Failed recipe

I tried a new recipe that I got off of a boneless pork chop package. I must admit it tasted alright but it's not something I would cook again. We would rather have regular ole fried pork chops. The recipe I tried was Autumn Apple Chops Autumn Apple Chops 4 pork chops, 3/4-inch thick 1 Tbsp. Flour ( I used about 3 Tbsp's) 2 tsp butter 1/2 onion, sliced 1cup apple juice Season flour with salt and pepper; lightly flour pork chops and brown on one sidein butter in non stick skillet over medium heat. Turn chops;stir in onion and apple juice; bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 7-8 minutes until internal temperature on a thermometer reads 145f, followed by a 3 minute rest time. Serves 4. I just didn't like it much at all. I don't cook a lot of pork chops at home, so this was a experiment that went ok. Was just missing the WOW factor. We all know some recipes we try are so very yummy and others not so much. At least I was trying to be creative in the kitchen! I am going to try another recipe called Cowboy Cornbread. I had some at work and it was very good and seemed easy to make. Well friends I am going to close for now! Have a awesome fun filled day!

Stressed

Took Aaron to OU Children's hospital Wednesday.  We were there all day 1 pm till after 6 pm.  They did different test on Aaron and it is the infected enlarged lympe nodes near his appendix making the poor guy sick.  They did tell us he would be sick for at least another month till the infection worked its way out of the body.  So looks like to me that Aaron will be throwing up and such for awhile.  But at least we know for sure what we are dealing with and how it is going to affect him.  We have been dealing with Aaron hurting and sick for 2 long weeks and many trips to Dr and several to emergency rooms.

This weekend my mom's side of the family is getting together for our Thanksgiving celebration.  I have to work today and figure out a few desserts I can make that is "WOW" factor.  Wish me luck on that one.  I am thinking about using a recipe that is close to what my grandma use to make all the time.  She always called it the "Better than Sex" cake.  Which always shocked me when she said the word sex because my Grandma didn't talk about S. E. X. ever and here we are eating a cake that has THAT word in it.  I love good memories and that is the top of the list memory for me.  My neice Kaylee is coming over to spend the night with me and to help me with desserts.  We will have alot of fun cooking.  I also want to make a different side dish that we normally have at our get togethers.  When mom and grandma were alive they did most of the cooking.  Which didn't leave alot for anyone to bring.  My Aunt Connie always brought pies and if for some reason you brought one it hurt her feelings.  So this year my cousins Brenda and Belinda seem to be doing most of the cooking and is letting me bring desserts.  Aunt Connie and her children and familys have decieded not to come to this celebration.  It has a lot to do with grandma and mom passing.  I hate that our family will probably never be totally together ever again.  This hurts so many of us and there isn't anything I can do to make it better.  Why? because I am sitting on the fence and can see both sides and why they feel the way they do, and I am not going to take sides because I do not want to lose any communication with any of my family. 

I am almost done with my Christmas Wreath.  The hardest part is getting the ends wrapped around tightly.  I need someone to help me get this done.  I love how it turned out and am proud that I even attempted it.  It is super easy to do except for that last part of getting it closed

My cell phone usually takes better photos but my lightening in my dining room is horrible!  I thought it turned out alot better that I thought possible. 

I used a wire hanger (it needed to be thinner that it was) and bought ornaments from Wal~Mart and the Dollar Tree to put on it.  How super easy is that I ask.  I have to give credit to all the bloggers I have seen that has this on their site as well.  I would have never thought of this on my own!
                                                                            

                                                                              Swap Bot
I have sent off several swaps as of yesterday and it was $25.00 worth.  Wow that is crazy but that is my hobby and I do enjoy doing it.  Most of it was Christmas Cards and I had one box and 1 flat rate mailer.  I finally got my October Journal in the mail and the 30 day of surprises. 

I put up 3 swaps in our group " Girls Night In 2" and I was very happy with how many actually signed up to join them.  I am always happy if just 1 more joins but was excited to see that I have a total of about 10 ladies participating.

Well I have got to get ready to take Mr. Trevor to school and he doesn't want to get up as usual.  He is so much like me that it's scary. 

Everyone have a blesed weekend!!   Karen

Happy Halloween

Isn't fall weather the best?  The cool weather with the turning of the leaves is amazing.  I do believe this is my perfect season of all time.  I went and bought Halloween candy and we haven't had one trick or treater at all.  That is the worst part of living out in the country.  Although I thought my next door neighbor would drop her daughter by for some candy. I also made up Kaylee (my neice) and Raylee (Mr. C's neice) up a cute plastic tumbler of candy.  Even called Kaylee and told her to come by.  Now I am just kinda sad that we didn't get to see them all dressed up.

Swap Bot 

   
This is my 30 days of surprises for my partner on Swap~Bot.  I hope she will enjoy it as much as I  had putting it together for her.  I cut down lunch size paper bags and decorated with scrapbook paper and stickers and diecuts.  Then I put surprises in the ends of the bags.  Stickers, tea, candle, lip balm and notecards and postcards and such. 

Being a part of Swap~Bot has been totally awesome.  I have enjoyed doing all sorts of swaps.  Although Journaling swaps has to be my favorite! 

Today I spent time with my oldest son Blake.  He is legally blind and can't drive so we ran his errands.  Blake is only 19 years old and his Banker asked him if he wanted to buy a house and land today!?!  That really blows me away. 

I hope everyone had a great and safe Halloween today! 

Easter Sunday!

It is misting outside and it is a little cool in the house. I have been on swap bot since 7 am this morning. I needed to catch up on group stuff and check in with some groups. I also posted several RAK's. Which I haven't done in a long time. I also made a Mother's Day Card swap for my group Crazy for Color. Not sure if anyone will join but it is there if they want to. I have several packages going out tomorrow. I finally got done with a private question journal and let me tell you I think it was the hardest one ever for me to do. I doubt I will ever do another one of them!! I also joined the April stash swap. I filled a big envie up with good stuff. At least to me it was all good. Just stuff I wasn't going to use ever. I do hope my partner will enjoy getting it.

Yesterday I took Aaron and Trevor to Oklahoma City. They wanted to go to Bass Pro Shop. We had a good time. But I couldn't get Aaron to buy much. He ended up with a knife and some fishing stuff. Not nearly what I had planned on spending on him. As I had taken Trevor last week and spent nearly $100.00 on him alone. He wanted a new fishing pool and fishing gear. Then yesterday I ended up spending more money on Trevor. He knows how to work his moma that is for sure.
We had a great time over all.

Today I am going to Clinton to spend the evening with Mr. C. He wanted me to come yesterday and I didn't. So I may stay till Tuesday morning. It really is relaxing up there with him.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Weekend!!!

Trevor Surgery

Took my little guy to the bone and Joint dr because his foot was hurting and it had a huge hard knot on it below his inside ankle. Well guess what?? He was born with a extra bone in his foot and it is bothering him greatly. Which is very rare! So now we are waiting on Oklahoma Children's Hospital to call and get him worked in. I am scared to death for him. Trevor finds it amusing to say the least. His only request is he doesn't want a lot of people there...mmm okay so who does he want to tell that they can't come up? We have a large extended family and very caring so who can come will. That is just how our family rolls.... I have been buying alot on Etsy. I had NO ideal they have some cute journal supplys or scrapbook supplies that I could use in my journals that I do for swap~bot. I have 3 journals I have to send out by Monday which I am already late on. Am so sorry I haven't been staying up to date with this blog. will try to do better this month!

Friday is here!!

I am so glad it is Friday! Tomorrow is the big wedding day for Laci and Tyler. The Church is decorated and today is the day to decorate for the reception. Tonight is the rehearsal dinner. Should be lots of fun. They went with fall theme colors. Turned out gorgous!

Today we have to pay bills and do our normal routine. Mr. C has to work Saturday and Sunday. He is training on a joystick rig. He has been using the top drive so this will be a little different for him and his hands. The best part is they will be coming back to Oklahoma. Two years working in Lousianna was way too long. Lot's of miles on the vehicles, that is for sure.

Am sending off two swaps for swap bot. Am sending Tea~rrific and the Fall & Winter tea sampler. Am hoping I get some swap~bot mail today. Love when I get a full mailbox of goodies from swap~bot partners.

Am going to be thinking somewhere I can take the boys for fall break that is coming up this week. I may take them to Six Flags over Texas for the weekend. Trevor already has his season pass and that would just leave tickets for Aaron and I. They may choose to do something else like camping. Which wouldn't be too bad.

Here's a new recipe I tried last night and we all agreed it was wonderful!!

Slow Cooked Pizza in a pot

1 1/2 lb ground beef 3 c. pasta twist cooked and drained
1 chopped green pepper (6oz) sliced pepperoni
1 chopped onion 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 1 (14 oz) can pizza sauce
1 sm can of rotel

In skillet, cook beef, green pepper, and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and rotel; mix well. In a slow cooker, place ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until heated through.

So easy to make and it will probably become a family favorite for us.

Working on swaps for swap bot!

This morning I get up about 7am. Today is the day I am going to work on some swaps. I am currently doing a song lyric journal and need 30 songs and I still need 10 to get it finished. I don't have to send it out till Sept 30th. So am going to try to finish it this week! Am angeling a cute and fun journal for the partner that sent to me. The host/her partner flaked on her. Then the girl I sent to won't rate me...uugh. I had a journal with some pages already done and am going to use it instead of wasting the book.

Have been Brody's taxi service today. (Bonus child) Sure will be nice when he gets his license. Then we can worry about him but not have to drive him!

I had a ole friend look me up on facebook today. We use to work at America On Line in Oklahoma City. I hadn't talked to him in like 9 years or so. He was always a nice guy towards me.

Need to make list for my trip to Shreveport La for tomorrow. Am so ready for a road trip. Patty and I are going to have a blast on the trip! Then I get to see Mr Wonderful!! That really excites me greatly!! I need to buy alot of Shreveport postcards on this trip. I have used alot of them in my swaps and am about out.

Have a great evening...

Friday Night Football

Tonight Aaron and Trevor are at the Rush Springs football game. I hope they are having a good time. I don't usually let them stay at the game by themselves. I believe that at 15 years old and 12 years old they can handle it. I am home relaxing and working on the computer, playing frontierville, doing swap~bot, and now doing my blog.

Today was a good mail day. I received a pen pal letter and a package from swap~bot. Was surprised to get fun mail. In my package I got some cute blank recipe cards. Just in time for a swap that I am doing for crock pot recipes.

Have had some good phone calls today. I have talked to my sweetie Mr. C., and my brother Stacy and my BFF Cherrie. This has been since 7:30 pm. I love these people very much. They complete my life.

It's now 9pm and I need to go get the boys from the game. Am keeping my fingers crossed that Aaron will spend the night with Coby (my nephew). It depends on if Laura will let him, he has been staying almost every weekend with them.

One of my goals this weekend is to make up some envelopes. I have used up all that I had on hand. It doesn't take long and they look so good when mailing.

Swap bot mail day!!

As you may know I am really into swap~bot. I spend a lot of time looking at swaps to enter and also looking at profiles with blogs. It keeps me entertained:)

Today I received 2 swaps. One was for a book swap. The book I ended up with is Club Dead by Charlaine Harris. She is a favorite author of mine. I can't wait to start reading it, which will be tonight while Mr. C is watching his daughter cheer at a football game. I am going to grab a glass of wine and settle in on the love seat and read for a couple of hours.

The other swap I received was a private swap I did with PATUMMA. Wow I was blew away with all the goodies she sent me. The cute pink princess box with a rubber stamp set, with blank cards to use, also there was princess items in there as well. The box was completely full of goodness. I could tell she really read my profile and wanted to put a smile on my face. She hit my likes completely on the head. Thanks to both ladies very much!

Have been reading several new blogs today. I am amazed at how creative they are. I hope as time goes by my blog will grew as I learn to be more interesting.

I recieved this recipe with my book swap and wanted to share it with you ladies. It sounds wonderful for a cool fall evening. I am all about easy receipes.

County Chicken Chowder

Ingredients:
2 TBS butter
1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cans (10 3/ oz each) crean if potato soup, undiluted
2 small onions, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 small carrots, sliced
2 cups frozen corn
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 cup half and half

Directions:

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add chicken; cook until browned. Add cooked chicken, onions, celery, carrots, corn, soup, chicken broth and dill to slow cooker.

Cover and cook on LOW 3~4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.

Turn off heat; stir in half and half. Cover and let stand 5 to 10 minutes or just until heated through.


Doesn't that sound so very yummy? I am thinking I may go get the items tonight and put it on so it will be ready after the games tonight.

Mr. C bought us a new 42" flat screen TV and entertainment center this past Friday. We are loving it very much. We are down to buying a new bedroom suite and we should be done with furniture. We furnished one room at a time, which worked for our budget. I may end up having to buy Trevor a new bedroom suite but that will be in future.

Weekend again!

Mr. C and I went to Gainsville Texas for the weekend and had a great time! I think we confused our kids by not taking them with us. We really needed the time away from the daily routine. I was very surprised that he had planned this for us.

Tonight we are back home and I need to work on a few swaps for Swap~Bot. I am currently in three journal swaps. One is song lyric journal, one is a 30 day journal and the other is a long term journal.

I bought a Memory Makers book today and it is called Budget Scrapbooking, great ideas for scrapbooking on a shoestring. Just looking thru it I have found several ideals I can use in my journals to spice them up a bit. I am always looking for new inspirations.

We ate at a great BBQ place in Ardmore Oklahoma today called Budro's Rib Joint. It was great bbq!