Summer Expectations

A post with no pics, I can't hardly do it again. But just for now, I will.

What do you want to accomplish for the summer? Have fun and get a tan?? Well, if it wasn't for the melasma that comes with it, I'd already be on my way with that. Go ask a dermatologist if you don't know what melasma is... and no, it's not cancer.

I want to really get in shape, I mean really get there.

I want to spend every Friday with my husband and kids (and anyone who chooses to drop by) poolside in our own back yard, sipping lemonade and watching the dog bark at the robotic pool cleaner.

I want my house deal to close on the specified closing day and actually get paid the following business day...

I want to teach all 3 kids to play basketball.

I want to get through the summer without killing all the plants my husband just bought.

I want to read a book for fun and begin learning Spanish so I can go to another country and teach girls about purity next year.

I want to see every member of my family by the time school starts back and actually, I'm planning on it.

I want the summer to be endless, really. And I plan on, pray for, and can't wait to see what God has in store for us. I may want a lot of things, but what HE does and what HE is doing is so thankfully wonderful.

WORDS OF THE WEEK:

"Caddiwumpus" -

spoken by a weather reporter on the sight of a wind damaged apartment building (really, how would you spell that?)


"Knipplemeyer" -

a car dealership, pronounced "kuh-nipple-myer" ...thank you very much.

A Rainy Spring Morning

 

 

 

 

Forked Tongues and Tines

I was just about to stab my fork (with tines... get it?) into a delicious grilled hamburger steak patty when Mom and I hear the doorbell ring and this is what was was waiting for us...

My Aunt Terri holding this prize in the air, hoping to present it to Nathan.
Fortunately (or not so for the snake), my Uncle Jim had beheaded it in the barn...
Although I don't mind touching snakes, one thing is for sure, if you don't know what kind it is, "the only good snake is a dead snake."

Somehow I just couldn't eat my lunch after that.

The Most Amazing Lemon Chicken

Ok, so I'm down here in Oklahoma wondering how to best use this time with my Mom. We have a lot of down time, so movie night is every night, I plan on doing 2-a-day workouts, and I plan on COOKING something new each day. So, having been inspired by Hillengrands new "Recipe Box" and the huge outpouring of suggestions on a recent post by Hillenwife... here's my newest contribution to the food lovers out there.

For a very healthy menu:

The Most Amazing Lemon Chicken
Spinach Salad done anew
brown rice
fresh cut fruit - strawberries are perfect this month

THE MOST AMAZING LEMON CHICKEN:

4 Boneless, skinless, frozen chicken breast
1/3 Cup lemon juice
1/4 Cup EVOO (that's Olive oil, for you non-food-show people)
1 T Dijon mustard
garlic salt
pinch of dried parsley(fresh would be even better)
1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper

Remove ice glaze from chicken breast by running under warm water for about a minute. Place chicken in a single layer in shallow dish for baking. Combine lemon juice, oil, mustard, garlic salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk. (make 2 batches of this marinade, you'll see why below) Pour over chicken and bake uncovered for 40 minutes at 375*. This would also be wonderful to grill, just marinate the chicken in the sauce and reserve a little for basting... YUM!

SPINACH SALAD DONE ANEW:
Fresh washed spinach leaves
You can throw in some other greens that you may have on hand... whatever you like!
grape tomatoes, halved
1 fresh, ripe avacado, peeled and cut up
Frest toasted croutons (Thanks to Aunt Delorus for the homemade loaf of bread!!)

DRESSING, oh this dressing...
It's basically the SAME thing as the marinade for the chicken, but you gotta add something to sweeten it: 1 T sugar or honey or something. Next time I'll try STEVIA.

Add some Brown rice because you'll want all the juice from the chicken to smother it!
Fresh Strawberries in season.
Wow.
That was for yesterday's Sunday dinner. I gotta go figure something out for lunch now...

On the road again

Well, I'm headin to Oklahoma again for a week to take care of my mom. This trip should be quite uneventful and we want it that way. Mom is doing great, thanks to so many of you who have been praying for her. She is home and getting around the house OK. Her labs are looking good so far, but it's a process. She still needs 24 hr/day care for about 2 more months, so I'm looking for some books on tape to keep me occupied on that 5 hour drive down 44. If you read this, please stop for just 1 minute and pray for us. Safe travel, my mom's continued recovery, and my family while I'm away.
Whatever happened to the days when a family lived in one big house with all the cousins, grandparents, babies, and goats? That must have been before transplants...

35 MPG...

Who cares what 0-60 is when you get mileage like this?? Greg had to say goodby to his very cool OU truck. But we both must admit, zippin around in one of these is pretty sweet. Plus Lauren is thinkin/hoping that it will be hers to drive in 2 years. [2 YEARS!!!] Not a bad idea, huh?

With this new addition to the family, my sister says we must name it.
Any suggestions?