We are back from our Thanksgiving adventures...I've got pictures galore...Lou's 40th, Thanksgiving, and a whole litney of other things to write about. But, after a day of driving and then decorating, this blogging mommy is TIRED! And will be going to bed now :). More soon....

I am so excited....

for Thanksgiving. The cooks holiday. Seriously. I mean, I am not joking. And here is how we are preparing our turkey this year. Not in an oven, not deep fried but..wait for it....smoked! Oh yes, Dave and I have been researching and preparing for our smoked turkey adventure and have finalized exactly what we need to do. It is going to be fantastically yummy.

thats all, i have turkey on the brain.

In the words of Rachael Ray...

YUM-O!

So, I have really been experimenting in the kitchen again (you know with my new appliances, it makes life so much easier and organized :) ) and coming up with wonderful yummy recipes to try out on my poor family.

Last weekend Dave and I made ribs..yummy yummy ribs and I made a coleslaw of sorts. Have had it on my brain all week because I totally made it up and I thought I would share!!

1/2 head of red cabbage chopped
2 honey crisp apples peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 sweet onion thinly sliced
3/4 cup raisins
2 carrots peeled into ribbons with my fancy new vegetable peeler
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons honey

Mix the first five ingredients together. In separate bowl mix last 3 ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well with the cabbage mixture and refrigerate for 2- 3 hours (even better over night!) Enjoy!!!

Last night, I walked into the living room while Zachary and Dave were watching Jeopardy (who knows why). I sat down with them and started answering the questions one right after another...I mean, I was on fire. Then...well, it went a little something like this...

Me: I am awesome at Jeopardy

Dave: You think, huh?

Me: Didn't you hear me just answer all of those questions in a row, I would so win this!

Dave: Well we will have to be sure we sign you up to try out for "Teen Jeopardy" the next time they are in town.

Me: (glaring look)

Dave: Just call it like I see it, just call it like I see it

I didn't realize that Teen Jeopardy was what was being played!!!

Feelin' a little old...

So, I had my "girly" annual check-up yesterday. I love going to my OB-GYN's office because she has pictures all over the place of all the babies that she has delivered since owning her own practice (and yes, both of my precious babes are up on the wall). Having not been there for a year, I got to catch up on all the cute babies born in the last year. And I don't know about the rest of you but when in the office, looking at baby pictures, watching the pregnant women filter in and out, my mind starts to wander to the "I would love another baby" land. It is no surprise that I would love to have another baby, everyone knows that. And the fate of that is still unknown. Maybe someday, maybe not.

Anyway, I got called back and was talking with my CNRP, Anne about the last year and such and she hit me with 2 big wooza's...that left me feeling, well, a little old. The first, if I am going to have another baby, I should think about it sooner than later...I am pushing 35 which in baby making terms is "Advanced Maternal Age"...yikes. And then she told me she wants me to get a mammogram. What?!?!?! I thought women in their 40's...50's get mammograms but not 34 year old me.

So, she explained that because I have a history of breast cancer in my family, they would like to get a baseline now just to see how things are going. Ok, I'll give 'em that. I am a little nervous about it, having never had one but I do think it is best to be proactive when it comes to "the girls".

So, I am reflecting on this today and I have to say that my "almost advanced maternal age, mammogram gettin'" self is feeling a little old. *sigh*

Off to get Zachary from school!

Yummy recipe

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to cook! I mean, love to cook. I love to take old recipes and revamp them. I love to make up my own and occasionally, I find a recipe I love just the way it is. This week I found this yummy dream and thought I would share. Delicious, quick and super super easy! Try it out and let me know what you think. Perfect for a fall evening. And super kids friendly! Without furthur ado....

Cheesy Tortilla Soup

1 envelope chicken taco season mix (I used the hot stuff)
1 pound of boneless chicken breasts, diced
2 tablespoons of begetable oil
1 large chopped onion
1/4 cup of butter
1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
1 box (quart) of chicken stock
2 cans of chopped green chilies
1 cup of Velveeta (i know..sounds weird but it is really good!!)
1 1/2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese (divided)
1 1/2 cups of half and half
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
torilla chipa

* prepare taco mix according to pakcage directions; add to diced chicken to marinate;in large skillet, cook chiecken in oil until juices run clear and set aside

* In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until soft; stir in flour until well mixed. Slowly add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Cook and stirl for 2-4 miutes until thick and bubbly. Add the chiles, Velveeta and 1 cup of Monterey Jack; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Stril in cream and the chicken and heat through..make sure not to boil, though. Garnish with cheddar cheese, remaining Monterey Jack and Tortilla chips. Enjoy!! :)

Iowa...really?

So, although I was on a Penn State 9-0 high and feeling invincible, I was realistic and knew that we did have a chance of losing to someone...but did it have to be Iowa??? I mean, really? They soooo....stunk it up last night and are now 9-1 which means that the stars have to align in some celestial non human understanding alien kinda way for them to ever make it to compete for the National Championship...there goes their hope for the Rose Bowl and for those out there that had hopes of Joepa retiring if they won the NC this year, ha! that ain't gonna happen now.

And this is how I feel, and I didn't even go to Penn State. Imagine how my husband feels. If only you could have been a fly on the wall in our house yesterday. Those of you who know him can totally sympathize with me, especially those of you who went to Penn State with him and have enjoyed many games with him. I love that my husband is such a huge Penn State fan and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

So, here we are picking up the pieces today and hoping that the Steelers do a little better. Thank God the Redskins have the week off!!

Stay tuned for pictures of my NEW APPLIANCES!! I love love love love them!!!!

Took the day off....

from my computer/cell phone that is. Yep, yesterday I decided to turn off the computer, turn off the phone and I have to say, it was actually really nice. Sometimes I get so swept up on this silly computer and it was so nice to just take a break :)! Try it sometime, it is actually very refreshing!

Why I voted the way I did...

Although I am sad that the man I voted for did not win yesterday, I am reminded of what a humble and great man he truely is when reading the words of his concession speech. I knew whatever the outcome of yesterday's election, our country would be on the road to recovery and even though the man I voted for won't be leading us, I am proud to have followed him and to have voted the way that I did. Yes, this is lengthy, but take the time to read it and maybe you will see in John McCain what I have seen for a very very long time now.

Text of McCain's concession speech
By The Associated Press – 8 hours ago
Text of Republican John McCain's concession speech Tuesday in Phoenix, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions.
___
Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.
My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him.
To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too.
But we both recognize that, though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters.
America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.

Let there be no reason now ... Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer him my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day. Though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural. It's natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.
We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we feel short, the failure is mine, not yours. I am so... I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset, but your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I'm especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother ... my dear mother and all my family, and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign.

I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign.

All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also — I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I've ever seen ... one of the best campaigners I have ever seen, and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength ... her husband Todd and their five beautiful children ... for their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign.

We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly, month after month, in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don't know — I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life, and my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years. I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people of Arizona for it. Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama — whether they supported me or Senator Obama.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender.

We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.

Before you read anymore of my blog.....

GO VOTE!!!!!

Dilemma....

So...here we are, Monday, November 3...the night that the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Washington Redskins. A night that Dave and I have been looking forward to for months now. But the dilemma you see...who do I root for? I mean, I was born and raised a Redskins fan and would be going against all I know if I root for the Steelers but I have been a "Steeler Wife" for 6 years now (and a Steeler girlfriend for 5 before that). Ugh..I just don't know. I guess I'll figure it out tonight :).

And if I am having this hard of a time trying to figure out what team to cheer for...imagine how I will be tomorrow ;)! Happy Monday All!!

Spooktacular night!

Happy Halloween to all of our friends, family and blog readers far and wide! We had an exceptional night last night! As the kids get older, Halloween becomes more and more fun! Zachary really embraced his costume this year (unlike last year when we had to bribe him to wear his costume) and he certainly got in to trick or treating! Our Halloween tradition is dinner (always chili) with friends (we swap houses every year) and trick-or-treating afterward. And, for the first time in my adult life, I carved pumpkins!!! And I must say, I am quite proud of myself! Who knew I could be so crafty....

Oooooo...scary pumpkins

ladybug Maddie

Train Conductor Zachary

Butterfly Molly & Train Conductor Zachary

SO CUTE!!!!!