Breakfast, Branches and Big Chill

First off let me say I am sorry.. I hate this new editor, I actually said that before and then thought I would give it another try and here we are. I can't seem to get the pictures to stay together and with almost 25 pictures I am going with it.

Here's what's been going on around my chill zone.

Well we have been having a deep freeze. Because I work midnights and slept until 4pm yesterday I was up all night..Yes that's right ALL night. I finally laid down around 1 pm and slept for 2 hours. So in that time I organized things around the house. The only problem is the more quiet I try to be the more noise I make. However since I was up I watched the fog roll in and the trees start to freeze. I hope the neighbor didn't mind me outside at 5am taking pics. I'm sure they didn't even notice.

I wish I could capture the beautiful ice and flakes on the branches. Miss Emma Sue got her hair put in pig tails today. Then got her picture taken. She was wearing her "Bite ME" Gingerbread shirt. She is such a diva..

The girls went outside to play in the snow yesterday. Man was it cold but they were okay.. Layers..ya know. This was the fog rolling in early morning. During breakfast with our fancy tablescape I took a picture of my milk glass..only problem is I didn't take the lens protector {pink can coozy} off and so this is what I got.

After my nap and rearranging my livingroom I sat down in what G calls "Camp Cathy" and took some pics. of my hairy legs and feet. Sexy Huh?

G gave Baxter some Kitty nip.. he was high as a kite rolling around on the floor.

Now on to breakfast. I made a small egg casserole cause I knew no one would eat it.

I added eggs, milk, minced onion, bacon, salt, pepper and parsley.

Threw it in the oven for a while and presto..

Last night as I was looking for some dishes I have stashed I found these blue ones and silver chargers. (seen Below)

I thought it was good.. I loved the onion in it..

Silver chargers. Years ago when D was 6 or 7 we went to Target Christmas shopping. I saw these chargers and said I would like to have them.. not really meaning that I would like to have them but I would.. As we walked around the store D started asking me how he was going to buy me something if I had to take him. My mom usually got me something or took him and then he would give it to me so I wasn't sure what he was getting at. I then told him that one day I could take him and give him some money and he get me something and I wouldn't look. He asked if he could have the money now. Ok.. So I asked the clerk if she could walk to the other isle with him {out of my sight} and help him. So she took him. I followed behind but not too close but wasn't just going to let her walk off with him even though it was my idea. Then they made their way to the cashier. As I was standing there looking but trying not to look another clerk looked at me funny. I then explained that he had money and was buying them for me but he didn't want me to see. She wrapped them with an extra bag so I couldn't see and helped him with the money. I teared up.. I am tearing up now. That was the most precious thing he could have done. He was so scared to hand her the money and didn't really know what to do but they helped and he was so proud when I opened them on Christmas morning and he surprised me. I hung a couple on the walls, but a candle on one and sat the other around the house. He loved it cause he bought them for ME... What a sweetheart. That was one of the best gifts I ever got.. It didn't cost much. They aren't name brand or anything but it was the thought.. His thought..  More pictures of the Big Chill and pretty branches. Once again sorry about the terrible pic positions.. but thanks for visiting and come back any time. ~Cathy

Monochrome Monday

Antler chandalier at Great Wolf Lodge.. okay, I don't know why this pic is rotated. Visit more Monochrome photos here at the Monochrome Weekly

Four O'clock Foto

Four O'clock Foto

Last week I found this shelf at Ikea.. I played around with it and this is how I junked it up.. The pic is not that good. I could not get the right light..but ya get the idea.

Mix and Match

I decided to try a tablescape tonight for tomorrow's breakfast. This is my problem. I either have a whole set of dishes or I just a few of this and a few of that. I tried to mix and match tonight and well it's bland.. I put my Idea amber plates as a charger cause they are so big and it's not Thanksgiving. I added my good ole' Corelware for the plate. I have these cute little amber I think depression stemware and one of my two sets of orange juice glasses with pitcher. I still need a lot of work on this tablescape thing..

I found these cute little

pizza plates at Michael's for $1.00 a piece.

They are plastic but does pizza really need to be eaten on good China? I don't think so.

 {I am also trying to new editor so well...I don't think I'm gonna like it..}

Any tips on getting the pics to move and STAY where ya want them?

These red plates I found at Hobby Lobby. I only bought 2 plates and 2 salad plates.. I don't know why just becasue I did.  I love the bumping texture to them.  I spent $2.04 each for the salad plate and $5.10 for the dinner plates. I love them. 

Next I bought these two animal skin design stemware for the G and I .. kids hands off.. I am drinking a Bloddy Mary out of them now.. I know..not quite the Bloody Mary glass but I had to try them. They were also on sale. $4.76 each compared to original $13.99..wowza..

We ate dinner on these guys last night. It is a country farm winter scene.I have 4 dinner and 4 salad..  {I had these in my cabinet, know clue where they came from} and I also added this winter scene stemware. I think these may have been from Kroger one Christmas but not sure.. I have to say we lost one of these tonight while I was wiping off the counter..I hit it and flew off and hit the floor..then when I yelled Emma came running and walked right through the glass. I hurried and put them back in the cabinet..Guess what..it was an extra anyways.. Now I am at a even number 12.. all is good. That's why ya buy one extra anyways, right? Right.!!!I then traveled down to the basement where I found more plates and charges.. I really didn't realize I had this much stuff. I know we have a whole box of China somewhere. I have looked, G has looked. I also have a few other plates and things that I just can't find.. I think it's time to clean out these darn closets and find some stuff. 

Do you have any tips for a beginner tablescaper?

 How many sets of things do you buy?

What do you do when you only have 4 of one thing and have to set the table for 6?

How many sets of flatware do you have?

 What are the rules for tablescapes?

Do you set the table everytime you have a meal?

Okay forget this.. I can't get this pic to move up..back to the old editor..

Four O'clock Foto

Four O'clock Foto

One night we had this pasta dish and some garlic bread..

I threw some and ham and cheese on a few pieces

and had a nice little {but think} sandwich.

A new staple for the hungry crew.

Four O'clock Foto

Four O'clock Foto

I wasn't drinking..I swear.. but I sure do look like it.. maybe it was all thee excitement... My phone was blowing up about then with twitters from Norad..the Santa tracker...

Snow, Shells, Soup, Scarf equals

a very excited mom on a snow day...

Ya see I don't know who gets more excited me or the kids..probably the kids but I get pretty darn excited about bad weather, snow, bad roads and no school. However today I had to work til 8am and then went to sleep til my normal 1:19 PM.. I woke up and the house had been in full swing but I still got to enjoy a little of it. Baxter slept most of the day on his bankie..not blanket..bankie, G and the kids made snow ice cream.

I love the thought of sledding,

playing in the snow,

hot chocolate and

nasty frozen towels at the front door

full of outdoor wear.

I know.. you all must think I'm crazy..that's okay... cause I am.. I love this stuff.

Last night I went to work and I dug out my green scarf.. Now this scarf has history.. I made it myself and I love it. Years ago I wore it to work and our Asst. Chief asked what the hell it was. Someone mentioned that it looked like a tobacco worm.. I know.. I know.. how could they say that about my gorgeous scarf.. Well one day a little piece fell off and I went in and put it around one of his Police figurines in his office.. I told him that since he was so jealous that he could have one too. He thanked me..then looked at me like I was crazy.. which I am. He asked if it ever dies and I said yes.. it actually unraveled and I had to re-loop it. It's alive, it will never die.. Well last night he came in and was in his office.. I called his name and then flipped in the door of his office.. he laughed like.

OMG another winter with the worm.

There ya go, now ya know the story of my tobacco worm.

Now to the soup part-

I decided last night {at work} I would make the kids potato soup today..

This is a combo of my mom's and a Weight Watcher recipe.

Warm, hearty, easy and quick..

First I cut up potatoes...imagine that... potatoes in potato soup..unheard of..

I boil them in some water and chicken broth, a little onion, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil and when potatoes are tender

mix 1 packet peppered gravy mix with some milk and add to the boiling pot. I then threw in some Velveeta cheese and a spoonful of butter.. Remember I don't measure anything so just wing it.. trust me..you can do this.

My theory..

if it's too dry add more liquid..

if it's too wet add more dry.. Now this is the "my mom part"

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk into a sticky wet paste...

yummy huh? Then drop it in the boiling pot by the spoonful.. this makes little dumplings..

{the best part} Let them cook a few minutes and serve.. Easy peasy potato soup.

Other events of the day.. I put a recycle label on one {we have two for the crew} of the trash cans in the kitchen. Love my label maker.

While my soup cooked I snapped a pic out the kitchen window.. how dreary looking, at least it isn't so terribly cold out today. Then I ventured out the front door where I took some pictures of the dormant, peaceful snow covered plants. I love how the snow piles up on things.. Emma is a snow bunny at heart..she loves to dig into the snow with her face.. I only got this pic cause I yelled Cheeeeeeeeese. The little monster was outside with a friend sledding down D's skateboard ramps. He was off tromping through the woods and the oldest was snowmobiling with her man.

I guess the weather is getting to the oldest.. she cleaned her room..I mean REALLY cleaned it and then came down with shells from Myrtle Beach that she collected like 3 years ago.. She is having sun with drawl. She washed the shells where they found a crab pincher {which was thrown into the recycle can..} What? She is going to put these around her room. She is needing the beach.

The girls at dance the other night asked her if she was sick.. I didn't want to say that yes in fact she was getting a little pale.

If I would I would have got the tanning bed argument again..

So with snow on the ground I have shells on my island, what a combo.

Well it was 4pm and D had been wondering through the woods with friends since I got up. They made it over to Cousin D's house {a little over a mile}so I went to get them. His aunt said they were warm but their clothing was frozen and I couldn't stand to make them walk back. So I ventured out in my winter boots.. Sexy huh?

I wasn't going to take my camera and sure glad I did..I came back with about 75 new pics that I just couldn't live without.. Hi my names is Cathy and I am addicted to my camera.

Well I pulled up to get 4 boys and there was Mr. C.., Cousin D was plowing the drive.

So I threw the boys in the Land Yacht and took off to slip and slide {on purpose} down the road. I tell ya.. they kept saying hit the brakes and my traction control took over..bummer.. I did take it out of 4 wheel drive in Mr. E's drive and well I couldn't go anywhere.. I put it back in and took off.. I think she {Mr. E named her Honey} likes 4 wheel drive. Now some people buy SUV and never use it.. Oh I use it...I bought the land yacht {Honey} cause I am always hauling 3-6 wet, frozen, stinky, muddy, kids around with all their junk {snowboards, air soft guns, motocross, dance, dirt bikes} My car is not a pretty, clean all the time thing.. it's dirty, used, kid tested and lived in... I just crank up the heat and turn on some music, they put their seat belts on and carry on with their stupid little jokes, farts, burps and we whip down the road. I handed D the camera and had him get a pic of this car that slid down a hill.. I would have taken it myself but the poor soul was standing along the road with the tow truck and I didn't want to do the same while trying to capture their misfortune.

Our road..not bad..still slick.

Black and white looking in my side mirror.

Mr. E in his fashionable Carhartts. He was posing. He is such a funny kid.

Mr. E's mom has a horse farm so I stopped, jumped out and ran over to take some pics.This guy like my camera.. He almost nosed my lens..

This is Mr. E's drive.. it's pretty long but my good ole' Honey trotted right down the lane with no problems.

Well I hear the dryer beeping over Jack Johnson on XM radio {where I am dreaming of sand, more shells and sun} and I need to get new dry towels on the floor for the second round and do dishes from the mess today. I just took snow bunny out and the walk is covered..at 5 G had it cleaned off {it's 7:37 now} So much for the quick storm..it has snowed since 8am.. Looking like we are having snow day #2 tomorrow.. I am so excited, but I also have to work tonight at midnight..this is when I wish I didn't have Honey loving her 4 wheel drive. I could totally stay home tonight but I can't...9-1-1 will still ring..I have to be there.