierre, and I bought two weeks worth of groceries. I have enough food to make thirteen recipes. This is the first time in our marriage that I will have cooked like that. I have a plan, and it feels good. Our cart was full, and we had to ice down our food so that it would not perish on the drive home.

I am in love. I got to go to the Italian Restaurant in Pierre. I had Lobster Mac and Cheese. I had creme brulee. These are things that I thought I was giving up for good living in South Dakota. I know where I will be eating at next week when I go back!

Last night I made Pineapple Pretzel Fluff:

This was a big hit! It is a great balance of salt and sweet.

We played a board game called Dicecapades. It was a lot of fun. There were five of us who got together. She made homemade pizzas, and I loved the crust. I want to get the Pampered Chef Pizza cooking board now. She didn't have her air conditioning on, which made the place hotter than you can imagine. I am so spoiled when it comes to AC. A lot of people don't have it here, or it takes a lot for them to turn it on.

On the Agenda Today:

1. RELAX
2. Clear off the dining room table.
3. Cook dinner from one of my recipes (pictures forthcoming)
4. Get packages from the post office.

I made HH a to-do list. In the evenings, it honestly felt like I was being a nag. Asking him to do this, then that. I don't really have anything that is "high need", I just want it to get done. He seemed happy with that. We have his desk and one more bookshelf being delivered on Tuesday, then he can start tackling the office.

Birthday Pictures and Settling In

2011-07-13T09:39:00.000-04:00

Here are the few pictures we took from my birthday celebration. The foodie Italian restaurant I wanted to go to was closed. We missed lunch there by about fifteen minutes. HH is taking me back there on Friday for a re-do.

Lovely HH switched my birthday candles....way to score some points!

Sorry the picture of HH is so blurry. :( It was his idea that we wear our "I Love" shirts.

We've had a group in here from Virginia, and they are doing an awesome job. There are 35 people, and it has been great, but draining. I told HH last night (which he knows to an extent about me), that having this group was very draining to my personality, while it was very much a "high" for his personality. After they leave, I will want to seclude myself for a few days from most people just to be able to recharge.

I got our renter's insurance set up yesterday, along with ordering my winter coat, fleece, gloves, and hat. Our cable and high speed internet has been installed. On the renter's insurance, the lady asked if I wanted to insure my jewelry. I had never thought about this before. I don't have a lot of expensive jewelry, but my ring is about forty-two years old from HH's mom. I know that his father paid $2500 for the stone wholesale forty-two years ago. I decided that I do want to have insurance on it. I have to get it appraised. I won't be able to do this until the next time we go to Rapid City. That was the only place that had a jeweler who would appraise it right in front of me, instead of mailing it off. I am not comfortable with it being out of my sight.

At night, we have been getting in around 9:00-9:30ish. HH has been a trooper at working when we get in. I told him it is not about getting "a lot" done, but getting a few things done so we keep chiseling away and making progress. Last night he hung up four pictures, helped me make the guest bed (I can't crawl around the bed) with my new comforter set, and he set up my vitamin rack. I organized my vitamins (which also cleared off a zillion bottles from the counter.)

Lessons Learned from a Small Town: HH takes medicine for his seizures. We are in the process of switching his prescription to mail order, but there is an overlap between when his pills arrive, and when he runs out. We call the Mayo Clinic and ask for five days worth to be filled at the local pharmacy. The local pharmacy doesn't have the medicine, nor does their two other stores. They asked if I wanted them to call it in to the next major city (which is 90 miles away), and I said yes (as if there were another option).

We have an awesome neighbor: We have been working on getting to know the lady who lives directly across the street. She has let us put our trash in her dumpster while we are waiting for our trash can from the county. We still have a large assortment of boxes in our yard, even though HH has made three trips to the dumpster. The other night, she insisted that we fill up our boxes and put them in the back of her pickup truck since she was going to the dump tomorrow. We gratefully did. Unfortunately, we STILL had a huge amount of boxes (and one bag of trash that had been opened by dogs and trash was across the yard). We came home the other night, and she had cleaned up every single box and piece of trash in our yard. HOW SWEET!

I'm a Cat Lover, but this lady is crazy!!!

2011-07-12T18:04:00.000-04:00

Liquid EVIL

2011-07-09T13:32:00.001-04:00

Pepsi Wakes Up and Smells the Cola

Show Us Your Life: Breakfast Dishes

2011-07-09T08:25:00.000-04:00

My list will be biased to all things bacon, sausage, and cheese of course!!! :)

Make Ahead Cinammon Rolls (I've never made Cinammon Rolls from scratch, this should change!)

Cheddar Sausage Muffins

Sausage Balls

Easter Egg Casserole

Sausage and Cheese Brunch Squares

Bacon Parmesan Tassies

Sausage Cream Cheese Rolls

Smoky Bacon Wraps

Breakfast Ring

Candy Bar Crossiants