Happy June!

Can't believe it's already June! I thought things would calm down once school was out, but we are busier than ever right now. My plan is to start posting more often than once a month now that school is out...I have a lot of stuff to share from the last month, but have been way too busy to post. Check back next week and hopefully I can start sharing my photos again. HAPPY JUNE!

Mini Oreo Apple Pops

I've been searching for great Teacher Appreciation gifts/Last day of school gifts and came across this post on Skip to My Lou (found on my list of blogs that I follow) and which was posted on her blog by Brooke from The Crafting Chicks Blog:


Mini Oreo Pops

• mini oreos


• red candy melts


• green airheads


• pretzel sticks


• toothpicks


• styrofoam (for drying) and a container for giving

Gently stick the toothpick into the cream part of the oreo, dip into red candy melts (that you've melted in the microwave according to package directions), then place in styrofoam to harden. While the candy is still wet, break the pretzel sticks into small pieces and stick into the top of the oreo. Cut the green airheads into small pieces and shape into leaf shapes before attaching it to the oreo with a little dab of melted candy.

Let everything dry before removing used toothpicks. Place in container for the Teacher and show him or her your appreciation.

The Edward Everett Dale Society Reception

My husband and I were invited to a reception yesterday hosted by the Edward Everett Dale Society in the Western History Collection featuring new books published by The University of Oklahoma Press. It was a great reception and something I've never been too before...it made me feel like an adult. Of course I found half a dozen books I wanted to purchase, but I settled on these three:
A comprehensive history of the Sooner state from it's tectonic formation to it's centennial birthday. A dual choice, my Husband and I think it will be a good book for our boys when they study Oklahoma history in high school.

A fictional account that brings to life the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. This one was my husband's choice, but looks interesting nonetheless.

A book based on the diaries and letters of 8 women who traversed the wagon trails on our countries westward migration during the 19th century. I knew I wanted this book the minute I picked it up. It's going to be a great read.

We were put on the permanent invite list for this event, and I'm looking forward to next years reception!

Something to think about...

I may be crazy, but I've seriously been thinking about homeschooling my Youngest next year when he starts 1st grade. Don't get me wrong, but I LOVE the school, LOVE the teachers, Like the district, but I've still been thinking about it.

As a substitute teacher this year I've been able to see how much time a teacher must spend getting the class to settle down, get to work, to line up for music/PE/lunch, and how much time they really spend one on one with each child and I know I can give my child at least that amount of attention each day with school work. Socialization isn't an issue because he will be starting Cub Scouts and sports are not an issue, because wrestling and baseball are in his future.

What really stops me is the fact that I know myself and I'm not sure I have the patience to teach him and not do his work myself, and I'm afraid that his education will be neglected in some vital way with me as his teacher.

Anyway that is just something I've been thinking about this crazy April in Oklahoma!

A new recipe...

I discovered a new recipe in my Food & Family magazine and my family loves it...Roasted New Potatoes! Potatoes and bacon...Yum!!!

Roasted New Potatoes

from Food & Family magazine

2 lb. new potato, cut in halves or quarters

6 slices bacon, chopped small

3 Tbsp. Italian dressing

1/3 c. Kraft mayo with olive oil

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese

2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley

1. 
   
   Heat oven to 400 degrees F


2. 
   
   Combine potatoes, bacon & dressing; spread on a sheet pan & bake for 45 minutes. Stir after 25 minutes.


3. 
   
   Mix mayo, lemon juice and garlic...set aside.


4. 
   
   Place potatoes on a plate, top with mayo, cheese and parsley and serve.

This is one of our new favorite recipes. I usually make it without the garlic, but follow the rest of the directions exactly. We had it last night with Shake-N-bake pork chops and roasted broccoli and it was all gone by the time we finished dinner last night. Please enjoy!

Zoo Trip

Zoo Trip!

We took the boys to the zoo for the 1st time in several years. There were many new exhibits that made the trip fun. This is the entrance to the Children's Zoo. My Youngest enjoyed petting the goats!

This is just 1 of the lorikeets that liked me. I had 2 on my head earlier...a weird experience.

I've never been this close to a flamingo before. We could almost pet them.

The Oklahoma Trails exhibit, made up of all the animals found in our great state...including the 2 animals in front of the glass :-)

We love the Tigers. This one seemed to watch us, wonder what he was thinking?...Yum?

The monkeys all together. Everytime we go to the zoo, the boys take a picture with these gorillas. The boys keep getting bigger.

The new elephant exhibit.

Plateau...

Well I've plateaued...or I plateaued back before Christmas. I haven't lost any weight, and I haven't gained any weight, which is probably a miracle with the amount of sugary goodness I've eaten in the last 3 months!

I'm finally back on schedule though. No more holidays or snow days to de-rail me from my walking and no more baking to eat!

I've made it out to the mall 5 times this week and I've been able to walk about 10 miles!

All the chocolate goodies are gone out of the house so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the scale will start falling again. It's not like I'll be sitting around the house bored (I usually eat the most when I'm bored), since I've started running around taking the boys to soccer practice and games, baseball practice, track practice, track meets, etc. Baseball games and t-ball practice will be starting soon. I don't have time to cook food, much less eat it!