The Dog and I are on a Schedule

About 5:00 every day, I get a call from my oldest son to pick him up from track practice. Opie, the dog, and I go to pick him up every day.



We always thought our dog wasn't too smart, but I may have to change my opinion. He seems to know exactly when my son calls to pick him up. The phone can ring during the day, and Opie ignores it. I can get up to go run errands and Opie ignores me. But - let the phone ring about 5:00 and Opie's instantly at the door, doing his little whine and plea for a ride in the car.

Luckily, we live in the country and I can drive slow through the back roads to the school. He sticks his head out the window and just thoroughly enjoys the ride. Because he's got those big floppy ears, his ears often flop up and he ends up looking like a bat.

What do you think?

Pictures from the Texas Trip

Hubby and oldest son went on their annual trip to Paradise, Texas! They cater the meals for the North Texas Whip Club's April event. Some pictures are below!

The Cooks are taking a break.........................

AND ---- of course - no set of pictures are complete without one of a Texas Longhorn.

For those who have never been to Texas - here's some thoughts:

• The normal spices for any food choice are: hot pepper flakes, Tabasco sauce, salt and ketchup
• There may be four seasons, but they are all described with the word "Summer" - Almost summer, summer, was summer and colder than summer. Colder than summer is used to describe the cold snap that occurs in December when the weather drops below 70 degrees. It's time to start cookin chili and puttin' up the Christmas tree.
• True Texans understand that Texas can do without the rest of the US. But the rest of the US couldn't - without great hurt and pain - do without Texas.
• Texas is it's own country - it doesn't matter what the law says.
• Boots and cowboy hats are appropriate church, wedding and funeral attire and are worn to show respect.
• Texas chili DOES NOT contain beans. People at chili cookouts will laugh you out of the park as a know-nothin Yankee if you show up with beans in your chili.

Broccoli Salad

April 2008 Catering Newsletter

My mom would make this all the time and it is so delicious. I make it now as well. It's amazing, but my kids are true fans of broccoli - not just in salad, but cooked, steamed or just raw as a snack.

Broccoli Salad
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh broccoli, chopped into small pieces
1 small onion, chopped
½ pound bacon – fried crisp and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup white sugar
2 tbsp vinegar

Directions:
Mix broccoli, onion, bacon and cheese together
Mix together remaining ingredients in separate bowl and pour over salad
Let stand 3-4 hours before serving

Spring Sports have started!

Track meets have started. My oldest son, Lucas, throws the shotput and discus. This is a picture of him getting ready to throw the discus. He threw 100 yards, which I thought was pretty good since this is his first year of competition and he's still learning. The *best* kid throwing discus on their team threw a 140 yesterday! WOW!!! He's really good and got first place.

You can't tell, but it was like 30 degrees yesterday and we were freezing cold. All the parents standing to the side were buttoned up tight in winter coats.

Tonight is the first baseball practice for my youngest son, Michael. There's been some changes on his team and with his coaches, so it will be interesting to see how they do this season. He's excited, though and ready to start.

My Silly Cat

Somehow a ladybug got into our house yesterday and "settled" in near the ceiling. Our cat, Chuck Norris, jumped up on the ledge and sat looking up at the ladybug for more than 30 minutes. Even when I was getting the picture, he barely moved.

He didn't try to jump, which was good, because the other side of the ledge drops about a story down to the front hallway and if he lost his footing, he'd be one hurt cat. But - he sure wasn't going to miss the chance to get the ladybug should it move.

The ladybug isn't there this morning and I don't know if it got away or if Chuck finally got it.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

The March newsletter of our catering business is now out! In addition to a short "I want spring to get here"plea, I've also decided to add in a recipe for good old fashioned apple dumplings.

These are wonderful and sweet and ooh so tasty when served with ice cream or warm maple syrup. Yummy - I may just go apple shopping soon.

Recipe Box - Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 cups water
2 tbsp butter
2 1/2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
scant 3/4 cup milk
apples - sliced small


Directions:
Make thing syrup by mixing sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, water and butter for 5 minutes
Keep warm
Cut shortening into sifted flour, baking powder and salt until fine as cornmeal. Stir in just enough milk to make soft dough.
Roll out on floured board to 1/4" thickness in rectangular form
Spread with melted butter, filled with apples
Sprinkle apples with sugar and cinamon
Roll as for a jelly roll and slice 3/4" thick
Place in large pan - pour syrup over apple roll slices
Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until light brown on top.

Time Marches On

Eeeek! I can't believe it's March already. Life has been so hectic at times that I can't believe that it's already 2008. I still remember all the Y2K panic as if it were last year.

Just last month, our oldest son turned 15. Less than a year to drive!Less than 3 years to leave for collegeLess than 3 years from being "draftable" into the military

As frustrating as teenagers can be, I'm not sure I'm ready for him to really grow up to be on his own. I can't imagine a home without him in it. I know I'm probably jumping the gun, but I can't help being the emotional sappy mother right now....

But - I still thought I'd share this beautiful picture to get ya'll ready for spring......