The Missing Gene

I firmly believe that when God gave out genes for girls, I must have been looking around at something else or having an ADD moment. I think this because I am seriously one of the most un-girly people I know.
I have tried repeatedly to do girly things. My mom is an excellent seamstress and can make just about anything on the sewing machine. Now she felt the need to impart some of her wisdom into her daughter as most moms do and after teaching me to do basic stitching, I think she gave up. I didn't have the patience for it nor did I sit still long enough to finish things. I did make an apron for everyone in the family one year but that is the extent of my seam stressing.
My husband has two sisters. They both crochet, scrapbook, make amazing things out of paper, garden like a master gardener, and can decorate a room with nothing more than duct tape and some nails and it looks like the magazine picture. I have tried to crochet or rather I am still trying to crochet. I have given up trying to really make any one thing and am now just crocheting the same simple stitch over and over into a huge muffler or something resembling that until I run out of this color of yarn. I have two more skeins to go before that happens. I started that project at Christmas 2008. As for scrap booking, well I let's just say that I supported my sister-in-law by buying stuff from her. She is going to just die when she reads that I have every photo we own in a shoe box and most of it is not labeled. I really want to garden but I tend to forget about watering, picking the produce, etc. Weeds love me. They grow well for me even without my encouragement. I have no paper making ability. I have tried only to end up in disaster. Decorating is only in my head. I can't seem to get it out of my brain and into action.
My brother's wife is into Mary Kay. I am HUGE disappointment to her although she faithfully continues to try to convert me into using makeup. I buy it and fully intend to use it and when I do, my guys never notice. It takes time to do makeup and again, I lose interest even while trying to attempt to put it on without looking like a two year old did it. Wait, I think even a two year old can do better than I do at this.
My mother-in-law can draw and quilt beautifully. I started a quilt 6 or was it 7 years ago. I have done two rows on it and it is still sitting in a box somewhere... I think. I don't remember. I have some really pretty fat quarters that I dream of making into these wonderful creations for grandchildren. I am pretty sure no one should hold their breath on that.
I have also started latch hooking a rug for the kitchen some time last year. It is about 1/10 of the way done. Then I had this brilliant idea to do a needlepoint project for each of the sisters-in-law for Christmas 2008. They are about 1/2 done....still.
Growing up I wanted to be a cheerleader but only because you could be loud and didn't get into trouble for it. I wanted to play volleyball and basketball because you could hit things. Okay maybe not so much in basketball but you get the idea. When my friends would call me on the phone to "just talk", I would ask if they had something they wanted and if not then I would say goodbye and hang up.
I don't like the color pink even though I do wear it. I am okay with purple, because it isn't pink. My hair do consists of brushing it in the morning and periodically making sure it isn't sticking straight up. No products, no style. Trust me I have tried but to no avail. My toenails are painted by me and I do try to keep them that since my husband likes them to be painted. I went for fake nails before and kept breaking them to the point that it was costing more for me to fix them than to actually have them.
I don't own any high heels. My dress shoes are sparkly sandals or a clean pair of tennis shoes. I do own a pair of boots that get worn a bit. Most of my clothes are mix and match. If I can't make something work into three or four different outfits then I don't usually buy it. I am constantly trying to get out stains from my clothes because I forget to change from my school clothes to my at home clothes. If cleanliness is next to godliness then I am so far back, you need binoculars for me to even come close.
So you see, I really think that I must have been playing in the dirt or looking around when God handed out the girly gene. Can you imagine me in high heels, full makeup, girly girl clothes, and perfect hair and nails.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! Sorry. I had a mental image.......hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happenings

I haven't written or posted recipes in a long time. For one thing, most of the recipes have been repeats or just frozen food that you just throw in the oven. Another thing is that I have been on a rollercoaster ride with life. We have had issues with college stuff, money stuff, kids, and well, life in general.
I just quit writing. I missed it. When I write I try to keep things in a positive light so as to not hurt feelings or run anyone into the ground. Because of this, I just choose not to write.
I am going to work on my writing more because it does help me. Look for more recipes and writings.

Thanks for hangin with me.

HEY! What's For Supper?

Rhonda's Chicken Spaghetti (modified)

1 pound Velveeta cheese

8 ounces Sour Cream

1/2 jar of sliced mushrooms

3-5 large chicken breasts, diced

1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup

Splash of milk

1 (16 oz) box of spaghetti

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix first six ingredients together and heat until cheese is melted.

3. Pour cheese and chicken mixture over spaghetti and gently mix together.

4. Put mixture into 9 x 13 pan and sprinkle grated cheese over top.

4. Heat until bubbly.

HEY! What's For Supper?

Country Beef Pot Pie

1 pound ground beef

1 (16 oz) bag of frozen mixed veggies, thawed

1 envelope of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix

1 1/2 cups of milk

2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cans of refrigerated biscuits

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. Brown ground beef, drain

3. Stir in veggies, soup mix, milk, cheese, and flour. Bring to a boil over high heat.

4. Pour into greased 9 x 9 casserole dish.

5. Place biscuits on top close together (I ended up using about 16 biscuits)

6. Bake 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

(I couldn't get a picture of this one because it was gone in a matter of seconds.

HEY! What's For Supper?

Chicken Parmesan

Breaded Chicken Patties (we like Tyson brand)

Spaghetti Sauce

Shredded Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread some sauce into bottom of 9 x 13 pan.

Layer chicken patties on top of sauce.

Pour remaining sauce on top of chicken.

Cover in cheese.

Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Serve with noodles, garlic bread, and salad.

What My "Summer Vacation" Looks Like

For those people who think that teachers have it easy by having 3 months off for the summer, I thought I would give a glimpse at my "summer".

June 8-9--Still working at school doing files, setting up meetings, and finalizing SPED stuff.
June 15-19--Attending mandatory cirriculum writing workshop
June 21--Father's Day and Jeff's Birthday
Sometime in June--Driver's Ed for Will
June 29--Mark's Birthday (I have this on my calendar so as not to forget to get a card and gift)
June 28-July 2 VBS
July 4--Reunion at our house and Hale's Anniversary (reminder for card)
July 19--Tatum's Anniversary (reminder for card)
July 27--Darin and Cona's Anniversary (reminder for card)
July24-August 3??--Mission Trip with Pipes'
July 31-August 6-7--Wedding guests staying at my house
August 10-14--Band Camp
August 14, 17-21--School starts for me
August 24--School starts for the kids
In addition to all this, I have to find a job this summer to help pay for Andy's college since we are changing schools and have little financial aid. I also have to get the house cleaned from top to bottom for July 4th and the wedding. Completing the picture is the fact that we have to get all the paperwork and junk done for Andy to transfer schools before the July 20th deadline.
Now does everyone understand why I am so obsessive compulsive with my lists and needing details? There is no vacation in all this. Just hurry up and panic.

HEY! What's For Supper?

CHICKEN TETRAZZINI

(picture to follow)

8 Ounces of uncooked Egg Noodles

1 can (10 3/4 oz) of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, undiluted**

1/4 cup Half and Half

3 Tablespoons of Chicken Broth

Pinch of salt

15 good shakes of Crushed Red Pepper (like you put on pizza)***

3 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced

1 cup frozen peas (do not thaw)

1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 cup coarse bread crumbs (I used whole wheat bread crumbs)

2- 2 1/2 Tablespoons of butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 pan with non stick cooking spray or wipe it down with olive oil.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.

3. Combine all ingredients but bread crumbs and butter in a bowl and mix together. Add pasta to mixture and stir until pasta is well coated. Pour into prepared dish.

4. Combine bread crumbs and butter together in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over mixture.

5. Bake uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown.

**I have used other brands and they don't taste well. It does make a difference.

***This is a matter of taste. If you like spicy then add more, if not add less.

HEY! What's For Supper?

Meatloaf Muffins

2 Pounds of Ground Meat
1 small onion, diced
A splash of milk
1 Egg
1 cup plain bread crumbs
Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Beat the egg and milk together. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Form mixture into balls and place into a muffin tins. It usually take two tins for my crew. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite vegetables.

This recipe is good for meatballs also. I just make them into smaller balls.

My Meatloaf

Since everyone else seems to be in a meatloaf mood, I decided to make meatloaf for my family. We like it a little different than most people. I finally included a picture for Sue Ellen.