Has it really been a month?!

Where has the time gone? I'll be back soon!

The ultimate in cuteness

Snow!

Ugh! Isn't it spring?! Aren't we supposed to be enjoying warmer weather?!

So then why did we get 6 inches of snow last night/this morning?! YUCK! But it was fun to go outside and make a snowwoman!

Another angel in heaven

From one of my favorite hymns.....

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.


Shawndra Turner lost her hard fought battle. Please pray for her family, especially her little girl Ella.

Keep the faith

Has it really been almost a month since I've posted? Been a crazy month for me at work, which makes everything else kind of crazy, too. I'm so looking forward to our Spring Break the week after Easter.

If you read this you know I've referenced a couple of other blogs - Shawndra Turner is one of them. She and her family made the extremely difficult decision to enter hospice care and only receive pain control. Please pray for her family as she finishes her cancer journey.

Also, little Abby is having a really rough time fighting an infection and they could use your prayers also




On a lighter note, it is a beautiful day here - it is supposed to be near 55 and sunny, so we will definitely get out and enjoy it later today! One of the great things about living in a cold-weather climate is SPRING. We saw our first robins yesterday - the unofficial first sign of spring!

Fitness Challenge

So at work it is "Wellness Week" and we are having a fitness challenge at our school. I've been working out - walking and yoga if you can call that working out (ok, once on the bike) 3-4 times per week. Lost 5 lbs total. good. But I could be doing a lot better. Why can I not motivate myself more?!?! Anywho, here are the categories we are scored on -- one point for each:

•No snacks after 8 pm
•30 minutes of cardio
•Weight lifting
•Ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner
•Drank 64 oz of water
•8 hours of sleep
•Did some type of stress reliever(ex – yoga, reading)
•Ate something from each of the 5 food groups
•No TV while eating dinner

So far I've done 3 meals, I've read, ate something from all food groups, and no tv during dinner. I am off to do my walking in a few minutes and had a few yogurt covered raisins before so no more snacking. I'm almost at my 64 ounces for the day. Heck, I've almost done my walking going to the bathroom since I've been drinking so much. haha. Anywho, I won't lift weights and we'll see about 8 hours of sleep. Gonna try.

Why don't you join me? Do this fitness challenge for a week. Check back in with a point total - I'll keep up with mine!

Menu for the week

Well, this week is really going to be casual for dinner!

Monday - pork roast
**Threw it in the crock pot this morning and we were good to go.

Tuesday - out
**Taking the Katwoman to McD's to play with 2 friends after dance. Since she earned the 10 stickers for being a good sleeper ya know. Gotta do it!)

Wednesday - out. Taking the hubs out for dinner. Fondue. Yummy!

Thursday - BBQ pork sammies

Friday - who knows?! Whatever Daddio decides. I'm going scrapbooking so I'll get whatever Archiver's feeds me. Last time it was stromboli and salad.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope it is a sweet one for all.

I've been so crazy busy I haven't updated in a while. Hopefully I'll have time soon!

AhhhhH!

Winters in Wisconsin can be brutal. Last winter we had over 100 inches of snow (2nd most all time). A few weeks ago school was cancelled for 2 days due to extreme cold (was -20 actual temperature when we woke up).

But tomorrow....ah, tomorrow. It is supposed to be almost 60. 60 in February in Wisconsin would be unheard of. Warmest temp on record for tomorrow is 53. In 1857 or something like that.

I know it will only last a day ~ but what a glorious day it will be! :-)

If you pray.....

I have recently started reading a blog, and the family really could use our prayers for their little girl Abby, who is fighting a very aggressive form of leukemia. Please pray for Abby and her family.




And, while we are in a praying please include Shawndra Turner and her family in your prayers as well as she continues her battle against cancer.

One day I'll have to list the blogs that I read (too many), Many of them happen to be written by people who are courageously fighting disease or have lost a family member and they all could use our prayers. So, as Nike would say, JUST DO IT.

BCD! (Buffalo Chicken Dip)

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP - can't have a Superbowl Party - or any other kind of party for that matter - without it.

2 boxes cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 oz canned chicken
5 oz Frank's Red Hot
1/2 cup ranch dressing

Mix it all together, place it in a casserole dish, and bake for 30 minutes at 350.

I usually stir it 1/2 way through. We serve with tortilla chips or crackers. Whatever you like.

Yummy Yummy in my Tummy!

Our dinner tonight was delish! Love this!! You have to try it! Really!! :-)
I found in an old Taste of Home magazine and I'm very glad I tried it. Oh, and for the record, I would love this even after it has been shredded before adding all the other "stuff".

Mile High Shredded Beef

Ingredients:
1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 pounds)
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3 drops hot pepper sauce
12 to 15 Hoagie Buns (recipe also in Recipe Finder)
Directions:
Place the roast in a Dutch oven; add broth, onion and celery. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender.
Remove roast and cool slightly; shred meat with two forks. Strain vegetables and set aside. Skim fat from cooking liquid and reserve 1-1/2 cups. Return the meat, vegetables and reserved cooking liquid to the pan.
Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaf, garlic powder, paprika and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Serve beef on buns. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Good Eats

So it's been a busy weekend and will be another very busy week at work with IEPs and meetings, so I've planned my menu for the week and done most of my shopping. I need to get back in the habit of doing tihs more often b/c it saves SO much time. I've already cooked the chicken and the beef and they are in the freezer waiting for me.

Sunday: out to eat (YAY)
Monday: Chicken Tortilla Soup (recipe already posted on the blog)
Tuesday: Mile High Shredded Beef Sammies (recipe to come)
Wednesday: Shrimp Stir-Fry (or something with shrimp)
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Tilapia
Saturday: not sure yet :-)

I'm also going to be hitting Dinner By Design in a couple of weeks so I'll have some really yummy stuff (I hope - it sure sounds yummy anyway). And the best thing is, all the prep will be done so all I will have to do is stick the food in the oven.

I have a pretty funny (or sad, depending how you look at it) story to share regarding a certain 4 year old but it will have to wait since I am in the middle of an IEP (and I can't keep my eyes open).

Goals for the week: Smaller portions for meals, limit snacking, exercise at least 5 of next 7 days. ((I'm starting a yoga class once a week so we'll see how that goes - never done yoga before...))

Don't you hate it when.....

You don't get enough sleep? I mean ......Isn't it supposed to take a lot longer for morning to come? I swear I just went to bed a few minutes ago!!!! Things are crazy at work and of course I'm staying up too late at night.

The result of this will be something like:



I can't wait for Saturday and sleep, sweet sleep (with no early wake-up call!)

Let's try something different

Didn't have a lot of time this afternoon and knew tonight was not going to work since I had to take the Katwoman to dance class, so I did a quick 20 minutes on the bike. 4 miles. A pathetic level 2 (out of 16 levels) but hey - I'm out of shape and I'm doing it, right?! Go me!

Tomorrow I might do some weights.......maybe. But I will do something!

Oooops, I did it again!

Yupper, I hit the treadmill again. Only had 30 minutes but according to my machine I burned 461 calories so I'll take it! YAY! I love that tired feeling after working out, don't you?! I'm feeling pretty good today since I ate well, didn't really snack, and worked out.

I think I'm going to keep a running total on the distance I walk - or bike or whatever I do. It will be interesting to see how far I make it before vacation...

And, I've decided I'm going to reward myself for staying on track with my exercising, good eating, and losing weight. My first goal is about 7 pounds away. Now last time I was going to lose weight I decided if I hit my goal I'd treat myself to some make-up. Wanted to try Bare Essentials. Well, my dear sister-in-law took care of that for me at birthday time. Needed a new idea. And I have one - not going to sound so exciting to anyone but I'm going to get a new wallet after I hit goal #1. I got a new purse for Christmas (thanks, honey) and I think it deserves a new wallet - don't you?!

Finally!!!

Ok, so some people who know me think I need an intervention because I have been watching episodes of The Office every night with the Mr. (Honey, do you mind if I call you "The Mister"??) We have never really watched it and went ahead and downloaded the first 4 seasons (from Amazon) to the Tivo. Love that. Anywho, I've been waiting and waiting for Jim and Pam to get together. And waiting. Well, tonight I finally watched the last episode of Season 3 and YAY ~ it happened. So of course we had to watch one more. Which turned out to be 2 more since this is a '2-parter'. So who cares if I'm up until midnight and have to get up at 5:40 tomorrow?!?

Oh, and one more thing. I worked out tonight. Yep. 45 minutes on the treadmill. And I feel great. And I'm going to do this every night. ((Maybe if I post this very publicly it will help me continue)) I'm gonna lose this extra weight and I've been saying this for how long now? But this time will be different. I've done it before and I know I can do it again. Darn it!

Who's with me?

Another crock pot dinner *Pork Chops and gravy*

So the other day when wind chills were -30 and the actual temps didn't get above zero I thought mashed potatoes would be a perfect comfort food for dinner. Since I wasn't going to leave the house to get anything I went to the freezer and found some pork chops to go with my potatoes and made a really yummy dinner.

In the crock pot I threw:
* the pork chops (about 8 boneless loin chops)
*1/2 a can of coke (helps to tenderize, though I didn't really need it with the loin chops I don't think)
*cream of mushroom soup
*Lipton Onion-Mushroom Soup mix

And.... it cooked slowly all afternoon. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans and oh was it delicious. The pork chops were soooo tender. A perfect meal for a freezing cold winter night!

Is it cold enough for you?

It is VERY cold here today. Cold enough that schools are canceled everywhere (yay - a "free day" - at least until we have to make some up in June). Not going to get above zero today. My outdoor weather station says -8 - and it is early afternoon! Brrrrrrr. It will be interesting to see what school districts do tonight as it is going to be colder BUT after about noon should warm up. Decisions, decisions. As much as I'd like to stay home I do not want to go to school the week of June 15 so I kind of hope we are not canceled!

The stomach flu bug has finally left our house - thank goodness. That was one nasty bug and the first time all three of us have succumbed to the same illness. Thank goodness for my sister in law coming to take my Katwoman for the day Sunday. We were just too sick to take care of her. Not sure what people do when they don't have family nearby to help out. We are very lucky we have them close by!

Random thoughts for the day

The stomach flu really sucks!!!

Sprite is my best friend today!

Chicken Tortilla Soup for the crock pot

Everyone loves soup on a cold winter night, and this is definitely one of my favorites! Let me know how you like it if you try it!

Chicken tortilla soup

INGREDIENTS
1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
7 corn tortillas
oil

DIRECTIONS
Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-Tortilla-Soup/Detail.aspx

**I added a can of black beans and I put the chicken in raw then shredded it. I also served the cilantro to taste since my SIL/MIL didn't want any. Oh - I didn't use water I used extra chicken broth - next time I'd use a little more enchilada sauce I think. I used some tortilla chips I had and served everything with cheddar cheese and sour cream as well.

It was really good!!!!!

(I would think that if you used pre-cooked chicken you could make this quickly on the stovetop!)

I'm addicted!

Yes, I am. Addicted. To what? A new show. Not new, but new to me. The Office. How have I not watched this before? Well, better late than never, right?! The cool thing about having a Tivo is getting to download things from Amazon and we got the seasons of The Office. We are watching them in order from the beginning and I can tell you I am staying up WAY TOO LATE at night because we just "have to watch the next show!" I am not sure who my favorite character is because they all play such a big part.......We are about halfway through season 2 and will watch more tonight. Of course having these Office marathons means I am not getting recipes on here or pics with that new camera. So much do to, so little time. But for now, I can at least relax at the end of my day with a laugh!!!

This is what I think right now....

I do not want to go to work tomorrow. I have been home since Dec 19 (we had a wonderful snow day). I have had a wonderful two weeks with my family, have enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in........so the 5:40 wake up call tomorrow is going to hurt.

Oh, and I am so excited. I got a new digital camera for Christmas (thanks, honey) and so I can now add some pictures to go with any recipes I post. YAY. I am going to post an awesome soup recipe tomorrow after I take a picture....just have to get that battery charged!!!