Thehousethatlovebuilt's Xanga

We're moving . . .

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:28:21 GMT

     Many of you have visited us here, but unless you opened a xanga site of your own, you have been unable to leave us comments. We were glad so many visited us, but really wished more would comment. Therefore, according to and because of {there, we threw in some legal sounding mumble jumble ;-p} we are (at least temporarily) moving to / trying out a blog land site.
      While we are there, please feel free to comment! In fact, your even welcome to subscribe if you'd like to.
Most likely, that blog will pretty much contain the same type of postings this Xanga site did. And yes, I do plan on once again doing the monthly lists of "theme day('s)". We're just in a new, easy to participate, site. We're gonna give it a try, we'll see how it goes there.
      The name of our new site? The Bz House That Love Built :-}

useable on more than just dough!

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:49:05 GMT

First to let you know that if'n I'm not on here for the next couple of days, do not worry!!! Wendy S. is taking her dad home and offered me a ride ... I'm heading to our "out of town" kids house. You know, B1, C2, and our wonderful grand daughter :-D I might be too busy being wowed to remember to post ... o:-p

In the Monday tip posting I did about the many uses of pan coating spray (Remember: Spray it - Don't scrub it!!!), I had mentioned a couple of the different ways which a pastry blender can be used. Since then, I have been jotting down different ways as I was using mine, or which I remembered while using mine on something else. So today's tips are all different ways you can use a pastry blender.

~ First off, just to get it out of the way, you can use it on pie dough. :-} I think it works splendidly for it, and I do have a list available of those whom like the end results .... ;-p

~ Graham cracker crusts. After you have smashed your graham crackers in a used bread bag and dumped them in a bowl, use a (sprayed) pastry blender on them to make sure you didn't miss any lumps. Then continue using the pastry blender as you first mix in the sugar and then the butter.

~ Bananas. After peeling (from the bottom up) v-e-r-y ripe bananas and placing them in a flat bottom bowl, use a (sprayed) pastry blender to mash them all up. You will be amazed how good this works!!! You can then use the bananas to bake banana bread, or banana bars, or ....

~ The yolks of hard boiled eggs when making deviled eggs. You'll never want to use a fork on them again!

~ When making cheese balls. Spray a pastry blender and then use it to combine the cream cheese and other cheeses. Use a knife to scrape any build up off, then keep going. You get thourally blended cheeses this way.

~ On bread crumbs. After putting your dried out bread in a used bread bag and smashing it to bits, dump the bags contents into a bowl. Use a pastry blender on the crumbs to make sure all are crumbled evenly. Then continue using the pastry blender as you mix in any seasonings.

~ Blending together the dry ingredients part of meatballs. Whether you use crushed crackers, crushed Corn Flakes, or oatmeal, go over your choice with a pastry blender to make sure there are no lumps, etc.. Then continue using the pastry blender as you mix in all of your other seasonings.

~ Use one to break apart a thawed ham loaf which you are either going to use to make ham balls, or use in a dip.

~ Blending together the dry ingredients for a triple batch (or larger) of Oatmeal Carmelitas {I see some of you drooling ;-p).

I'm sure if I gave myself more time, I would be able to come up with and / or remember several more ways to use a pastry blender. But I decided to go ahead and post this now, seeings how I know that many of you will probably be able to use at least one of these ways while preparing goodies for your New Years Eve gathering/party/snacks after the kids are down ;->

I 'plan' on linking this particular posting to: {If I can stop playing patty-cake long enough .... o;-p)

~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", hosted by Mom2my9 (Jen), at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).

~ "Make-Do Mondays", hosted by Shari, at 'My Practically Perfect Life' (www.practically-perfect-life.blogspot.com).

~ "Happy Homemaker Monday('s)", hosted by Sandra, at 'Diary of a SAHM' {SAHM = Stay At Home Mom} (http://familycorner.blogspot.com).

~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).

~ "Tightwad Tuesdays with Canada Girl", are hosted by Mary, at 'Raising 4 Godly Men' (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/canadagirl).

Analyse and Boo ;-}

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:55:18 GMT

I had started yesterday's posting with, "In the posting on Friday, Dec. 4th, about 'sort of' catching you up - I had included this section,". Today's posting is about another section from the Dec. 4th posting. " ~ Friday, Nov. 27th - watched Analyse and Boo while others went hunting - funny story to share later about Analyse and Boo and kissing :-p !!!"

Boo was really not sure what to make of Analyse the very first time that B1 and C2 brought her here. He'd walk around the edge of her port-a-crib sniffing and then just kind of back off. He'd start to walk up to whom ever was holding her, sniff at the air, and then quickly back off. Some people were quite concerned about what he would do if he did get near her, so they were continually voicing commands for him to stay away. His frequent cocking of his head with questioning or confused expressions on his face, made it clear that we had puzzled him but good.

Then all of the relatives started dropping in, making big to do's over her. What was up with that?!! He'd sniff the air, get a questioning expression, and then go find somebody who would pay some attention to him!

Analyse had cried quite a bit, and his response had been to high tail it out of the room! But then she'd gone into one of her full volume (and believe me when I state that she has FULL volume capacity's! 8-/) literally wailing sessions. I was holding her, bouncing her, patting her, trying to vocally sooth her, pacing a little with her, while also trying to reassure her parents that I for one, knew it was nothing they could do a darn thing about, or had any control what-so-ever over. Boo had approached me a couple of times, and then partly due to her suddenly doing an extra loud burst, or due to somebody correcting him, he'd back off and or disappear again. But then it was like he too couldn't take it anymore. He'd come springing into the room, jumped up at me, planting his legs on my arm, and pointed his nose at Analyse while giving me the most beseeching look of "do something mom!!!"

I tried reassuring him that "I was trying to!" And, "yes, Analyse doesn't feel good, does she?" Etc.. I also reassured others that he was going to be just fine with her in the long run. He totally understood that her cries meant there was a problem. He just didn't get why I hadn't fixed it yet. After all, that is what I did.

Fast forward a couple of months.

At one point in the day on Saturday, when Byron and Analyse were here during the Labor Day weekend retreat, she was taking a nap in her stroller and it had been pushed to the edge of the 'woods' outside the back kitchen door of the lodge. Boo too was out there, his chain connected to the storage trailer. All was calm. Elizabeth B. had asked if it was okay if she went and took a peek. Couldn't blame her for wanting too ;-}. Told her that it was fine, but Boo was out there.

She had gone out and I could hear her talking to Boo. No problems. But then suddenly Boo had gone just short of ballistic! Oh no!!! I went running while calling off Boo. Elizabeth came in chuckling. She said that he'd been just fine with her going out the back door. He'd let her pet him and everything, u-n-t-i-l she'd started to lean around the top of the stroller to peek at the baby. Suddenly he let her know that she'd gone too far! She had laughed and said that she had "no problems with that or him. He's adopted her and is protecting her. That's a good thing!!!"

I wasn't sure which I was happier with, her understanding or his protecting.

{All of that was to lead you up to the telling of the story referred to in the Dec. 4th posting. I was cluing you into Analyse's and Boo's relationship.}

Fast forward a couple of more months. It was now the day after Thanksgiving. B1, C2 and A. had arrived here the evening before Thanksgiving, and Boo was thrilled!!!! He couldn't seem to give her quite enough kisses. Seriously!!! We'd tell him, "okay, that's enough" but he wasn't convinced. And this had continued from shortly after their arrival until the time of today's story - the morning of the day after Thanksgiving.

Brian, all four B's, and C2 had gone off rabbit hunting, leaving Josh, Analyse and I here along with Rascal and Boo. I was sitting on the big brown coach holding and playing with Analyse. Josh was sitting on the small couch furthest from us, playing his video games on the TV; but occasionally I'd catch a glimpse of him watching us and smiling. :-}

Boo wanted to be a part of the play time Analyse and I were having. But he also kept insisting on kissing her, over and over and over again. Josh laughed right out loud at one point, when I had one arm wrapped around Boo attempting to hold him back, and Analyse was sitting on my other leg with the other arm around her. Both Analyse and Boo were smiling, I just couldn't seem to convince Boo he'd kissed her enough!!

Analyse's response to Boo kissing her is quite comical. When she sees one coming, she starts fluttering her eye lashes something fierce, and kind of squishes up her face while arching her back and leaning back ... comical! I am quite sure that it has a lot to do with just how very cold Boo's nose always is, and he can't give you a kiss without touching you with his nose. Brrr.

Fin-na-lly I had things more 'under control'. Boo had stopped with the constant kisses, Analyse was happy, mission had been achieved.

Then, looking straight at Boo, Analyse had opened her mouth in a cute little circle, and with all of her strength (which the girl has tons of!!!) leaned towards Boo and given him a kiss!!!

Boo was thrilled!!! I was amazed. And then again trying to hold Boo back. "Goodness girl! I had just gotten HIM to stop, now look at what you've done!!" The laughter coming from Josh told me he had witnessed the whole thing. I just joined in his laughter while shaking my head.

Then wouldn't ya know it, Analyse reaches out her hand trying to pet/feel Boo. I (somewhat) gave up. Obviously these two had thourally accepted one another and had their own bonding / communicating going on. Mercy.

The only thing I regretted was that we hadn't caught the whole thing on film. Later her parents voiced the same sentiment. But like I told them, I had no clue she was going to go and do that!!! ;-p

a grandma/grand-baby story :-}

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:32:44 GMT

In the posting on Friday, Dec. 4th, about 'sort of' catching you up - I had included this section, " ~ Sunday, Nov. 29th - Noon on Wed. Dec. 2nd - Taking care of Analyse (some wonderful grandma/grand-baby stories to share!!! :-}) "

Today's posting is one of those stories.

I know that I told a few of you this story this past Sunday morning, while I was holding my nephews baby son at church. You had teased me that I was just holding him to get a "grandma fix". ;-p I can't get over just how much Nathianel looks like his daddy Isaiah did as a baby!!! Seriously so!!! And while I did enjoy holding Nathianel, it's not the same as holding my own grand-baby. He doesn't know me and interact with me the same. Might need to fix that o;-b.

Today's story comes from one of the times I was feeding and rocking Analyse while I was there right after Thanksgiving. Sometimes I'll feed and rock her and she stays awake. This particular time she had REALLY needed to sleep. But like her daddy and uncles often had, sometimes she fights it as hard as she can. It's during these times that I often end up singing to her. The minute I start singing, she'll lay still and stare up at me ever so intently. While she is doing so, she looses sight of the fact that she was fighting sleep and often will then ease into sleep. So-o cute to watch!!!

Once I think she is actually asleep, I have learned (experience can be such a teacher!) that it's best to keep rocking for a bit. It's like she needs to be rocked until she drops from lightly asleep into a deeper sleep. Other wise when you try to lay her down, instead of slightly waking, she totally rebounds. Often not happily!

She had been asleep a bit, and had snuggled in close to me, with her head in tight just under my chest. I L-O-V-E it when she does that!!! It's like she's trying to snuggle just as close as she possibly can. This grandma has no objections to that! :-D

But then as I was slowing down in the rocking, she had pulled her head back out slightly. My mind had declared "you need to sleep little girl!!" but my mouth had remained quit. But she surprised me. This time instead of blinking her eyes a couple of times and waking up, she had kept her eyes completely closed. However, she did make the tiniest little raspberry, followed by a big smile, while continuing to sleep on.

Oh my gracious!!! My heart danced with joy!!! My eyes got all watery! I so-o wanted to lean over and kiss her, but was very fearful of waking her, so I refrained. But I did thank the Lord for that very special moment!!!

Oh my Analyse - you are so very dear to this grandma's heart!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 Calenders & a File Box

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:36:54 GMT

Otherwise known as, my methodology of trying to keep schedules straight around here.

I know that I've posted about this before.... I know I have ... I think I've even done so more than once. But I couldn't find even any hints about it in my scanning last night 8-/. So here's a completely fresh new take on the subject.

Using two calenders and a file box as a way to keep track of who is suppose to do what when and where, started way back about the time that son #1 was in second grade and son #2 was in kinder-garden. For the life of me, I could not seem to keep straight who had show-n-tell on which day, or who had library when, or any of those other kind of details which involve sending things from home for. I tried, and tried, but was goofing it up way too often!

Then I tried dedicating one section of wall to the situation. I would tape up calenders, lists, notes, etc. provided by the teachers and each morning stop, stand in front of them and try to make sure I scanned everything and was on top of the game, so to speak. While that did help, it didn't take that long to decide that there had to be a better method!! One which could combine all of that information to one source. And the source had to be one that was both easily accessible and scan-able.

At this point in time, I can not remember where the idea came from. Whether I had seen or heard about it someplace, whether it came from something they did at one of Brian's jobs, or if the Lord had just planted the idea in my head. Sorry. I do like to give credit where credit is due ... but this time I have no clue where the credit should go.

But the idea was to use a good size white board calender. Over the years, I have used both a white board that was designed to be a monthly calender, as well as taking a white board and via permanent black markers, making it into a calender. (The reason I've had more than one, is due to a house fire destroying one, and originally white board markers weren't as wipe off able as the ones are now. After awhile you had all of this residue built up, that they hadn't yet made a good cleaner for. Although now a days, I have found that a wet ones wet wipes works wonderfully. <-- bonus tip there. ;-} )

MAN did that white board calender hanging on the wall help!!! So much so, that I am still using that methodology today. I had started it back when son #1 was in second grade. He is now twenty seven ....

Besides a white board calender, I also had a good sized in purse calender. A whole year calender. One that was set up so that when you opened it, one week took up both sides of the pages. That way, each individual day of the week had multiple lines available on which you could write down peoples birthday's you wanted (or NEEDED) to remember, as well as doctor appointments, and family get together, and day camp days, and any thing else that you were suppose to remember the date for, or information about (such as having signed up to provide a particular dish for the get together).

{ For what it's worth here, I pay a little for it, but I like the Day-Timer's version. (Which currently I have been getting via Office Max.) Besides having the days set up the way I like, it also contains lots of empty pages in the back. While some are designed to be used as an address book, I use them the way I need. Two pages hold information about my in house family. Full names, birthdays (ever been in the ER and can't figure out this child's info? 8-/), their doctors names and phone numbers, what style and car sized motor they have (Mom, would you stop at Napa and get ....), their cell phone numbers, etc.. A couple of other pages contain contact information about extended family members. There's a page or two for info. on girlfriends. There's a 'general information' page. Things like which brand and style of cat litter, and hair help, and the special order number for items at GFS, and the specific numbers for the ink packs for our printer, etc.. All of this information combined with "your life" calender is ever so convenient and beneficial!!!}

Since the calender was a in purse size, it went everywhere I did. That way when your standing at the desk in the doctors office, you could schedule a follow-up appointment. The little cards they'd give you were far too good at vaporizing! But if it was written in "my little book" (as the calenders came to be called) it was most likely the appointment would actually be kept. If the appointment being made was actually for a specialist they were sending us to, then besides writing down the child's and doctors name, I'd also put down the office's address and phone number. Everything all in the same spot. A spot I was use to using. Bonus!!!

Also, since it was in purse size and went everywhere with me, it was also available at church to check this or that when you were talking to someone, or attempting to schedule something, etc.. And it was with me at the in laws when I wanted to tell them about some upcoming event. Etc. In purse size with good sized daily areas in which to record information WORKED!!

The third item then is a hanging file box. In the beginning it was one hanging file per son. And one for the whole family which contained certain types of church information. And a couple of other easily accessible, particular information holders. Over the years each son ended up having more than one file designated to them. Originally I'd put the monthly calenders from their teachers in there for 'just in case' purposes, as well as any other such information. Then when they got into middle school band, I added the papers from that teacher. But once they got into youth group, and/or sports, etc., I added labeled individual files for each of those. Other wise it was like I was back at the beginning, flipping through numerous papers while trying to find the information about this one thing ... . Multiple files helped delete a lot of Grr..rrr's!

Now, how to work the three separate things together. The in purse calender is a yearly one. The white board calender is set up as a five week one. And the files contain information until which time I actually cleaned/sorted them out {during school years, this was usually done shortly before the next school year was about to begin o;-p}

Once a month I would make a point of gathering the three together, as well as making sure I had the container which held the colored white board markers, a wet wipe, a Kleenex, a writing pen, and of course a big glass of Pepsi (:-D). Yes, it took discipline to make myself do it every four weeks. But oh-h-h was it ever worth it!!! SERIOUSLY!!!

First I'd open up the in purse calender and add any events to it that en-route had been added to the white board calender, but had never been recorded in the in purse calender. The reason for doing so is that all of those in purse calenders from over the years, now serve as a form of family journal. When a "I wonder when it was we did ..." type of question comes up, we can go looking for the answer. And sometimes I have gone scanning through the old calenders just for the fun of it. Oh the memories that come to mind. ;-}.

After making sure that step has been done, I then use the wet wipe and clean both the dates and the events off of the white board calender. Once all has been wiped clear, I go back over it with the Kleenex making sure all is dry.

The next step is to pick a color and write the dates for the next five weeks on there. I never bother with writing the days of the week. I start the weeks off with Sunday, and the line runs across through Saturday.

The following step is to copy anything from the in purse calender, onto the white board calender. And this is done via color coded white board markers. {I am not going into our families 'color coding methods' today. Doing so would turn this from a long posting into a short chapter book ;-p. I will do that as a separate posting soon.} But I will say that there are three advantages to doing the white board calender, the family color coded method.

One is that you don't have to write the person's name out for each of their activities your putting on the board.

The second is that you can tell who's Dr. appointment or soccer game, or whatever it is just by which color it is written in.

The third is that the person who's color it is, can daily look up at the calender and see if they have anything going that day. {This then helps hold them self accountable for their activities. Sometimes it helps. Other times... well at least you can claim "it was on the board!!!"} Back when the boys weren't yet able to read, or interpret my abbreviation methods, they would look at the board and say, "Mom, what's that say in my color for today?".

After recording what was in the in purse calender onto the white board, it's then time to scan the hanging files for anything from there that should be written on the board.

Yes, all of this does take a bit of time. But actually, it has seldom taken me over an hour. And that hour of time every four weeks, has been proven so-o-o worth it over and over and over again!!!!!!! And while I'm in the process of doing all of it, I do have my pre-filled Pepsi glass nearby o;-}.

I mentioned that sometimes during the five week period things get added to the white board calender that never made it in to the in purse one. Sometimes it's somebodies work schedules that for what ever reason you didn't need to also put in the in purse calender. Sometimes it's due to the person having used their own marker to add something to the white board calender. "If you don't add it to the board, you can't be upset with me for not -" having your uniform cleaned, or for not having time to take you there, or whatever fits."

I hope all of that made sense. And even more so, I hope that it helps at least one person whom reads it!!! We will soon be starting a New Year. Great time to implement such a methodology into your own home/lives.

I 'plan' on linking this particular posting to:

~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).

~ "Happy Homemaker Monday('s)", hosted by Sandra, at 'Diary of a SAHM' {SAHM = Stay At Home Mom} (http://familycorner.blogspot.com).

~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Mom2my9 (Jen), at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).

~ "Monday Mommy Tip('s)", are hosted by Marie, at "Mommy Community' (http://mommycommunity.com/category/Monday-mommy-tip/). Every week you can read a tip for Mommy's and share one of your own.

~ "I am Blissfully Domestic", hosted by Kim (from 'Up North Mommy'), at 'Blissfully Domestic' (your life, your bliss) (http://blissfullydomestic.com/i-am-blissfully-domestic/).

a BEAUTIFUL (!) 'word picture' card -

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:55:46 GMT

As all of you know, I have a great appreciation for words. Wait. Sometimes words can frustrate me to no end. I mean, they can be the slipperiest little things, suddenly vaporizing from your mind right when your about to use them . And other times they show their slipperiness by suddenly sliding into what your saying, when you have no idea where THAT word came from, nor even why!! .

And yet I do have a great appreciation for words, and thourally enjoy how some people are able to put them together. Now true, I have yet to be impressed by people whom enjoy using lots of the big or seldom used words in conversations. It's like they are either trying to show off, or trying to make others feel inferior. To my listening ears, it always just loudly proclaims a very noticeable hole in their character traits.

But like I said, I thourally enjoy a well turned word, as the old saying goes. While reading the works of some authors, it's like your struggling along word, by word, by word .... . And yet others have this way of just making the words roll along in such a smooth easy flowing way. Such an enjoyable difference!

And I really enjoy what my English teachers filed under the title 'word pictures'. According to them, a 'word picture' paints a picture by the choice of words that are used. For a group of words to truly qualify as a 'word picture', after reading them you should be able to close your eyes and immediately visualize the scene you just read about.

I read something Saturday that I didn't even have to wait and close my eyes to see. As I was reading the words, I was totally visualizing the scene in my mind. And the scene was beautiful!!! Now true, my visualizing it as I read, might be enhanced due to how often I myself have been at that exact location, and the fact that I have been there often in every season and weather condition. And yet I really don't think that has that much to do with it. The words used, and the way they were used, just painted a very clear, vivid picture all on their own. And the picture was BEAUTIFUL!!

The 'word picture' was in an email my "Aunt" Billie had sent out as their emailed Christmas card. I emailed right back how much I liked it. Then after continuing to enjoy it in my mind, I emailed again asking her permission to post it on our blog this week. She graciously said yes. :-D Here then is her 'word picture' Christmas card. I'm positive that you too will enjoy it. ;->

"Hi Everyone,

We are sending you this Christmas greeting from here on S__ Lake. This is what your card looks like: you are looking through a window at a placid lake on a sunny winter’s day. Although there is still a lot of open water there is ice along the shore forming an oval with open water in the middle. In that oval there is a flock of swan. Some are swimming and going under for food. Others are up on the ice basking in the sun either preening or just plain resting. Due to the reflection it looks like they are sitting on a mirror.

On the shore, by a rustic house, a brown dog is romping in the pristine snow chasing Blue Jays out of his territory. He will be barking to come in soon for it is cold out and he would rather be by the warm fire.

The inside of your card says;

God bless you at this time of year and all of those that you hold dear.

Remember that His GIFT of love made way for us to live above.

Celebrate, rejoice and pray then live for Him everyday.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,"
"Aunt" Billie

a 'unique' cleaning project

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:22:32 GMT

You know how sometimes when your cleaning up a 'mess', sometimes you hope you never have to clean that kind of a mess again!!!!! And other times you'd just prefer they didn't make such a mess again? And then there are the times that mentally you file the job as a 'unique' one, thinking, "bet that's the only time I'll ever need to clean that type of a mess". Today's story fits under that last category.

There was a lot of shifting and sorting of 'stuff' after B3 and 4 moved back home. Combining the furnishings of two homes into one has that end result. There were a couple of different chairs that ended up being nabbed by others after we had set them out on the curb. And an acquaintance from church was happy to take two sets of bunk beds for their young children's use. And this went here, and that went there. But then there was still a twin sized box spring and mattress set. It needed to go someplace, but in the mean time, it just sat.

It also needed cleaned. But seeings how I was not too sure of what it was that was on it, and seeings how it was just sitting anyways, it was a project that could justifiably be put off. o:-}

Yes, the set had come back with "the boys" from their house. But both of them were adamant that they didn't know what the stains were from. They also both claimed that the stains were on there when they got the set. Hum mmm. Where had that set come from? I didn't remember having had it in our house, and yet I remembered the set. Curious.

It turned out that the set had been my brother Craig's. He had picked it up from somebody when we were moving into his house after our house fire. But it was also the set that Julie E. and I had used my father in laws truck to haul (along with some other furniture) to B1, when during his college days he and his room mates had moved from the furnished 'college' housing to an unfurnished apartment.

No wonder I remembered the set!! I had not only slept on it at times (during the beginning of staying there, when we were doing a weekly rotating bedrooms thing at my brothers), but I had also moved it!!!

So I had called B1 and questioned him about the stains, describing them. But he (of course) remembered nothing about it/them.

So I continued to just put the project off. But then we learned that the friends whom had said they would take the set, really DID want it. They weren't just offering to help get it out of my way. No, we were right, they did not need it for one of their own kids beds, but they did personally want it for .... . So I HAD to clean them. But I was still hesitant to do so.

Why? Because I really wasn't sure just what the stains were from. They were on one end of the set, and some on one side of the mattress. But what had caused it? In one area it looked like it had been caused by a female with her 'monthly'. And yet not at all so in other spots. Had the stains arrived via multiple occasions/situations? ??? In other spots it looked like hot chocolate had been spilled on it. Possible. Another spot looked like it had possibly been caused by coffee. Again, possible. And yet I really didn't think it was any of those, nor did I think the various spots had arrived at various times. But when and what had caused them?!!

So why didn't I just clean it anyways? Well, if it had been caused by a 'monthly', then I needed to remove the mass of it with cold water before sanitizing with hot, or the stain would permanently set up something fierce. Yes, even with soap involved. But if it had been caused by coffee, then it would definitely be better to clean it from the start with hot water. And seeings how if I was going to put the effort into cleaning the things, I wanted to do it and be done with it, not do it and set the stain worse and then have to keep trying to remove it. And I also did not want to try to clean it, only to end up actually spreading it around even more the first time round. Hum mmm.

I had meant to point it out to B1 when he was home, and then I forgot. And then again. Bother. But then one time I actually remembered and I thanked the Lord. See, the difference that time was that after forgetting yet again the previous time, I had asked the Lord to help me remember the next time, instead of trying to on my own, and He had :-D He is just so darn cool!!!

Once B1 actually looked at the stains, he remembered and started chuckling. Oh this is going to be good. I was right.

"One time Will, Tyler (his roommates) and I, were completely out of food. And it was two days till pay day, so we didn't dare just use our debit cards. But we were REALLY hungry! Then I remembered that the last time I had been home, you had sent along a 'care package' which was still in the trunk of my car. {I KNEW better than to send 'must be refrigerated' items!!! ;-p} Turned out that it contained pancake mix and syrup which we could make without getting milk, like the box's of mac & cheese would need. But we were REALLY hungry, and it was a b-i-g bag of mix, so we'd had a pancake eating contest. I had ten pancakes stacked on my plate, covered in syrup, but then I had to go to the bathroom, so I'd set my plate on my bed. I remembered where I'd set it, but then Will had moved it cuz of what Tyler was doing. And when I came back in the room, I was looking at the TV when I sat down, and since Will had moved the plate and I didn't know it, I ended up dumping it over, and all of the pancakes and syrup fell off. ..."

Not sure why I hadn't guessed pancake syrup, when trying to figure out what had caused the stains. 8-b But now I knew how to clean them, and that it would be a easy job :-> o/~ Hot water to the res-cue, Hot water to the res-cue" o/~ ;-p

Water as hot as my hands could stand it, good ole Dawn dish soap, and a thick clean rag and away I scrubbed. Rub till the rag turns cool, rinse, dip in HOT soapy water again, and repeat. And repeat. And repeat .... .

The truth of his story was proven by how quickly that cleaning method worked, combined with what color the water in the sink turned. ;-p Looked the same as it does after I clean out the 'on table' syrup containers after serving a breakfast some place. ;-p

I called B1 to tell him about that, and inquired if he'd had cravings for pancakes quite a bit after that night, or if they'd eaten so many they didn't want pancakes for a long time afterwords. He'd replied that that had been the weird part, he HAD had cravings for it, and yet at the time, they had eaten so many he'd almost gotten sick from them. "It was really weird." I'd laughed and told him that the cravings had been due to smelling syrup every night when he slept. "OH!!! !!! !!! That would make sense!" ;-p!!!

Part way through the process of cleaning the mattress and box springs, my mind had thought "bet that's the only time I'll ever need to clean that type of a mess". Then again ...

And for the record, no, it did not surprise me that the mattress had come back from a sons college apartment with syrup on it. Not at all. Actually, I was thinking that I was glad it was a syrup stain rather than all of the things it 'could' have been. ;-p!

Now, for all of you whom actually know B1, I would ask that you NOT harass him about this. Please. After some debate with myself, I decided to go ahead and share the story, knowing many of you would get a good chuckle out of it, and that it might trigger funny stories/memory's of your own. ;-p

improvised recipe

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:45:24 GMT

This was part of my posting back on Wed., Nov. 18th - " ~ Saturday evening I experimented when preparing dinner, and it turned out absolutely delicious!!! The guys had invited our neighbor Chris over since his family was out of town that day, and nobody was able to guess what all I had used, but told me it was most DEFINITELY 'a keeper' recipe!! I'll share it with you soon!"

And then on Wed., Dec. 6th I started my posting with, " In today's posting, I had 'planned' on giving you the recipe that I had promised to ... the one I had made up a few weeks back ... but yet again, life just happened."

I was debating which thing to share with you today, while also doing this and that in the kitchen, one of which was thinking what I needed from the store, and this recipe came to mind. I want to try it again with boneless chicken this time. But I'm getting ahead of myself in my story.

During the time that I had spent over a week with Byron and Cyndi this fall, and then again while they were here the week after Halloween, we had watched several different cooking shows together. You know me, watching something like that always makes me want to get cooking or baking ...

And then I had been seeing numerous different postings about foods that looked and / or sounded simply delicious, so the desire had been flamed more.

On Saturday, Nov. 14th, the guys had spent the day working on and in the garage. While it was warmer than usual, it was definitely still cool, so I knew they'd want a warm meal. The night before I had pulled a package of chicken thighs out of the freezer, which at some point in time I had picked up on sale. I figured I'd bake them up for dinner.

But then I didn't want to just bake up plain ole chicken thighs. Yes, I always season them, etc.. But I was in the mood/frame of mind for something different. And yet all of the things that came to mind to do with them, things which I had seen here or there, required 'gourmet' type of ingredients, which I neither had on hand, nor had the funds to go purchase them with.

And yet the desire was still there. Okay then, it's time to make a "tonight's special". Those are nights when I take various items that we do have on hand and just create something out of them. Thankfully, the Lord has blessed and the by far mass majority of the times, they have turned out at least as 'okay'. Often they have even turned out as "really good!!" which has been a total bonus/blessing!! :-D But what could I make that was

'gourmet' like?

- I took the chicken thighs, which did have bones in them, and layed them on their backs. I then pulled the extra skin and meat just as far out as I could.

- I took the 8 oz. package of reg. Philadelphia brand cream cheese, {which I had no idea just how long it had been in the fridge, but thankfully it contained nothing green nor fuzzy, so it was still good} and put it in a bowl.

- Topped the bar of cream cheese with a THICK layer of garlic powder.

- Added a kind of thick layer of Italian Seasoning.

- Using a pastry blender which had been sprayed with pan coating spray, I combined the three together thourally.

- Then using two spoons, I put two dollops of the cream cheese spice mixture, lengthwise along the back of the chicken thighs.

- then via stretching and pulling, I wrapped the extra skin and meat around the cream cheese mixture.

- In the fridge there had also been a left over half package of thick sliced hickory smoked bacon. I wrapped each chicken thigh with a slice of bacon, and then secured the ends together with a round wooden toothpick.

- Placing the overlapped sides down, I placed the bacon wrapped chicken thighs on racks inside a 11 x 15 pan, both of which had been heavily sprayed with pan coating spray.

- I then baked it {uncovered} at 325 for about an hour and a half.

- I had also chunked red skinned potatoes {leaving the skins on} into a sprayed baking dish. Before adding it to the oven, I had topped it with several dollops of real butter, and sprinkled it with parsley.

I tell you, this meal smelled beyond delicious!!! And NO-body could guess what I had made. Not by the smell. And then after they saw the chicken, they couldn't guess everything in it from the looks. Nor could they by the taste :-} But they kept declaring it a must keep and make again (and Chris stated we must invite him again the next time we make it) recipe. I was thrilled!!

Overall, it hadn't been hard to make, nor had it taken much time, yet it turned out with high reviews. BONUS!!!

Recently I shared this story with somebody I knew and the person commented that they never fared as well with experiments. They inquired if I knew of the web site which you can go to, enter what ingredients you have on hand, and it will provide you with recipes. I've heard of it, but have been un-able to remember where it is. Do any of you know? If so, please do tell.

Should I be worried?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:47:13 GMT

"Mom, seriously, you don't even know half of the stories about things that happened between us brothers."

"I can imagine. On the other hand, while I do have a very good imagination, in this situation I think I'd rather not use it."

"You know how the line goes, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?"

"Yeah"

"Well often after somethings happened with us brothers, we say, "This never happened." "This NEVER happened!" "Period!!" And then that's the end of that story."

more from 'dream land' :-}

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:24:59 GMT

This afternoon I found the warmest/sweetest note in my email in-box from Reva :-D At the time she sent it, I bet she had no idea just how much God was using her to help cheer me on. What a blast of love and sunshine her email was!! Thanks for responding to His prompting Reva!!!

Here's her note:

"Hey Mom B.! I know how much you love to look at beautiful homes - window-shop and fantasize :) So, I stumbled upon this website and the houses are AMAZING! Thought you would appreciate them! When you click on this link, on the right-hand side is a list of the projects. Click on any one of them (or all of them, if you've got the time and inclination!) and look through the photos. They are fantastic!

http://www.locatiarchitects.com/Projects/Residential.aspx

Love,

Reva"

I only visited three of the listed sites so far, but OH MY GOODNESS!!!! W-O-W!!! She (Reva) didn't say, so I guess I'll have to contact her and find out for sure just when it is she needs my final selection by. I mean, this is a list to choose my Christmas gift from, right? o;-p

So far, out of the three, I would most definitely choose the "Barnard Residence"!!!

Prepare to be impressed, and then go enjoy the web site yourself ;-}