Finally Back Up and Running Fully Operational...

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.