25 Things about Kristina

I bloglifted this idea from my friend Stacie, and believe I will feature one of my loved ones each week...this week it's Kristina's turn...

1. Kristina is 13
2. She's in 7th grade
3. She is super smart
4. She is very creative
5. She is clumsy
6. She falls.... a lot (see #5)
7. She has broken her foot twice (see #5)
8. She has braces
9. She has beautiful ice green eyes
10. She longs to highlight her hair, but her mean mama says no
11. She is a HARD worker...if you need a job done...hire Kristina
12. She plays the trombone
13. She plays the piano
14. She is a catcher when she plays fast pitch softball
15. She is a jr. lifeguard
16. She is a girl scout
17. She loves to spend all of her money buying things for others
18. She is my baby
19. She has one brother
20. She has one sister
21. She has super sensitive skin
22. She has many allergies
23. She is a straight A student
24. She is my precious one
25. I could not love her more.

Still dragging from Sunday!

You ever have one of those so productive days that it takes you a few days to catch up? Yea! That's me on Sunday...I did countless loads of laundry, many loads of dishes, quite a bit of cooking, and lots of cleaning my bedroom. Here's the thing...I am not accustomed. Although I do a lot of things, cleaning is not one of them! So last night, I just couldn't bring myself to do anything but go to bed and read...(after working 12 hours of course!) And then today...I ran errands, worked two jobs, and finally picked up my daughter's girl scout cookies, so that they can be delivered. Check another todo off the list. Tomorrow, I have to get ready to be out of town on Thu and Fri and also ready for scrap night on Saturday. My class is done Saturday and I have 3 papers due then, so that's on the agenda tonight!

So...the point of this post, is that I think my posts will be far and few between this week...just lettin ya know!

Scrumptious Sunday...

I thought I'd start a new series today on the ole blog...called Scrumptious Sunday.

Each and every Sunday, I believe I will share with you one of my favorite recipes. Some will be my own originals, while others may be borrowed. Since Sunday is the one day a week that I am home (after church of course) I always try to make something delicious (or at least homemade) for dinner.

Today's recipe...Homemade potato soup

This recipe has a little bit of history. My family loves a good ham. You know, ham on the bone? Cooked with pineapple glaze? Served with mashed potatoes and my pineapple gravy (more on that later)? You know, that kind? And by the way...it can't be spiral cut, since I've never tasted a spiral cut ham that isn't dry. I like my ham to be like a river of juice when I cut into it.

ANYWAY, I digress...after I cook up that wonderful ham for my family...we can usually have another meal with the leftovers....and then I find myself left with this... A big ole ham bone. What to do, what to do?....why make potato soup of course. It is really not that hard...if I can do it, anyone can...and here's how...

Start out by boiling your ham bone for about 3 hours. Not a heavy boil, but a boil none the less. This will leave the meat super tender which can then easily be pulled from the bone and chopped into small pieces. I always boil my ham bone with 1/2 diced onion in the water to add some extra flavor.

While the ham is boiling, peel 5 lbs of potatoes and cut into chunks. (Use less if you don't want a big pot of soup.) I like to have leftovers.

When the ham bone is nearly done, saute the greens of 8-10 sliced green onions, and 1/2 stick of butter. Once the onions are sauteed add one container sour cream. When the ham is done boiling and all the meat is removed from the bone and diced, add this to the butter onion mixture. Now, boil the potatoes in the ham bone water. Meanwhile add about 2 cups of milk, and 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also add Parmesan to taste if you like. Once this is completed your soup should be pretty thick. ** When the potatoes are done, add them to the soup base and as ham bone water to the mix until your soup is your desired consistency. (I like mine really thick, but you may not) At this point you can discard the remaining water. If your soup is not thick enough, you can add more cheese or some cornstarch & water or flour and water to thicken it. Now...add some pepper to taste, simmer for 30 minutes or so....and voila! Amazing potato soup...perfect for a crisp cold Sunday....like today! Before serving add a bit of shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon on top. Yum.my!

**If you are the dieting type, you can use light margarine, skim milk, low fat cheese and fat free sour cream. I find if using light products that the soup will need some help thickening. Use a whisk to whip up some cornstarch and cold water and then add to soup until it reaches your desired thickness.

Introducing...

Friday night my great niece Lizzy stayed over night and then stayed to play on Saturday...now, I know you all know Aubrey very well, because, let's just say that I typically stalk her with the camera when she's here :) But, since this is Lizzy's first overnight at my house, I thought it was time for a formal introduction. Lizzy is Robert and Ryan's baby sister. Let's get to know her a little better... Grrrrrr....please turn your head sideways when watching...even though I sure rotated this video...Blogger didn't. Anyway... What I love about Lizzy is her ever smiling face and that she's a chatter box! I feel so blessed to be virtually surrounded by babies! I especially like the kind that I can spoil, spoil, spoil, and then send them home!

Taking a much needed break...

They called off school tomorrow due to the weather....leaving me with a dilemma. If I go to school tonight and it snows like it's supposed to, I'm driving home 40 miles in the storm...so I decided to stay home. The hubby and I are enjoying our favorite pizza from Anna's...my side with veggies, his side with everything...the girls are running around actively participating in their social lives and the sonshine is watching his favorite Friday shows. I worked super hard this week and am very ready for a break. Next week I will have school, then a 3 day weekend, then a two week break from school. Whew! I can hardly wait for that. This weekend I plan to get my taxes done...no really, I know it's the 4th time I've said that, but this time I mean it...do some laundry...no really, I know it's the 40th time I've said that, but this time I mean that too, do some homework, and just basically catch up on life....TGIF!!

Now he IS sick...

OMG the man had to come home early from work, and he's running a temp and feeling like passing out AND shivering. YUCK! Makes you want to climb into bed and sleep 2 feet away from him doesn't it?!? (Don't answer that you goof! That is a rhetorical question) --

Tomorrow is Friday...for which I am grateful...I am currently torn between a job I pink puffy heart and the huge todo list that is overcoming me at home. Gratefully, I have another Monday off school the following week which might allow me to catch up just a bit. (Really, I'm quite liking the 3 day weekends, in case I haven't mentioned that.) I know, I know I've mentioned it before, just bear with me k? I'm down to 8 weeks at my internship which will allow me to put in a few extra hours at work...and then, I need to be job hunting...for a clinical position. How exciting is that?

Hmmmmmm....there was just a really loud crash somewhere in my house. Yes, there was, should I get up and check it out? Nope, children are coming out of the woodwork to check out the crash...it seems to be covered. Some shifting of the dishes in the sink or perhaps one that was thrown in there from too far away. (Did I mention we have a lot of Ruchus in our house?) Well, yes we do, and sadly we've been known to throw a dish or two into the sink. We're just that way. Anyway, I digress.

Today I worked of course, did my internship of course, my precious one had a swim meet, and then it was time for the kaleidoscope concert. Oh how I love this concert and oh how I left my camera in the car VERY far away from the school and was too lazy to go back to get it...So...I'm having to burn it into my memory. I tried hard to not get choked up when the music boosters presented Mr. and Mrs. Cain with their plaques of appreciation. It is their last year as the fine arts directors and of course my big girl has been with them for the last 7 years. They will be missed. What I will miss about them is their boldness as Christians. That in a public school concert at Christmas they read a bible verse, sing traditional Christmas songs and I'm even pretty sure they call it a Christmas [gasp!] program. Tonight the closing song was This little light of mine, which was a beautiful rendition. The district has been blessed to have them for so many years and they will leave some might large shoes to fill!

Until next time...

Idol 2009

As I was watching the MOST atrocious American Idol last night, I said to my precious one...OMG, how many go home? 3? Only 3? I think they should only send 3 through! Oh wait...that's how it is...and a darn good thing, cuz those folks last night were awful. Even Paula thought so! (Paula with a backbone and an opinion? I'm not sure if I can take it!)

Here's a brief recap, in my humble opinion...

Jackie Tohn

Really, her Olivia Newton John outfit with hightops was well...unfortunate at best. The judges went so far as to comment that they liked her trousers...really? No...she was a fashion disaster. Simon hit it right on that she was gimmicky and clowny, for which he was promptly bood by the audience and applauded by me. I thought Simon was right on when he added, the public won't like you.

And what about parents night? I thought that was a bit odd, and why did Jackie's mom have what looked like a large dish towel on her lap? Please, somebody explain. Perhaps the parents were there for unconditional support since most of their children su**.

Next was Ricky Braddy who has his own web site and fan club. Randy commented that there was more talent this year than ever. Sorry dog, I'm just not feeling it! Ricky was fair at best, but boring which seemed to be the theme for the night. BOOOOORING!

Alexis Grace...BOOORRRING with a capital B! I even had to disagree with Simon when he said she's the one to watch. I'd like to watch her get voted off.

Brent Keith...now despite his awful song choice...I liked the Home Depot Boy. His showman ship was blah...but something about him...I think he should stay. Oh...and why are all the guys on last nights show, about twice the size of Seacrest? They should give him a booster seat!

Next was Stevie Wright. Ummm, can you say a recording on a cassette player who's batteries were dying. That was simply awful and gratefully the judges agreed.

What was up with the microphones last night? Why did they look like they were purchased at the dollar store and why was there so much air noise? Technical assistance please and fast!

Next was Anoop-- here's the thing...I like Anoop, as does Simon (I appreciate that) Although I thought he too was the B word last night.

Casey Carlson...Simon held his head throughout this performance. I wished someone would wake me when it was over....let's just say it was God awful and move on. I did love the judges comment when they said, "The winking is the least of your problems!" Painful, yes, but right on!

Michael Sarver...got through without too much pain from the judges...I thought he was fair.

Next was Ann Marie...now...her singing was ok, and I believe she'll make it through, but I did nearly die when she sat on the red coca-cola couch and a large crunch was heard...to which she replied, ooooh, I just sat on the hard part. At this point, Seacrest couldn't continue his conversation and moved right on to the voting.

The catch phrase of the evening was "who are you as an artist" Stephen Fowler used this phrase when he was by far the worst performance of the night. The judges nailed it when they said they liked him better when he forgot the lyrics. Ouch!

Next...Tatiana DelToro...one word for her...Prozac. And fast.

Finally Danny Gokey, who was at least decent. I just have one question...what song was Paula dancing to while he was singing? Simon Rolled his eyes when Paula commented she had two words for him.... sold out arenas.... 1 - 2 - ummmm....isnt' that 3 words?

Anyway, I'm glad it's over...and I'm super glad only 3 of them are going through.