Getcha self up and dust yourself off

This has been on my mind since watching DWTS with my daughter last night. When this season started I had to explain who Andy Dick was....he had made some very wrong choices in life and those choices had made him a nasty person who was mean and destructive to not only others but to himself. I then added how he is back to getting his life on track and then Andy's 1st intro video came on tv. She and I both lit up and said RIGHT ON!!! What I am so proud of my daughter knowing and understanding is we all fall ... we all are weak .... BUT we are also strong and with the support and the love of not only ourselves but of others we CAN lift ourselves from the dirt and brush ourselves off and go forward. I am also so proud that she knows that NO MATTER WHAT I will always love her and be there for her. ( all my babies know this )

We watched Andy dance last night. He may not have been perfect but he was on that dance floor and in our eyes he might as well have been flying for he has come so far and is showing to himself just how strong he is. He is such an inspiration to so many going through self destructive addictions. Heck he is an inspiration to all of us for not one person has not gone through a trial in life and breathed a sigh of relief when making it out the other side.

I just want to say BE STRONG everyone. Life gets rough and nasty but it does get better.

Happy Easter 2013

What a year so far. Three months already in the books. Man time flies by so quickly. Life has handed us a few trials already but we are still alive and kicken. Now of course with every trial we have had ten things to smile about. Kids are healthy and happy. Dave is working out and loving 40. I am 39 and going strong. Dragon is doing awesome and is now looking like a duck boy. Hmmm ya know what ... I just realized we need to take a family photo. But here is one of my favs from 2012 .....Christmas!!!

 

So as most know we do not eat out like ever. Not only is it truly not the best for you but we can not afford it. LOL! Six people eating out means a nice sized total on the tab ... sometimes a jaw dropping "did we really need gas this week" total. *grins* But anywho.....  We have started to blog our food finds. We are still doing the new meals thing that we started a few years ago but not everyday is new like before.We try to mix it up and go out of our comfort zone a couple times a week now. The girls love helping ... it is really nice having two beautiful assistants to the assistant Chef to Chef Dragon. LOL!  I have a few posted already today. Good thing to because my phone was filled with food prep pics. LOL!



I am crocheting up a storm getting ready for the Bazaar on April 27th. Beth , the sewing prodigy child, helped me out today in a huge way by sewing together material I have for a lapghan. Yes sewing material AND crochet in one project. I am hoping it turns out as wonderful as it is looking right now. I have enough for two in this style but have an idea for a granny square version as well. Here is a sneak peek of the material part. 

I have also started Knitting. It drives me nuts but I am getting the hang of it .....  on good days. LOL! Here is some of the scarves. Oh and Harli showing the how nuts I looked after making my 1st knitted scarf.

The best news of the year so far is Dragon and I quit smoking!!! Our last cigarette was January 19th. We got help on this from vaping. We also have the BEST support system known to man ... OUR FAMILY!!! After two months I am not coughing, I can sing and not gasp for air like before , I do not smell like an ashtray. We have saved money on more then just not buying cigs too.... we are not running errands that sometimes were not even needed or made up just so we could smoke and THAT has saved us on SO much gas!!! Vaping has been an answer to a prayer for with out it Dragon would not have quit. I am even noticing he and I are not vaping as much as we were in the beginning and next time we buy e-juice will be stepping down to 6ml from 12ml. YEAH!!!! If you are looking to quit I HIGHLY recommend Vapor!! LOVE YOUR LUNGS!! ( the pic is for you to see what I am talking about when I say Vaping ) 



Well that is going to do it for an update for now cause I am tired and I have been multitasking making out the grocery list while writing this so it has taken way longer then it should have. o.O

I have missed you all. Night my freaky darlings!!!

Oklahoma Bean Supreme Dip

OHHH Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the planes.

Hey why aren't you singing??? Ok fine don't sing ... but you will want to do some dipping with this crowd pleaser. 







So do you remember this picture? 

The picture was from Harli's birthday dinner/family game night. Your focus is the cheesey yum in the center. Ohhh ya baby!!!



A snack item we had for family game night that turned into "every man for himself" , "slappen hands that get too close to YOUR area " , eating. Yes folks is was that good.
For your Protection Please refrain from slappen your grandma .   :-)

OKie Bean Supreme Dip

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

2 16 oz cans refried beans

1 c sour cream

1 pkg taco seasoning

4 cups mexican or colby shredded cheese

Mix together ( hand or stand) the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning.

To that mixture add the beans and 2 cups of cheese.

Spread into a lightly sprayed casserole dish.

Top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min

That my freaky darlings is it. Super easy ... super yummo and most deffinatly a make again and again item. You ARE Welcome!! LOL!  

Dave just added that it is perfect for Football season too. Was good cold the next day too.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Good evening my freaky darlings.

This meal was a go out on a limb idea. We are not huge B-Wings eaters...... IN fact I am trying to think of when we have eaten them at all. Anywho like I said out on a limb. I had everyone in the family taste the sauce to make sure it would get eaten BEFORE I poured it all over the meat from a whole rotisserie chicken. Sorry but was not going to take a chance on the dogs getting a nice meal and us eating sandwiches. LOL! This meal was good and most definitely something different for us and was really good. Next time we are going to try making it with cubed roasted or fried potatoes. 

Buffalo Chicken Casserole



Meat from 1 whole rotisserie chicken
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
6 cups frozen (partially thawed) southern-style hash browns
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
 
Topping:

1 cup (1 sleeve) buttery crackers, crushed
4 tablespoons buffalo sauce 
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350

Spay a 13x9  casserole dish with cooking spray. 
 In a bowl, combine chicken with wing sauce and toss to coat,
 In a separate bowl combine hash browns, cheddar cheese and cream of celery soup. Stir to mix. I used tongs as it was easy to incorporate.
Add potato mixture to greased casserole dish. Place in oven and cook for 15 minutes
Evenly place the coated chicken over potato mixture. 
Combine cracker crumbs, cheese and sauce into a chunky crumb mixture. Spread evenly over chicken.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Where is the crust pizza

Hello my freaky darlings!!

This was inspired by my daughters 12th birthday dinner request. PIZZA!!! But we were on a tight budget and we all are trying to watch our bread intake. This is a great meal that catered to both issues.
OMG!! The crust is there ... you see it holding the toppings in place as you slide it onto your fork... then when it is in your mouth is melts and adds the perfect flavor to the toppings. WINNER DINNER for sure!

The cast of players are :

Crust
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, room temperature. Sorry no fat free please, it does not melt right
2 eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
toppings - pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, peppers
Garlic powder


Preheat your oven to 350.

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. With a mixer ( hand or stand ), mix cream cheese, eggs, pepper, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese until combined. Spread into the baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes, our until golden brown. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes.

Spread pizza sauce on crust. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder. Bake the finished dish 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Amazing what can pop up over night

Life has been slapping us all in the face as of late. We have lost a few friends, have a few friends who have taken ill and have a few friends who have parents in the hospital. Seems to be an awful trend that I am sure we all want stopped. So much energy being sent to so many. My list of names to lift up is so long. I just hope all will get better, hearts will mend from heart ache and everyone can have a day to breathe. 

This last weekend we celebrated, cried over loosing a beautiful person and whined about getting older. INO ....

Liz and I hosted a party for our mommie who just retired after 30 yrs of service at TAFB. We are both so proud of her!! The awards they gave her were ones not many get at all and some were very unique in nature.  Like the flag that flew in THREE of the planes she worked on OR the coins from departments she helped get work for. Ya some awesome awards and TONS of memories. 

The party also welcomed Liz and her family back into their home. They had been out of it for two months while it was being repaired. We know that feeling all too well and know they are glad to be back in their own beds. 

The third event this party celebrated was Liz and Dustin's birthdays. Her's was the 4th and his the 6th. I got Liz a set of To-Go mugs that screamed her name LOL!  * I will attach a picture of them*  Dustin had gotten his gift from us back in March ... Mass Effect 3  Collectors Edition. Boys and their games. LOL! 

After the party I was able to take a moment and lift up all those who were able to attend Angela's funeral. It was a hard day for them and I know they all suffered from aching hearts. To loose such a wonderful person and friend so suddenly makes it hard to fully accept and understand that she is gone. She is very missed. 



As always life goes on and hours pass and the calender turns to the next day.  We all took it easy Sunday and I worked on more items for the yard sale Saturday. Today we worked on the yard. I almost did a jig in the garden when I saw what had sprouted over night. Green Beans!!! Went from a dirt bed to plants in a matter of hours. I am just so beyond happy the weather is allowing us to have some form of a garden this year... so far atleast. I know those HOT days of summer are knocking at our door. Just praying that we don't have over 55 days of triples like last year. 



Not too much more to report on. Wrote a Bitch letter to news 9 on a story about a snake round up they reported on and the two guys at the desk were laughing as they reported the snakes mouths were sewn shut so they could be used in photo opts.  Animal cruelty and they found it to be funny. I demanded they issue an apology and give a new report that has been researched fully and shows how these animals go with out food and water all in the name of making a dollar. UGH! It makes me sick to think about what they put them through. AND I am NOT a fan of snakes. LOL! 

Ok My Freaky Darlings it is after midnight and I have class to teach in the morning so I am headed to bed. Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!

 

We have Green Beans!!!

                                                                 Liz's new Bling Mugs!!

Hello my freaky darlings. It has been ... again .. awhile.


I have been busy being mom. Plus crocheting and gardening.

Life is good.

I don't have much to say but I will tomorrow. I am just tired and I wanted to share pictures. That is the best way to show you what we have been up to. 

 Crochet, My new furry baby, Dance, Harli's bday, our new addiction to making tye dye AND our garden before Okie heat kills it. LOL!  So far it has been a very busy but very worth it year.