homeschool and beef stew?

I know I've talked a bit lately about the homeschool roller coaster.  Well, I want to update you on how that's all going...FANTASTIC!  We have a morning routine down and so far, things are moving along well with no hiccups to mention.  Everyone has fallen into this routine so well, I can hardly believe we're doing this, making it happen, conquering the fears of homeschool.  In another post, I'll go into details about the books we've chosen and what we're using.

A while back (like a few months ago!) I was asked if we'd made anything out of the Pioneer Woman's cookbooks.  Well, I'd just received them before we left for our "Summer Tour" and I think I'd made maybe one recipe...salsa.  Since then, we've been enthusiastically tackling recipe after glorious recipe. 

Tonight was no different.  While the weather's hovered around 90, we giggled at the thought of eating beef stew! 

I ran out late this afternoon to get some groceries and items we needed for science experiments and when I arrived home it was near 3:30.  The meat needed to cook for 2 hours!  I thought we were seriously dead meat!  snort.  Although I ended up shortening the time by a half hour, it was still so rich and tender!  It's a keeper! 

Look out fall!  We're comin' with guns a blazin'!

We've also tried...

Egg-In-The-Hole

We've been making these for years.  Need I say they're good?

Make-Ahead Muffin Melts

The kids weren't fans and Handsome Husband and myself thought they were just OK.  I'm not a hater.  You, my friend, might love them!

Basic Chicken Salad

Miss K and I loved this!  The men folk weren't too kind to it but, the man did at least try it.

Restaurant-Style Salsa

Mmmm, favored by all!

Quesadillas de Camarones

a.k.a. Shrimp Quesadillas.  Oh Lord help me!  This is my favorite Mexican meal in the world!  And so, I love it and Handsome Husband is fond of it too.  I think?

Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

We already have a favorite pulled pork recipe and so it's an unfair competition.  My kids aren't too fond of lots of spice so, sorry, our fave wins.  It's still good though!

 Beef Stew

'Nough said already.

Whiskey-Glazed Carrots

Oh yum!  We do like these. And yes, the whiskey is necessary.  They're good!

Macaroni and Cheese

The man isn't fond of this because he's hooked on box mac'n'cheese...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  I love this, it takes me back.  It's comfort food.

PW's Creamy Mashed Potatoes

These are so creamy and good.  We could live off these.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

This is good too.  But read further...

Coffee Cream Cake

This is the man's absolute favorite and it's a crowd pleaser even if you don't love coffee.  I've been told this more than once.  The man asks for Coffee Cream Cake every week.  Serious y'all.

Coffee Ice Cream

Dear God, this is the best thing on earth.  Can you please serve it in heaven?  Miss K asks for this almost weekly.  P, we have to make Coffee Ice Cream when you come.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

You'll absolutely perish if you don't eat at least 3 spoonfuls (or more) of this icing.  One of Miss K's friends told me she hates icing but, she wants this for her birthday!

(almost) the best day (ever)

It's almost the best day ever!  Guess what arrived?!!

Cookbooks!  Not just any cookbooks.  No, The Pioneer Woman cookbooks!

I have to admit, I was surprised to see these gems.  Last week, I ordered them and have been checking daily to see when they'd arrive.  Sadly, their expected arrival date was May 30th.  So I almost hit my head on the ceiling when the post-lady rang the doorbell.  I knew exactly what those packages were and I stepped outside and yelled, "Thanks!" as she climbed back in her car.  If she would've been standing there, I believe I would've kissed her.  Honest.

Oh dear, I thought I might shriek in excitement and pass out.  But then, I couldn't look through the new one, which our library didn't seem to have.  I could've put a hold on one from another library but, I knew, I had to have these for my own personal collection and I would've renew them for the rest of my life but, they might catch on to that soon or later.  Don't ya think?

And sorry, I wasn't about to leave my perch in this warm, comfy bed on this cold rainy, perfect-for-layin'-around day just to find the perfect backdrop for this photo.  My apologies. 

Remember I told you Miss K and I made PW's Restaurant Style Salsa?  Well, it's almost gone.  Worse yet, Handsome Husband and I are the only ones eating it.  Let's just say that I ate it for breakfast two days in a row and for lunch, and that the roof of my mouth is now completely raw but that hasn't held me back any.  I'll also add that Handsome Husband claims the hottest thing he eats is mustard.  Mustard y'all!  It's sad.  But he's eaten this salsa like candy.  Like candy, I say!  We're in love.  With Pioneer Woman.

On a totally unrelated subject, Handsome Husband is out with our neighbor for some manly bonding at Sears.  Ya know, where they hang out and drool over tools for hours.  He loves that kinda stuff.  Well, I get a text with a picture of a grill.  OK, can I just say that I've been fighting every cell in my body not to run out and purchase a grill, patio set, burgers, brats and steaks because there's just something about Memorial Day that screams cookout and friends.  (Not to mention, we still have a grill and patio set in Virginia that's never made it here.  Sounds like time for another yard sale back home.)

I kindly asked him not to entice me with photos of grills because I'm weak and I'll go buy one in a second.  Don't tempt me.  He replied he was just looking at our options and so I reminded him to keep his options to himself.

OK, enough rambling.  I have cookbooks to drool over, dinners to collaborate, and grocery lists to make.  Oh the excitement!

 

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

miscellany

The man is sound asleep in his bed.  Has been since just before six.

He was up late last night with all the storming and

holing up in the bathroom.

It wasn't a fun time.

 

I sit anxiously awaiting his cries.

He went to bed with a headache.  I'm sure from lack of sleep.

Ever since birth, that boy has required a solid amount of zzz's.

The dryer just stopped and I pray that he sleeps on.

He's barely even changed position since he first got in bed.

He hasn't had any dinner and I fear he'll awaken with a hearty appetite

and keep me up all night 'cuz he was born with the curse.

The curse of my crazy metabolism that screams,

"It's time to eat!"

every couple hours.

Poor guy.

 

On a totally different subject but, still having to do with food...

 Miss K and I made P-Dub's Restaurant Style Salsa.

Heavenstobetsy, it's so, so...words escape me it's so dang good!

Then, to extinguish the crazy-good burn,

I helped myself to some banana pudding.

It was only two spoonfuls.

OK, really it was like four.

What can I say?

There is no chance in Hades for a toned beach body.

 

I'm watching as the sky grows darker and darker.

I keep a constant eye on The Weather Channel and

pray we don't end up sleeping in the bathroom again.

Oh, it is so not fun.

 

Miss K is at a friend's.

The sports banquet was tonight and I got stuck at home with the man.

Evidently there was a small soiree afterwards and all of her friends were there.

Texting madly, I gave in to the urge to double check the details.

Shoo!  Only ten more minutes 'til she's home.

I don't like this weather.  At least there's no tornado watch.

Yet.

Only calling for thunderstorms from 1 until 5 a.m.

 

I hear the low roar of our neighbor's semi pulling out,

headed for Mississippi he'd said earlier.

The wind is quiet tonight.

Thus far.

 

I put the garbage can, basketball goal and archery target in the garage.

We've battened down the hatches,

prepared for the worst,

hoping for the best,

praying all the while.

 

By now, everyone is "bedded down" for the night.

The man remains deep in slumber.

No worries.  I checked in on him.

He was sweaty and so I peeled off some of his covers

and turned the A/C down some more.

We always sleep better when it's cooler.

Snug as a bug in a rug.

 

Everyone except Handsome Husband,

who's most certainly dining on steak of some sort.

Oh to be him.

Well, some days.

 

twenty-two on tuesday

1. The sun is shining.  Praise God.
2. I'm exhausted.
3. We spent time holed-up in our basement bathroom last night due to the storms.
4. Handsome Husband was in Kansas but, he's fine.  I'll be happy when he returns.
5. I'll be ecstatic to high-tail it home when June rolls around!
6. I've never seen wind blow like it does here in Illinois.

7. When the wind let up, we ran upstairs and I sent everyone on mission to get things for holing-up...blankets, pillows, flashlights.  We're not accustomed to this.
8. As we were scurrying around, dumb-dumb Dais decides to pee on the man's floor.
9. How would I ever hear a tornado coming if the carpet cleaner's going?!
10. My heart mourns for the people of Oklahoma.
11. We're alive.  thankyouJesus.
12. I picked up a piece of glass to fix the broken basement window.
13. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of two cookbooks that I cannot wait to get my hands on.
14. I need more cookbooks like I need a hole in the head.
15. Only 5 more days of school left.  Five.
16. We have 3 graduation parties to attend this weekend.
17. I keep telling myself my child will not be t.h.i.r.t.e.e.n. on her next birthday.

 

18. Or that we'll be parents of a seventh grader.  Or that my baby'll be 7.
19. The man (a.k.a. my baby) made pumpkin pie this weekend.  He likes to cook.  {smile}

20. In addition, I made not yo mama's banana pudding (for the second time) cuz I'm high maintenance and snobby when it comes to food.  I like it rich and buttery.  Try it.
21. The only thing that could beat it come close is the cooked "naner puddin" Thelma and I had with coffee as we sat in the suh-weet rustic ~no kids, just mamas~ confines of the Jenny Wiley.
22. Storms'll be back for another round tonight.  Sayin' my prayers.  Maybe you could say one too?