Goodbye, Princess Jasmine

She wasn't that good, but I'll miss Mark Ballas.

Its time for DWTS!!!

I love fringe, the heels, and the Pasa Doble!

What's for dinner tonight

I'd like to share my tricks for making the AWESOMEST chili and corn bread ever. Its not bragging since I researched it or copied from other cooks... its just sharing the wealth!


To make CHILI even better, I improved upon the standard recipe: chili mix from the store, hamburger, beans. Instead I use:

White northern beans

2 cans of black beans

Dark red kidney beans

light red kidney beans

black eyed peas

I also focus on other vegetables, including

• Coarsely chopped onions
• Green peppers
• Red onions
• Garlic
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes and/or can of Rotel

I simmer the chili in a slow cooker from about 7 pm until dinner time the next day. About an hour before its dinner time, I add some shredded cheddar cheese to make it creamy and tastier.

To make moist, sweet, delicious corn bread I use a Douglas Co. secret... half corn bread mix, half yellow cake mix. I add 2 or three eggs and about half a cup of milk, maybe more if it seems dry. The batter should resemble cake batter. Its SO GOOD this way. Last night I was able to bake the sweet corn bread in a cast iron skillet. I have heard that its way better this way, but I've yet to notice more than a subtle difference.

Great Weekend

I was busy this weekend having a great time. That is how life should be: busy living! My best est friend Ann came to visit and we had a lovely walk in the park and meal with our husbands at Bangkok Gardens *super yum*.

Later I babysat the cutest tot.

Still later I watched an enjoyable, quirky movie called "Smart People", then took a brief rest before getting up early to travel to my hometown to visit my family. My mother, sisters, and I participated in a pregnancy resource center walk fundraiser.

Then I got to see my youngest sister's workplace - Havner Center - where she works as a catering director. Later still we ate at our favorite Chinese place with our grandma.

THEN we went to a day spa and got luxury treatments.

AND THEN my mom prepared a tasty meal. AND THEN! *more and thens to follow, it was a good weekend* we had a good conversation.

Today my mom colored my hair one of my favorite shades, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and then we walked on the St James trail.

Tonight I've been prepping food for the work week and made the MOST DELICIOUS Paula Deen style corn bread, in a real cast iron skillet. That's a first for me! I usually make them muffins *or don't' make them at all*. There's a lovely multi bean chili brewing in the slow cooker and a cheesy potato bake in the oven.

I am tired, but delighted to have such fun news to report!

My Sesame Street Personality

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you lovable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

TV Therapy

I used the TV this week to medicate a somewhat boring week. What I mean to say is that I totally vegged out, unplugged from reality, and turned on the TV. I was transported from a mediocre Missouri week to a ballroom full of spangles and mambos, an office full of sarcastic jokes and silly puns, and an ER full of intern romance and medical maladies.

And the week isn't over yet... I still have DH and B&S yet to savor on Sunday evening.

Maybe I've enjoyed this time so much since TV was so bad this summer... every show was terrible, except for that Wipeout show. And that was terrible, too, but it was fun to laugh at it with my husband and friend, Hilary.

Everyone needs a Friday off...

Today has been amazing.

I had a few appointments this morning, so I scheduled a sick day from work. I was able to fall asleep peacefully without the stress of lesson objectives, what to wear, etc. I woke after a nice dream to snuggle with my husband. I didn't have to jump out of bed and quickly shower before rushing off to meet my carpool buddy.

Another great thing this morning was lounging on the couch, watching the morning news programs (news is used lightly, since the top stories were the man who rocket packed across the English Channel and the Top Five Things Not to do at a Job Interview). I have missed that relaxing morning time so much!

After my dentist appointment, I stopped at my neighborhood Starbucks for the ultimate luxury, a light blended mocha frappacino with chocolate whip. Sugar and caffeine heaven!

I've also got the time to clean up our house since we'll be having company today and then a busy weekend planned. I actually like doing the laundry and the vacuuming, two things that have been put on the wayside for a long time.

My great friend Ann will be here soon, and we'll explore the trails in Columbia and have a delicious meal. Later I get to keep my favorite baby friend all night and grill some delicious food with my husband and our best couple friends.

In addition, my spine was re-aligned at the Chiropractor today, and I got to blog! Whooooo hooo! I love Fridays like this!


This is super fantastic!!!!!!!

Wonderful Women

On Monday, I got a sparkley beautiful card from my friend Amy and the next day, a thoughtful personal letter arrived from her, too. I love corresponding with this best girl friend! I wish she lived in my same city.

I have a great friend named Mary. She is so thoughtful and selects the most unique gifts and thoughtful cards. A package arrived from her today that contained a birthday present and wonderful note. I love this girl and wish she lived in my same city!

On Friday I get to spend half the day with another best friend, Ann. She is coming to visit and we'll have the best conversations and time! I love this friend and wish she lived in my same city!

On Saturday, I get to spend the day with my mom and sisters. We're getting massages and pedicures. We're also doing a fundraiser for a pregnancy resource center, so its not all indulgence! I love these ladies and with they lived in my same city!

Maybe I live in the wrong city...

New Word!

Tonight I learned a new word : GADFLY. It was mentioned in this article in the Tribune about a cantankerous old man. Its an interesting story, but even more interesting word!

Another Pear Recipe

Tonight I got a wild hare* and wanted to bake. Usually I don't bake because it require more precise measuring than my usual cooking technique, but I have lots of fresh pears to use. Another upside of baking is the AMAZING aroma that fills my house! It smells like those fall candles, except the fragrance is genuine.

I researched numerous pear cake and pear bread recipes, and I decided to use Paula Deen's Fresh Pear Cake recipe. Its from the Lady and Sons Just Desserts cookbook.

I felt so well-prepared when I realized I had every ingredient for this recipe! I used to have to rush out to the store to buy eggs when I had a brownie mix, and I would have to buy cookie dough because I didn't have the ingredients on hand. Not tonight! I even had cloves and allspice, two spices I was unfamiliar with until just this month, before my successes with apple butter.

UPDATE: This cake has a mild favor, mild texture, and is subtly delicous. Though its Paula Deen, its very light and just barely sweet. The pears are soft and contrast the crispy texture of the crust. I ate it for breakfast with some Earl Grey tea, and I can say its the tastiest breakfast I have had all month!

*Wild hare is a colloquialism I learned from my mother-in-law. She uses it to mean a whim or random thought. I decided to look it up for the readers and here is the origin of the phrase and the colorful definition You can bet I am sharing the true definition with her, since I always pictured a bad hair day when she says this phrase... not anymore!!

(The photo above is linked to a Pear Festival that happens next weekend! I found some interesting recipes and history on the site. My experience with fruit festivals is limited to grapes, but I think I'll be expanding the festival produce to include pumpkin when we attend Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival in three weeks).

Hermann Weekend

Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit Hermann, MO. Its my husband's hometown and a place that I find calming. After the wild week I'd just experienced, it was a recipe for relaxation!



We arrived later on Friday evening and spent time with his parents. We began preparing apple butter, which was a 24 hour order I'd thought to do. Ooooh, it was delicious! The whole house smelled like a fall fragrance candle. Except it was real apple cinnamon and cloves smell! On Saturday, I was able to sleep in and relax. My parents came into town to meet us for lunch to celebrate my birthday. That was a great surprise! We ate at The Vintage at Stone Hill and it was wonderful! Later, my husband and father practiced some marksmanship while my mom and I enjoyed a bottle of Pink Catawba on the hillside. I also found time to go antique-ing, which is like a treasure hunt into the past. Later we visited Grandma Haid, who is another fabulous Mrs. Haid, and Grandma Landolt. We were able to share a jar of some AWESOME apple butter with all of our family members and still keep a jar to enjoy!

Here are some photos from the weekend:




View of St. George Parish from Stone Hill.


Pink Catawba afternoon.

Norton grapes.

My father, husband, mom, and me sitting in a barn horse stall - turned restaurant booth, post-delicious dinner.

My beautiful mom and some ripened grapes.

Cool Wedding Set Up

Wedding at Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, MO.

I think the wheat and brown napkins are really pretty.

Grilled Balsamic Portobello Mushroom Burger

A few years ago, I ate a delicious grilled mushroom at Tellers and have been thinking of making a meal of it on my own for just as long. (They also serve sweet potato chips and great garlic mashed potatoes...) Most of the recipes I found for theses grilled portobellos were higher in fat because the mariande was more olive oil friendly. This recipe is from the Mayo Clinic and has under 7 grams of fat per large mushroom.

Here's a DELICIOUS way to enjoy two of my favorite elements of cooking: Mushrooms and the Grill.

Ingredients
4 large portabella
mushrooms, 5 inches in diameter
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 garlic clove,
minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
1. Clean mushrooms with a damp cloth and remove their stems. Place in a glass dish, stem (gill) side up.

2. To prepare the marinade, in a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, cayenne pepper and olive oil. Drizzle the marinade over the mushrooms. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour, turning mushrooms once.

3. Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the
cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

4. Grill or broil the mushrooms on medium heat, turning often, until tender, about 5 minutes on each side. Baste with marinade to keep from drying out. Using tongs, transfer the mushrooms to a plate and serve immediately

Poll... What Chore is your Biggest "chore" to do?

Ugh. I just finished mopping the kitchen floor. Its been a three day process:

Day 1: Move the kitchen table and chairs out of the room and sweep.

Day 2: Re-sweep. Look at furniture in living room and remember, oh yeah, I need to mop. Get the mop supplies out.

Day 3: Re-sweep. At 10:30, realize I should mop. Then re-mop the floor with water to get rid of cleaning soap residue.

Day 4: (which will be tomorrow morning) Move the table and chairs back into the living room and appreciate a clean floor.

Okay, I hate mopping floors and have gotten my loving husband to do it two times in a row, previously. However, since I've been making lots of apple and pear butters and other general, sticky kitchen messes for the last few weeks, its really my turn. He loves the scent of PineSol and hates sticky floors on his feet, so its a nice thing I can do for him. I usually wear socks or shoes in the house and prefer the scent of candles ... so really, its all for him. Which leads me to my poll question...

POLL: What is your least favorite household chore to do?

And... Can you offer any house cleaning "tips" to get this girl who wishes she had a cleaning person through the winter?

Okay, disclaimer...I am really bad about cleaning the laundry room floor, keeping my bathroom sink area tidy, and keeping the closet floor looking awesome. Really bad at those things. So maybe its a four way tie for me on this poll!

Hey-o!

I am back to blogging. The last few posts were some (semi generic) ones I wrote a while back.

I am still feeling like I am swimming upstream in my new job, but I am not sinking in failure or drowning in apprehension. I am definately drowning in unfinished housework, but that's okay.

I've had some great conversations lately with dear friends and my mom, as well as some meaningful and pleasant times with my husband.

I haven't had nearly enough time outdoors in this super beautiful autumn season, but I want to remedy that problem.

I have made a few nice teacher friends who've "got my back" and who've got excellent ideas and resources for me.

I've had my share of sleepless nights, but last night slept so peacefully. It's great.

I've been listening to John Kabat Zinn's Coming to Our Senses audio CD and have lately been thinking about the concept of dis-ease and douka and malaise... that "It is difficult to speak of the timeless beauty and richness of the present moment when things are moving so fast". I have definately felt unsettled and uncomfortable and am going to try more of my yoga breath, my distration techniques, self soothing techniques, etc. to really enjoy these moments, no matter how uncomfortable the feelings are, and just to accept them. The more I resist those uncomfortable feelings, the more they "stick".

I'll let you know how that goes.

Oh, and I had a really tasty slushie at Trops this afternoon!

"Baby Mama" not a Drama

Recently we watched "Baby Mama". I think Tina Fey and Amy Pohler are a scream on Saturday Night Live, and my husband and I had wanted to see this movie in the theaters this Spring, but didn't get to.

This movie wasn't as uproariously funny as some Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Kirsten Wiig movies... but the film delivered lots of giggles and several SNL cameo appearances. The plot and script weren't as funny as the movie "Knocked Up". It was classier than I expected and had very little obvious humor, which makes me believe that women comedians do a great job of making me laugh without the physical comedy and toilet jokes. (Though there was one toilet joke in the movie. Tina's baby proofed her toilets and Amy can't figure it out... oh no!!)

Over all, I'd rate the movie as a B or B-, which was fine since we watched it on a Tuesday night and needed a few laughs.

Aunt Sharon's Tasty Hashbrown Cassarole

Each year the Landolts get together for a family weekend in Springfield. Our Aunt Sharon and Uncle Greg are generous and gracious hosts for the party of at least 20. Every Saturday night is a fish fry (if the fishing was good that morning) or a BBQ. Sharon always prepares this "quick and easy" casserole. It rarely has left overs.

The original recipe was posted in the St. George Parish Cookbook, but since I don't have one, I used this recipe for background research.

I used frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, butter, and crunched up Sun Chips. Healthy? Not really. Delicious? Quite!

The modifications I made were basically because I thought it didn't "look right". I let it cook for about half an hour longer so it was less "wet" and more "concentrated".

Its comfort food, perfect for uncomfortable Mondays. :o)

Doom and Gloom

I've been feeling less than jolly lately with a super stressful work environment. I haven't felt successful at my position, and that's really difficult for this perfectionist, self critical gal.

Because I want my blog to be a negative free zone, I'm not publishing any new articles until I see more light at the end of the tunnel. (Good light, good things happening... not death or something. )

I don't want to start "shoulding"... like I should write happy things or I should be witty or I should try to convince readers that life's dandy. So no shoulding here. :o(

Peaceful Morning at the Park

I wish I could go to Stephens Lake Park every morning.

DISCLAIMER: This is from last Monday morning, Labor Day weekend. I met my friend BBP and had a chance to see these pretty flowers.

Smilebox Scrapbook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This weekend we attended our baby friend's first birthday party. It was full of cousins, tasty cake, and cries of "She's so cute!". These photos are from our camera, but I got some incredible ones of her eating the cake.

Its incredible to see the changes this baby has gone through in only a year!!!

365 days later...

New Chair!

Our neighbor, David, came over to share some interesting info with us this afternoon. Since MU defeated SEMO , (strange home opener, in my opinion), Slumberland furniture store had a special promotion...

MU's Score - the Opponent's score = % off

So, we got a steal of a deal on this chair:







It will be our reading/relaxing chair in our new Ultimate Relaxation Bedroom. We moved the furniture from its 3 year position and discovered (along dust so thick it was shocking and 47 hair ties) a great new furniture layout that allows us more space in the room.








The chair will be delivered from South Dakota in a few weeks, and by then I hope the next few projects in our Ultimate Relaxation Bedroom are a paint job and a closet organization system.







I found this cool online tool from Sherwin Williams and found that my favorite colors for the Ultimate Relaxation Bedroom are : Downy, Sanderling, Dry Dock, and Ethereal Mood. Not peppy colors, but chill out colors.






More later on closet organization building project!!

Restless

Redecorating this blog.

Moving furniture around.

Closet reorganization.

Cleaning the pantries.

Renovating the kitchen.


I'm feeling restless.

Stewardship Series: Part 4 - Servanthhood devotional

This was the "daily devotion" I got in my inbox today from New Life. It fits in perfectly with the stewardship series. I'll try to finish my response to it sometime soon! But since its time for mid quarters, my nights have been spent grading and doing boring stuff like that.

note: I didn't write this devotional

Biblical Servanthood

by Steve Arterburn

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. Ephesians 6:7

Biblical servant-leadership is something we need to strive for in all areas of our lives. So today, I want to provide some guidelines for understanding a biblical picture of faithful servanthood within the community of Israel.


The faithful servants of Israel cared about those they served, and constantly sought new and better ways to serve them.

• Faithful servants developed new skills to better serve.


• Faithful servants did all they could to build the esteem and prestige of those they served; and this prestige, in turn, brought the servant prestige as well. He took great pride and honor in his role as a bondservant. And he, though perhaps wise in his own right, treated the thoughts and opinions of those he served as being as valuable as his own.
  Faithful servants performed menial, thankless jobs in order to make room for those they served to exercise their gifts. The servant made allowances for the weaknesses of those he served as if they were his own. And in that way, he actively protected them from shame.


• A faithful servant didn’t dawdle in seeking forgiveness and rec­onciliation when his own sin caused any damage or shame to those he served.

Not a bad life, actually. Of course, to us Americans, this scenario may seem a bit strange. You might ask, “Who’d ever surrender his freedoms to enter such a relationship?” But, in fact, you did—when you accepted the Lordship of Christ in your life. You serve him by serving others.

Dislike List

Reply back with yours or post to your blog!!!!

1.
































2. Peanut Butter

3. South Park

4. Disrespect

5. Irresponsibility

6. Abortion

7. Bangs

8. Mullets

9. Adults wearing Crocs

10. Adults who bear their bellies

11. Myspace.com

12. Smell of Bacon

13. Cinnamon

14. Scary movies

15. Coffee

16. Inside pets

17. Litter bugs

18. Wasteful packaging

19. Coke products

20. People who vote for Obama because he's popular and don't bother to research his policies on raising taxes or energy independence.

21. Drunk people.


22. Abuse and violence against children.


23. When people don't use blinkers.

24. When people don't turn off blinkers.

25. Incorrect use of commas, possessive and plural apostrophes, and quotation marks.

26. Intolerance of people with accents.

27. Pot holes.

28. Spilling things on my clothes.

29. Forgetting things.

30. Eye infections.

31. Gas prices.

32. The time it takes to travel to visit people you love.

33. Living in a land locked state.

34. Tornadoes.

35. Birds.

36. Eating Disorders

37. Playing softball.

38. Reading long that have lame endings.

39. Ugly clothes.

40. Bad breath.

Kitchen Prep Therapy

Today I realized how I cope with excess adrenaline, extra stress, and feeling overwhelmed.

First, when the stress level starts to rise, I pay attention to recipes I think sound good or that I see in magazines (this month: October's fitness magazine :meals for a month).

When I've had a really rough day at work, felt overwhelmed by a college assignment, or not known where to start with housework, I go grocery shopping and am especially looking for quality ingredients.

Then, I cook 3-5 dishes in mass quantity simultaneously. I prep all the food by hand, use lots and lots of dishes, and make a grand mess.

Tonight's fare:
- (after a trip to Sam's Club and Patricia's foods)
- Roasted broccoli with sea salt and olive oil
- Herb marinated chicken morsels for use on a pasta dish tomorrow
- Oven Roasted potato, onion, carrot, garlic, mushrooms
- Inside Out Apple Pies
- Meatballs with my homemade marinara sauce
- Chicken salad (Douglas Co style!)

I am still sorting out in my mind exactly what role this over-doing it with food plays as a coping strategy. I am sure its related to ED issues and releasing of nervous energy.


Another thing I am mulling around is maybe my mind/ body is compensating for long periods without food. Maybe I am trying to "get ahead". I often don't get breakfast or lunch during the school mornings and feel so hungry. My goal is to have the "apple pie" for breakfast (along with some smoothies I am currently researching) and chicken salad on leaf salad or in a wrap for lunch this week. That will be a good choice.

So... I guess here's a take away point for you the reader. If you know I've had a stressful experience, and if you're hungry and in the neighborhood, my fridge is stocked with delightful and diverse food.

Love List

Neighbor and Blog Friend Abbie gave me this idea: Create a list of things I love. They are in no particular order...

I love:

1. Christmas festivities
   
2. Sweet Tea
   
3. Weddings
   
4. Girlfriend time


5. That time during a family meal when everyone is talking at once sharing stories


6. My wedding ring


7. Compliments
   
8. The colors green and pink


9. Creating things
   
10. Dancing with the Stars!
    
11. Body By Victoria Bras
    
12. Downward Facing Dog Yoga Pose
    
13. New Life Life Podcast


14. Winning and feeling really successful at my chosen task


15. Student Council Camp


16. The Gulf Coast


17. Photographs, taking and looking at ones others have taken


18. Vera Bradley Bags


19. Reading and Children's books


20. MU


21. Learning how to teach reading and math and science to students to elementary kids


22. Teaching students younger than 13 and/or are very curious


23. New ink pens and new shoes
    
24. Landolt famly gatherings


25. When I understand a really confusing topic, like how cars work or how to divide fractions


26. My Birthday
    
27. My Parents
    
28. My Husband


29. My Sisters
    
30. Sex and the City


31. That I have an extended family


32. Sunshiny days
    
33. Sushi rolls with avacado, asparagus, cream cheese, and tuna


34. Wineries


35. Going out on a date
    
36. Clean sheets


37. Mashed potatoes
    
38. Hot Pink Roses


39. The band "The Police"


40. Cool, fresh air

Can you do it to? I'd love to learn more about you! Either reply to the comments section or post to your website!