“Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. 
Inhabit your moments. Don't rent them out to tomorrow.” —Jerry Spinelli

One of my favorite ways to unwind and have fun is to spend a day with my cousin Lorinda. We finish each other's sentences, we know when the other needs to eat or have more coffee, if we're shopping we know exactly what the other will love. There is no better thing than a best friend/cousin (frousin!).

Our new shoes. Lovely, lovely. Last week I went to Sole Obsession and went a little nuts. I got the cute little black Merrells and I picked up the green and gold J-41s (now Jambu) because she has been wanting them for a long time. (I also picked up a couple pair of flip-flops...necessary you know).

No day would be complete without a trip to Starbucks. We had too much fun with the self-portraits...there are a few that we have promised never to show another living soul (of course).

And finally. The important stuff. Cake. Lemon-blueberry chiffon. It was heavenly...We ate that piece in less than 8 minutes (how we know this is not important, what is important is that we do know how fast we ate it...).

So very thankful for this girl, my cousin, my best friend.

I love spending time with Lorinda. Celebrating our family, our friendship. She loves me for who I am - my faults, my fears, my idiosyncrasies - and she knows them all...

Life is good.

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures." Kahlil Gibran

I am a simple girl. Simple things make me happy. My newest simple love is this FABULOUS instant oatmeal. I love me some oatmeal and this stuff...oh baby...I'm in love. If you live local I will tell you that the only place I've found this little treasure is Albertson's (don't want you searching high and low like me...).

My little love for today. Happy Friday my friends!

this & that

“The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” — Barbara Kingsolver

A little bit of this and that from the past week (or so...):

Thanks to me my baby sister knows how to use jumper cables without blowing anything up. I know how to use them, but don't because I am scared.

I am also scared of the courthouse...weird. I get really anxious when I have to go there (and I do sometimes have to for my cemetery secretary job).

Troy gave me this lovely quilt set for my birthday. All matchy-matchy. Isn't it nice?
(thanks sweetie)

My friend and fellow blogger sent me the most delicious message the other day regarding rhubarb. She knows I love rhubarb and a huge - HUGE - thank you to Farmer Shelly @ this old farm. Thank you Thank you Thank you! We are loving it (and will love more if it you have anymore w/out a home - hehe).


I've begun running. Don't tell anyone. K? Thanks. We're keeping it on the down-low. I'm not fast and don't go far, but I do it and that is what's important right...to just DO it!?! My cousin, personal trainer (yes, HER, Lorinda) and my husband are getting me running. Very important - running shoes (these were my gift to me - saved and saved and were my healthy birthday present). I went to Fairhaven Runners and was properly fitted by a nice guy named Erik. Good shoes make a huge difference. HUGE.

Remember that sister I mentioned above? She adopted a pound puppy from the Humane Society. This sweetheart, Chloe. Chloe has joined DeAnne, Alex and Charli Ann in their home. She is a beautiful four-month-old Boxer-something mix. Full of life - so fun!
What else? I've been scrappin' away with cousin Lorinda, working away at school and the cemetery, basking in the lovely Spring weather that is turing to storm tonight, loving my family, enjoying my friends.

Happy May!

tingling tastebuds for over 75 years.

"Life is like a twinkie, we all want the fluffy golden outside but it's the cream filling that really matters." Tom Brady

Until just a few days ago, Wednesday to be exact, my 13 (and a half) year old son had never tasted a Twinkie. I didn't know this. I just assumed the kid had had a Twinkie at some point in his life. Not so. Evidently he liked his first Twinkie. Good to know. So, he asked me if we have anymore. Uh, no, of course not I ate them (duh). Being the nice mom I am I went and bought him a box (yep, a whole box) of Twinkies. I will not eat a single one. I promise.

My question is - Am I a good mom because I kept my kid away from Twinkies for over 13 years or I am a bad mom because I kept him away from Twinkies for over 13 years? Hmmmmm.....


By the way...He has had donettes quite a number of times. We are big on the chocolate covered ones. AND did you know that you can go to the Hostess site and there are recipes for using their oh-so-nutritious products? The Mini No Bake Twinkie Cheesecakes look interesting.

Edited: ok. I just went and looked at some more recipes and the penguin party for the Sno Balls is ADORABLE (as is the wizard and the ornament...)! And I want to try the Ding Dong dessert sandwich.

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile." - Anne Byrn

Sometimes you just want a cupcake. No, need a cupcake. And a cupcake with shiny sugar sprinkles is even better. Lovely.
Have a great week friends. Eat cake (cupcakes that is)!

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Last year my cousin, Lorinda, gave me this lovely book for Christmas. Cooking Up A Classic Christmas: Santa's Secrets for an Unforgettable Holiday, is a cookbook filled with gorgeous illustrations of Christmases past and some fantastic recipes.

So, I am creating a Christmas Eve menu out of this book...I am very excited. My in-laws come for Christmas Eve and I can't wait to share some of these recipes.

Do you have a traditional, have it every year without fail, meal on Christmas or Christmas Eve? or Do you mix it up a bit? (as you may gather I am of the mix-it-up variety, but there are certain dishes that make there way into the festivities every year, such as Butter horns made by my mother-in-law - YUM!)

right now.

It seems that every season, every week, every day there are new things for me to love. Love may be a strong word, but that's the one I'm using right now.

So, things I love at this time:

1. Coffee-Mate Italian Sweet Creme (when I'm not at Starbucks - which is most days now!)
2. Jimmy Smits on Dexter. He creeps me out about as much as Dexter does.
3. Pumpkin butter from Trader Joe's on my toast in the morning. (FYI- there is a recipe for Pumpkin Butter Cream Cheese Puffs on TJ's website. I think I might need to try these!)
4. my Wii Fit. I have gotten to the point where I don't HATE the trainer, the balance board or anything related to the Wii.
5. Mario Cart. I NEEEEEEEED Mario Cart or maybe I don't...hmmm....
6. Clean Eating Magazine. Full of great information and lots of recipes (pumpkin oatmeal...yum!).
7. my pile of pictures from "the week in my life" documentation. I have the pictures, the album, and supplies - now I just need to sit down and create. So looking forward to this!
   

Any favorites to share with me?

cute food.

See this girl? She rocks. I send her emails with links to recipes that say "make me this" and what does she do? She MAKES me stuff! I love her (well...for more reasons than just that, but making me food is awesome). So for "girl day" I sent Lorinda a recipe for Candy Corn Pudding Parfaits. Since she didn't want to transport parfait cups (what? I don't understand...haha) she made it as a layered treat. Yummy no matter what.Have you tried the Candy Corn Kisses or the Pumpkin Spice Kisses? Uh...YUM! Especially the Pumpkin Spice!

If you don't want to follow the link above (you should it has lots of yummy treats) here is the recipe:

Candy Corn Pudding Parfaits

Ingredients

• 9 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Corn Flavored Candies
• 1 package (6-serving size) vanilla cook and serve pudding and pie filling mix
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
• Additional whipped topping and candies for garnish(optional)

Directions

1. Remove wrappers from candies. Stir together pudding mix and milk in medium saucepan.

2. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Set aside 1/2 cup pudding; place plastic wrap on surface and refrigerate. Evenly divide 1 cup pudding among 4 to 6 clear parfait glasses. Cover loosely, refrigerate while preparing next step.

3. Add 9 candies to remaining pudding in pan. Stir until candies are melted and mixture is uniform orange color; cool slightly (about 10 minutes). Evenly layer orange pudding onto vanilla pudding in serving dishes.

4. Stir 1/2 cup whipped topping into cooled vanilla pudding. Evenly layer onto orange layer in serving dishes. Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with additional whipped topping and candy piece, if desired. 4 to 6 servings.

fence and food

Dear Friends,

I am well aware that yesterday my baby turned 13 and that he did so with little acknowledgment by his mother on this here blog. We went for dinner at Jake's (yumm-o), gave him his presents (money & Starbucks giftcard), had dessert. On Wednesday he and a few friends are going to a movie and lunch then Mayhem (Youth Group) and spending the night. Look for an "ode to Archer" post later this week. I did take a few birthday day pictures of the teenager...they will come I promise.

Please forgive me the absence of a well thought-out, preplanned birthday post.

Thank you,

Jerrie

In other news. The big, twig sculpture in the backyard is GONE. Troy trimmed back the lilacs and started creating a fence with the twigs. Here is the fence so far. I think it looks great...I will post when it is complete. And the dessert from Archer's birthday. Angel food cake, fresh, local strawberries, whipped cream. It was fantastic!

living up to the name...

In an attempt to live up to the name "a little bit of this and that" this is a post filled with, what one might see as, random pictures.

On Saturday Cheryl and I went to the Farmer's Market, lunch at Fiamma Burger, a movie (What Happens in Vegas - cute, go see it), and a little more shopping.

I love this sign at the Farmer's Market. As you may remember I do love cupcakes and there is a place there that sells cupcakes, real cupcakes. However, I was a bit disappointed in the selection today and ended up buying tarts (lemon and strawberry-rhubarb) at a different stand. Lunch at Fiamma Burger was okay. I liked my burger, Cheryl's chicken sandwich was a little on the iffy side. It was a bit expensive and should come with fries, but that is another story (burgers should ALWAYS come with fries...are fries really that expensive to make? No. I don't think so.)

Anyway...the best thing about Fiamma Burger is the restroom. It is one of those fully automated ones...you know with the self-flusher, auto faucet, auto hand dryer. It is very futuristic. Of course before lunch I had to go in and well...you know. When I went to use the auto dryer I was quite literally blown away. So...I forced Cheryl into the one-staller bathroom with me (I don't think it was that much of an arm-twister especially after I came out laughing) to take pictures.

This picture is of Cheryl's hand under the auto-dryer. Look closely at the skin...that was a powerful dryer...Oh my! It was like being on a roller-coaster or something. We came out of the bathroom together, laughing...people were watching, giggling...It was so worth it. Fantastic!

Came home to my lovely husband who is in the process of making wine (rhubarb & mixed fruit wine which he is calling Melange). He is obviously having too much fun...I should really cut back on his fun.
Our new little patch of dirt. I bought some pumpkins and squash at Archer's Horticulture class' Farmer's Market and needed a spot to grow them. This spot, on the side of the garage gets lots-o-sun and I always see it so it will actually get watered. Yay!
There was a beautiful sunset in Lynden tonight. I could hardly believe it when we got home from Jake's and I saw these gorgeous colors from behind the trees.
I am looking forward to Archer coming home today. He left on Thursday afternoon on a camping trip to Baker Lake with the family (grandpa, cousins, uncles...). Fun times for him and I have kept myself busy, but I sure am starting to miss him a bunch.

Happy Sunday!

rhubarb custard pie

Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe (via my fabulous mother-in-law Lee!)

3/4 cup of sugar
3 tablespoons flour (slightly rounded)
1/4 cup butter (melted - like liquid, not just soft)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
unbaked bottom pie shell
Rhubarb
*cinnamon/nutmeg/raw sugar to sprinkle on top (optional - we put on the last 25 minutes of baking or so)

Stir flour into sugar
moisten with milk (a tablespoon or so)
add butter, eggs, vanilla, salt & remainder of milk
*stir until thick and custard-y...

Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Add rhubarb on top. (The recipe calls for 1 cup, but we tend to add MORE - 2 cups or so or until the filling is up to the bottom lip of the crust).

Bake 20 minutes at 375.
Bake 25 minutes at 300. It is finished when knife is pulled out clean and it should jiggle a little. You may need to bake it for a few more (up to 15) minutes if the custard is too far from set - you be the judge!).

EAT. Eat warm. Eat cold. Eat with ice cream. It is delicious!

the problem with rhubarb pie

...is it doesn't last nearly long enough.

Today Troy and I made a rhubarb custard pie. I cut the rhubarb and made the crust, Troy made the custard. It is delicious.

I think a crisp is on it's way soon.

And...the rhubarb ice cream? Complements the pie very well...not to rhubarb-y! Just perfect.

Here's to lazy, pie baking, sunny Sundays!

Mexi-Pulled Pork

Made some yummy pulled pork today in the crock pot. It is super easy!

Put pork roast in crock pot.
Sprinkle with (lots) of taco/fajita seasoning mix.
Pour two cans enchilada sauce over.
Cook however long you usually cook a pork roast. Mine took about 4 hours on high then I put it on low for a few hours, then warm until I was ready to pull it...This is what I love about the crock pot it isn't an exact science...even I can do it! haha!
Then pull it apart (ala "pulled pork"). Serve it with beans (I like black, Archer likes refried) and other mexi-kind of *stuff* for a really easy, yummy meal.

Enjoy!

last of the anniversary posts (I think)

Last night Troy and I went out to celebrate our anniversary. As you may know (haha) it is our 13th anniversary. We love the Harborside Bistro located at the Hotel Bellwether. This was our 5th (?) year going there for dinner! I love it. I know a few of you will want to know what we eat (I won't mention any names - you know who you are). I have the same thing every year. I just know if I don't I will be disappointed and wish all year I had gotten my dish. Luckily Troy tries different selections from the menu so we have a bit of variety on the table.
Actually this year I started with a different salad than usual (way to be adventurous Jerrie!).

I started with the Mesclun Mix Salad with Phyllo Portabello Mushrooms, then on to the Maine Lobster Ravioli w/ Asparagus and Sherry Cream Sauce (my absolute fave), then I finished with White Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake w/ Lemon & Raspberry Coulis. Oh what a heavenly meal.

Troy started with the Beef Brochettes w/ Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, then Peppercorn Hanger Tenderloin Steak w/ Gorgonzola Demi-Glace and Onion Fritters with Rice Pilaf, then he finished with the Falling Chocolate Cake with Loose Whipped Cream (divine)!

You know how they say the longer people are married the more they start to look alike? Well...that has happened with us as well except it is with our cocktails...I had a Grape Nehi (or two) and Troy had Vin Gin (?). I liked that he had a pink drink with dinner and was completely not fazed - even ordered a second.
With dinner I had a Blueberry Tea - a hot drink with orange tea, amaretto, and grand marnier (YUM).


Another beautiful sunset shot. Prior to dinner we walked around the hotel on the paths and by the boats. I got a few wonderful sunset shots. It was a beautiful evening.

Dinner.

(I'm stepping on the recipe blog bandwagon here. Watch out!)

One of my goals when I started teaching (was that August? Yikes!) was to start using my crock pot for dinners. Well...February rolls around and I finally (!) take out the crock pot. Tonight was a Mexican Chicken. It was great, Troy and Archer both liked it as well.

This is probably the easiest thing I ever made.
3 steps:

1. Put boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used 3 for my family of 3) in crock pot. Pour salsa over it (I used more than the 16 ounces asked for in the original recipe).

2. Cook on low for about 6 hours.


3. Take the chicken out - put on plate. I put it in the oven to keep warm.
Add 2-3 cups instant rice to salsa and cook for 20 - 30 minutes. DONE!!!!
Easy-peasy!

I bought the book, Fix It and Forget It 5 Ingredient Favorites, at the Lynden Pioneer Museum gift shop a few weeks ago. I marked a few recipes I thought my family may enjoy. I tend to change every recipe just a bit, even prior to changing it. Sometimes it works - sometimes I should just stick to the recipe. Luckily this time it worked!

I also came across a blog called A Year of CrockPotting where the woman's goal is to make a crock pot meal every day for a year. She writes about each experience including the recipe (handy) and her honest opinion of how the dish turned out. Some worked, others didn't - she lets you know!

Happy Cooking!

Happy Birthday Calob!

Today we celebrated Calob's 13th birthday with them and them at Pad Thai. So glad that Calob picked Pad Thai - such a smart teenager he is!

Katie. Calob. Archer.

Pad Thai w/ Chicken. 2 stars. Side of Peanut Sauce. Thai Iced Tea. (me)

Pad Se-Iew. 1 star. Lemonade. (Archer)

Good friends. Good food. Celebration. What a wonderful way to spend lunch-time!

Our Weekend.

Our weekend was a nice combination of rest and work.

• Troy and I went downtown shopping at the antique stores. Troy found treasures. I did not.
• I had a Gingerbread Latte! Just one. I was good. Yum!
• Troy mowed the lawn and prepared the back patio/yard for winter.
• Archer raked and swept the driveway.
• Troy took a nice nap with Horton.
• I watched lots of CSI and Court TV.
  
• I went to Treasury of Memories for their open house. Bought lots of goodies.
• Archer played lots of WOW! and watched The Santa Clause (the first time this season - many more times to come I am sure).
• I made the Halloween cupcakes finally...Archer ate the cupcakes! (Last year we carved our pumpkin 2 weeks after Halloween!)
  

The napping room. Horton likes to lay on top of people to sleep. Eventually he falls off!

Archer veggin' while watching t.v.

Our Halloween cupcakes! Yum!

Archer has enjoyed many cupcakes this weekend!

While I was at the Treasury of Memories open house I picked up a kit to make the JOY frames. It comes with the frames and letters - just choose your own paper. I think the JOY will go on my hutch...not sure yet.

I also picked up this snowman vinyl and frame and added some cute snowflake paper! I love getting in the Christmas spirit. I spent about 20 minutes total on both project. Easy and cute!

Now it is Monday. It is very windy and will hopefully be a quiet day at home! And as it is Veteran's Day I just want to give a big thank you to all the veterans today and thank those who are currently serving in the armed forces. Thank you!

DeAnne's an adult!

My {baby} sister turned 18 today! I really can't believe it, I can remember her as a baby so clearly. The baby girl is all grown up. She has lost her baby fat and turned into a gorgeous woman!

The family went out to Black Angus to celebrate. Here are a few pics to enjoy.

The birthday girl.

Crazy hair.

The food.

Ummm...okay.
The 'rents.

Crazy kids.

Alex

What is with the hair?

Blurry, yet slightly interesting.


Edited: The birthday song was not sung to DeAnne tonight. A few years ago after quite a traumatic birthday we promised no more birthdays (especially no more singing)...She seems willing to go out to eat if we pretend it is just another day! (Thanks Cheryl for reminding me to include this little bit of info).

Spaghetti

Nick had been asking for spaghetti all week so after our trip to Trader Joes, shopping at Walmart, lunch at Wendy's, and going to the park again I thought he deserved the dinner he had been wanting. It was a little messy but he sure did eat a lot. Gobbled down some spaghetti, applesauce, corn and brownies for dessert.
Troy encouraging poor table manners. All the guys tried eating w/out forks...boys will be boys!