a little humor in our "dance" toward the presidency

This last week of campaigning & voting stuff gets pretty long and not all that fun. I thought i'd throw a couple of fun items your way, something to cheer us up before the BIG day. Hopefully no matter how you vote you'll find these to be a chuckle or two. ENJOY and Remember to Vote, Nov. 4 :) After you've checked out the picture go to http://www.palinaspresident.com/ and move the mouse over the picture and click. There are little surprises all over. This is courtesy of stephen's blog.

tasty tuesday creeps up on me :)

Here is another episode of me trying to be a cook. Check out Lindsay's blog for more menu ideas
SPAGHETTI PIE

1 LB SPAGHETTI, OR ADD AS MUCH AS YOUR FAMILY LIKES TO EAT, COOK AS DIRECTED,drain

ADD: 1/4 C BUTTER, MELTED

1 EGG, BEATEN

1/2 C GRATED PARMESAN

PRESS INTO PIE PAN, 8" OR 9" to form crust

ADD: 1 CUP COTTAGE CHEESE, SPREAD ON NOODLES

TOP WITH: 1 JAR SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 LB HAMBURGER, BROWNED & DRAINED

BAKE 350 DEGREES FOR 25-30 MIN.

TOP W/ 1 cup MOZZARELLA CHEESE FOR THE LAST 5 MIN., UNTIL MELTED

SERVES 4-6

I'VE ALSO DONE THIS IN A 9 X 13 AND INCREASED THE "CRUST" QUANTITIES.

TASTY TUESDAY

This is a family favorite or then again, maybe it's just mine :)

Sue's Quick & Easy Chop Suey

1- lb. ground beef

1/2 c. chopped onion, optional

brown beef w/onion in large fry pan. drain grease

add:

1 can chicken noodle soup

1 can cr of chicken soup

1 can water

Bring to a boil.

add: 1 - 1 1/2 cans minute rice

add soy sauce to taste.

cover and cook for approx. 10 min.

add approx. 1/2 c chinese chow mein noodles

1 can green beans

cover and cook 5 min.

Should be thick enough to serve as "hot dish". I add more chowmein noodles to serve and soy sauce. ummm. Serves approx. 4-5

Random Things

Hmmm. I've been tagged by cassie . It's been a few years since tag has been part of my life but this one I think I can handle.

7 Random or Weird facts about myself

1. i love sitting on my butt.

2. i make by bed every morning

3. i find it almost impossible to leave the house w/out makeup on. i know, i'm vain.

4. fruits and vegetables are not my favorite things to eat. i can't understand why it's so difficult to lose weight???

5.i am a homebody. i find it difficult to be away from home longer than 1 week. sometimes less than that.

6. i would love to make a living in interior decorating or design. not possible in our small town.

7. i enjoy driving in my car.

now who will i tag? i don't know alot of bloggers yet. Cassie tagged the ones i know.

TASTY TUESDAY RECIPE SHARING

Ok, i've never been known as this great cook but Lindsay's blog has me interested. i do have a recipe that is a winner w/everyone who tries it: forgive my sometimes inexact measurements (i'm not a measurer :)

Chickey Stacky Uppy

1-Lg Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1-Lg Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 envelope lipton onion soup
1 small can mushroom pieces
1-10 3/4 oz. chicken broth
4-5 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (i boil these and cube after)
Mix all of the above and heat through. can be done in crock pot, approx. 4 hours on low.
Add 8 oz. sour cream before serving.

This is fun for the family because it can be customized to each person's taste

Each person makes their own w/ chowmein noodles, topped by scoop of white rice, add above gravy, top w/ dry roasted peanuts, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions, chopped green peppers, jalapenos, pineapple chunks and coconut. Anything goes! This is so..... good! Seems like an unusual combo but oh, the flavors are so awesome together. Serves 6-8 people.

REFLECTIONS ON EMPTY NESTING

You know you are an empty nester when:
-You look for some clean underwear and realize you haven't done laundry in 1 week
-Supper is cereal or whatever is leftover in the fridge
-the dust bunnies are very infrequent because of lack of activity in the home
-or the dust bunnies that are there can't be blamed on my daughter any more
-you can reclaim the extra bathroom in the house as yours
-your college age son visits and asks " so, is this how you spend everynight?"
-you read blogs from young moms and think "it really wasn't that long ago, was it?"

I'm sure there are many more but at the moment these are top of mind. It really is a nice place to be at but rather surreal at times. I have to remember to enjoy the journey :)

It's gone but actually just beginning

You know, the day has come and gone. I can't believe you spend all that time for that 1 special day and phuff... it's gone. I guess, from experience, i do know that but it was my daughter's wedding, my one and only daughter's wedding, and it's gone. It was a wonderful day. Beautiful weather, great friends and family. The stresses of the week tend to rear their silly heads. But in the end, beauty. Wow!!!

the newlyweds are very happy. It is a joy to see them in new love. We have to be reminded of that from time to time. It brings a smile to my face. Just knowing the growth that will happen between them. The ups and the downs all equal a very complete, and satisfying love. Where would we be without all the "stuff"? Learning to work together to make a family, a God fearing, loving family. Thank you, Jesus.

Tending to the relationships. It requires perserverance. It is work but, in the end, very gratifying and special. To choose to spend the rest of your life w/someone who is willing to sacrifice for you and you for them, cool! Growth!