Pinterest: succeed or fail. Bird feeders.

So I was thinking as I was pinning away on Pinterest about how many pins I have and how little I've tried. For the most part I don't try them because I'm scared they are big fat fails and I'll sulk in the corner for hours because my craft didn't look like the Pinterest pic. So now, for you, every Sunday or Monday I will post a 'Pinterest: succeed or Fail' post. 

This weekends was bird feeders. All 3 kids got involved. 

Here's the pin:

*See link at bottom of post for original pin/blog link*

So it seems simple enough, 1/4 cup water for each envelope of gelatin you want to use, 3/4 cup birdseed, wax paper and cookie cutters. What can go wrong!? 

We buy suet a lot and the birds love love peanut butter so I broke the rules before I even started. (Not that it should be a huge shock for you or anything) 

Batch one: 

I used 1/4 cup water, 1 envelope gelatin dissolved it as the blog suggested, added birdseed. The blog states that if there's still liquid in the pan to add more bird seed, I had to. In actuality I ended up using somewhere around 1 - 1 1/2 cups bird seed, but I suggest starting with the 3/4 cup and adding as you see fit. Then I added a HEAPING tablespoon (not a measuring spoon, a normal eating tablespoon) while it was still hot, mixed it up, let it cool. The two youngest did theirs first with the peanut butter mix. The oldest ended up with half peanut butter mix and half per the instructions mix. 

The second batch I did per instructions above. 

Here they are cooling in their cookie cutters: the star (white) and big red heart are first batch. 

The ones I used peanut butter in set up faster and tighter, they did exactly how I expected the original to do. 

The second batch- per the instructions, ended up taking longer to set, and were much looser, we had some rain today and it knocked a lot of the seeds off of those. 

This one is G's it is the peanut butter mix

This one below is W's, it was made with half of each, I tried to take a picture of the 'bad' side

So after all is said and done this isn't exactly a fail. The peanut butter mix was much better so I'll be re-pinning with my peanut butter suggestion. 

What you need:

1/4 cup water

3/4-1 1/2 cup birdseed

1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter

Cookie cutters

Wax paper

Yarn

What you do:

Mix gelatin in 1/4 water and simmer stirring constantly until gelatin is dissolved, this doesn't take long. 

Add 3/4 cup birdseed mix well, if liquid is left in pan still add 1/4 cup more at a time until there's no more liquid in pan.

While still warm add peanut butter, mix.

Let cool a minute or so

Place cookie cutters on wax paper

Cut pieces of yarn and knot

Fill cookie cutters half way, add yarn where you want to hang it. Fill the rest of the way. Pack it in firmly. 

Let cool a few hours rotating often (when you remember, walk through, whatever) hang from try and enjoy your new friends. 

Here's the link 

http://www.designdazzle.com/2011/07/summer-camp-bird-feeders/

Homemade French fries, the right way

These fries are time consuming if you are like me and don't own a deep fryer. If you have a large capacity deep fryer then you can do this much faster. 

Potatoes, I try to use big potatoes but we were at the bottom of a 10lb bag and I used what I had left which was about 7 medium. 

Get a bowl (a big bowl)  and fill half with ice, half with water. 

Slice your taters! What ever size you like, they don't have to be uniform! As you slice them place them in the ice water bowl

Let them soak for around 20-30 minutes this gets most of the starch out, you'll see it in the water and bottom of bowl. 

Rinse them off

Now lay a tea-towel, kitchen towel, something out that will absorb water and place the fries on top to dry (grease plus water = look out) (now is when you want to heat your oil, I use 3-4 on my stove, you want a lower heat) 

I put another towel on top and pat dry. 

When they are dry and your oil is hot (low heat hot, but it still needs to sizzle) drop them in a handful or two at a time, or if you're lucky enough to have a large deep fryer, all of them. 

When you buy frozen fries, that step ^^ has already been done! then they flash freeze them and package them. So you want these fries to look like the frozen ones you buy. A good way to judge is they start to float. They will be limp and appear raw. 

Now, let them drain (and cool to about room temp) 

Crank up the grease to a higher heat (I use 5-6 on my stove top, if you're using a deep fryer just use whatever temp you'd use for frozen fries) 

Fry those bad boys up until they get that golden color, put on paper towel and sprinkle with salt. 

Enjoy! I used canola oil, any frying  oil will do, if you're looking for a five guys fry, use peanut oil ;) 

To the crabby Chesterfield County bus driver this morning:

* I wrote this letter this morning. It's personal, it's raw, it's pure guilt. I think that's good though. I think through my mistake I made this morning you can learn some valuable lessons. 

1: never ever assume your life is so much worse than that of a person giving you a hard time. Craptastic days happen to everyone, you're not alone. 

2: Christians aren't perfect, we're forgiven. We are human and we sin. 

3: Anger is a dangerous, dangerous thing, we have to learn to turn it into something positive. 

I don't know who she was, what bus number she drove but if you know a Chesterfield county bus driver, share this post, maybe she will read it and know, I'm sorry, I was wrong, it was hurtful and uncalled for. *

To the crabby Chesterfield County bus driver this morning: 

I drop my daughter off at school every morning the way the parking lot/ entry is laid out  there's a line of anxious parents to the left of the entry, ready and in a hurry to drop off their precious at school. To the right of the entry is for buses, teachers and parents to get through to the bus drop off and parking lots. If you're trying to reach the parking lots you must drive down the right side stop and look for oncoming traffic (because four lanes with a median turns into 2 lanes here) go on the wrong side of the road for about a car length and a half and dart into one of the 2 lots. 

This morning was different for me. This morning I was one of the parents going to the parking lot. Today has been hectic, this week has been hellish. 

On any normal morning I have a 2 bus rule. I will let 1-2 buses out on my way through (both ways). You have to be aggressive because if you aren't the buses will take advantage of your kindness and you'll be sitting there with a train of yellow boxes clogging both the entry and exit of the school. I try not to inconvenience anyone because I know some of the parents are headed to work or school or somewhere more important than I am, I'm just going home on most days. 

This morning as I darted around the line of cars and came to where the buses enter/exit I let 1 bus in and 1 bus out. You were next. But I went ahead (because you do have to stop there, ya know) I saw you edging out trying to take advantage of my seemingly kind gesture to the other buses. I moved up aggressively I was going around any way. When I looked for oncoming traffic there were 2 cars coming which caused my back bumper to impede your progress across the busy intersection for all of 20 seconds. I even said out loud oops, sorry lady I didn't see the cars coming, it's not like you had enough time to get out, but you're bigger and we have brakes, right? What happened next shocked me...you laid on your horn! I mean laid on it. At first I said out loud where you could read my lips 'I'm sorry' but as I made eye contact with you you're angry look and glare upset me and I mouthed the word 'b*tch' to you (so that my children didn't hear) . For that, I'm sorry. I'm not sure why it managed to come out. 

I got to thinking how you know nothing about me, about my life, my stresses. You've got no clue that Murphy and his law has made permanent residence in my home, that I am constantly anxious dealing with certain issues in my life, you don't know that buckled in the back seat is 2 of my 3 kids, one of which is my last that I will ever have. You have no idea that when I go home he has to do physical therapy exercises, wear braces on his legs and be catheterized every 4 hours because he can't even control his own bowel and bladder. I even muttered the words 'you've dropped your kids off, what is the hurry? You gotta get home to eat Bon bons?' 

Truth is, I don't know your stresses either. I know you aren't new to the bus driving game. You appear old enough to have been doing this for a few years. Maybe it is just a job to you, or perhaps you love those kids regardless of the disrespect you likely find yourself receiving from them. The snotty noses, 'down in back', crossing RR tracks, screaming, yelling, hitting, pushing. The same thing I deal with daily times 10. 

So maybe we both needed to get a little stress out this morning and unfortunately we were both victim of the others glare/words/horn/anger. 

So, I'm sorry. I don't know if you'll even read this, I hope you do (I don't even know your bus number) I'm not a bad person, I'm usually quite personable, kind, generous, forgiving, helpful person. This morning I didn't not display that nor did I display the kind of Christian lifestyle I try to live and, for that,  I owe you a huge apology. 

An open letter to my daughter.

If there's anything I've learned in my life, it's that it is hard to be a woman. The stereotypes how we should look and act. I've made my way through life the hard way, I want you to have it a little easier. I hear you ask things "am I pretty?" "Do I look fat?" I already see the world taking it's toll on your confidence. Don't let it. You are made perfectly a unique, Divine Creation. 

I feel like I'm standing still barely breathing and blinking and time is flying by, I'm not a girly girl I don't wear makeup a lot, I dress for comfort not fashion. I've traded the majority of my stilettos for flip flops and cowboy boots and yet you still think I'm this amazing woman, you still watch me in awe, learning and taking notes of what this major female role model in your life is and what you aspire to be. Don't be like me baby girl, be you and know all of these things. 

1. The world is rough, not everyone will think you're pretty. Mommy always will. 

2. People will be mean, they'll be hateful. Love them anyway. 

3. Don't fall into the trap of having a supermodel figure/hair/makeup. Less is always more.

4. It's ok to cry, it's ok to laugh, it's ok to be silly most importantly it's ok to be you. 

5. I don't care how much he says he loves you, he's not worth giving up your virginity until he commits in marriage. 

6. You don't have to find a man by flaunting your body, when you find Mr. Right he will love you for you.

7. Don't give up looking for your fairy tale, it's out there somewhere and only the patient and persistent find theirs.

8. Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

9. There will always be someone who has more, but somewhere someone has less give to those that need. 

10. Hold your head high.

11. Don't ever settle because you don't think you're worth better, you are. 

12. It's ok to have chocolate and wine for dinner. (When your 21, of course ;) ) 

13. You don't have to be in the "in" crowd to succeed, confidence, intelligence, ambition and persistence will get you where you need to be. 

14. Don't forget while you're out there making it big, the little things are the most important in life.

15. It's ok to go to the store in sweatpants and cowboy boots, trust me. 

16. Don't ever,  EVER lose Faith.  

17. Always give second chances, thirds and fourths are at your discretion but always forgive. Forgiving doesn't mean a person has to stay in your life, it just means you forgive them and are moving on.

18. Jewelry is overrated.

19. Don't be afraid to be alone. (Because you really never are) 

20. Don't be afraid to find yourself.

21. And when you do, set your goals and stick to them.

22. Money can't buy happiness. 

23. You are WORTH it, whatever it is. You DESERVE to be treated amazing, to feel loved, cared for, important, irreplaceable. 

24. Life is full of disappointments, stumbles, failures and falls. It's ok, dust yourself off and try again, we all mess up it's how we learn. 

25. Mommy will always, always be here, arms and door open, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. I will laugh with you, cry with you, rejoice with you and you will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be my pootah bear. 

Fast Cars, Autumn Leaves and Country roads

I have a small love affair with back roads, one road in particular here locally.

Growing up was pretty cool, I was a Tom-boy and I had 3 cool Uncles and an awesome Dad. Dad and his brother decided to buy old trucks and cars and rebuild them. He had an old Chevy pick-up 1959 (I'm pretty sure it was a '59 but he may correct me and say it was a '58 but I remember it being a '59- there were several vehicle purchases in that time period, ha)

Anyway, those three (my Uncles and Dad)are the reason I love back country roads and driving fast.

I spent a lot of time on the race track and in the pits. My favorite smells are (in this order) racing gas, tires burning rubber, honeysuckle, magnolia, pipe tobacco, summer rain and crisp autumn air.

I had to drive down that road last week. I know it so well I could drive it with my eyes closed. There's an unspoken rule about back country roads, the speed limit doesn't matter you can drive as slow or as fast as you want and it's understood.

I drove down that road and lost myself, I was young again and there was no speed limit, for just a little while I wasn't driving a Toyota Camry, I was in a Chevy pick up truck,in the passenger seat, I could feel the dust from the floor vents blowing in my face, I could hear the motor and laughed as I slid across the bench seat on a turn.

Oh-m-Gee... WHAT-Evah mom.

Yeah, that's what I heard from the back seat of the car, my sweet (sometimes) little baby girl, my ONLY girl is now one of "them".
And as I was having that "e-card moment"

I remembered my Mother.
My sweet, patient, God fearing Mom.


Believe me, I needed God right this very moment or Avery Brooke was about to have a come to Jesus moment.


Things flashed into my head, things I used to say (probably WHAT -EVAH) and only the good Lord knows what else.

I remember finding out I was pregnant with Walker, finding out you're pregnant when you were a HORRIBLE child will also make you have a come to Jesus moment. (Hind sight, it's 20/20 ya know) I remember apologizing I mean begging basically- in tears. For forgiveness, I don't remember the exact words, but I remember them telling me, hey, that's how parenthood goes, we all got through it.

Well I'm going through it. AB has been a screaming red hot beautiful mess since the day she was born, always into something, super intelligent (almost too intelligent) and now, here she is, months from being 6 (SIX!?) and she's gone all bratz, monster high on me. She wants to know when she can drive and reminds me that she doesn't NEED to go to school cause she "already knows everything there is to know"
.......

My Mom, God bless her heart. Such a good woman, best woman God placed on this earth. She's simple, and not always best with articulating whatever it is she's trying to say, but we all understand her. Her love and actions speak louder than her words.

My sister and my husband and my brother (ok everyone) tells me I'm turning into Mom. And ya know, that's ok. That's what I strive to be...this woman, this amazingly beautiful, kind, generous, loving, caring woman. The woman that raised me even through the "what-Evers" and "I hate you's" the slammed doors, the suspensions from school, the yelling and hatred that spewed from my young teenage lips.

So thanks Mom, thanks for teaching me how to love. Thanks for showing me how to be a good Mom (though some days I fail) thanks for reminding me, we all go through it and that I will survive it (with or without my natural color hair ;) )

I love ya oodles.

White chicken enchiladas!

So I've seen a recipe floating around for these bad boys, but you know me, I can't follow a recipe so here's my version. 

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 envelope of your favorite taco seasoning, I make my own see recipe below.

Half of a large onion sliced

Peppers, lots of peppers I used what I had on hand which consisted of last years canned pimentos (about 3 TBSP)  last years canned jalapeños (couple if heaping spoonfuls with juice) and half of a yellow pepper sliced , you can use any peppers you like or eliminate them all together

Flour tortillas

CHEESE! Lots of Monterey Jack cheese ( about 3 cups) 

2 cups of chicken broth (and about 1/4 cup  for chicken breasts)

3 TBSP flour

3TBSP butter

1 can (4oz) green chilies drained ( don't freak, they aren't hot) 

1 cup sour cream

(Homemade taco seasoning)

1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika1 1/2 teaspoons cumin 
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

In a crock pot (or whatever method you prefer to use) add chicken, seasoning, onions and peppers and 1/4 cup chicken broth. 

Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until chicken falls apart and is cook thoroughly (duh!) 

Once you're ready to assemble roll preheat oven to 350° chicken (I found getting it out with a slotted spoon was best, you don't want super soggy enchiladas) and cheese up in tortillas lay in GREASED (i used coconut oil cause i was out of shortening )dish. The kids had just tacos so there are not a lot and I used burrito wraps so they were HUGE I suggest you get the taco soft shells instead of burrito :) 

Now it's time for your sauce!

Melt butter in pan over med low heat, add flour whisk quickly! 

Immediately add chicken broth. Now I'm going to be a good little chef and tell you to whisk constantly until thickened but here's my dirty little secret...I don't, I just pay close attention and whisk periodically until it starts to get thicker then I whisk constantly but like Momma always said, do as I say not as I do. :p

While I was making my sauce I decided I wanted my shells to have a "crisp" to them and stuck them in the oven ( then I decided that 350° wasn't getting them crisp fast enough and cranked on the broiler for about 3 minutes, well it was supposed to be 3 minutes but I'm guessing longer HA!) 

See that little lonely enchilada over there ^^? It's the one with the peppers and onions in it, Jason is anti-veggie. Lol. 

Once your sauce is thickened REMOVE FROM HEAT add sour cream and chillies and stir. 

Pour over your enchiladas, top with remaining Monterey Jack cheese and bake at 350° until heated thoroughly (about 15-20 minutes, possibly 25 if your interrupted by a child)  turn broiler on again to brown the cheese a little bit. 

And there you have it! Yummy!