Created by Janet

Destroyed by Brandon & Michelle.

: O

Holidaze

Janet called me yesterday and asked when everyone was coming. I had to admit I wasn't sure. So, who's heading to Atlanta, and when?

We'll have Christmas here. Amanda and Christina just got their own place and can only afford Top Ramen, so I feel sure we can count on them for dinner.

Not sure who might already know this but David is getting deployed again on Tuesday. So sad that this is happening right after little Alex was born. I am glad he was there with Luby and to spend some time with the baby before he has to leave, but I wish they would have honored their commitment to send him to school instead. There's a chance he could come back sooner than normal and go to school but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to get everyone's hopes up about that.

If you've only seen the picture of Alex that was posted here, you're missing out - Amanda and David took some great shots and posted them over on Facebook. Check them out if you're on Facebook.

We're probably not having a big to-do on New Year's Eve since it looks like everyone that is coming down is going home after the wedding. Let me know if I've got that wrong and we may rethink our plans. As most of you know, we'll have no room at the inn for the next several years, but the kitchen's still open for business : )

Dog Biscuits 101

I finally got off my butt last night to bake the long awaited homemade dog biscuits. They went over so well that I had to stash them to keep Daniel and Lea Anna from feeding Sheba prodigious amounts. After all, what goes in does come out. I thought I'd post the recipe for Michelle so she can get rid of Teresa's wheat germ stash without having to actually eat it. You're welcome Sis!

3 Cups Whole Wheat Flower
2 Cups Quick Cooking Oatmeal (not instant)
1/4 Cup Wheat Germ
1/4 Cup Powdered Milk
1/2 tsp Chicken Seasoning or garlic powder
1 1/4 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Egg

Preheat oven to 275 F and lightly grease two cookie sheets.
Mix together flour, oats, wheat germ, powdered milk, and chicken seasoning in a large bowl.
Beat together water, peanut butter and egg, then stir into flour mixture until it forms a stiff dough.
Roll out onto a floured surface to about 1/2 inch then cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 1 1/2 to two hours or until hard and crunchy.

Makes anywhere from two to three dozen depending on how large you cut them.

Now I just need to figure out what I am going to do with the rest of the wheat germ that's taking up valuable space in my refrigerator.

Student of the Month

Somehow I missed the bulletin but Lea Anna was named Student of the Month in October.



We also missed the ceremony last night where the gave the medals to all the first quarter honorees since Lea Anna pulled the announcement out of thin air exactly one hour after it started. But no matter, She's still happy as a clam. Lea Anna picked up her medal today and we celebrated with a trip to her favorite place - McDonalds. Needless to say Mom and Dad are super proud. I'll try not to let my head swell up too big.

Where is Everybody?

Okay, I know you all are busy - Jonna just left for Mexico, Teresa is getting married, Dave & Luby had a baby, etc., but it's been awfully quiet here for a while. So in revenge for having a life and leaving me here by my lonesome you are going to have to hear about the exciting adventures of life in the boondocks.

I survived Black Friday shopping without any scars and got most of my Christmas shopping done. I do not think I will repeat the experience next year. I've done the Martha Stewart thing and sewed them new Christmas stockings. Only one of them ended up with a crooked toe so while I still suck, I am improving somewhat.

A few nights ago when it was in the 20's we went over board and stocked the fire box up not realizing that we were blocking the chimney. When Gary went down in the basement to check on it, the stove pipe was glowing red and it was almost 90 degrees out there. We didn't get carbon monoxide poisoning or burn the house down, but even after spending the next day cleaning and inspecting it for cracks & build up we're still too chicken to use it.

We got done with our annual gingerbread house this morning. Or rather I got tired of the kids arguing over who used too many of the gumballs (both of them!) on their side of the house and who was eating all the candy (again - both of them) and declared it was going to be displayed "as is". They are looking forward to December 26th when they'll be able to eat it. I won't touch it myself. The thought of willfully ingesting any food that's been handled and slobbered on that much is not appetizing at all.

Daniel and Lea Anna are trying to talk me into making Sheba homemade dog biscuits for Christmas. I can get over the fact that I can buy them already made down the street for a couple of bucks since the kids will get a kick out of it, if only it wouldn't involve driving to Timbuktu to find wheat germ.

It's freezing out here so we can't watch the grass grow or the turkeys cross the road. Maybe if I get adventurous I'll take the kids hiking. As soon as I get over the fact that there is no central heat in the great outdoors.

And that's all folks. So what's up with you all?

can't believe no one has posted this yet...

baby alex has arrived!!!