Wednesday, February 23, 2011

February Birthday's #4 and #5

Yay this month is almost over! That means it's the last of the birthday's for this month.

Today is a double whammy birthday!

Happy Birthday to my Mom.
Born February 23, 1955. Married my Dad in 1973. Became a mother to twins in July 1979. She worked hard to keep her kids happy and healthy, and never missed a beat.

Don't ask me what year this picture was. Sometime in the 70's? But check out that hair!


Here's a fun fact that most people don't know.....the house that my parents live in to this day, was purchased brand new by my Mom's parents. Then my parents bought it 1980 and have lived in it ever since. No one else has ever lived in it.
Here's one from when my Grandparents lived in Texas. Galveston Beach.


I was digging through old childhood pictures, and found this one of my brother styling Mom's hair!


And Happy Birthday to this guy!
Born February 23, 1977.
What a cutie.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Stewart. It is one of his senior picture from high school. (hubba hubba)

Stewart and I have known each other since we were little kids, and I never thought in a million years that I would ever call him my husband.
He is a wonderful man and works hard for his family. And I am thankful for him each and every day.
So Happy Birthday to the both of you. Love you very much!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Yum......

Today I am posting a recipe for a friend. So here it is.

Chicken Fried Steak, or some may call it Country Fried Steak. I don't care what ya call it, but it's yummy.
Made this for the family last Sunday.

Got the idea from my Pioneer Woman Cookbook. I highly recommend this to everyone.


3 pounds cube steak
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons seasoned salt (I used Lawry's, 3 teaspoons)
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I didn't use this)
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil for frying

Make an assembly line for your meat. 3 bowls. 1 bowl for the flour and spices and one bowl for eggs and milk, and 1 for the breaded meat.
Beat the eggs and 1 cup of milk together in a bowl.
Put the flour and spices in the other bowl.
Gently put a slice of meat in the egg and milk mixture. Coating both sides.
Then place the same piece of meat in the flour and spice mixture. Coat both sides.
Now place the same flour coated piece of meat back in to the egg/milk mixture and repeat. Then dip it back into the flour mixture, and coat the meat again.
This will make a nice thick crust for the fried steak.
Place the meat on an empty plate until ready to fry. Repeat the same process for all the other slabs of meat.
Heat up the oil in a pan on Medium-High heat.
Once you are ready to fry, place 2-3 pieces of meat in a pan with the oil.
Cook each side of the meat until it looks nice and golden brown.


Along with the meal I made mashed potatoes, mini cornbread muffins, and corn on the cob.I also made some gravy to go along with this, but I can't make gravy from scratch. Sad I know. So I cheat and use a packaged gravy mix that I buy at the store. It's much better that way. Because my homemade gravy turns out more like wall plaster.
But you can use whatever gravy recipe tickles your fancy.
ENJOY!

Monday, February 14, 2011

February Birthday #3

♥Happy Valentine's Day♥
Today is a day for love.....and it's also a birthday for some. It just happens to be my Grandpa Joe's Birthday!
Born in Missouri on February 14, 1925. He, like myself, also had a twin brother. Sadly he lost his brother about 11 years ago to lung cancer. We miss him very much. The house where they were born is still standing. Believe me I've seen it.
He loves to fish, grow vegetables in the garden, write, finish crossword puzzles and tell jokes.

Here's an oldie! Circa 1983


He is an English major, and a WWII veteran. He even wrote a book about the Navy ship he was on during that time.


He is a proud Grandpa! We love him a lot. Happy Birthday!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

'Snow' much more...

I am sick of this winter.


It has been like a roller coaster ride. Up and down, up and down.
This last week we had a re-peat with the winter storm. And yes more snow.
I can handle the snow, but the freezing temperatures is getting old. We haven't had this cold of a winter in a long time.
I am ready for SPRING!!!!!!!!
So with that in mind, here are the latest snow pictures at our house. Our actual front porch is buried so deep, we can't open the door! Guess shoveling the porch is in the works for this weekend.
Hope everyone is staying warm!








Also I want to note that I added a new blog to my list. Please check it out. It is hilarious. The blog tile is: The truths and half truths of an optimistic cynic. (say that ten times fast)
It is written by one of Stewart's cousins. Her name is Loree.
She is a wife, a wonderful Mom to a sweet little boy named Arlo, and she is also a registered nurse. She started her blog not too long ago, and I have been meaning to add it. Enjoy!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Catch my drift?

Our weather is crazy here. You never know what it's going to do. Just one week ago today it was 72 degrees. Then just three days later is was freezing, the wind was blowing like crazy and it was snowing.
I was in hibernation mode. I didn't leave the house for two whole days. Mostly I didn't want to drag my child out in that weather if I didn't have to. Maddie's pre-school was cancelled so we stayed where it was warm.
Finally by Thursday I was needing to get out of the house. I knew the major roads were cleared off by now, so I braved the snow drift that was in front of our garage and made my way out. Then as I made it to the end of the drive way I was in awe of the drifts that were along our road. Take a look.

















And finally here is February Birthday #2.
Tomorrow we will be singing ♪"Happy Birthday"♫ to my wonderful father-in-law Mark.
He was born February 5th, 1950.
His actual first name is Stewart. Mark is his middle name. For years I never knew this. He has always gone by Mark.
He is an avid fisherman, hunter and skeet shooter. When ever he finds the time to do those things. He loves working in the garage with Stu.
Mostly he is one of the best babysitters around! He doesn't charge me a dime to watch our kid.
He is a father to two son's and loves his Granddaughter to death!

Father & son (Stewart), circa 1977.


With Maddison in 2005. Gee who does this little girl look like?


Most of all he loves spending time with his family!

Happy Birthday Mark! We love you lots!