Northeaster

Yep that's what we got up to this morning. We could hear the wind hitting the windows and howling throughout our little home. It is snowing and the northeast wind is making it hard to keep it warm inside. Always when we have a northeast wind, the house is very hard to heat.
But the weeones still had school and HB left for work. (So it's business as usual here this morning) I find they don't cancel school like they use to. They did not even get a storm day last year.
I made scrambled eggs,bacon and toast for breakfast and they dressed super warm. I am making a Penne Pasta recipe for supper and will have Garlic bread with it. (Nice comfort food when it is cold out there)
I came across this recipe and have been wanting to give it a try.
http://www.food.com/recipe/baked-penne-with-ground-beef-and-tomato-sauce-198891
sounds yummy!
Our Pie went over well last night.

There was not a slice left......
Tonight the girls start back (weather permiting) with there Girl Guide groups. It seems like forever since we were last out on a Thursday night.
They have been busy here at home playing with that marble run I had got them.(who would have thought a $2 toy would bring so much joy) but leave it to my kids.

Today I am going to work upstairs tiding up and vacuuming under the beds. I find if you keep up with it, then it is not so bad. I also want to clean up my tiny jam packed closet. I can never seem to find anything in there. I know I have a book in there that I got years ago with a Time magazine about country homes and I want to read it. I also have 2 scarves that I bought last year for .10 cents at the thrift stove that are in there somewhere.
Well If you don't hear back from me in the next little while. It means I too got lost in there. (Please then send Martha Stewart to come and help me get straightened out......
Take care and enjoy your day!

Keeping busy

Well the weeones survived there first day back. (I was sure they would) they came home a little tired and very hungry. (which I knew they would) So after homework,and a really great new supper.(by the way it was really good. They could not get enough) Southwestern Chicken
I did a few changes, instead of a whole chicken I used 8 leg attached thighs,and cook it on a cookie sheet in a big roaster for 1 hour.
his recipe makes 8 servings


4 tsp (18 mL) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
3/4 tsp (4 mL) chili powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cumin
1/4 tsp (1 mL) coriander
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper
1 large chicken, (about 4 lb/2 kg)

Combine oil, paprika, chili powder, pepper, cumin, coriander and cayenne; brush over chicken. Truss chicken and marinate in fridge for 1 to 8 hours.

Set chicken breast side up on greased rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast in 325°F (160°C) oven for about 35 minutes per lb (500 g) or until juices run clear when pierced with fork and internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C). Transfer to platter; let stand for 10 minutes before carving.


Dipping Sauce

Serve this easy-to-make dipping sauce with roast chicken. 

This recipe makes 2 servings


1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken stock
1/4 cup (50 mL) prepared barbecue sauce


In saucepan, whisk stock with barbecue sauce; bring to simmer over medium-high heat, whisking. Serve with chicken.
The weeones loved the dipping sauce.(I had some BarBque sauce I had made this fall in the pantry. 
I served it with rice and noodles,peas,and carrots.


Last evening the girls made a batch of Chocolate chip cookies,and I made a apple pie that I found this good recipe over at http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/ (this is a really great blog by the way)
I made the pie for the friends over on the other road that brought us the baking goods. I sent HB and Justin over with it last night. They were so excited. (I figured a pie would be better then squares after the holidays.) Well I started something as the weeones asked if I could make a butterscotch pie for desert tonight. (Of course I will) we are having meatloaf with potatoes and I have bread on rising as well for tonight.
I got the most of my housework done already,so I might get a chance to finish up the girls fridge in plastic canvas for there dolls today.
Well I should go and get my stairs cleaned off. Take care and stay warm. We are at -2 degrees here today,and are expecting 2 inches of snow tonight. It is suppose to be a windy morning tomorrow with 50 km/hr winds.

Tuesday Tib bits

We had a little dumping of snow over the weekend and took all weekend to clean it up. (having so many doorways in the barns,sheds,and other buildings) But after everything was done settled into a nice evening of A potato scallop and ham supper,then a TV Sunday night with the family. Watching our Sunday night show Heartland. We also watched the season finale of Sarah Palin's Alaska With popcorn.

Jill loves that Santa hat.(I think she has even went to bed with it on) 

Monday was the last day home for the weeones. They played with there new marble run that I had bought the night we went to the city and I got to go to the Dollarstore. We cleaned up and got things ready for the big first day back to school.

Today I spent all day wondering how they were making out,and crying as I worried about them. I washed my floors,and did laundry to keep my mind off of them,HA did not work. I got some cutup chicken ready for supper and will make a southern oven fried chicken with rice and noodles for my hungry family that I worry about so much. (By the way, Yes I am a worry wort they were happy to go to school today and see all there friends.It is only me.)

Tomorrow I want to give my Bathroom a good cleaning,and give my stairs a cleaning as well. I will hit the upstairs on Thursday and see how much laundry I can get done as well.  So I guess it is a cleaning week for me. 

Well I must go and chop up my veggies for the rice and then it's off to the bus for Jill. WOW did the day ever go by fast. 

Take care and stay warm, it is a nice day here a high of 1degree today.

Saturday Snow Storm

We awoke to more of that white stuff. Well we were pretty lucky and did not get hit to hard with snow. Only 10 inches this time. The weeones went out to clean the front walkway and play a little.

My Little man aways willing to help out.....

Everyone loves the snow.....

I also noticed that the bird feeders need to be filled. So I guess I better keep the birds happy. Take care and stay warm!

A Storm Is Brewing

We are expecting yet another winter storm for the weekend. Snow snow and more snow. (Justin is happy as he can set more of his snares for rabbits and gets to ride his skidoo more.
We are still planning on going out for supper tonight so I wanted to get all my house work done today. I also wanted to spend sometime crafting with the girls as they are going back to school on Tuesday. We are working on some felt projects (which I will post after they get done)
Last evening we had a nice warm night snuggling on the sofa watching Sarah Palin's Alaska (which we all love)
Tomorrow we are wanting to try a new cookie recipe that uses oreo cookies. YUM! you can find this recipe on one of my favorite recipe blogs http://picky-palate.com/

YUM YUM!!!!
Let you all know how they turn out. Well I'm off to get the rest of my laundry done. Take care and have a great weekend.

Thursday tib bits

Good day, it's another very bitter cold day. We woke up to -20 with the windshield. Burrr! It has only warmed up to -16, so it is a good day to stay in and keep a warm fire on and see what's new in the etsy world on the net. I found so much to add to my wish list. he is a few of my favorites.

I also got a very nice knock at the door last evening. It was from a friend who lives on the next road. His wife only bakes at Christmas time and had so much left over baking goods. She wanted me to have all of it as she said it would go bad before she uses it again. They brought a box full of chocolate chips (some bags not even open) coconut,dates,sweetened condenced milk,glazed cheeries,different nuts,butterscoth chips, bakers semi sweet chocolate blocks,and more. What a treat. I told HB that I wanted to make a batch of something and give it to them for all these goodies. She knows I do a lot of baking and said she really thought of me. 

HB called from work today and asked if I would like to go out for Supper tomorrow night. His work company pays for a supper twice a winter at our local skidoo lodge. The company gives their guys tickets.(which is a nice thing) They are having a Chinese Dinner. YUM! We did not go last year when they did it,as I was just not feeling well. 

Tonight we are having a roast of beef with gravy and potatoes,and veggies. (we were suppose to have this last night but with Hb away for work the girls and I had speghetti instead.) 

Justin should be coming home today from his grandparents as well. They worked on the bathroom reno there but spent a lot of there time making beef jerky. I can't wait to try hers. She makes hers with ground beef. 

Well it is that time of day to get a move on. Take care and stay warm.

What A Evening

Yesterday afternoon after blogging I got my new recipe ing. all chopped up and ready to start supper. I was trying a new pork recipe called Mushroom baked pork strips.

I chopped all those mushrooms I had from the holidays left in my fridge.

Finely chop up 1/2 cup of onion. (tear tear)

Also finely chop up the garlic as fine as you can and also I used dried parsley

I used my own pork. Cut it up in thin strips.

1 lb (454 g) boneless pork loin chops
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1/2 onions, diced
2 cups (500 mL) sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1 pinch pepper
1/2 cup (125 mL) light sour cream

1/4 cup (50 mL) chicken stock
1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh parsley

                                                                 
Cut pork crosswise into thin strips.

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; stir-fry pork, in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned but still slightly pink inside. With slotted spoon, transfer to plate.

Add onion, mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until no liquid remains.

Return pork to pan. Stir in sour cream and stock; cook, without boiling, for 1 minute or until hot. Stir in lemon juice.

Sprinkle with parsley.



So just as I was setting the table HB came in and said he needed to head into the city to get something for work. (A 45 minute drive on good roads) He wanted us to go along with him. He had the company truck and the girls and I could get dropped off at the Wal mart there and he would come back for us. Well  let me tell you it did not take us long to get our supper ate and ready to go. (The girls got gift cards for Christmas and have been just wanting to get out there. 
Well after a long drive as the roads we not there best, we got there and they had a ball shopping. Jayne got another ZUU ZUU pet and a outfit for it. 
And Jill well........ You never guess what she found. Yep a friend for her Blythe!

Looks like she is all ready for our cold days here! 


After a long ride back home the 2 new friends met.

We stayed up a little later last night as HB did the barn work and then came in to watch a bit of TV while I sat and worked at my plastic canvas and the girls oh of course they played with there new friends.


Today I need to get some laundry done, and tidy up the house. Jayne wants to make up a cinnamon bread and Jill wants some carrot muffins. So I guess some grating will be going on today in our home as well. 
Well I wish you all a great day and stay warm Gals!