Homecoming in Small Town, USA

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....

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

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...

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

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.