Week 33 Tuesday (8/26/14)

A Girls Only Weekend at Mendota Campground!

         This week I am cancelling the cooking and a few other areas to devote the space to my Mom, Sisters, and Nieces.

         My brilliant sister, Susan, came up with the tremendous idea of a girls’ only camping weekend. At first, I was a little anxious as I DO NOT CAMP!  After a whole minute of thought, I totally agreed to this idea IF I could just come for the day and go home that night. My Mom was of the same thought, so the plan was a go and Susan organized the entire weekend.

Let’s start out with a photo of the family.

    The family (from left to right)  back row:  my youngest sister, Diane, then my sister, Kim's daughter in law, Lindsey, Me, Diane's daughter, Molly, my sister, Susan's daughter, Alaina, my sister Kim, and last, but not least, Maddie, Kim's daughter.

         Bottom row (from left to right)  my Mom, Norma, and my sister, Susan.

The photographer was my youngest niece, Rachel who is Diane's youngest child.

         Missing from the event were Brandy, Kim's other daughter in law, Heather, Diane's grandson's Mom, and Josie, Susan's son's girlfriend. We truly missed them!

         Susan selected the campground, as she has been there before. She picked a great wooded campsite with beautiful large oak trees. We had a large site with two areas for a fire, and hookups for electricity and water. There were people in the area, but I must say I didn't see many of them. 

         I loved the campsite and am shocked to admit that I wasn't freaked out by the portapotties. There were actually clean. I still hate that part!  

         Thank Heavens that the girls brought bug spray, since I don't even own a bottle. I avoid being outside after dusk, because I hate to be eatin' alive by them skeeters!  I didn't even have one bite when I arrived home!  YeeHa!

          I am having a terrible time saving this, so I am going to end here. Stay tuned to yet another entry of the Girls Only Camping Trip to Mendota Campground!

         

Week 33 Monday (8/25/14)

Recipe Review             

Week 33:   Monday                           

Today’s Recipe and Location:                    EZ Pockets Apple Pies

        

         Today I depart from Ree’s cooking to try out the EZ Pockets pans. I decided to make the easiest possible recipe to see how it works. I literally took a can of apple pie filling, added some cinnamon, and scooped it into the store bought pie crust and sealed it with the little roller in the box.

That blob on the bottom piece is leftover
dough I stuck on - oh my!

This was easy sneezy and fast to make! Buy one!

         This is so darn easy to make and it cooks in about 20 minutes. Just think, you could make meat pies for dinner, egg dishes for breakfast, and pizza pockets for lunch. This could all be accomplished in minutes. I plan to freeze the leftovers, and see how they do in the freezer. 

         I truly feel like I am cheating after cooking Ree’s amazing dishes, but a little simplicity at times can be a blessing!        

Random Reflections - Bucket List

         After I accomplish my bucket list goals of researching all of the towns in Kentucky, and narrowing the list of possibilities, I want to spend a minimum of three days in each town to discover what is the town is really like. I want to have time to see if any of the towns are somewhere that I would like to spend the rest of my life. I think this will be fun little weekend excursions.

Becky’s Bucket List #22

Visit the narrowed list of Kentucky towns each for a weekend

Have a B.M.I. of 24.9 or lower

Return to Florida/Alabama and see old friends

Play tennis again

Learn to play bridge

Have an in-ground pool

Finish writing a book on the Scent Family

Save up enough money for a down payment on my Kentucky house

Research every town in Kentucky in hopes of relocating

Work on learning calligraphy and bettering daily penmanship

Begin making my own clothing using a mannequin

Volunteer at an animal rescue

Visit all 50 states

Photography courses

Complete all of Mom’s and my scrapbooks

Go skiing again in Colorado

Meet the Duggar family

Watch every nominee and winner for the Academy Awards to date

Remodel my kitchen

Take piano lessons

Write 2 books for my great-nephews

Travel to Wales

Travel to Scotland

Alaskan cruise

Why Weight?

8/17                  Sunday                  2,596         calories         nothing                 

8/18                  Monday                 2,161         calories         nothing                 

8/19                  Tuesday                1,699          calories         nothing

8/20                  Wednesday            1,666         calories         Curves

8/21                  Thursday               1,641         calories         Curves

8/22                  Friday                    2,132         calories         Curves

8/23                  Saturday                1,801         calories         nothing

Goal:             76.1 lbs.          (100 lb. loss between 6/1/14 – 6/1/15)

                  +   2.1 lbs.         this week’s loss

                     78.2 lbs. lbs to go

Beginning with a +4.6 deficit is a drag. Sunday and Monday were high calorie days because I overate due to stress. I always get this way before the school year begins. Sunday was really bad and each day after that became a little better. I stayed at school late on Monday and Tuesday and didn’t exercise. That is not a wise choice. I now finished my first week of school and need to get back to 1,600 and 1,700 calorie days.

        

Sun.                8/17                   9,569 steps                  2,990 calories burned

Mon.               8/18                   8,548 steps                  2,899 calories burneds

Tues.               8/19                  12,665 steps                3,317 calories burned

Wed.`              8/20                  9,590 steps                  3,011 calories burned

Thurs.             8/21                  13,529steps                 3,331 calories burned

Fri.                  8/22                  8,582 steps                  2,927 calories burned

Sat.                  8/23                  7,114 steps                  2,823 calories burned

My step totals were pretty high, so I burned a lot of calories this week. This can help balance out those poor choice days. This going backwards is really annoying. I just need to focus on one day at a time this week.

Wants and Wishes

         I have a really fun family, and I would like to have some time alone with each member of my family. I would like the time to really be able to talk and listen to their thoughts and feelings and where they are right now. When we meet as a family, there are so many people that you really don’t get to talk in depth with any one person. This would be such as joy!

Week 32 Sunday (8/24/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Grilled Chicken and Strawberry Wrap

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

         http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/09/grilled-chicken-strawberry-salad-wrap/

         I seem to be on a fruit kick so I thought what is wrong with one more day. Wraps are extremely popular now and usually lower in calories than sandwiches. This one is just down right pretty. One of the things that makes it really stand out is the dark green lettuce. This one is pretty enough to serve to company.

        

      

Trivial Triffles

         I love having a fan moving the air at night while I sleep. The room stays cooler and I sleep well.  Do you use a noise machine or a fan to sleep?  I also love my ceiling fan in the winter, because it keeps the heat down at ground level. All you have to do is reverse the direction of the blade. Fans are a wonderful invention.

Memory Musings

         Kids nowadays seem to try drinking in Middle School while I didn’t try a drink until high school. My friend, Mike Jung, had a party in his basement and it was one of the first times I was overdrinking. I was sick as a dog, later that night. I really never enjoyed the taste of alcohol.

         During my last couple of years in college, I had an epiphany. I don’t like the taste of alcoholic drinks. The cocktails I drank were Bailey’s Irish Cream – think Chocolate milk! I also drank Amaretto and OJ – think fruit drink! Every drink that I had, tasted like something else – so what????? I decided to just have a Diet Coke instead. I was never hung over, kept my energy, and had no trouble getting home. Sometimes it takes a while for the brain to kick in.

Week 32 Saturday (8/23/14)

Recipe Review         

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Raspberry Cream Pie

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/08/raspberry-cream-pie/

         This pie has a cookie crust base, which already makes me what to eat the thing. It wouldn’t be a rich Ree recipe without the heavy cream. This one has other creamy ingredients to make this luscious. I would like to find a substitute for the raspberries so that I could make the goodness. If anyone can think of a good substitute please let me know.  I love a cream pie.

        

Random Reflections

Yard Art

Thermometer in shade

         One handy thing to have on the deck is a thermometer. They should be mounted in the shade. I found this cute one sale this summer. I hung in on one of the balusters on the deck. It’s always good to know just how ungodly hot it is outside.

Helpful Home Hints

         Nicole and I were talking garbage can cleanup the other day. My cans are disgusting and I need to take some soap and a brush and bring them back to clean. It is amazing how repulsive they become in such a short amount of time. My goal this week is to take a few minutes and make my cans shine again.

Week 32 Friday (8/22/14)

Recipe Review      

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Mixed Berry Shortcake

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/03/mixed-berry-shortcake/

         This photo looks so refreshing. I wish I could eat berries. All the fun summer food always includes some type of berry. There are four types of berries in this dessert. This is a berry lovers dream. This one needs to be made really soon as the great fruit will be gone in no time.

Fabulous “Family and Friends” Food

My sister, Susan’s, Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

6 cups diced Golden yellow apples, not Granny Smiths

1 cup of granulated sugar

2 Tblsp. cornstarch

1 Tblsp. cinnamon

1 cup melted margarine (I would have to use butter)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup oatmeal

½ teasp. salt

½ cup chopped pecans

Directions:

         In a large bowl, mix the apples, white sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon.

         Now, spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with Pam or something similar. Pour the apple mixture into the pan and spread it around.

         Next, create the crisp portion by combining the remaining ingredients together and then sprinkle it on top of the apple mixture.

         Bake in a 375 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Susan, this sounds amazing. You really are one heck of a cook!

Week 32 Thursday (8/21/14)

Recipe Review              

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Chicken Fried Cube Steak

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

                           Pages  142 - 145     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 386 calories per serving, if 12 (3 oz.) servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

The gravy is just beginning to ooze down the sides.

         This is my first experience with chicken fried steak. I loved the spiciness of this dish. The gravy was amazing and I loved the black and cayenne peppers.  This is one of those dishes I will remember.  I took some over to Nicole and Gianna. They liked it but said it needed more salt. Unfortunately, Ree said to add a generous amount of salt and pepper and I did not use nearly enough. They tasted it before I did so when I went home, I put extra salt on the other portions before I ate one and froze the rest.  This is a new dinner for me.  I was so full for hours.

Random Reflections - The Glorious Garden

         Miscanthus is an amazing grass. This one is usually just called “porcupine grass.” It is a very tall grass at 70 – 94 inches or over 7 feet. It has a width spread of 31 – 25 inches according to the tag. It can be planted in full sun or partial share. The soil can be normal/sandy/clay, which makes it easy to grow in this area. The plumes occur in the early to mid fall. They are a showy pink color. I love this hearty grass and the stripes make it stand out.

       

Irksome Ideas and Images

         I cannot believe how dependent I have become on the internet. For the past two weeks, I have had trouble getting on line to publish this blog. There were days that it took me until 6:00 p.m. to publish the blog.  Internet that doesn’t consistently work is extremely irksome. I finally called the company who sent a repairman that removed two boxes from the basement and put in a one new one. Supposedly, the one takes the place of the two. Since his visit, I can get online at any time of the day or night. Yeah!

Week 32 Wednesday (8/20/14)

Recipe Review              

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Simple, Perfect Enchiladas

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

                           Pages  142 - 145     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 328 calories per serving, if 16 single enchilada  servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

You can totally see the black olives, chilies and melted cheese

It sure did make a lot of servings

         These enchiladas were amazing. It did take some time to make them, but I made 16 and put them in a 9 x 13 pans to cook. When they cooled, I separated them into 16 individual servings. I did modify one item (because I had it in my basement). The recipe calls for 1 large can of enchilada or Mexican red sauce. I substituted enchilada sauce with green chilis in it, because I love those little chilis.  I also garnished with sour cream because that just takes these right over the top, man!

      

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

         There are several teachers who I admired during my school career. Ray Rogina, the current mayor of St. Charles, was one of my favorite high school teachers. Ray taught economics and made it come alive to this 17 year old. He was dynamic and so good that I actually subscribed to Consumer Reports as a kid.

         A second high school teacher that influenced me was John Stoffel. Mr. Stoffel was the St. Charles Choir Director. I love to sing and he made every day wonderful.

         Unfortunately, no middle or elementary teacher is standing out to me now, but I did love Dr. Danvers at Western Illinois University. He taught Social Studies methods and really helped me to develop a love for American history.  Today, American History is one of my favorite subjects to teach.

         Teachers have a huge responsibility to their students. We can either me a memorable positive teacher or a negative experience to a child. I have tried to always remember that each and every year.

Memory Musings

         One of the benefits of growing up in Rainbow Hills is the freedom we had each day. I have already described many of the things we did, but I just remembered how we played in the new houses under construction, in the area we called the New Addition. The wonderful thing is that we never damaged any of the homes, but we played in them and jumped from floor to floor. I am sure our parents never knew what we did or even where we were each day. They didn’t have to worry because we were pretty isolated and definitely safe. The worst thing that happened in those houses was that someone always seemed to step on a nail. Oh well, we all lived.