One Savor and a Challenge

First the Savor---

This evening as we wait for

our "doozie" of a snow storm,

this was our dinner menu.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Homemade Waffles

Sausage Links

Side of Scrambbled Eggs

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For those of you that were with

me this summer, I got to use

my little waffle iron, I picked

up at the culinary garage sale

we went to. What fun!

++++++++++++++++++++++

Now for the CHALLENGE:

Here in Kansas City, we have

a wonderful hospital that

provides super care to children

here in the city and surrounding

cities/counties.

Children's Mercy Hospital

sponsors a "Valentine Card

Shower" for the patients each

Valentine's Day. The radio

station that I listen to, provides

air time with reminders to it's

listeners regarding the shower.

I have participated twice and

it is great fun. One of the times

my kids at school helped out.

So here is the challenge:

I am going to make five cards

and I'd like to CHALLENGE

ALL my blog friends to do the

same.

If you would like to participate

email me and I'll send you my

address, then you can mail me

your cards and I'll do the

delivering.

The time frame is short--I'll

need them by February 7th.

This way I'll have enough time

to get them to the drop off site

by their timeline. I realize that

we all need one more thing to

do BUT imagine the delight that

the kids will have on Valentine's

Day when they get their own

Valentine's while they are

stuck in the hospital.

Some of these kids are there

for a little while and some are

there for weeks on end.

So dig out your goodies, create

and have fun. Have YOUR kids

help make five cards for some

kids who'll have a wonderful

Valentine's Day because YOU

helped brighten their day!!!!!

Thanks in advance!!! You

are great!!!!

P.S. They are requesting NO

candy or balloons attached

to your cards.

~Keep on Dreaming~

to the cards.

Getting Crafty

Here's something fun to do on a snowy day with your kids or by yourself. We are after all kids at heart.

First you need some of these...

to make SNOWFLAKES.

1--Cut the inside of the coffee

filter out. Save the "ruffle"

for another project.

2--Fold in 1/2.

3--Fold in 1/2 again.

4--Fold in 1/2 again

so it looks like a cone.

These directions are for those

of you that have a glitch in

remembering how to do this. :)

Now comes the fun! Cut out your

snowflake design. Unfold carefully

and voila--you have some pretty

snowflakes to add to your

Valentine decorations.

On these I used red and

pink markers on the edges.

Enjoy and have FUN!!!!

~Keep on Dreaming~

From the Church Newsletter...

Some thoughts for today....

"The rich man is not one who is

in possession of much, but one

who gives much."

~~~~St. John Chrysostom

********************************

"I love to think of nature as an

unlimited broadcasting station,

through which God speaks to us

every hour if we will only tune in."

~~~~George Washington Carver

Did You Know?????

We are going to investigate

Winter Weather Trivia

today.

I'm sure most of

you are asking "WHY?"

Well, because this stuff

is interesting and I am

one of THOSE "Winter

lovers."

**Water spontaneously

freezes at -40 degrees F.

If you were to pour a cup

of water out the window

it would freeze before

hitting the ground.

**A car radiator is NOT

effected by Wind Chill.

But people and animals

are--especially exposed

skin.

**The difference between:

HAIL--A chunk or stone of

ice dropped from a thunder-

storm.

SLEET--Frozen Rain.

FREEZING RAIN--Rain that

freezes to surface--ie: tree

or road.

**TRUE or FALSE??

It must be 32 deg. or colder

to snow.

FALSE--It has snowed before

at 40 deg. due to temps. in the

clouds being below 32 deg.

where the snow is forming.

**One inch of rain is

equal to 10 inches of

snow!!!!! When melted.

**It CAN snow from

clear skies due to ice

crystals falling from

clear skies when temps.

are in the single digits.

**One inch of ICE is

more dangerous to

trees and power lines

one inch of wet snow.

***********************

Now see that wasn't so

bad was it? Betcha you

learned at least ONE

thing. I know I did.

Now you have party

chatter that you can use

at the next party--when/if

things get dull. :)

~Keep on Dreaming~

Warm Tummys, Happy Hearts

Good Morning!

Come to the table and relax.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I'm offering some "Winter"

meal ideas to keep us warm on

these cold days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soups/Chili

----------------

Potato

Veggie with or w/o beef

Chicken Noodle

Chili

Tomato with or w/o

grilled cheese

Steak

Ham and Beans

Chowder

Cheese

French Onion

~~~~~~~~~

Casseroles

--------------

Mac and cheese

Tator Tot with Hamburger

Chili Mac

Goulash

Baked Spaghetti or Ziti

~~~~~~~~~

Baked Potatoes

--------------------

Ham and cheese

Taco

Chili

Italian

~~~~~~~~~~~

Breads etc.

--------------

Muffins

Cornbread

Crusty rolls

Soft rolls

Fresh baked bread

Garlic Toast

Bagels

Crackers

~~~~~~~~~

Misc.

-------

Cheeses with soup

Fresh veggies sliced

Any kind of dessert :)

ENJOY!

~Keep on Dreaming~

Winter Wonderland !

Yesterday before the snow blew in, we had a party at school celebrating January birthdays. My room and the two third grade classes were responsible for decorating the staff lounge and bring- ing treats for all staff. When we do this, I am in charge of the theme and the decorations. I chose a "Winter" theme since it is January. As you can see in the photo above and the one below that I went with a blue and white color scheme with some silver thrown in for BLING! The large vase was filled with silver sparkly and other silver ornaments with blue glitter on them. It was placed in the middle of the table on top of white table coverings, around it I made a ring with the dark blue ornaments, the snow- flakes were scattered about the table along with the pom poms. Any extra ornaments were also scattered about. I also bought the York Pepper- mint Patty Bites because they are blue and white AND yummy. Plus Hershey Kisses because they are "BLINGY." Blue and white paper goods were used as was "crystal" plasticware. Just imagine several tables set up horizontal in our lounge and then you'll have some idea how it was decorated. I enjoy doing this so much and it is interesting listening to comments being said. They are all great. This is an up close shot of one of the snowflakes. Isn't it pretty? I didn't get pics due to leaving for school early, leaving the camera at home and being distracted by the upcoming storm we were going to have. But I know that my friends have great imaginations and can work this through the brain waves. I bet you thought I was going to post about our storm. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) ~Keep on Dreaming~

Whoo! Hooo!

SNOW DAY! SNOW DAY!

**************************

PLAY DAY! PLAY DAY!

**************************

LAZY DAY! LAZY DAY!

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We have had between

6-9" of more snow with

more maybe tomorrow

AND Sunday!

This is our last FREE snow

day. Our district builds 3

into the year.

I'll be back later with another

post with a winter theme.

~Keep on Dreaming~

Peace and Harmony

Dr. Martin Luther King

had a dream. I too have

a dream, it's more of a

wish really.

I wish for PEACE every-

where! I especially wish

THAT for YOU today and

EVERYDAY.

If you have the day off as

I do, ENJOY--do some-

thing for yourself!!!!

~Keep on Dreaming~

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!!!

Last night Mr. Ken was

busy in our smallest

bedroom which we call

"the sitting room," trying

to get the printer to print.

He decided to take the

color cartridge out and

shake it, thinking that

would make the ink work

better since it was pretty

much empty.

He asked me to come back

to the room--he wanted to

show me "something." The

picture above is similiar to

what I saw on the bed skirt,

the comforter (day bed),

room carpeting and many

more items in the room.

Luckily the walls were

spared!

Sooooo our day was spent

washing bed linens--most

of the ink came out,

shelves and anything else

that we could find ink on.

Then... we had to put

eveything back and

remake the bed.

Of course, one project

leads to another causing

interruption to the project

at hand which I find quite

annoying. Why does this

occur???

All of this leads to...

NEVER SHAKE A PRINTER

CARTRIDGE--GET A NEW

ONE INSTEAD!!!! Especially

when your bedskirt is white

and your comforter is purple,

green and white.

~Keep on Dreaming~

Some January Fun!

Snowman

By: Shel Silverstein

********************

I made myself a snow ball as

perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

and let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas and a

pillow for it's head.

Then, last night it ran away.

But first.. it wet my bed.

***

Jack Frost

***********

The temperature is freezing!

It's less than thirty-two.

Cause look who's out the window,

It's Jack Frost, that's who.

***

I'm a Little Snowman

Tune: I'm a Little Teapot

**************************

I'm a little snowman,

short and fat.

Here are my buttons,

Here is my hat.

When the sun comes out,

I cannot stay.

Slowly I just melt away.

***

Dance Like Snowflakes

Tune: Frere Jaques

************************

Dance like snowflakes,

Dance like snowflakes,

In the air.

In the air.

Whirling, twirling snowflakes,

Whirling, twirling snowflakes,

Here and there.

Here and there.

~Keep on Dreaming~

Snow Day 2

The weather outside is DELIGHTFUL!

SNOW DAY !!!!!!!

Nuff said..... :)

~Keep on Dreaming~

Entrees and a Dessert

Sunday Savor *************** Today we are going to play a little "catch-up." We have a variety of recipes today for your enjoyment. Pull up a chair and relax. First up: Campbell's Vegetable Soup over Rice ***Pulled from a magazine ad*** **************************** 1 can Campbell's Vegetable Beef Soup (lean meat version) 2 cups of rice Easy Peasy-- Cook rice and soup according to directions, place heated rice on a platter and pour soup over the rice. Serve with crusty bread if desired. Serves 2 ***I don't remember the ounce size of the soup can--probably the "middle size" can. This recipe can be doubled for a larger group. Easy Potato Soup **From my kitchen** ********************** 4-5 red potatoes peeled, rinsed and cut in cubes. No salt seasoning 2 C milk 2 T butter 3-4 slices of cheese Parsley Cook potatoes--sprinkled with seasoning until slightly fork tender. Add milk and butter, bring to a medium boil. Turn heat down to med-low add cheese, let melt and finish to your thickness choice. If too thick add a little more milk. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. **Serves 2 Can be doubled. Fruit Medley **My version for Christmas** ***************

1 red apple-cored and chopped

1 yellow apple-cored and chopped

1 pear-cored and chopped

1 can chopped peaches--fresh

can be used instead

Purple grapes--amount of your

choice

1 regular size tub of Cool Whip--

I used French Vanilla

Topping--

Chopped peanuts

Mix all fruit in a bowl, than add

1/2 of the cool whip to coat fruit

and top with the peanuts.

**Serves 4

Pork Lo Mein

**From my kitchen**

1/2 box of Spaghetti

Soy Sauce

3 garlic cloves-peeled and diced

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 butterfly pork chops

1 can of green beans--drained

Cook and drain spaghetti-return

to the pot and drizzle soy sauce

over it--cover , set off to the side.

In a large frying pan, sear pork

chops, turning frequently.

Remove and cut up the chops into

bite size pieces. Return to pan and

cook with the garlic and soy sauce,

(the amount of soy sauce is up to

you) and salt and pepper.

Stir in the green beans just as

the chops are finishing cooking.

Add the spaghetti and stir

together so flavors and ingredients

meld together. If need be add more

soy sauce.

Serves approx. 4

~~~~Reader Alert

Blogger double spaced

these last two recipes.

~Keep on Dreaming~

New Year Thoughts

Some thoughts for the New Year:

WE are only human.

There IS ONLY one perfect

being.

It's OK to make mistakes.

Live and Learn.

Change is good.

Live, Laugh, Love.

Don't take yourself

too seriously.

Have fun, life is TOO short.

Be true to YOURSELF.

Life is like a box of

chocolates, sometimes

it is SMOOTH and sometimes

it is BUMPY.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

~Keep on Dreaming~

Resolutions--Yuck! :)

Here we are January 4th

and I have not done very

well with one of my "goals"

for the year.

I am NOT a resolution

maker, haven't made them

for years. I was never very

good at keeping them and

then I would get very

frustrated with myself.

What is your status on

resolutions? Do you make

them? Better yet--do you

keep them?

**************************

In a recent study, the top

10 resolutions were:

Spend more time with family

Get fit

Lose weight

Quit smoking

Enjoy life more

Drink less alcohol

Manage debt

Learn something new

Help others

Get organized

**************************

These are great but

studies show that more

than 75% of these will fail.

Due to some being unreal-

istic, too general or not

specific enough.

Now you know why I try for

goals instead--I feel less

pressure on myself to achieve

these. I have also given

myself permission to "do

over" a goal if I boo-boo

one. Which I already have

done several times with one

of my own goals.

**************************

Over at Brainella-Julia is

working on a one word

resolution hers is STRIVE.

Mine is Whimsy. Have

more fun!

If you are having trouble

with resoluions or goals,

try the one word resolution,

it is easy to come up with one

word that you can work with

AND that word would be???

Good Luck!

~Keep on Dreaming~

New Year's Fun

Sunday Savor~~~ I thought for this installment that I would share with you a couple of get togethers we had at our house over the last several days. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First up~~~ Our friends Dan and Nancy came over for dinner on December 29th. Since we would not be celebrating the new year together as we have in the past, I put together a "New Year's" tablescape.

I started with these small Fiber

Optic trees and some crystal "table

scatters". I put a horn at each

place setting and a whistle by each

plate. The guys had hats and the

gals had "Hollywood glasses."

The place mats are white with silver

thread woven throughout and I

used our white dishes. Our napkins

said "Happy New Year," of course.

~~~~

The Menu: (n0 pics--too busy)

Ham

Potatoes Diana

Green Salad

Crusty Rolls

Dessert:

Raspberry Kringle

Above is a distance shot of the

table. If you look close enough

you can see some of the light

on the trees.

Here is an up close shot of a place setting. Below is our side table/stand with more decor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 1, 2011

Last evening our friend Sonja came over for dinner to celebrate the brand new year. I kept the same table theme since it was festive. This was a less formal type meal. ~~~~~~~ The Menu: Sloppy Joes Frito Scoops French Onion Dip Assorted Fresh Veggies Pickles/Olives Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce Here are a couple shots of the table and food.

We enjoyed seeing friends and

sharing meals over the holidays.

~Keep on Dreaming~