Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Big Show

 

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I must say I had a great time last night yipping,  hollering and cheering for the monster trucks.  I was a little disappointed that the stadium was so small.  The track size hindered the the trucks and made the show a little less spectacular.  However, one of the first trucks overturned on his first run.  Totally cool!

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After intermission we were able to see some Motorcross riders and BMX riders perform tricks.

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#2 son enjoyed the evening.  We had great seats and saw the action clearly.  Our seats were not as high as the ones we had for the circus several months ago. 

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Anyway...We all had fun and got to see how many rednecks live in New Jersey, they all came to the show too!

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Tonights Big Show

 

 

Monster Truck by hannes.steyn.

If you were here, you'd know I am very excited.  Tonight is the Monster Truck Show at some arena in our state and we are going to continue the celebration of #2 son's birthday.

 

Monster Truck Rally by Flying Fin.

I am a redneck girl at heart and it is so fun to go and yell and carry on waiting for some destruction of Monster Trucks!

 

Monster Truck by gibbo07.

 

I pray our 'bubba' will remember tonight with joy!

 

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Daydreaming

  

Thinking about it being warmer!! (It is currently 28 degrees and the forecast is only for 35 degrees today.  BBRRRR!)I am looking forward to Spring and Summer.

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Yes it was summer and still cold, but

I"D RATHER BE FISHING anytime!

July 2007

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

My Week So Far

 

I was feeling domestic yesterday.  After taking #1 one son to college, #2 son and I went to the store for a few things.  When I got home I started a marinade for making Fried Chicken and started Collard Greens in the slow cooker.  On the recommendation from my sweet friend autumnlove413 , I made the Rosemary Bread that tasted like the bread we had on our date last week.  Here is the recipe and a few pictures~

Rosemary Bread

1 C. water

3 T. olive oil

1 1/2 t. sugar

1 1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. dried italian seasoning

1/4 t. fresh ground black pepper

1 T. dried rosemary

2 1/2 C. bread flour

1 1/2 t. active dry yeast

Place all ingredients in the pan of a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.  Select white bread cycle; press Start.

**Okay for those of you that know me and how I cook jessnboyz and onehappymomma ~ I fiddled with the recipe.  Yes sorry.  I do not have a bread machine, however I do have a food processor with a dough hook.  I used 1 1/2 C. warm water and added the yeast, dry seasonings, sugar, salt, and olive in a measuring cup gave it a quick stir and let it set while I chopped about 1 T. of fresh rosemary and then added that to the ingredients in the measuring cup.  In my food processor I added 2 cups bread flour (something about this flour is good to use with bread machines and makes it work with yeast better.)  I also added 1 C. whole wheat flour to my food processor then I pulsed it about 10 seconds and then added the wet ingredients and pushed ON until it started to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl.  I did add a couple more shots of  whole wheat flour to stiffen the dough and then let it knead with the processor about 1 minute more.  I turned it out to a lightly floured board and kneaded for a few punches until it got smooth and round.  Then I placed the dough in a large bowl that was coated in olive oil and left it in a warm oven to double in size (about 1-1 1/2 hours)  Punch down let rise in warm oven 30 minutes more.  Turn to floured board and knead.  I then divided into four small loaves and put them on my pampered chef stone that had been sprinkled with a little corn meal  let rise 30 minutes and then baked at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden and done feeling.**

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Notice that there are only 3 loaves.  We ate one while it was still hot and dipped our bite size chunks in olive oil seasoned with fresh ground black pepper and a little coarse salt! 

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That is the marinating chicken for my Frank's Red Hot Fried Chicken.

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Smoked turkey legs just pulled from the greens to pick the meat off the bones and return the meat to the pot of greens.

Remember I was talking about my little artist the other day?  Not sure if you can clearly see some of the pictures he is drawing or not.  We are totally amazed at how good some of the drawings are.  He has been drawing tanks, dragons, dinosaurs, guns, letters, numbers, hearts, robots, forts, Christmas Trees, snowmen, monster trucks and more!  According to his father, he gets this talent from his side of the family...NOT!  (I'll never let him live that one down!)

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He is enjoying this new box of crayons.  Aren't they fun all sharp and pointed and pretty?!

 

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Our Birthday Boy

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To Our Sweet Son!

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Yes, our dog is like another child.  He was moaning at us because none of the presents were for him.  When #2 son was done with some of the boxes we let him "play"...and he did...thoroughly!

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And the game "Feed the Kitty" is fun if you have little player like ours who cannot read.  The dice are the instructions.  What you roll, you play.  We played thee rounds!

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Can you see the LIVE kitty in the new castle/fort thing?  She found a neat hiding hole and went right in!

 

Friday, January 23, 2009

Getting Ready For A Party

 

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After four days I finally wrapped the birthday gifts that have been hiding under my bed.  Today we have plans to make the sweetheart cake that my birthday boy requested.  I'll add those pictures later.  I purchased a birthday banner and paper plates and such yesterday.  I'll take pictures of those as well after I decorate.

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As promised to the birthday boy, we made his birthday cake together. 

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It's taking shape!

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Raspberry Jam between the layers.

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All done with the spatula!

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After assembling the cake I set out a few decorations on the table for him. 

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