What I've done been doin'...

I've got graduation on my mind.

So far we've...

... shopped for decorations and paper products. *check*

... planned the menu. *check*

... bought the invitations, set the date and time. *check* *check* *check*

... made out the guestlist (*check*) only to have several people from church ask if they were invited (oops, oversight on my part). (*uncheck*)
... printed out a diploma because the one I ordered won't be here in time. *check* Found a really nice frame for it. *check*
... taken photos, narrowed them down, printed the proofs. *check* *check* *check*
(Shelly, I looked into the place where you got your pics and the closest one is the same one you used. Thanks, anyway!)

Wanna see? I knew you would.

We each have our favorites. Her daddy doesn't care for the ones of her peeking around the corner of the barn...but it shows her playful side, so we'll definately order a few of those prints. We'll let him pick out which one to use for the big frame. BTW, most of these were taken at my parent's farm. The one by the water was taken at the local park. The one with the guitar was taken at church. We've been travelin'!!!

Okay, now I'm off to pack. We're going camping for a few days in an attempt to unwind and regroup. I'm so frazzled I can't think straight. "See" ya later next week. Be good. :)

Finally Friday.

Don't go bursting my bubble by telling me it's only Thursday.

I need a vacation.

Between work, planning a graduation, and hormones...I'm beat. I didn't get K to a photographer in time to get her pictures taken, so I am doing them myself. We need to get these done, K. Do you hear me? I need to move on to doing the photo collage and planning the meal.
And you know what? I just did a mental check and other than a week's vacation in June, I don't expect to get any reprieve until sometime in August.
Mother's Day, Father's Day (and the appropriate banquets at church), the graduation and it's party, a wedding in another state, VBS, youth camp, scout camp, the church picnic, 4H activities, Boy Scout outings....UGH!

{deep breath}

I think I'll just take it one week at a time. The days fly by too fast to take them one at a time.

Bills.

It has come to my attention that bills are due. Again.
Ugh.
You know...after more than 20 years of writing checks and buying stamps and running around town to pay the *local* bills (so I don't have to spend the stamps I just bought)...you would think I would either:
A.) be so used to doing it that it would be a habit by now.
B.) set up my online account to automatically pay them every month.
or
C.) deserve a break.

I choose option C.
Sadly, the utility companies don't agree.

The older my children become, the busier I get. The busier I get, the faster the days roll around. It's the middle of the month AGAIN!?!?! Wow...didn't we just have one of those a month ago?

So...I need to buck it up and get out the checkbook.

Ugh.

Happy Easter!

For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing, but to us

who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Happy Resurrection Day, dear family and friends!

Ahhhhh.

It's one of those peaceful moments in my life. All is well with my soul. I'm happy and I know it.
My husband and two teens left yesterday morning with the church youth group to go to an annual Christian concert event. They arrived back home an hour ago. I've talked to all three--hearing all the exciting news--and now they're resting. My girl had the most sleep--3 or 4 hours. Doug, who had to drive one of the vans, slept for 2 hours. My boy stayed up all night and HE is the one who is most talkative.
He's growing up. And it makes me smile. When I witness those touching moments when he's being the protective or helpful big brother to his little brother...and when I see how he teases his big sister one moment and the next he fiercely protects her...it just touches my heart. My oldest boy is growing up and becoming a man--and I like what I see. Good job, sweet boy. You're going to be OK in this world. Our job of raising you is almost over and in a few short years you will step out on your own. May God continue to be your focus and guide. Blessings to you.

Cooking....again.

I was stumped for what to fix for supper tonight. Timothy helped me peek in the cabinets and fridge. In the freezer there was 3 packages of various types of fish. Doug doesn't like fish, but the kids and I do. We can have some fish for lunch tomorrow...but that will never work for supper. There was also a package of meatballs, some browned ground beef and various vegetables. Leftovers were in the fridge--not much help there. The pantry is pretty well stocked. The family has eaten all the sliced bread in the house, though. It's snowing outside and I don't want to make a run to the store. So I have to make do with what I have on hand.
Hmmmm...what to fix?
Several years ago I made a list of foods I frequently make that the family loves. So I got that list out and looked it over. I'm not in the mood for any of the soups or stews. Fried bologna and grilled cheese sandwiches are out....no bread. I had just made spaghetti...so not that. Or lasagna. A-HA! Here are a couple of winners: Taco Bake Casserole...or...Meatball Sub Casserole.
I pick...

....drum roll please....

Meatball Sub Casserole!
My teenagers are excited. I haven't made this for a couple of years.
There won't be any leftovers tonight!
Try it out:

Meatball Sub Casserole

1 pound frozen meatballs
1 jar (28 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
2 garlic cloves, minced

1 loaf (1 pound) Italian bread, cut into 1” slices

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise (no substitutes—don’t use light or fat-free)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Combine spaghetti sauce, water, garlic and meatballs in a heavy saucepan. Heat for 15 minutes, or until meatballs are thawed and heated through. Cool.
Arrange bread in a single layer in an ungreased 13” x 9” x 2” baking dish (all of the bread may not be used). Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning and pepper; spread over the bread. Sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella. Pour meatball/sauce mixture over cheese mixture; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through.

How about a recipe?

I'm still working on getting a few more wedding pics up...and maybe a couple of our engagement pics. I was working on them the other night and I asked my daughter..."Why does your dad look like a Mexican in all of these?" She came rushing over to the puter and said..."Yeah, he does!"
For the record...he's not. I don't have anything against *any* nationality. I just happened to fall in love with an Irish man. Who evidently looks Mexican in old photos.

ANYWAY...
I thought I'd share Mom's recipe for Strawberry Pie. I made it Monday. It disappeared as soon as I took it out of the fridge. Yeah, it's THAT good. Make it for your family this week. They'll love you for it.

Pie Crust:
1 (and) 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup milk

In a pie plate, combine flour, sugar and salt.
Combine oil and milk; pour over flour mixture; stir with a fork.
Press into pie plate and prick with fork well.
Bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 17 minutes. Cool.

Strawberry filling:
1 package strawberry gelatin
2 cups hot water
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons corn starch

Combine in a heavy saucepan.
Boil 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
Cool.

Once everything is cooled down, put strawberries in the pie crust (Mom leaves them whole....I cut them up. It will not take an entire quart of strawberries.) and pour the filling over them--making sure that they all get coated. Put in the fridge until it's set (an hour? maybe two? sorry--I've never timed it). Serve with whipped cream.

Falling Behind

I'm falling behind. The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. Every have those times?
I've had a stress-filled morning at work. When I got home I discovered I had left my cell phone (I use it as a clock) on my desk at work. I have to make another trip out. Yesterday's adventure has not helped my stress levels to stay down:
Yesterday I got my hair trimmed. I *finally* had a haircut that I loved. You guessed it, the hairdresser did her own twist on it and it's ugly. It used to frame my face...now my bangs (which I'm not supposed to have) are about mid-ear level. It gets better--when I pull the bangs to the front, one side is over an inch longer than the other. It used to have layered look all around the bottom edge...now it's cut...well...odd. I feel like I'm wearing a helmet of hair. It's as if she cut the top layer twice and forgot to cut the bottom layer. I don't know if she was going for a mullet look, but she missed that mark, too. But that's as close to describing this weird look as I can muster. I have been unable get this wild cut to tame down enough to look decent. I haven't decided what to do about it other than let it grow out enough to have someone different try to get *my* style back. I hate this. I've known this gal since she was a baby. I used to teach her in Sunday School. She certainly didn't butcher my hair on purpose. But I won't be returning. I can't even get her to fix the uneven edges unless I'm willing to wait until next Wednesday or Thursday (the only two days her shop is open). So now I either have to pay someone else to fix it or take a whack at it myself. Decisions, decisions.
Tomorrow is a new day, gals. Let's hope its a good'n.