2015 Blue Jeans Week 17

Behind is the word here lately.  Behind and late, but better late than never so here is my week in review from last week. . .So we are counting down the days until school gets out here.  We only have 2 weeks left.  Crazy!  They cut the year short because of budget cuts.  Sad, I know.  I don't want to get on that soapbox--it just makes me mad. . .anyway. . .  track, end of the year concerts and competitions are filling our days.  Thankfully Ben and I got to get away for a few days.  He had work meetings in Omaha, and I tagged along.  Huge thanks to my sister who watched the kids and held down the fort for the 3 days we were gone.  Here is a look at our week. . .

Sunday afternoon activity--blanket fort building--love that they still like to do that.

Got away for the day with my girlfriends to get some plants.  Love these ladies.  Great friends!  They keep me sane!

Track meet for Miss E.  She rocked the hurdles.  Got 3rd.  I can't believe she does those.  They make nervous, but she loves them.

Mr J got his Bear award at his cub scout pack meeting this week.  So I got my Mom's bear pin that he put on me.  Love it!

Miss A got to attend the Rotary Youth Camp last month and today they presented at Rotary about their experience.  Awesome group of kids!  Right after this she had to give a campaign speech to the whole student body because she was running for Student Body Secretary next year.  She won!  WooHoo!  Busy day for her!

Amazing author's weekend here!  Mr J meeting Louise Borden.  We love her books!

And Miss E meeting Mike Graf who does awesome National Park fiction books.  Check them out.

Saturday we headed to Omaha.  We had dinner with Ben's boss there.  We sent to a Spanish Tapas restaurant.  Yum!  Something unique and totally not available in our small town or anywhere near it.  Ben is blessed to work for a great company and have an amazing boss.  Loved spending time with him and his wife!

Thanks for visiting!  Hope you have a great week!

Friday thoughts

 My random Friday thoughts. . .

Love this quote, and it is so true.  Everyone is fighting a hard battle even if you can't see it, and if you could see it you would be glad that the battle isn't yours.  Compassion is so important.  It cannot be overstated.  Kindness is so very important and so very necessary and needed in our world.  So just a thought to be kind to others this weekend, as they are fighting a hard battle even if you can't see it.

More crazy is the status here because we were already at crazy.  I thought last week was my total crazy week, but this week is running a very, very close 2nd.  School gets out in 3 WEEKS!  3 WEEKS from TODAY and school is out for the summer.  I cannot tell you how excited I am about that!!!  Yeah!

Among the crazy I have so enjoyed seeing my tulips bloom.  2 years ago I planted over 100 bulbs, and I so enjoy seeing the fruits or I should say flowers of my labor.  Here is just a look at a few of them.

Love these pink and orange mix.

This beautiful mix of magenta and white just happened this year.  I planted white, and I planted magenta, and they mixed on their own.  Soooo pretty!

And here is a look at the side/back flower bed where most of my tulips are.  Love them!

And onto other flowers. . . Miss A was assigned to make table center pieces for a spelling bee dinner.  Well, that girl has been to Seattle and back and is running a million miles per hour, so guess who got to make them?  Ben and I.  Super Mom and Dad right here :)  Just finished them up and are heading with them to the school in a minute.  Crazy, crazy.  Looking forward to a quieter weekend and lots of sleep (hopefully :)

Have a great weekend!!!

What's up Wednesday--recipes this week. . .

I don't have any pictures to share of personal recipes this week, but wanted to share some new recipes we have tried that we liked.  Links are on the titles of the recipes so you can try and enjoy too!

1.  Crock-Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is one I saw on facebook.  I am always looking for new crock-pot recipes and this one was different and turned out really good.  The chicken in it is extra yummy.  I think you could make it as just a sauce for rice too.

2.  Skillet Taco Pasta Shells was a new dinner recipe I tried from my favorite Mel's Kitchen Cafe.  She never disappoints, and it was a super easy 30 minute dinner.  Love it.

3.  Chicken Pot Pie Baked Potato   is another Mel's Kitchen Cafe recipe that I tried this week.  Chicken Pot Pie is one of my all-time favorites, so I knew I would like it.  Having it over a baked potato was something new, but it turned out really yummy.  My family seemed skeptical at first, but they all ended up liking it.  Score.

4.  Rich Chocolate Brownies is a treat I made for our Friday night home movie night.  It just made a small 8x8 pan, and it was gone in 20 minutes flat.  Make the frosting, it is worth it.  Next time I am going to double the recipe and make a 9x13 pan.

5.  Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars another Mel's Kitchen Cafe recipe we made for dessert when we had company this week.  Quick, easy, and so yummy.  The whole pan was gone by the end of dinner.  That is a sign of a good dessert (and maybe also really hungry people :)

Happy Cooking!!!

2015 Blue Jeans Week 16

Crazy busy week this past week which I freely admit I am glad is over. It was one of those weeks I had to take things one day at a time, sometimes even one hour at a time because all 6 of us were heading different places at different times.  We had 4 track meets, 1 piano competition, board meetings, different school meetings, and had to get Miss A ready for her big trip.  Crazy week.  Glad it is done.  Here is a look at it. . .

Miss O at #1 track meet of the week.  She threw the discus and then won the 2 mile and 1 mile races.  Way to go!!!

Track meet #2 of the week--Miss E bringing it in on one of her relays.  They did awesome!  Broke the school record from 1977!

Went to an amazing concert of our school's music teachers.  So awesome!  We are very, very blessed with amazing music teachers in our district!

Miss A and her Lifesmarts team getting ready to leave for the airport for Seattle at 3:30 a.m.  Even at 3:30 a.m. they were excited!

Piano competition.  These 3 did awesome! Gold medals all around!  So proud of their hard work!

Finding a minute to relax and just hang out.  Ben and Mr J playing with the 'super bouncy ball' outside.  

And a pic of our Miss A and one of her teammates enjoying the sights of Seattle!!  Will be glad to get her home!  They have had a great time and did really well!!

Thanks for visiting!  Come back soon!

What's up Wednesday--kids' cookbook

We love our library here.  Always have.  Always will.  This week Mr J found this kids' cookbook that he wanted to check out.  It is called Cooking Class by Deanna F. Cook.  He was excited about it and made his first 'recipe' from it today.

PB and honey pockets--only he used grape jelly instead of honey.  He used the rolling pin to make the bread flat, then cut out circles with a glass.  He spread peanut butter and jam on one slice and then used a fork to seal the edges together.  He thought it was pretty cool and made himself one for a snack and 2 for his lunch the next day.  A fun kids' cookbook if you are looking for one!

2015 Blue Jeans Week 15

Big exciting week here this week!  I won the school board election!!!  Woohoo!  I take office July 1st.  Miss Abigail was in the high school musical.  It was awesome!  Had 2 track meets and did a huge garage sale for church.  It was a busy week.  This next one is going to be even crazier, but I am just taking it one day at a time.  Here is a look at our week. . .

Miss O and her amazing basketball coach at the basketball awards dinner.  That was a great experience for her!  I was proud of her awesome effort!

Tuesday was election day.  Kind of a weird experience to see your own name on the ballot!  We waited at the county clerk's office after the polls closed to see the results come in.  About  9 p.m. we knew I had won, so we went to Sonic for shakes to celebrate.  Yes, we are missing one.  She was at play practice. So grateful and humbled at the great response I had while running!  Thanks to everyone for their support!!!!  Looking forward to serving our kids!

These funny people got a hold of my Dad's sunglasses.  They were using his truck to haul some things around.  Funny that my dad has 3 pairs almost exactly the same in his truck :)

The play!  They did Cyrano de Burgershack-- a fun and modern twist on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac.  Miss A at table on the far left.

And after the play on the opening night with her chorus girls and their crush.  The play was so cute and they did so well!  So proud of her for trying something new!!!

Had a huge garage sale at church to raise money for summer girls camp.  Man, it was a ton of work, but we got all the money we needed for camp which was nice.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a great week!!

What's up Wednesday--election results and chocolate chip pancakes

Wanted to officially announce that I won the school board election!  Woohoo!  We were waiting at the court house for the results to come in from 7 to 9 p.m. last night.  When they finally did come in, we needed to celebrate, so we went to Sonic and got shakes. Yum!  yes, sadly we are missing one.  She was at play practice.  Thanks so much for your support!  I got tons of texts of congrats and even a call from my sweet aunt in Utah to congratulate me!  Thank you all!  That meant so much!  I take office July 1st.  Crazier--here we come (because we were already at crazy:)  So love this family of mine and their support!  Couldn't do it without them.

so onto the recipe I promised for today--chocolate chip pancakes.  This is one of Mr J's favorite things to make.  He does them all by himself which is really nice :)  He likes to make different shapes and letters when he cooks them.  These are extra yum.  Enjoy!

Mini Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 Tbl baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 cups milk

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup brown sugar

In a large bowl combine flour, chocolate chips, baking powder and salt.  In a medium bowl combine milk, eggs, oil and brown sugar then add to the flour mixture.  Stir until just moistened (batter may still be lumpy)

Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat.  Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto hot skillet and cook until bubbles begin to burst.  Turn, continue to cook for about 1 minute longer or until golden.  Repeat with remaining batter.

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen.

2015 Blue Jeans Week 14

Beautiful spring week this past week.  Enjoyed the blooming flowers and Good Friday off.  Got a yummy treat in the mail and had our first track meets of the season.  Spring here we come!  Take a look at our week. . .

April is always piano recital and competition month.  Ben and Miss O work on a duet.

Got a super yummy treat in the mail from our wonderful friends that visited on spring break.  It was a mix of butter, caramel, and cheddar popcorn which was delicious!  This huge bag was gone in 2 days.  Yes, we loved it.  Thanks Hansen family!

My pear tress are blooming in the front yard and are so pretty!

Track meet #1 of the week.  Miss O in blue running varsity at the high school meet.  Miss E also had a middle school track meet today.  Divide and conquer. I went to Miss O's, and Ben went to Miss E's.  Both girls did a great job!   Love track season.  Nothing like sitting on bleachers for 5-7 hours :) No seriously, I really do like it :) just not the sitting for that long part. . .

Mr J is into cooking lately, at least cooking chocolate chip pancakes :)  He has his own cookbook he is compiling, and these are his favorite recipe to make so far.  Yum!  Will share the recipe tomorrow.

Had our annual Easter Egg Hunt and pot luck this week.  Look at those kids.  We have been doing this for 9 years and those kids have grown so much, and we have added a few also :)  Great times!

The girls and a friend dying Easter eggs.  

You can see how our eggs look normally on the left from our chickens.  The ones on the right have been dyed.  So pretty!

Hope you had a blessed Easter Weekend!  Today is election day, so I am anxiously awaiting the results to see if I get elected to the school board.  Will let you know tomorrow when I post the chocolate chip pancake recipe.  Heading out to mow the lawn.  Is it really that time of year already?  Yes.  Lawn mowing season here we go.  Have a good one!

Friday thoughts--Because He lives

This Friday I wanted to share with you this beautiful video my church made to celebrate Easter.  It is about 2 minutes long and so worth your time.  It celebrates the true meaning of Easter.  Because He Lives is about our Savior Jesus Christ who is always there for us and has give us so much. #becausehelives

Jesus Christ lived.  He walked the Holy Land, working miracles and teaching truth.  Then He was cruficied.   But His death was not the end.  Because of His Resurrection, we will live again.  Because of His sacrifice, we can rise above sin to experience true joy.  Because He lives, we can find His help and healing every day of our lives.

Because He Lives!

Have a blessed and happy Easter!

What's up Wednesday--Easter dishes

So with Easter coming up this weekend I have two big meals to plan for.  One is our annual Easter Egg hunt and pot luck.  We have hosted this for 9 years at our house.  Super fun!  Everyone brings something yummy to share.  This year I decided I would make. . .

* mozzarella sticks--the kids always like finger food
*Jello beans--got the mold several years ago, and it is another finger food the kids love

*chicken bow-tie pasta salad--one of my favorite pasta salad recipes

*Red and White pasta--which is a huge favorite of my family's

For our Sunday Easter dinner, we go to my mom's and enjoy it with lots of other friends and family from church.  For that I am bringing. . .

**Oreo Salad--a must have at any holiday dinner in our family

*Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes from none other than Mel's Kitchen Cafe

*Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon which is another family favorite from my favorite Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

So looking forward to the Easter weekend to remember our Savior and to be with family and enjoy yummy food!    Hope yours is wonderful too!