PARTY! PARTY!

Last weekend was the culmination of lots of planning for a special family get together.  We told the parents it was a family reunion, but it was actually a surprise party for my parents for their 60th birthday.  We had a great time visiting with family, playing cards and of course, eating.  AND, they were actually surprised.  I cannot believe we pulled it off.  I am a terrible liar.  I cry when I lie - dead giveaway.  Anyway, thanks to my aunt and cousin Jamie and my sister for pulling off all the planning.  YEA! 

Here's a picture of the birthday folks.

My dad was talking when I snapped the picture.  OOPS! 

This is their cake (their last name initial is "N").  It looks so much better than the cakes I make!

As I said, we had lots of good food.  One of the things I made was Sausage Triangles.  YUM!

Sausage Triangles



8 oz Pork sausage

1/2 lb Mushrooms, diced

1/4 lb Monterey Jack, shredded

1/2 c Butter, melted

1/3 16 oz pkg. frozen phyllo

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In 10" skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork sausage and mushrooms until meat is well browned and mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.

With slotted spoon, remove sausage mixture to paper towelsto drain. In large bowl, mix sausage mixture and shredded cheese.

With knife, cut phyllo lengthwise into 2" wide strips. Place strips on waxed paper; then cover with slightly damp paper towel to prevent phyllo from drying out.

Place 1 strip of phyllo on work surface; brush top lightly with melted butter. Place about 1 teaspoon sausage mixture at end of strip.

Fold one corner of strip diagonally over filling so that short edge meets the long edge of the strip, forming a right angle. Continuefolding over at right angle. Continue folding over at right angles until you reachthe end of the strip to form a triangular-shaped package.

Place package, seam side down, in 15 1/2" X 10 1/2" jelly roll pan; brush with butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo strips and sausage mixture.

If not serving right away, cover with foil and refrigerate.

To serve, preheat oven to 425 F. Bake triangles 15 minutes or until golden. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen hors d'oeuvres. Each triangle: About 50 calories, 4 g fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium.

TO FREEZE AND USE UP TO 1 MONTH LATER: Place unbaked triangles in freezer container with waxed paper between each layer; seal; label: and freeze. About 35 minutes before serving, preheat oven to 425 F. Arrange frozen triangles on un-greased jelly roll pan and bake 20 minutes or until triangles are golden.

Just for the record, I hate phyllo dough!  Wanna see how much I wasted?

Nice, huh? 

Have a great day everyone!  I'm linking up to:

Wow! What a Crazy Week!

So, what y'all been doing?  It's been absolutely CRAZY at my house for the last week.  Last Thursday was the kids first day back to school, so the beginning of the week was full of last minute doctor's appointments, making breakfast for my 6 year old's preschool staff, teachers and therapists because my friend D and I wanted to make sure that they knew how much we love and appreciate them before we took our babies out of their loving hands and threw them into the real world of Kindergarten.  Then Tuesday night we had Open House at two different schools.  Wednesday was last minute school stuff. 

So, as I said, Thursday was the first day of school.  I got up at the crack of dawn and put on makeup and stuff (that almost never happens before school), made a big breakfast and rushed around to get everyone ready for school.  We dropped off my big boy at his school and he went in all by himself.  I was so proud of what a big boy he was.  Then we dropped off my 12 year old at her school and off she went to start the 7th grade.  Then, we were off to take L to his first day of Kindergarten.  We walked into his classroom and talked to his teacher for a few minutes and L refused to let go of our hands.  He knew what was coming and he was NOT happy about it.  When we finally did head for the door, he started screaming.  I didn't cry until I heard him, and then I lost it.  I cried off and on all day.  Poor E was lost without her brothers and sister.  She kept asking if we could go get them.  The second day of school went much smoother.  No crying, well at least not for L. 

Everything went smooth except for the picking up.  All three kids go to different schools.  J gets out at the same time as L.  Thursday I got to J's school 45 minutes before the bell rang so I could pick him up and rush to get L.  I made it to the pickup spot right before the buses were about to turn in (if the buses are in the parking lot, they won't let you in).  Friday, the guy directing traffic refused to let me in the parking lot where I pick up my son.  He yelled at me and told me to go to the other parking lot.  I tried to explain that I had a "special education child" to pick up and I had to pick him up at this parking lot (the other elementary kids are picked up in another parking lot at the front of the school).  He still refused to let me in and I just LOST IT!  I pulled over on the side of the road and cried trying to decide what to do.  I was so frustrated.  I could see my child 30 yards from me, but I couldn't get to him.  I was so angry.  This guy was three times my size, but I was so angry I think I could've taken him.  I got out of the car and walked up to get L.  His teacher said, "He had a really good day today.  No crying at all."  Then she looked up to see tears rolling down my cheeks.  I could not stop crying.  I know she thought I was completely NUTS.  So, as it stands now, I can't physically be in two places at once at pickup time.  I'll keep trying and hopefully the traffic will get better this week.  But, I swear if that man yells at me again...I'll...I'll...I'll cry some more and hopefull he'll feel really bad.  I'm so tough, I know.

Wanna see our awesome back to school picture? 

Nice, huh?  They refused to cooperate with me.  UGH!

So, here's hoping we have a better week this week. 

Later this week, I'll be sharing about this:

Because my week just wasn't stressful enough....

Getting to Know You...School Memories

Since today is the first day of school for my little ones, I thought we could share school memories - best and worst. 

I think my best memory of school would be in high school.  You have to understand that I wasn't an extremely popular girl.  I had very close friends that were popular and I had plenty of friends who weren't popular.  I tried really hard to be friends with everybody.  My favorite memory had to be when I was a senior in high school.

It was fall, but still very warm outside.  I was running late, as usual.  I wore a red dress with small white polka dots.  I was sweating underneath all that taffeta.  I rushed into the gym to find the other girls lining up and the band warming up.  We'd skipped class the day before to practice, but all of a sudden I worried I wouldn't remember what to do when it was my turn.  The guys were lined up on the other side ready to go.  The student body filed into the gym, the band started playing and the announcer called our names one by one.  Finally, he called my name "Maid, Tanya...."  and I nearly passed out.  Luckily my feet started moving and I could see my escorts about half way down the aisle - my friend Eric, with whom I ate lunch a lot and went to church with for years - and John, the boy I had a crush on since 5th grade.  I looped my arms through theirs and we walked to the stage.  Sigh.  Almost done.  Just a few more girls to go.  That's when the tears came.  I tried not to cry, but it somehow hit me that this would be one of those days I would remember for the rest of my life.  This is the day that I was one of the chosen ones.  Then, the announcer said, "Stephanie...your maid of honor" and I watched through tears as Stephanie walked down the aisle and took her seat.  Then the announcer said, "Everyone please stand to welcome your homecoming queen....Sara...."  We all stood to watch our school "Miss Everything" walk down the aisle with our quarterback.  When "The Queen" got to her seat, she turned around, looked at the audience, held out her arms wide and mouthed "Thank you, thank you" and blew kisses like she was Miss America and this continued for what seemed like five minutes.  Seriously?  Does she realize she's the homecoming queen in a small town in Arkansas and not Miss America? 

Anyway, after a wonderful ceremony, there was a short parade.  I rode in a red convertible mustang with my two escorts.  Then that night was the football game ceremony where my dad walked me across the field.  Durint the football game, the girls sat on a small stage they built close to the end zone.  Then after the game, we all went to the dance.  I don't remember that much about the dance, but everything else that day is engraved in my memory.  Sadly, even the way our "Queen" acted is as fresh as it was yesterday.  I can't think about it without rolling my eyes.  UGH! 

My worst, most embarassing day in high school would have to be the day of the blood drive.  It was senior year and, of course, we all wanted to give blood so we could skip class.  So, I stood in line and was terrified.  I'd never given blood before.  Was getting a needle jammed in my arm and filling up that durn blood bag really worth not having to hear Mrs. Tanner talk about the Holocaust?  Um, maybe so.  So....I waited and tried not to freak out. 

Finally it was my turn.  I sat down and looked away, trying to distract myself with having a conversation with Franky and John.  They were reassuring me that it was no big deal.  They were already filling their bags with a smile on their face.  But they were big, strong football players.  They wouldn't admit it if it was horrible.  Here we go......the stick in the arm....the pumping the tennis ball....don't look at it and you'll be fine, I thought.  Meanwhile, my football player buddies were done and eating cookies a few feet away.  I never met a cookie I didn't like.  Something to look forward to.  "All done!  You're a good bleeder!" the nurse said as if that was a good thing.  I sat there as she took off the cotten ball and turned to get another one.  Blood streamed out of my arm and dripped down to the floor......Then suddenly, the football players and I were standing on a cliff and jumping into the lake below.  They had jumped and they were calling my name.  "Tanya!"  Then, I hit the water.....or actually, a cup of water hit me in the face.  I had passed out in the chair and my football buddies were calling my name before someone threw a cup of water in my face and hit me with the smelling salts.  Weird fainting dream.  So, there I sat in the library, soaking wet with mascara running down my face, eating cookies, with Frankie and John, my crush and Homecoming escort.  How embarassing! 

What are your best and worst school memories?

Encouraging Your Children

My friend, Mary Joy is having a wonderful linky party this week.  It's all about encouraging your kids.  I cannot claim to be the best mom in the world.  I can't even claim to be the best mom in Arkansas, but I am the best mom I can be for my kids.  So, how do I encourage my kids?

Hubby and I are very affectionate, loving people.  We constantly tell the kids "I love you" and are always available with hugs and kisses.  I asked my twelve year old once if she thought her friends' families just openly said "I love you" all the time like we do.  Her answer was no.  I thought that was so sad.  Recently, Hubby and I were watching a documentary on HBO about these African children who took a test to see who in their school would get scholarships to advance to middle school.  There were many children trying for eight or nine scholarships.  Those who didn't get a scholarship would not be able to further their education.  These children were under immense pressure to get these scholarships and they knew their parents and families were depending on them.  They featured one sweet little boy, with a huge smile.  He was one of the top students in his class, but apparently didn't do well on the test.  He was very upset and his family stood by and watched him cry and feel as if he had let them down.  NOT ONCE did they hug him or tell him they the loved him and that it would be okay.  My heart ached for that little boy.  I wanted to step through that TV and into the heat of Africa and wrap that little boy up like he was my own.  I know not everyone is as openly loving as we are, but that poor little tortured boy broke my heart.  Sometimes a good hug just makes everything better.  Knowing that you are loved, no matter what, always has a positive impact on a person, especially a child. 

I always tell my kids that I am proud of them.  My parents always told me they were proud of me.  Was I a straight A student?  Nope.  Was I amazingly talented?  Nope.  Do I have major career accomplishments?  Absolutely not.  I almost laugh when my Dad says that to me today, because I cannot imagine what I have done to make them proud.  I'm not abnormally smart, funny, talented or successful.  But, I am a good person.  That is what I try to teach my kids.  When my son comes in and says, "I won the race, are you so proud of me?"  I always say the same thing, "Yes, I am proud of you whether you win or lose".  At the end of my daughter's 5th grade year, she won several awards, including Honor Roll, but what I was most proud of was the citizenship award.  I told her I was always proud of how polite she is and how she always put others before herself.  She always stuck up for the kids who got picked on.  She was always respectful of others.  That is what makes me the most proud, that she is a good person.  The bottom line is I always tell them how proud I am of them. 

Postive reinforcement is also very encouraging for my kiddos.  We try to always point out when they are doing something right, especially if it's something they used to do wrong.  This works wonders with my 8 year old.  He does get grounded when he does something wrong.  He does get disciplined, but making a big deal out of something he is doing correctly, ALWAYS works.  He gets very excited and it has a longer lasting effect on him then getting on to him when he's doing something wrong. 

I feel that these things will build up their confidence.  I think if they have confidence in themselves and know that we love them unconditionally that they can achieve anything.  It gives the freedom to try their best and to know that we still love them even if they don't do well at something. 

Head on over to Mary Joy's and share some of your encouraging ideas!

My Kitchen Canisters

Some of you may remember when I painted my kitchen red back in February.  I love my red kitchen and I've loved getting rid of all of my early 90's red, white and blue decor, but I still had my white and blue canisters. 

I've had those canisters since 1994.  I have been past due for an update.  Only problem is, the ones I wanted were soooo expensive.  We're talking like $80 - $180, which I just cannot fathom spending on canisters, even if I did have lots of extra $.  So, I decided to make do with what I could find for CHEAP.  Really cheap, in other words FREE! 

Ignore the crap on my counter - crackers and ziplocs of Teddy Grahams and Pop Tarts, etc.  We are such healthy eaters around here.  HA!

I had these lovely acrylic beauties in my pantry.  They used to hold various snack packs (cookies, cereal bars, etc.  again, we eat so healthy).  I taped them off and got out my beloved chalkboard paint. 

Now, isn't that better?  Yeah, I think so.  And FREE definitely works for me!

I'm linking this project to  Finding Fabulous and

 

  

 

Getting to Know You Thursday....Fears

What were you afriad of when you were little?  I was afraid of......well, everything.  You see, I am a chicken butt.  Yep, always have been.  I'm afraid of everything!!!  I used to make my dad come check my closets and under my bed and under the bathroom vanity EVERY night before bed because I was just sure there were bears hiding in my room until the lights when off when they would come out and gobble me up. 

As I got older, my fears changed.  I was afraid of the usual creepy, crawly things.  I hate snakes, mice, bugs, spiders and camel crickets.  Have you ever seen a camel cricket?  They are so creepy!  The look like a cross between a cricket and a spider and they jump like six feet in the air and they get HUGE, like as big as my fist.  The closet in the house I rented in college was like the breeding ground for these scary creatures.  ICK!  My poor little brother was woke up late at night MANY times when we were young to come kill a bug in my room.  Thank you Mark! 

My Mortal Enemy...The Camel Cricket

My brother, Mark, the Bug Killer

As I got older, I learned to fear people the most.  I was afraid if there were escape convicts anywhere within a 300 mile radius, that they were coming after me.  I checked the door locks constantly.  I was terrified if my mom stepped away from me in Wal-Mart, someone would kidnap me.  My little sister, who was apparently afraid of nothing, would sneak out at night with her friends and hang out at 1:00 a.m.  I, on the other hand, was afraid to go in the front yard by myself in the middle of the night.  Also, when I was around eleven and had a bad dream, I would go sleep with my sister for protection.  She was four at the time, so I have NO IDEA how I thought she would protect me.  My sister is not a scaredy cat like me.  She was once robbed at gunpoint and she YELLED AT THE GUNMAN!  HELLO?  That's my sister. 

Me and my brave sister!

 

Now, that I'm old....er...I am afraid for others much more than myself.  I worry about my parents, my Hubby, my kids especially.  Right now, my biggest fear is that my 6 year old L is about to start school.  L is autistic and is starting Kindergarten in one week.  That is the fear that consumes my life right now.  I am terrified of dropping this tiny boy off at school all by himself in unfamiliar territory.  He does great in his small preschool right now, where he is familiar with things.  His new school is unfamiliar and bigger, where he knows NOBODY!  He's never gone to school with "normal" kids before.  I am terrified he will be labeled "the weird kid".  I'm worried the other kids will tease him.  I'm worried they will laugh at him and pick on him or bully him.  What if his teacher doesn't like him?  He usually has no problem winning over women because he is very affectionate, but what if they don't "get" him.  The whole thing is enough to make me sick at my stomach with worry.  I know I cried when I dropped off my older two at Kindergarten, but I didn't cry for a full month before Kindergarten started. 

My Little L.

So, for now at least, L starting Kindergarten is my biggest fear.  Don't get me wrong - I am still terrified of snakes, bugs, mice and creep crawly things.  I still check the door locks constantly and make sure the alarm is turned on.  I'm still a chicken butt. 

What are you afraid of?

Dishing It Party..Summer Rewind.

YEA!  It's time for Amanda's Dishing It Party!  WOO HOO!  Come party with us!!



The topic for the month of August is about Summer favorites. 


~Did your family go on any trips this summer? Which was your favorite? 
We didn't go on a big vacation this year, or any recent year actually.  We did spend several weekends at Mom and Dad's house at the lake, which is always wonderful.  We had many, many good times. 

Tubing is so much fun!

Napping on the boat.

Good food at the lake!  YUM!

We had a wonderful 4th of July at Mom and Dad's with our "favorite cousins" (Hey Jamie!!) and my sister's family and my brother and the best SIL and BIL evah! 

Then we spent some time in Texas at my in-laws and again with my SIL/BIL. 

This is us at Hubby's cousin's lakehouse (more on that later).

We didn't take a big trip, but we had a lot of fun just visiting with family.

~Best new recipe you tried.

You can read about my new favorite recipe here.  It's for Chicken Tostadas and it is fabulous!  Had them last night as a matter of fact.  They ROCK! 

~Most exciting thing you've done this summer.

Well, other than starring in a movie, okay, it was my son's movie, with his movie camera, but I was the star!  Other than that...let's see... Okay, the dictionary defines excite as "something to stir action".  Well, if we use that definition, it would have to be my little one falling off the bunk bed and breaking her arm.  You can read about that here.  That definitely stirred up some action in our house.  And, if I do say so myself, I am good in a crisis.

  Sweet little E with her big pink cast.

~Coolest crafty thing you made or home decor thing you tried.

Okay, to most this will not sound very cool, but it was new to me.  I finally refinished my lovely orangey TV cabinet.  It went from this

to this:

Ahhh.  Much better. 

But, I also very much love this easy little craft.

You can find that post here.

~Best book or magazine issue you read.

I don't have a lot of time to read in the summer.  BUT, after Amanda's July Dishing It Party, I decided I needed a book, if only for a little escapism.  So, by several of y'all's suggestion, I went to the library to get Mary Kay Andrews' Hissy Fit.  I got it three weeks ago and I'm almost done.  I know, it's taking FOREVER for me to finish, but it takes longer to read with a bunch of kids interrupting me.  Anway, it's a great book and I'm very excited to pick up another of her books later this week at the library!  WOO HOO!  I'm looking so forward to reading in the school pick-up line. 

~Coolest new (to you) blog you've found.

Are you kidding?  There are sooo many!  I ADORE Debbie at Words on Wheels, Carrie at Messie Confessions and one of my newest bloggy friends Staci at Lizard 'N Ladybug.  Sweet, precious blogs.

~Favorite bargain or shopping find of the summer.

Okay, it's hot down here in Arkansas and I don't do the garage sale thing with all my kids because I would have to take them out of the car with me and worry about them running out in the streets or breaking the breakables that I would then have to buy, etc.  It's just not gonna happen with four kids.  BUT, the couple across the street had a garage sale and I did find the perfect little table while driving by.

Isn't she cute?

~Your best post of the summer was...?

I love Getting To Know You Thursday, such as this on on romance, this one on career dreams you had when you were little and this post which posed the question, To Which Decade Would You Travel, If You Could, for just a few days.  I like these posts because they spur conversations and through comments, I feel like I'm actually getting to know my fellow bloggy friends.  Love that. 

~What's left on your summer to-do list?

There are eight days left until school starts.  All I am concentrating on is spending the last little bit with the kids and getting them ready for school.  My sweet L, who is autistic, is starting Kindergarten in nine days.  I'm trying not to freak out and cry. 

Wow, it's been a busier summer than I thought.  Hmmm.  It sure flew by fast.  The older I get, the faster it goes.  My Daddy was right about that.