What's The Matter Kitty Kitty?

This is Marshall one of our cats...

Normally he is very laid back,

He even likes the dog, but this 

weekend he has been skulking around, stalking....

something has caught his eye...

He has literally been at attention most of the weekend, 

not able to take his eyes off the new edition to the household

Ready to pounce if necessary

destroy if need be....

Can you guess what might have his attention

what has caught his eye? 

Its just an antelope...

This was Art's first .

Even I have to admit he is a beauty....

I wonder what Marshall might do if we leave him alone? 

Times Are Changing...

The leaves are changing in the city. I think that Fall is God's way of preparing us for Winter.
I love this season...the leaves changing, the cool breezes, the fall colors, hunting season, football.
BUT...Fall took some time off this weekend. We broke record cold and had snow.

Home...At Last...

After 6 hours of delays, 4 meals, 30 hours of flying ,and gaining a complete day I am home.

It usually takes me around 3 weeks to get over the jet lag.

I have lots of stories to share and I will over the next few months.
But for now I just want you to know we are home and okay.

Randomness from the Stapes....

It's Wednesday and I have one week and two days until I leave for Vanuatu.
I am trying to get packed. I have been collecting clothes for a village sale to
raise money for translation. I am going to try and take it all with me.
I have one suitcase packed, and I still have lots on my floor not good
since I still have to get balls, sunscreen, water toys and hot sauce packed.

Sage is going with me. We have been taking typhoid medication. I have been
sick most of the week. Nauseu and headace and tiredness. I 'm hoping it is the
medicine because I took my last one today. We did medicine because it
last 5 years, shot lasts 2, and it is lots cheaper.

Cole and Sage have spring concert Thursday. one more week of school.

Jon brought home a little kitty last night. She is so tiny.
Not sure what he is going to do with her, but for now I am being nice. Well
kinda.

We have had beautiful spring weather this week. Today was like perfect with a warm
cool breeze if that is possible.

We went to a Fleetwood Mac concert on Sunday Night. It was fun, but my
ears hurt for two days. Art was fine, but I think thats cause he can't hear any
longer. He told me today he is getting T>V> ears. Hearing aid for T>V>
Whatever...

Art gave me a Kindle for my birthday, and I'm loving it.
I was able to download 2 Bible translations for free.
Jon has free Kindle on his I Phone. That thing can do anything.

My phone broke this week. I went two days without. I survived.
I got a new updated model. Nice... no it's not an I Phone.

I've been doing a water aerobics class 2 times a week and I'm
loving it. My clothes are fitting better.

Well, not much more going on around here.

THANKFUL TUESDAY ON WEDS.

Okay,

I missed Thankful Tuesday because of a migraine so I'm posting this picture with a commentary.

This is Jon, doing his favorite thing, texting.

He has the Apple I Phone, this phone can do almost anything.

For example

We can be driving down the street,

"Let's go to Chili's , I wonder where the closest one is," I'll say.

"Two blocks south, then turn right, and left on Abilene 3 blocks," I looked it up on the IPhone

he grins.

" I wonder what the weather is going to be like this weekend," I ask.

1 minute later I have the complete weekend weather report for here and Nebraska.

"I wonder how work is going for grandpa this morning?" I ask.

"Same old thing," Jon responded,

What!

"Just a quick text."

Anyway you get the point, the phone is amazing. It can tell you were the closest speed trap is, the next movie times, and give you 101 excuses for whatever you need an excuse for.

Jon can play Scrabble, Frogger, and it can magically become a light saber.

He has the entire 5th season of The Office downloaded on the thing.

Last week we were having a serious conversation about idols in our lives.

"If I'm honest I would have to say my phone is an idol, " he said.

Sad commentary but true.

Do I have One?

No...

Do I want One"

No...way to much work to figure out, but for Jon it is his 3rd appendage.

Desi's Book Club....

I have been wanting to do this for a while. It is a good way to get ideas for different books to read. Here is my list.
I am going to do my best, but I really am going to have to make reading time to get it done. Thanks Des.

1. Three Weeks with My Brother, by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks
2. Old Friend from Far Away, Natalie Goldberg
3. Ruby Among Us, Tina Ann Forkner
4. Finding Forgiveness Admist a Pile of Bones, Bishop of Rowanda
5. Arm Yourself against the Enemies Schemes, Beth Moore
6. Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
7. To Kill A Mocking Bird, Harper Lee
8. Kitchen Priveleges: A Memior, Mary Higgins Clark
9. Finding the Groove, Robert Gelinas

San Francisco Cioppino...Or Fish Stew

I have already shared that Art is filling some of his spare time with cooking.
This last week he made a Fish Stew in the crock pot.
The only down side was that it was a little expensive, but very good.
This would be good on pasta also. Enjoy...

SAN FRANCISCO CIOPPINO

Serves 6

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, undrained ( art used two cans)

8 oz. tomato sauce

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 cup white wine

1 cup water

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. dried sweet basil

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. red peper flakes

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 lb. fresh or frozen cod or other whitefish fillets, thawed and cut into bite sized pieces.

1/3 lb. fresh prawns, peeled and deveined

1/3 lb. fresh sea scallops

1/2 lb. fresh mussels, scrubbed

1/2 lb. fresh clams scrubbed

2 lemons, cut into wedges.

Combine all ingredients, except the seafood and lemons, in the crock pot. Cover; cook on low 6-8 hours of high for 3-4 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, add the seafood to the stoneware and turn to High. To server squeeze lemon wedges into each serving.

Very good with sour dough bread.

to increase this recipe, double all ingredients.

Taken from Today's Creative Crock*Pot 2nd edition

Some Randomness on Stapes week....

Last Thursday we went to Kiowa for the boys Art Festival.
It was extra fun cause Sage won an award for one of his paintings. Actually he won 2 awards and got two checks as a reward. The family made lots of noise to properly embarrass him, but he was so thrilled he didn't seem to notice.
Good job Sage.

We spent weekend home. Sage hung out with us.
Jon went to a dance with his girlfriend, he looked real handsome.

The academy awards were Sunday night.
I didn't set out to watch it, but when Art went to bed I flipped it over.
There is something about those beautiful dresses that draws me.
It must be the princess in me.
Takes me back to my childhood when I loved to dress up like a princess, and walk down the sidewalk in the backyard with my make believe dress and cardboard crown.
Were those green earrings on Angeline Jolie real emeralds? They were huge. I loved them...

I am pretty critical of Hollywood. I can hardly stand the way they fawn over one another.
I call it gobbly gooping one another, but I did enjoy seeing the 5 old best actress winners introducing this years nominees.
The praise, they gave one another sounded sincere, and it was fun to see two or three generations of Hollywood beauty standing all together in one spot.
Just once though, it would be interesting to see one of them who had aged willingly and gracefully without the help of botox or plastic surgery. Now that would be real fun and I would find that really worthy of praise.

We went to Celine Dione concert last night.
It was at the Pepsi Center..
We bought the tickets over a year ago. The show was cancelled in November, and moved to last night.
After all those years in Las Vegas she knows how to put on a show.
She changed clothes FIVE times and I don't know how she walked in those high heels let alone danced in them.
Jon told me that no person his age would be caught there. He was right I only saw a handful of young people, but the place was full of middle aged old people ;)

Art had the day off today. Work continues to be VERY slow...Joe's is Slow also.
It was nice for him not to have to get up early after getting home so late.
He spent the day cooking.
A fish stew....Art is such a good cook, but its hard on the diet.
I will post the recipe.


Well that's the news from here, but the weeks not over yet.

Upstairs floor....

Des wanted to see the upstairs floors that Art put in.....

This is just the hallway, but all the rooms look the same.

This Is Why I Don't Cook....

For years Art has been trying to figure out how to make Carnitas meat that pulls apart but is crisp at the same time. We have this favorite Mexican restaurant that serves it this way.
It just figures that with his perseverance to figure it out that he would find a recipe and fix it perfect.
He DID, and I'm going to share the recipe with you. Enjoy!! because it is excellent.
Art made home made beans and tortillas. Looks indulgent but it fit perfect into our weight watchers we just couldn't eat as much as we would have liked, and that just meant that we could enjoy it over a couple of days.

CARNITAS

2 1/2 lbs pork roast, trimmed of excess fat
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1tsp black pepper
1 cup cola
1 orange peeled and cut into slices

Season the pork roast with dry spices. Place in a self sealing plastic bag and marinate overnight.
Place the marinated pork roast in a crock pot. Pour the cola over the pork and cover the roast with the orange slices. Cover, cook on Low 8-10 hours or High 4-6 hours. (Art cooked it for 10-12 hours overnight)

Remove the roast and shred with two forks. Place the shredded pork on a large baking sheet and bake at 425 F for 25 minutes or until the pork becomes crispy. sprinkle some of the leftover juices from the stoneware over the pork and serve right away.
Today's Creative Crock.Pot Cookbook

Randomness...

Just to let you in on our week....

I had a migraine for 3 days....uuggh... finally let up yesterday....today woke with a sore throat.... Art's sore throat is better....

Boys went back to school this week, Christmas vacation seemed to fly by.....Sage forgot his black pants at my house.....Cole forgot his tennis shoes.....had to meet Steph in town for a rescue mission.....

Got Christmas stuff put away....actually Art did.....I just put it all in one spot.....

Sage had honor band last night, Joe said it was very good, they performed with lots of other schools....

Two of the fish died.....Steph took them back and got a few more....hopefully they won't eat one another...she went alone...that was smart....no Cole.....

Jon got a new job at Red Robin....registered for school.....is working at theater for 2 more weeks... I will miss free movies.....

Art made it through the week....work is slowing down for Art and Joe....we are praying....

Erik and Michele are in Port Vila for 2 weeks.....a hurricane is passing close by...they are thankful not to be in the village.....lots of rain....but I will get to hear from them more often......

I received Christmas cards that Vanuatu kids made me.....I loved them.....

I made airplane reservations for Vanuatu in May....

Joanne started school this week....she is loving it......

Toby had his two year old checkup and he is fine.....I knew that ....he is so cute....he bit the dogs foot this week.....fell and split his head open....no stitches.....

We started diet this week.....weight watchers.....Art gets 32 points,I get 22....is that fair....
and he will loose faster is that fair....I really DISLIKE dieting with him.....but I LIKE his support cause he cooks good......

We had a 60 degree day this week.....really....in January....today it was cold and snowy....
that is more like January.....

Play offs this weekend.....does anyone care......Bronco's still do not have new coach....

Jon's cat is crazy.....I have been able to ignore that until today and he clawed my couch.....not good.....

I got a new Avon customer today.....wahoo.....one step at a time.....


It is 2009.....amazing isn't it.....
HAPPY NEW YEAR....how long is it okay to say it.....

Happy Birthday... To You....JON

He is CUTE and NINETEEN

THE DAY AFTER...

I hope that this finds you all happy and content after your Christmas day celebrations.

I like the day after Christmas, after so much hustle and bustle, present wrapping and all it is nice to STOP and not have to do anything unless I want to... and today I didn't want to.

I used to go shopping the day after Christmas and get wrapping paper and all kinds of sales, but it has gotten to the point that there are so many sales before Christmas that it is not worth hassling the crowds. Besides as the boys get older the presents get smaller though not less expensive, and I use less paper every year.

Cole and Sage came home with me last night. We went to the club today and worked out.
It is time to diet in earnest now the holiday is over, though it is hard to ignore all those left over cookies and fudge.

I put away presents, we always get so many presents.
We got Cole a fish tank, I promised that we would go pick out fish tomorrow.
Anyone who knows Cole knows that of course he would want Piranha's , but his mom says no way.
She says they will eat the gold fish, but I think she is probably more concerned that Toby might lose a finger. He is a curious little guy. A new tank will surely get his attention.

Art ,Joe, and Sage are going duck and goose hunting tomorrow. I will never understand the lure of the duck hunt. To early and to cold for normal people.

I love when we drove home from Kiowa last night and all the stores and resturants were closed,
but the parking lot at the theator was completely full.
This is the busiest week of the year for them and Jon works all weekend.

Tomorrow is Toby's birthday, hard to believe he is two, and Jon's is Tuesday harder to believe that he is nineteen. We plan to celebrate as a family on Sunday. Birthday party and Bronco game. I will say nothing bad about the Bronco's, Art and Jon continue to stay ever loyal. I am just realistic, but they get upset when I lay out the obvious to them. :)

2009 promises to be a year to remember.
I will reach a milestone birthday, and
Art and I will be married for 40 years. God has been good to us.

It is nice to have Christmas on Thursday makes the weekend extra long.
Continue to enjoy yours.

Random Christmas Thoughts....

Hi to all....well the holiday is almost here. I went shopping for some last minute things, and was that insane.. ...The traffic was terrible and the lines were long (Jon and I sat 25mins. in the bank drive through), even I was loosing my patience at that point, and the guy behind me would absolutely not move.

Made my last batch of fudge tonight.

Jeff my nephew got out of Alaska this afternoon, it looks like he will get on the plane in Seattle to arrive here around midnight. Joanne is thrilled.

Mom has had a bad cold this week, but she seems to be getting better.

Jon works tonight until 2 a.m. , and both Christmas eve and Day. This is the busiest time for the theater.

We are expecting snow tonight. It has been so cold this week.

Art works tomorrow, but is off Friday.

The cats are sleeping so that they will be awake enough to sit on my face tonight while I'm trying to sleep. Monalinga has gained about 10 lbs. since the new cat arrived.

Art is watching "Larry the Cable Guy Christmas". One of my favorites. Still can't understand why farting is so funny.
Sage is the one who called him to tell him it was on....does that mean it is passing on to the next generation? Probably.

Tom my nephew has a new blog family blog. You can access from my blog. Rugged Wyoming.
Great pictures are promised.
It will be fun to see the family. The kids are growing up so fast.

By the way Happy Birthday to both Tom and John Herburger this week.

I almost have all my presents wrapped.

Not much more news. Hope this finds all my family fine and enjoying the day before Christmas Eve. I think that I like Christmas Eve better than Christmas must be the anticipation.

Lights In the Darkness...

I love Christmas Lights...There is just something about colorful twinkling lights penetrating the darkness that makes me want to break out in Christmas song :)

Going to Zoo lights was exceptionally fun this year. We picked what was to be the warmest day of the week, but when we walked out the back door it was snowing like crazy.

At that point we chose to ignore the reality of the situation and go with the weather report thus we continued downtown to the zoo.
Within an hour the snow had stopped and it was a beautiful warm night. I think that my camera captured some of the beauty.

Been thinking the last few days about the fact that Jesus is the light of the world.

"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12

It must have been exciting and overwhelming for those who understood that moment, the angels, shephards and Joseph and Mary. They knew that a Great Light had penetrated the darkness of eternity. The Saviour had been born.

There is a Christmas song that says: and God sent His Son and said 'Let there be light'.

I pray that your Christmas will shine with the Light Of Truth, that the Saviour has been born for all mankind.

Toby had fun.....

I stayed warm....

Boys.....

Merry Christmas!

10 Things I Am Loving Right Now....

1. Starbucks Mocha Mint Coffee....almost as good as the Pumpkin Spice.


2. Art's fruitcake...
If you love fruitcake this one is the best. We doubled the recipe so that we have enough to enjoy for the month of December and January.
I will post the recipe this week.

3. Christmas Candles....once a year we can get sugar cookie, chocolate chip, cranberry nut,
and Arts favorite good ol pine fragerances
Right now I'm enjoying the sugar cookie.

3. Weight Watchers... 36 years ago I lost 50 pounds on weight watchers. Some things never change I still struggle with my weight, but this time I'm going back to loose 20.I appreciate that they are consistent and easy. Over the years I have been back several times and it always works for me.

4. My new camera the Nikon D60. Art gave it to me for Christmas. Early present. I have lots to learn about it, but I know that it is a treasure.... Thank you Art.

5. Toby's smile. That boy grins at me and I want to

hug him. I don't think it's just cause I'm his grandma.:)

6. Avons "leg sitters" These guys are darn cute. Their legs light up and they have fiber optics.

Love them.
7. Book I'm reading this holiday season.

"Immanuel Praying the Names of God through the Christmas Season."
by Ann Spangler

8. I never get tired of reading about the wonder of Christmas in the Scripture:

What was it like for a young woman to have an angel tell her that she would be the mother of the long awaited messiah, and this would happen to her because nothing is impossible for God.

Or what must it have been like to not find a room for a pregnant wife who was in labor.

Was Mary scared to have to give birth alone in a dirty stable.

Wonder what those shepards thought when the angels filled the night sky saying "do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news about a new born baby lying in a manger who is your saviour.

What was God thinking...Sending His Son to earth in this way....

What kind of love is this?

I am Awed and Thankful.

9. Christmas Lights..I'm especially liking the colored ones with the blue lights.

10.My new boots they look like the expensive ones, you know the ones that begin with U, but they aren't and they are soooo comfortable.

11. I'm going to have to make this 11 things I'm loving... because my niece Heather is unexpectantly pregnant, and I'm excited for her and her husband Dale so I am loving it as I send my congratulations to them...

THERE YOU HAVE IT...... My December Loving It List.....Let me see some of yours....

Meet Magnet..

Meet our newest house member

He is 10 months old and feisty.

Jon named him MAGNET.

Monday Madness

I think that I actually pulled it off. I am all packed but my makeup and pills, and I am going light.
I always say that but usually it doesn't happen, this time I really tried. I only have two bags...oh and the computer and the camera ....I'm trying to decide whether to take my new Christmas camera. It was on sale. so I got it early. Art is checking it out as I write.
We are all set up to take a class together.
Either way I will take pictures for everyone who has asked me.

I got my Christmas advent calendar done for Vanuatu. I have been working all week so that I could get it out in time. It had to be on its way before I left. I will put details on my other blog. It turned out very cute.

Art spent the afternoon making home made pumpkin pies. He is such a good cook. Yes, he even cooked the pumpkins .
Breaking the diet again.
I'm going for a walk and then I will have cup of coffee and teensy piece of pie. :)Can't resist.

I will check in from Ohio. My flight leaves @ 10.

BE SURE AND VOTE
Check out Fred's blog today. Good stuff....
http://www.wingsle.blogspot.com/

Saturday at the Stapes.

Another beautiful fall day here.

We went to get our flu shot early. Kaiser has shot clinics, there are so many people that they have to direct traffic, and the lines are long. It is amazing how quickly they herd everyone through though. No snacks this year, no asprins for the pain this year, but the shot was free, and they still give out bandaids. Cannot complain about that.



Off to Bass Pro after that, oh did I mention the stop for a breakfast borrito. The diet will have to wait until Monday....again....

Hash browns and eggs in a flour tortilla, so good...some chirrizo....I did order the small one:)

Art had gift certificates at Bass Pro. He shopped while I watched the fish and drank a pumpkin latte. For some reason I just cannot get into fishing lures, and guns.

Did a few more errands, and headed home.



Did not work out but took a nap instead.



Jon is working late tonight. He likes his job.



I leave for Ohio in just two days, I still have a LONG "to do" list. I hope to do most of it tomorrow.

KAREN

FACES OF FALL;0)

This one is really good, I made it for Bible Study and they loved it. It is spicy and moist. The chocolate frosting is an added bonus. I love chocolate and spice together.

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Cake

Cake

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsps. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsps. salt
• 2 cups canned pumpkin

Glaze

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• 1 Tbsp.butter
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 3 Tbsp. milk
• Melt chips in micro-wave and mix other ingredients into melted chips.

1. Make cake: preheat oven to 350 grease and flour a 9 inch bundt cake pan.Set aside.

2. Beat eggs and sugar until blended. Beat in oil. Fold flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt into egg mixture, add pumpkin puree, mix. Pour batter into pan and bake until a skewer inserted nto center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 mins., then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

3. Make glaze; pour over top of cake