Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to

No matter how you say it, they are yummy. But tonight, I'm talking about fried potatoes.

It's cold and rainy, and I needed something to warm up with!


Several years ago, we went camping with two other families from church. One family lives 2 houses down and we'd probably call them our best friends - after 9 years of living so close. On the camping trip, we decided we'd do common meals so we worked out a menu. We suggested fried potatoes along with something else.



"Huh? Fried potatoes, what's that?" was Allen's comment... "ACK" was our combined response!

Chop up an onion or more, peel (or not) and slice some potatoes.. Heat up a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and fry them up until a little crispy! My dad used to say the ratio of onions to potatoes s/b 1:1, but that's a bit much! Of course, when we had them camping, fried up in a cast iron pan, they were even better! We just couldn't believe they'd never had fried potatoes!


So, do you like fried potatoes? Onions or no? Or have you never had them?
We now like to put shredded cheese on top, though we really should cut them there calories!

And I'll try not to make my next post about food...

Next Question..

Cauliflower.

Yes or No?

Cooked or Raw?

In Soup?

With Ranch dip?

DH has had a cauliflower gratin- I didn't taste it.

I made cauliflower soup for my lunch today, I think I'm going to go make Cranberry Almond scones... found here.. don't they look yummy?
http://blog.narons.com/2007/10/05/coffee-break-for-everyone.aspx

I found in a roundabout way from Pioneer Woman, to Country Doctor's wife to this lady..

whew...

A Survey..

If I was your neighbor and I was making you cinnamon rolls to thank you for doing something for me, would you like them with:

cinnamon alone,

raisins,

nuts,

icing,

cream cheese frosting,

or all of the above.

Please answer.

*just finished a loaded roll... nuts, raisins, and almond flavored icing!*

To answer ...

Zombs asked about my work at home job...

It's not really a work at home, but some stuff I can take home.

I work for Treasury Mgmt at our bank, and Lockbox is a part of that.

One of our "clients" (not customers..) is a local diocese which has private schools around the area. People can donate up to $1000 tax deductible for married couple which goes to the private schools. This time of year, er, December & November, the donations get pretty heavy - as the year end push for tax deductions goes on. We process the deposits for the diocese, and then we also do the data entry for each donor into the database - noting which school they want their funds to go to, etc. I can access the database at home, and we have been overwhelmed, as it's mainly me, and sometimes one other gal that do the data entry. I am still working on 12-31 work, as we received 900+ items that day. It takes about an hour to do 50 items... so I'm plugging away.. and getting a few extra hours in..

Which will help pay for...

My New Car!!

it is a Tango Red Pearl Honda CRV - it's pretty basic, no fluffy stuff on it, but I like it! It will get better gas mileage for running the kids around. (no moon roof either!) This is what we spent New Years Eve doing... I didn't really want another car registration due at the end of the year.. (our suburban's is due in November.) We don't have cheap registration here.. For example, it was $550 on the burb. Who has them cheap? Other than Oregon, I know it's pretty reasonable there.

Anyone want a Ford Taurus with 120k miles on it?? I've got one for sale, really cheap!

Hope everyone's New Year has started off well!

Whew

Anyone else glad that Christmas is over?

1. To answer MTW, Diamond Earrings - which I traded up today - I wanted a little more sparkle. Is that bad? I am paying for it with earnings from my part time job, which I've sort of been socking away.

2. DH and DS are watching the 4th Harry Potter. The DD's are watching HSM2 - Me? working my part - time job - some data entry from home, well, I'm taking a break.

3. My dad & his wife have been visiting, I'm glad I've been able to spend time with them. Glad I get along with Jean much better than I did a year ago. It doesn't make me miss my mom any less, but I can accept his happiness a little easier.

4. I am the loser at OTSS. My SS has still not received their gift - granted- I didn't send it until the 18th, but I would have figured it would be received by now. Perhaps I should not play next year. Or I should plan a little better.

5. Dad is giving us a wireless something (for Christmas) for the other computer in the house, he already gave us his wireless router he didn't need anymore. This will allow us to get on the internet in the other room. Though.. DD got on a chat room whilst at her grandma's the other week... her dad was not happy. She is 10, and where she went wasn't great. So? there will be settings & passwords & such set up.

6. Milo. He cracks us up. He has a new bone that he is carrying around from room to room, as if looking for a place to bury it. Hasn't found the perfect spot yet. After all the years of resisting a dog, I'm glad we've got him. He's cute. He'll lay down right on top of our feet if we sit still on the couch. Automatic foot warmer! (and yes, it's a bit chilly here now!)

7. Now, he's scratching on the door to take it into my bedroom! Not!

8. I have not sent one Christmas card out this year, and I would like to be better. Work will slow down after the first of the year, so I'm sending them delayed this year. (and I should send something BIG to my SS giftee.

9. When someone wants you to pick them up at the airport at 11:55 on Christmas Eve?? the airport is NOT crowded, but?? their plane may be delayed, as well as baggage delayed, and you might not get home until 2a.m. *yawn*

10. I think I'm going to go to bed, and read a bit of "It's Not Easy Being Green." (from the bargain price table at Barnes & Noble. )

gnight everyone!

(wow... I made my first list!)

SURPRISE!!

I think everyone was here by 2:05! It was amazing!
Closest thing to being on time my family has ever been!

We had a good meal together! My DH makes the BEST
mushroom gravy when we have turkey!

And,

"he went to Jared"!

Merry Almost Christmas..

Still have things to do before tomorrow,
Pick up Dad and Jean at the airport, after midnight, get them set up at my sisters apartment.

I'm thankful I have a husband who doesn't mind doing almost all the wrapping, last night, instead of tonight!

Dinner at our house at 2 pm tomorrow!
DH makes an awesome mushroom gravy with the turkey!
We'll see how much of my family actually arrives on time.
Many of them have bad habits of arriving late.
Dad & Jean will come.
1st younger brother and family sometimes late, hard to tell.
Next brother is single, most often late.
Sister, BIL & baby, most likely will be late.

We told them we are not waiting for anyone, we are eating
AT TWO!!

Merry Christmas , Everyone!

Upcoming report on who made it on time...

It Snowed!!

Well, not here it didn't, but I have a snow man!!

A melted one, that is!

That is what my funny mail sender sent me from the frigid North.. with a few smooches along with! I got a plastic bag, with some white stuff in it, a button, and a pretzel stick.. so, I'm guessing it was a mini-snowman, that melted! (as far as I can tell..) It was cute, nevertheless!
Hooray for FunnyMail!

Okay, let's see if I can remember the pig with the peg leg joke.

Yippee! I found it, or a version of it.. I remember hearing this joke a long time ago on the Johnny Carson show.. one night when I'd gotten up and couldn't sleep. My dad was watching TV, and I hung around for a little bit..

A man traveling through Eastern North Carolina got lost, and stopped by a farmhouse to ask directions. His eye was caught by a pig with a wooden leg. So he said to the farmer -- an old-fashioned family farmer, not the head of an agricultural conglomerate -- "I don't think I've ever seen a pig with a wooden leg. What happened to it?"
"Well," said the farmer, "this is a truly remarkable animal. A few years back, it was rooting around under the oak trees near the house and discovered truffles. This new crop has brought us a tidy income, I can assure you."
"Fascinating," said the visitor. "I never heard of truffles in North Carolina. But -- why does it have a wooden leg?"
"Well," said the farmer, "just last year, on the north forty, the pig discovered oil, and the proceeds from that oil well are going to make us set for life, including even being able to send all our kids to college."
"A truly incredible animal," said the guy. "I am sure that you are the envy of all your neighbors. But why does he have a wooden leg?"
"About six months ago, the farmhouse caught on fire," said the farmer, "and this pig saved our lives. He rushed upstairs, woke us all up, carried my baby daughter down the stairs by the hair, and made sure we were all safe outside.""Wow," said the visitor. "You are very fortunate, indeed. But I'm still curious about the wooden leg."
"Oh," said the farmer, "if you have a pig that valuable, you don't eat it all at once."

Of Course, it wasn't that exact version I heard, mine had something to do with the pig rescuing him from an overturned tractor.. and I found a Cajun version online.. but nevertheless.. I've always remembered it!

Maybe today?

Maybe today I will get some funny mail!
Today is my day off, and it would be fun!

I know that mine has been sent, and received!
Glad the receiver enjoyed it!

Otherwise, my feet and hands are cold sitting here,
and I need to get slippers on, and go get some breakfast!!

*sniffs* Not today.

Note to self : don't take sewing jobs!!

Sometime, a long time ago, I can't even remember how long, a neighbor came to me with her daughters Winnie the Pooh quilt, and asked for some help. She'd put it in the dryer, and it melted the batting inside. She bought some more batting and was wondering if it would work to replace it. So, I cut out the old stuff, and got the new stuff in. I just needed to tack it down in a few places so it wouldn't slip around. I got it pinned, and did one or two spots on my sewing machine, but then I got frustrated, and it somehow got relegated to my craft room.

And there it sat.

Then a couple of nights ago, she called to ask if they could come and get it, as the nights are getting chilly, and this little 3 year old needs something warmer. Oh Crap! So, I pulled it out, and quickly finished it up. The material was kind of a knit, and tough to work with. But, I got it done.

So, last night I walked it 3 houses down to return it, along with a little Fleece blankie, as she is expecting a new baby. (Kind of a "I'm so sorry I kept it so long " gift. ) Then I had an "only in Arizona" moment.

Only in Arizona, in November, at 7:00 pm, can I walk down the street with no coat, and hear the Ice Cream truck coming up the street, playing "Popeye, the Sailor Man. " It was DARK, for Pete's sake!!

House Meme

I found a meme at another site, and have never done one, but I could easily answer these questions, so here goes. If anyone would like to play along, I'd love it, though I'm not going to tag anyone, since I don't have many readers!

House meme:
1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Zest- not sure what flavor, it’s almost gone and I must buy more today.
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No
3. What would you change about your living room? Get new furniture and make it bigger.
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Dirty, DS emptied and refilled last night.
5. What is in your fridge? Eggs, Milk, condiments, leftovers from last nights Cheesecake Factory.
6. White or wheat bread? White usually, but I also bake half wheat half white, later today.
7. What is on top of your refrigerator? About 10 boxes of cereal at the moment.
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? White. Kid’s bath has a map of the world.
9. How many plants are in your home? Real plants? Maybe one fake, we just don’t get enough light in our main room.
10. Is your bed made right now? No, just recently got out of it.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet
12. Is your closet organized? No. It's scary in there. Needs a good cleaning.
13. Can you describe your flashlight? Don’t know if I could find one.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? With kids? Mostly plastic.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Nope, don’t drink it.
16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Of course! Lots of leftovers from relatives who have passed away and/or moved.
17. Curtains or blinds? Some of both.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? two
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No, the lights from the microwave & cable box light my way when I go let the dog out of the kennel at 4 a.m.
20. How often do you vacuum? Me? Not much. The kids do the vacuuming once a week.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? standard
22. What color is your toothbrush? Purple, I think.
23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yes.
24. What is in your oven right now? Nothing, will be bread later.
25. Is there anything under your bed? Yes, The standard wrapping paper container, and a few dust bunnies.
26. Chore you hate doing the most? Cleaning out moldy leftovers from the fridge
27. What retro items are in your home? None.
28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yes, main reason we bought it. DH was in school at the time, and we needed a separate room for him to study.
29. How many mirrors are in your home? Four, tops
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Nope, but I should
31. What color are your walls? All except 1 are white. The girls room has a watermelon pink wall. That was the one time we got brave. I'm a skeered of color, that I'll do it wrong.
32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Nope.
33. What does your home smell like right now? The outside, the doors and windows are open for the cool night air.
34. Favorite candle scent? Right now – Honeysuckle, but I need to buy a new Yankee Home Sweet Home.
35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Sweet
36. What color is your favorite Bible? Black
37. Ever been on your roof? Nope, but near it to clean branches off. From the silver ash tree in the backyard that we hate!
38. Do you own a stereo? Yes
39. How many TVs do you have? 3, but only two that work
40. How many house phones? 3, all cordless.
41. Do you have a housekeeper? I wish. No, but the kids have jobs that help with housework.
42. What style do you decorate in? I have no style.
43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? We have prints mostly.
44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes, several, but they need to be hung up.
45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? I don’t have stuff all in one place that could be snatched up. I need to do that. But photos mostly. And some of my Grandma’s & Mom’s things from Holland.


And look! It's two posts in one week, I'm on a roll!!

"We're Having a Heat Wave...

A tropical Heat wave."

At least we were a couple of months ago.
Which resulted in an increase of $45 on my electric bill.
I have a plan that evens out my bills over the year.
Since it was still very hot in September, we ran the
A/C for alot longer, and now we are paying for it.
Crud!

In other news, DH got a bonus, and a promotion at work,
so I think we are going to Cheesecake Factory for dinner tonight,
WITH the children... oh, this'll be fun.
I'm going to have to take my Frugal hat off, and not be so controlling.

Yep, me, the Controlling Mother.
More about this later.

pics?

Okay, here are a couple!

Once a month posting??

I'm not doing so good am I? Finding a time to write posts is hard, I only have about an hour after work before the girls get home and demand my attention!

And... I'm just not sure what to say. I don't feel like a creative writer at all.

Halloween went alright. DH had to go to St. Louis on Weds, and then came back on Thurs, so I had to do Halloween ALONE with the kids. I am NOT the one usually handing out candy... I am grumpy that way. We have a Trunk or Treat down in the church parking lot.. and a chili cookoff, though there is really no contest. I made a pot of White Chicken Chili - using a McCormick's spice packet, only to be found at WalMart. It was yummy, and there was plenty to bring home, and have as leftovers on Thurs. I didn't enjoy handing out candy, the pain in my face was acting up a bit (though I'm feeling WONDERFUL today!) so I wasn't in a good mood.

The kids had fun anyway... we had a self made Baseball player, a self made Pop Star, and a mommy-made cheerleader costume! (darn good if I say so myself!)

DARN IT!!!

No, nothing is wrong.. I just Darned!

I don't think I have ever before done so in my life, but I darned my husband's socks last night.
He had several that were getting holes in the toes... I kept asking him where we'd bought them, believe it was Target. But, alas, I did not remember to buy more when I was there earlier this week.

However, if I stuck to the old adage... hmm, something about Using it up, and wearing it out??
I determined to darn his socks. I've done plenty of sewing, so it was no big deal.

Other than that, I'm feeling underappreciated at home... tired of my kids grumping at me.

Anyone else feeling the same??

WOO HOO!!

It's finally cooling off!

Last night we were able to turn off the AC, open the windows and doors, and let some cool air in! We left the front door open all night! (We have a security screen door with a dead bolt..) It was so nice to have some fresh air. It was also nice to turn off the electricity sucking air conditioner. My last electric bill was $300 and something for the month of August !

Yes, we have them in the summer, and others have them in the winter.

What has been YOUR highest electricity bill?

Peeee Yewwwww!

You know, I love the dog and all... but he has his moments. When I am home alone, he always has to be in the same room as I am - follows me and lays down on the floor nearby. (Awww, ain't that sweet!)

But like I said, he has his moments. I'm sitting here surfing the internet, he comes and lays on the floor RIGHT next to my feet, and proceeds to dispense noxious amounts of GAS from his cute little body! Over and over again! Good Grief!

Do cats do stuff like that??

Let us not forget...

My youngest was barely 6 months old when the Twin Towers were struck. All three of my children were at the sitter's house, and I was on my way to work at Compass Bank when it happened. I heard that there was a Healing Field set up at Tempe Town Lake this week, and I thought it might be a good opportunity to impress some things upon my children. DH was working so it was just me to take them. I don't know if my youngest got the overall gist of it - she said they saw a picture on the TV at school today of the planes hitting the towers, so maybe she did.

Also at the park was the National Unity Flag. It was pretty cool! Here is what is written about it.

The National Unity Flag stands nearly three stories high and measures over a thousand square feet and includes the flags of the fifty states and six U.S. districts. The flag includes the names of each victim of 9/11. In red ink, the firemen, blue ink for police officers, and black ink for civilians. In the center is the Statue of Liberty looking proudly to the heavens. The border of the National Unity Flag is red, white and blue, and states, "3046 Lost and 290,000,000 United." The National Unity Flag was envisioned after witnessing U.S. Congress stand hand-in-hand and sing "God Bless America" in response to the attacks on America September 11, 2001. The National Unity Flag was flown to Washington D.C. where all 100 US Senators signed it personally. This very moving and patriotic tribute to the victims of September 11 was envisioned and designed by Randy Cooney from Phoenix, Arizona. It was constructed by a high school teacher, Cathy Wallace, and a few of her students from Ironwood High School, and several adults from around the Valley. The National Unity Flag has been and will continue to be displayed throughout the country.

Which do I need more??

Milk or Gas?

I really hate it when the cost per gallon of Milk is higher than gas!!

All of a sudden Milk is hovering around $3 per gal! I have gotten used to the little milk wars where it is $1.77 or $1.88 - and all of a sudden - no sales!

Then, we're hitting some low gas prices too... I think our area average is $2.51, but close to home it is about $2.45.

I hate it when it gets all lopsided like that!

You??

I'm not THAT old, am I?

Wow! I'm the mother of a 7th grade boy. He received his schedule in the mail today, along with a map of the campus. He will go to a kick-off rally Friday morning, and then will tour the campus to find his classrooms. Being AZ, there are multiple buildings, so it'll be in and out a few times during the day. (This is new to me, since I didn't attend school in this state, where I was - there were real seasons, including winter, so we were all in one building.)

School starts Monday.

But, he makes me laugh. A couple of his latest:

His hair stays pretty short...(thankfully!) He asked me to buzz it for him several weeks ago, and I was happy to save the $15 I usually spend for a haircut. Pretty much all one length, figured it would grow out, and he could get one more "professional" haircut before school starts.

So.. one evening DH notices him walking across the room. "What did you do to your sideburns?"
He'd showered in our bathroom, where DH leaves his razor, and DS apparently tried his hand at cutting them. WHITEWALLS! We've been at the pool quite alot this summer, and he's pretty tan, so it was very obvious that he'd cut them. Ha! The next day he had me shave his head even shorter, so it didn't look so bad! Silly boy!

Secondly..
We have a cross-cut shredder in the other room, and it got knocked over the other day. DD cleaned most of it up, and vacuumed, but the top didn't get put back on the receptacle. So, it was DS's turn to vacuum that room, and he was being stubborn, sitting there, not doing it.

A little while later, in he comes, sobbing, with the plug end of the vacuum, and about 12 inches of cord in his hand. OOOPS! He was playing around, trying to get the shredder to work without being all connected, and ended up shredding the vacuum cord. Thankfully, we have another vacuum, but that was the better one. (rats!) I'll have to see how much it would take to get it fixed.

Anyway, he keeps me amused, my dear son. I'll see how much I like him once he becomes a smelly teenager in a few months.