McLinky Monday-Trips on a tankful

It's Monday again and that means McLinky Monday with the girls over at the RHOK and today they are asking what is your favorite one tank road trip?  I have a bunch that I like, not just one.
Here they are
1. Blue Hole but only in warm weather

2. Totem Pole Park if we are looking for a great picnic spot

3. Osage Hills State Park to go hiking and picnic and you can camp or rent a cabin too and you can stop in Bartlesville on the way and then you go head on up to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve and see all the buffalo.

4. Jasmine Moran Children's Museum is fun for the kiddos and the adults as well.

5. Little House on the Prairie in Independence, KS is always fun.  We've gone several times and love it!

We have some more favorites but they might be trips on a tank and a 1/2 or 2 tanks...LOL!

New Recipe of the week 6-Molten chocolate lava cakes

This week I tried out a new recipe for Valentines dessert.  Dinner was great we had steak, potatoes, Parmesan bread, broccoli and sauteed mushrooms.  For dessert we tried out my newest recipe that I found over on the Girl Gone Mom blog (go check out her blog, she has giveaways, recipes, reviews, etc).  It's a recipe that she got from Woman's Day and is super easy to make and so delectable.  My family was almost licking their plates when we were done.  This was our favorite dessert when we went on a cruise a couple of years ago if I had only known that it takes about 15 min. from start to finish and will quell any chocolate craving!

Recipe Ingredients (printable version)

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for the ramekins
• 1 Tbsp flour, plus more for the ramekins
• 1⁄3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 450ºF. Butter two 6-oz ramekins and dust the inside with flour. 

2. Place the butter and chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. 

3. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg, egg yolk and sugar in a medium bowl until thick and lighter in color, about 1 minute. Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour and beat until fully incorporated and smooth. 

4. Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins. Bake until edges are set and center still jiggles slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand for 15 seconds. Run a knife around edge, then invert each cake onto a plate. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with fresh mint or berries, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate the batter in the ramekins for up to 1 day. Before baking, bring to room temperature.

CSN Winner is....

The winner of the CSN $25.00 gift card is shala_darkstone and I used random.org to pick the winner!  Congratulations and thank you so much to CSN for the giveway!

Dance Team

The kids did great at Talent on Parade Dance competition today.  They won a Diamond Elite First Place for Hip Hop which means they won 1st in hip hop and 4th overall for all categories and then they also won the judges award for best choreography.  We are proud of them, they train hard and love to dance and it shows!  Here are some pictures from today, we aren't showing video yet because they have some more competitions coming up in March and April.  This year they were dolls, not quite as scary as the zombies that they were last year and Kenzie is taking a break from her solo this year but might do one next year.


We bought pics from the competition and here are some of them!  Go check out what the dance teams with  The Legacy Project are doing right now!

New email address

I have a new email address for the blog JustWedeminute@cox.net so if you would like to contact me this is my new contact!  I've been getting so many new comments I didn't want to miss any of them in my personal email, keep them coming I love hearing from all of you!

Oklahoma blizzard 2011 and snow play!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

CSN Giveaway

After all this snow, staying at home, not seeing anyone except family for days on end we decided it was time for a GIVEAWAY!!!  CSN has graciously offered to donate a $25.00 gift certificate, thanks to CSN for hosting this giveaway!  If you are looking for Modern Office Furniture, or a Valentine gift for your sweetie then CSN has it!  If you think some retail therapy will lift those bad weather blues then head over to CSN and shop away to your hearts content.

One reader will be chosen at random on February 13th around midnight and will be announced on February 14, just in time for Valentines Day!
To enter for this giveaway,
Mandatory
1) leave me a comment sharing how you will spend your gift certificate to CSN 

EARN EXTRA ENTRIES, complete as many as you like: 

2) Become a follower of Just Wedeminute 

3) Leave a comment on one of my non-giveaway blog posts.  Be sure to leave a comment here letting me know that you completed this.

4)  Like my Facebook Fan page.  Leave a comment letting me know you have joined.
5) Vote for us on the Picket Fence (I have a link on my sidebar)Be sure to leave a comment here letting me know that you completed this.

McLinky Monday-Pet Peeves

Mrs. Coco over at the RHOK wants us to tell our top 5 pet peeves.  I have more then 5 but I'm going to stop myself and just list the 5 that she asked for.

Pet Peeve: A pet peeve is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to him or her, to a greater degree than others may find it.






1. People that don't use their turn signals.   


If it's on the car use it people, I can't read your mind!

2. People that wear their pants down to their knees (called saggin)


 No, it's not cool and I don't want to see your boxers, briefs, or butt.  If my hubby sees this he tells them to pull them up!  Who's going to argue with him, he's 6'5"?

3. Parents that ignore their out of control, screaming kids.  Yes, we have all had an issue at one time or another with a child that's having a bad day but take care of it or LEAVE!  Nobody wants to hear your kids screaming and crying at the top of their lungs and even if you can ignore them most of us can't!

4. People that talk or chew with their mouth open.  NASTY, I don't want to see your food while you are eating it.

5. People that wear too much perfume or cologne.  It gives me a horrible headache and makes me cranky!  Just a squirt will do, you don't have to drench yourself in it.  

Snow-klahoma 2011

 During the blizzard

 Our hot tub was covered!

 This is at the end of the Blizzard

This is one of the smaller snowdrifts

  A snow cave and tunnel

We normally only get an average of 10" of snow per year.  This year we blew that away!  In one day our little town won the record with a whopping 21" of snow.  Crazy huh, it totally rocked Oklahoma and shut us down!  The grocery store aisles are empty, no milk, no bread!  People stocked up for this winter storm and they were smart to do that.  UPS has never shut down in the Tulsa area EVER and they shut down for 2 full days.  Kevin couldn't get out of the house even if he would have wanted to work, we were snowed it.  We played games, did school, played in the snow a little (it was below 0 most of the time), baked, cooked, stayed warm, read, slept and now we are ready to see friends again BUT another big storm is headed our way and they are predicting from 10-18" of snow for this one.

Enjoy the pictures!

New Recipe of the week 5-Spaghetti Casserole

This recipe was passed on by my blogger buddy Dawn of Dawn's Diversions


Spaghetti Casserole 

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 can of Spaghetti Sauce

1 package of noodle of your choice

1 8oz package of low fat Cream Cheese

1 16 oz container of light Sour Cream

1 8 oz package of Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Cup of Sugar (we cut this down to 1/4 cup)

1 package of Sugar Substitute

(You can omit the sugar if you wish but, it helps to cut the acidity of the spaghetti sauce.)

Boil noodles as directed on box. Brown beef or turkey in skillet until done add Spaghetti Sauce and sugar. Simmer for 10 mins. When noodles are done drain and mix into sauce. Pour into greased 9x13 baking pan.

In a separate bowl mix together cream cheese,sour cream, and sugar substitute. Spread over spaghetti mixture. Cover withl package of Cheddar Cheese. Bake covered on 350 for 30 mins. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 mins or until cheese in golden brown.


The kids did like it and so did Kevin so it's a keeper and was super easy to make!

Blogger award

I just want to thank Allegro Mama for giving me the Versatile Blogger award, that was very sweet and totally unexpected!

Now, there are some rules that go along with accepting this award.

1.  You have to Thank the person who awarded you & Link them back in your post

2.  Tell Everyone 7 random facts about yourself

3.  Pass the award on to 15 new found bloggers

4.  Contact each blogger and let them know you've passed the award on to them, & let the "giver" know you accept the award.

My 7 random facts are the following:

1. I am a big advocate for adoption since we have 2 children adopted from South Korea

2. I love to travel and before becoming a mommy I was a travel agent for American Airline Vacations.

3. I love to cook

4. I homeschool my kiddos and this is our 6th year to homeschool

5. I was born in Farmington, New Mexico

6. I love Jesus and I'm always trying to be a better follower of Him

7. I hate the cold and could live in a sunny location forever (just a tad bit jealous of my friend Ann that lives in St. Kitts)

Now on to spreading the blogger love (you must pass the award to 15 NEW found blogger friends).

1. Mika's Pantry (ok this is not a new one to me but you will love the food)

2. That Winsome Girl

3. 123 Come Homeschool With Me
4. The Adventures of Mommy B
5. Homeschooling By the Yard
6. Undeserving Grace
7. Crafts, Cooking and Whatever Else I Get Into
8. Giving N Sharing
9. Mommy Time Out
10. Create With Joy
11. My Blessings From Above
12. Filth Wizardry
13. The Magic Brush
14. My Little Gems
15. The Bakery


Hope you enjoy checking out these blogs! I'm enjoying all of them!!!

New Recipe of the week 4- Olive Cheese bread

We've all been sick so i've gotten behind on blogging.  So I need to add a new recipe of the week for my recipe challenge.  Recipe of the week 4 is also from the Pioneer Woman, yes her cookbook has been getting quite the workout the past couple of weeks.  We can't help it we just love her cooking, as do many others!  I let Makenzie choose this recipe since she loves to help in the kitchen and has become quite the little cooking mama.  She chose Olive Cheese Bread and it's soooooo good but kinda salty so next time we will cut back on the green olives since they tend to be very salty!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French Bread
• 6 ounces, weight Pimiento-stuffed Green Olives
• 6 ounces, weight Black Olives
• 2 stalks Green Onions (scallions)
• 1 stick Butter, Room Temperature
• ½ cups Mayonnaise
• ¾ pounds Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated

Preparation Instructions

Roughly chop both black olives and pimiento-stuffed green olives. Slice green onions into thin pieces.

Combine butter, mayonnaise, cheese, olives and green onions in a mixing bowl. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Spread mixture onto French bread that has been sliced lengthwise. Bake at 325ºF for 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and browning.

Mixture can also be refrigerated (up to two days) and used as a dip. Great with crackers.

Snow much fun!

Since we don't get very many snow days in Oklahoma we have to take advantage of each and every one of them.  Even though we homeschool we are still having a snow day today, all of the area schools are on a snow break so we are too.  We woke up and decided to make Edna Mae's sour cream pancakes from the Pioneer Woman and they were yummy and got us off to a good start.  This is also part of my try a new recipe every week so this is recipe #2.

Edna Mae’s Sour Cream Pancakes (The Pioneer Woman Cooks)

• 1 cup sour cream
• 7 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/ 2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Butter
• Maple syrup

Warm up your griddle, iron skillet or frying pan at a medium heat.  Get it nice and hot but not smoking.

In a bowl combine sour cream with sifted dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, & salt).

In separate bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla together

Pour egg mixture into sour cream/flour mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are mixed well.

Melt about a tablespoon of butter onto griddle. Using a ladle pour about 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the pan, making about a 4 inch in diameter pancake

Cook each side of the pancake for about 1 to 2 minutes, flipping when the edges start to brown and cake begins to bubble.

Remove from heat and stack high, top with a pad of butter and drizzle with lots of maple syrup!

Then, after reading a Facebook message from my dear friend Christy or as I like to call her SUPERMOM, she reminded me of snow paint and so I had to make up some bottles for the kids to go play with out in the snow.  It's so easy get clean spray bottles, fill with cold water, add food coloring, screw the top on it and head out to make some colorful snow creations!

Then we headed into the house for some homemade mint hot cocoa.  We then decided to use Brandi's recipe for Snow Ice Cream.  It's so yummy all you will want to do is make more and sit and eat it all day!  This is recipe #3 for try a new recipe every week.

Now, we are trying to decide if we are going sledding or stay next to the fireplace.  My vote is stay warm next to the fireplace!

We've got the flu

• 

Please excuse my break from blogging because we've got the flu!

New Year's Resolutions 2011

Every year Kevin and I make a list of goals that we would like to accomplish as a family, individual and as a couple.  Sometimes they are health goals, financial goals, etc.
This year our family goal is to sell our house and build our dream home.  We have been working so hard to make this happen, we painted all of the upstairs and moved Makenzie back into her room so we now have a bonus room again.  The house is on the market and we signed the paperwork to build our house!  All very exciting news.
One of my personal goals is to be more creative in my cooking and try new recipes because I tend to get stuck in a rut with my cooking so my new goal for 2011 is to try 1 new recipe each and every week, unless we are on vacation!  So, hopefully by the end of the year we will have tried at LEAST 52 new recipes!  Help me out and pass on your favorites.
So the first new recipe that we tried this year was Iny's Prune Cake by the Pioneer Woman

Here's the recipe

Prune Cake
Makes: 10-15 generous slices
Prep time: 20 min to prepare, 35 – 40 min baking

Ingredients:

Cake

1 cup prunes
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
1 ½ cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Icing

1 cup sugar
½ cup buttermilk
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
¼ cup butter
½ teaspoon vanilla

McLinky Monday-Ringing in the New Year

Once again it's that time of the week for McLinky Monday with the Real Housewives of Oklahoma.  I'm starting to really look forward to it every Monday so I can see what all the other Okies ladies have to say and the one from TX too!
The question of the week is, "How do YOU ring in the New Year?"  Well, we normally have a New Year's Eve party every year and invite friends and family to come over enjoy fondue (chocolate and cheese) and play games.  The past 2 years haven't gone as planned, last year Kevin passed out at our front door and to read more about that click here.  This year we are in the middle of painting and packing so we decided against a party but hopefully next year we will be in our new house and will have a wonderful New Year's Eve party!
A couple of things that we always do is stay up until midnight, watch the ball drop, let the kids do a toast with fancy glasses and sparkling cider, and we always have fondue.  I know it's a huge tradition to make black eyed peas and eat them on New Years Day but I've NEVER had them before.  I bought some this year and didn't get around to making them.  I need a good recipe!

Here are some of my posts from past year's
2007/2008
2008/2009

Comment Love Day

Just follow the rules that she posted here and help spread the comment love!

New Year's Day tradition

Every year my mom takes the kids for an afternoon and they work on a Christmas gift for Kevin and myself.  Each year it's something unique and we always look forward to receiving it, several years ago they gave us a growth chart wall hanging that says, "Let it snow, watch us grow" and then felt snowflakes to glue on it for each kid.  We always hang it at the same exact height and look forward to seeing how much the kids have grown in the previous year and we add the new snowflake on New Year's Day, it's easy for us to remember.  This year Kylan grew 4" in one year and Kenzie grew 3"!