Friday Funnies

Mr. C pulled a Hot Wheels jeep out of his backpack last night with a fruit loop wedged inside . He asked me to get it out but I was unsuccessful and handed it back to him. "That's OK Mama. I can do this instead."
Then he proceeded to lick it.
At the dinner table.
Since we were eating at church.
With several other people at the table with us.
Yeah, that's my B-O-Y!

Hot Weather Cooking

My brain is tired and my body is weary. Why? This will be the next to last night of VBS and everyone in my house is getting tired! I am glad VBS comes but once a year and lasts only one week. With no great lead in, here is today's post.

Do you own one of these?

We received one as a wedding gift from my husband's culinary handicapped grandmother. Thirteen years ago, I thought "Why not just a regular toaster? We are just going to use it for toast and waffles." But we kept it and that is exactly what we used it for until a few years ago. I have started using it for lots of things, even roasting fresh asparagus when I didn't want to turn on the oven!

Just today, my children are having toasted ravioli for lunch. While I would NEVER turn on the big gas oven for such a small amount of food, no problem with my handy toaster oven! It is great for heating up leftovers too - you eliminate much of the sogginess caused by the microwave.

Anyway, just a thought for when you want a hot meal on a hot day - without the oven! But really, life would be simpler if my family would just eat more salads and crock pot meals...

In other news, VBS has slowed work on the bed down a bit, but it will be finished SOON!

Friday Funnies

Last week, when I had a migraine, I let Miss M watch some extra a lot of TV while her brother was napping. It just so happened that Hoarders (on TLC) was on and she was interested in watching it. I figured that although gross, there wouldn't be anything inappropriate and it might even encourage her to part with a few treasures of her own! Fast forward a week to when she opened up her dollhouse and began to set it up for play. Calling me into her room she said,

"Mama, I think my loving family dollhouse should be on Hoarders!"

Probably so Miss M....probably so!

Yee-Haw!!

This boy is ready for his first year of VBS at Saddle Ridge Ranch...starts in three days....much to do before then! I am teaching the 1st grade class and Miss M will be part of the VBS choir. She is pretty excited to have "graduated" to the elementary group this time around. It will be a great week, but a tiring one!

New Furniture for Mr C

Mr C turned 3 in January and is still in the crib. He is a lightweight and doesn't ever try to climb out, so we really have not been in a rush to move him out yet. Miss M didn't make the switch until the very day she turned 3 and we had no problems with her sleeping. Even though, I have been keeping my out at local garage sales and thrift stores for a twin bed with good bones but in need of a little TLC.

I found this gem last week and it fit the bill perfectly. Clean lines, solid wood, sturdy construction....and only $40. Once we got it home and started working on it, I discovered a garage sale sticker- it was marked $5 folks! I still got a good deal but sure wish I had found it at the garage sale! I forgot to take pictures before we started stripping the paint, so here's one of the work in progress.

It had two coats of white and then a reddish stain underneath. The husband thought I was crazy when he first saw it.

This was before we worked on the real stubborn areas. It has now been sanded and one side has stain on it. The husband was pretty sure we were wasting our time trying to get it down to the wood but I have watched my mom refinish enough pieces that I knew it could be done. He said tonight he thought it looked really nice and that we had done a great job.

Of course, I will post pics once the project is complete. We also have a an old bookcase from my parents that has been sanded and will probably be stained to match the bed, along with another bit of updating as well. Mr C. is suddenly in a big hurry for his big boy bed. So much in fact, he tried to get in the car over the weekend to "go buy the soft part" (the mattress set)!

Friday Funnies

 If you have not seen this video "Swagger Wagon" featuring the Toyota Sienna family you must check it out today! I laugh every time I see it!

Strawberries and Pie!!!

    It took a few weeks, but this...

 has finally turned into this!

The ones we haven't simply eaten out of hand were made into a strawberry pie. Three so far!!The recipe is so easy and made even easier by using a frozen pie crust. I prefer the ones you have to defrost and then unroll - Pillsbury to be specific. Here is the recipe! Happy Eating!!

1 C sugar

1 C water

2 1/2 Tbs cornstarch

1 large box strawberry jello

4 C quartered fresh strawberries

Heat sugar, water and cornstarch over medium heat, stirring often. Heat until it begins to thickens and turns clear. Add jello, stir well until combined. Pour over berries and chill until set.

*PS I would post a picture of the finished product but they don't last long enough for photos at my house!