Chalk that one up as Epic Fail

I'm a pretty good cook. I say this because my mom's a great cook and when I recreate her recipes they usually end up spot on. With this in mind I decided on Sunday night that I was going to make one of my favorite meals for Joe and the kids...Chicken and Dumplings.

I can usually churn out a pot of Chicken and Dumplings in about an hour, it's good and hearty, the gravy is thick and full of veggies, the dumplings are light and fluffy and the chicken is juicy and delicious. Sunday would've been just like that if only I'd remembered to bring the recipe with me. Oops! I tried to recreate the spices from memory. Judging from how it smelled simmering on the stove I thought I had them right. SO TOTALLY DID NOT HAVE THEM RIGHT!

The gravy didn't develop; it was a water, yucky mess. The dumplings didn't steam properly and ended up being thick lumps of goo on the inside and a soggy mess on the outside. The veggies were the only part that turned out right. Wouldn't you know it, the kids wouldn't eat them. They ended up whining their way away from the table only to have ice cream an hour later. Ice cream for supper - I'm totally kicking hiner at this step mom thing!

Tonight I'm going to try to redeem myself. I'm making turkey loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and green bean casserole. Hopefully it all works out!

Hands and Feet

Joe and I went out to my parents house last night for dinner and a little card playing. Our family plays this card game call Hand and Foot. We've been playing it since before time began and we've devoloped a few family rivalries. Fore example: When we play, it doesn't matter who wins so long as Mummsie looses. We also joke that Daddy has a calus on his hiner because Mom's kicked it so many times.

So last night the men folk decided that they wanted to take on the women folk. Big mistake boys! WE KILLED THEM! Going into the final round we only needed another 800 points to win, they needed another 4500. Mom and I stuck them both with their feet, both of which contained red 3s. We didn't even both counting up the cards.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Wonderful Weekend

Yesterday was our last weekend day without the kids until next summer so Joe and I decided to take advantage. After I was done playing at BCRC and he was done teaching Sunday School at Journey we had lunch, hopped in the car and headed to the booming metropolis of West Yellowstone. Whoo boy! I forgot to get the camera our while we were in West, but I remembered on the way back through the Madison Valley. Check out my facebook page for more pics!

Album Cover!

Thank you to the oh so talented Chris Warden!

Where in I talk about white water and head colds.

After the bout with pneumonia not even two weeks ago, I have somehow managed to get Joe's head cold that he caught from his daughter. I say somehow managed, knowing full well how it happened and yet not willing to admit that when it comes to Joe, I'm not willing to be a germaphobe.

So what's the best thing to do when you're getting over a nasty cold? Go white water rafting of course! I am now the proud owner of not only an earache, but also some nasty black and blue bruises on my hiner from getting bounced around on the raft. Despite the fact that I shivered the whole way down, I had a blast and can't wait until next summer to do it again!

CD Update

I know I said it would be finished and out by June 15th, but the new CD is still in production. We've been having problems with musicians going out of town, then I got pneumonia (in July! How does that happen?) and now my voice is still trashed. My doctor says it'll be a couple more weeks before I'm back to normal vocally. Great! Fabulous! Let's just drag this little project out a bit longer, shall we?

Enter Joe and his kids and their cold...which they're trying really hard to pass on to me. But I'm not getting sick! No sir, I'm not!

I'm just going to keep telling myself that. Maybe myself will listen.

Around the Office

To Janine it's a breakfast sausage and an orange juice. To me it's a hot dog and an energy drink.

Janene: I am now completely convinced that I should do some work today.

Janene: You know, you don't look ugly enough to meet the ex-wife today.*

Me: Hands are not meant to be smashed!

Me: Some of our employees need tracking beacons.
Janene: Yes they do! And I volunteer to install them!

Ooh yes, Royce has teh key fo shizzle!

Me: The whole reason I exist is to serve Roxanne.
Janene: I think someone needs another Rockstar.

* The meeting of the ex-wife went as well as can be expected. For this I am extremely greatful!