Friday Fare~ Sort of...

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


I am a lover of family traditions. I plan them and put them into action. We have traditions for every season. I think our fall and winter traditions just might be my favorite.

Every fall, we plan one night in October for a night of Fall Family Fun.

We start by planning our pumpkin carving. We usually keep our carving positive, with Christian themes. This year we will be participating in a Trunk o' Treats and we are incorporating our pumpkins into our trunk design. Each kid picked out their design. I drew them and Nurse Boy carved.


Sweet Pea really got into it for the first time this year. This picture cracks me up.

Can you tell they are taking delight in destroying my kitchen?

We also sneak in some baking on this night. (Not sure why the shirt came off?) This year's cookie of choice? The PUMPKIN DOODLE!

Bruiser loves helping me in the kitchen. He really got into rolling the dough in the cinnamon and sugar.

Bruiser's design (and my personal favorite... shh, don't tell).

Sweet Pea's personal choice.

Dimples chose "JC" for Jesus Christ.



Next, we HAVE to go outside to light our pumpkins so we can stand back and marvel at our creations.

So, in lieu of a nutritious (or not-so-nutritious) dinner recipe, I am going to share our yummy cookie recipe.


PUMPKIN DOODLES

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine (Hello, Paula Dean!)

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add pumpkin and beat until combined.

2. Mix in egg and vanilla.

3. Mix in cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and flour.

4. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for about an hour.

5. In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon.

6. Next, scoop up a spoonful of batter and roll it into a ball~ the dough will be sticky and messy!

7. Roll the ball of dough in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

We even added some chocolate chips in our last batch. YUM!

Have a blessed weekend!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Each week I plan to start posting on something that just plain makes me smile. Ya know, some of my favorite things. Things that can brighten my day or make me smile even on those days when I am not feeling so smiley.

This week it is a plaque we found in a little unique shop of antiques and gifts in the historical town that the Nurse Boy and I snuck off to this month. Once I spotted it, I knew I must have it!

~It was the right color. (Matches my curtains in my family room/dining room.)

~I do love to collect angels. No real reason, they just make me feel happy.

~It put into words how I feel about my children.

~And, mostly, my husband thought it was a little cheesy. (I don't know why that is a reason, but it felt like a challenge to me. I knew he would like it once we got home and hung it in the perfect spot.)

~Plus, it now reminds me of our little getaway.

Yep, it makes me smile!

I Heart Pumpkin!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


So, I have to be honest. I love fall. Some love it because of the cooler weather. Some love it for the fall colors. Some love it for the wonderful fall smell that fills the air.


Me?


It is an excuse to make pumpkin everything! I love pumpkin anything. Bread, cookies, cake, pie, muffins, ice cream....


And, I can make it all! Plus, I love it all! Today I will share a simple (Do I really need to say that? I mean, are you new here? I don't like to slave in the kitchen. In order for me to make it, it has to be simple!) recipe for some deliciously moist ....

PUMPKIN MUFFINS!!!!!

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

15 oz. of canned pumpkin

4 egg whites

2 tablespoons of water

all spice to taste

Throw all of the ingredients in a bowl and beat well. Use an electric mixer for best results. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

See... EASY!!

If you stop by for a visit at my humble abode around this time of year, you are almost certain to be greeted with these and some hot chocolate.

Happy Fall!!! Now, go eat some pumpkin!!

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here with nothing but randomness!

So, I fell off the bloggy train over the last 2 weeks and I have a lot of catching up to do. Two weeks ago, Nurse Boy and I left the kids with my parents and headed to a small, historical town about 1 1/2 hours away. We booked two nights in an Old Victorian Bed and Breakfast and signed up for a 2 day marriage conference. We enjoyed each other, spent a lot of time discussing all of our new insight into our marriage, and took in the sights of the town.

So, may I present to you some randomness from our weekend of bliss...

~~Old Victorian homes are beautiful, breathtaking, and rather creaky.

~~No little people entering your bedroom at the ridiculous hour of 6 AM is fabulous. (And, NO, I do not consider that morning. That, my friends, is still nighttime.)

~~A 10 AM breakfast is GLORIOUS!

~~A hot breakfast made by someone else in THEIR kitchen-- Words cannot describe!

~~If you walk through an antique shop with uneven floors and everything rattles, does that mean you're fat? (This one is Nurse Boy's.)

~~Is it a bad sign if your heater and defrost only work in your van when you are going over 40 miles per hour?

~~Why does that stuff only happen when you are away from home?

~~Going on a trip with a color blind person during the fall is slightly annoying when he has to ask if the leaves are changing colors.

~~For the record, the leaves are GORGEOUS this year. Not that Nurse Boy would know.

~~Look what we came home to:

~~Yeah, the kids convinced Bubby and Papa (my parents) that they MUST experience a banana split. I guess they have never had one before. Since Bubby and Papa were certain that our children must not be robbed of such an experience, they bought bananas and every other topping known to man. We came home to them making their own banana splits. They were VERY generous with their sticky, runny toppings.

~~In MY kitchen.

~~Welcome home!

~~That night I snuggled with Sweet Pea and asked her if she missed me. She very matter-a-factly looked into my eyes and said,"Nope."

~~I don't think "factly" is a word, but I am still going to use it.

~~The boys didn't miss us either.

~~Do you want to know a little secret? We didn't miss them. I know that sounds awful, but Nurse Boy and I really needed a break and they were in VERY capable, loving hands.

~~Eating banana splits.

~~But, we were all happy to be back together. Plus, we are all recharged to take on this thing we do together called life.

~~And, we honestly love our life!

Happy Monday!!!

Excuse Me While I Take a Moment...

...to BRAG ON OUR BOYS!!!!


Both of our boys had been educated at a very small, private, Christian school up until this year. They knew everyone (teachers, students, volunteers, etc.) and had even known most of them since birth. It was a wonderful and loving environment. But, God was starting to prepare me for a big change around this time last year.

He told me to send them to public school.


I am not going to lie. I was horrified. I taught in the inner city years ago and it scared me to think of my precious ones in that environment. Truth be told, I live in suburbia. Not to mention that the school district I worked for probably has more issues than your average inner city schools.


So, this year we enrolled the boys in a school well over 500 students. They each have more kids in there classrooms this year than they had in their entire school last year. God has blessed our obedience in so many ways. The boys have blossomed! Honestly, I get all misty eyed when I think about it.


We spent much of the summer talking to the boys about being LEADERS at their new school. We prayed that they would shine the light of Jesus and make smart, intelligent, Christian choices and excel academically.


You see, public schools can't possibly take God out of the schools. Nope, not while my children are there :0)


Today they proudly got out their report cards and read what their teachers wrote about them. Yep, I got all misty eyed again. So, now it's time for some bragging...


Dimples' teacher wrote:

WOW! What a way to start off the year. Dimples is delightful and a pleasure to be around. He is always respectful and willing to lend a hand when needed. His charming personality and sparkling attitude make him well-liked by his classmates. Dimples is always kind and polite. I'm so privileged to have him in my class. Congratulations on making all A honor roll!


Bruiser's teacher wrote:

Bruiser is such a delight to have in class. His behavior choices and good manners make him an excellent peer model for his classmates. He works hard and is an active participant in our class discussions. I am looking forward to our conference next week, so that we can discuss the great start that he has had in first grade!

WOW! Way to Shine the Light of Jesus, Boys!!!!!

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Yes! It is true! We're baaaaaack!!!

No, I didn't have the H1N1. At least, I am pretty sure I didn't. Just a cold and lack of energy. Of course I didn't feel well this week, since I had agreed to work some extra hours at the preschool this week only. (Don't laugh, Nurse Boy. Yes 3 1/2 more hours is extra! Hey, I still have 3 kids and a husband to take care of!) Oh, and let's not forget the preschool field trip with a shaky voice, at best.

So, I hope to get caught up on all of my bloggy friends this weekend! Thanks for all of your words of encouragement!

Since today is Friday Fare and we have been battling some colds around here, I am going to share one of my favorite dinners when I am not feeling so great.

Who am I kidding? I almost always love this meal!

It's breakfast!

I mean who has time to actually make a hot breakfast while trying to get the kids out of bed and into clean, appropriate clothes every morning? Not I! I will share a little secret though. I freeze pancakes all the time. Then, when I feel like serving up a hot breakfast, I push "reheat" on the microwave.

Yep. I am THAT lazy!

So, what I am serving up tonight? Homemade pancakes with a special twist!

Favorite Oatmeal Pancakes

(This probably makes 12-15 pancakes.)

1 1/4 cups flour (white or wheat)

1/2 cup oats (old fashioned or quick)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup skim milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 or 3 teaspoons cinnamon

Throw it all in a bowl and gently mix together. Cook on medium high, a few minutes on each side.

Now for the twist...

1/2 stick of butter, room temperature

3 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 packet of splenda (or use sugar, probably 2 tablespoons)

Mix together...

Oh, yeah! Now THAT is the way to eat a pancake!

Have a wonderful weekend! "See" you on Monday for some randomness... you know I have a lot of catching up to do!

Because We Like to Share Around Here...

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, I promised we would return with randomness today. But, my daughter had other plans and decided to share her lovely cold with me. I am going to take today off and rest up. Tomorrow Nurse Boy will be home all day to work on a big paper, which means I will probably be taking tomorrow off as well. (He likes to hog the computer when he writes. I know, how rude. ;0)

Hope you all are well! "See" you as soon as I can kick this cold and get some energy back!

Per Someone's Request...

Mrs. Nurse Boy here. I know, I know. Longtime, no see. Let me explain.

Yesterday we received this message on our answering machine...


"Alright. Hi. This is your brother. I am calling to inform the Nurse Boy family that I am very disappointed in how you have been handling your responsibilities lately.

I am not sure, but it appears that you are spreading yourself too thin. But, you need to get on track and handle your responsibilities as necessary. This is just not acceptable. I have been to your blog several times since last Tuesday, October 6 and that date is the last time the blog has been updated. Now, this is unacceptable for the fact that I rely, as many others do, on this blog on a daily basis to provide entertainment and updates of the Nurse Boy clan. This simply has not happened and simply cannot continue this way.

Therefore, I am going to send out a formal request that you guys go ahead and update this blog as you have done in the past. For now, we will keep this warning verbal. But, if this is going to continue to happen, you will receive a written warning.

Thank you."


Yep. That message was from my brother. Not to mention that several others have called, emailed, or left a comment about our absence. Thanks for noticing :0)

Thankfully, we are all alive and well. No need to be concerned. We are simply enjoying the fall, eating anything and everything pumpkin, freezing our tushies off at soccer games, and spending time with one another. Plus, my house is clean! That, my friends, is always worth noting! (Laundry is another story, but we can't have it all, can we?!) Nurse Boy and I also snuck away for an entire weekend to go to an AMAZING marriage conference and an equally delightful bed and breakfast. MINUS our lovely children! Love them dearly, but it was time to reconnect as a husband and wife. No fruit snacks, butt wiping, cartoons, or chicken nuggets for a full 48 hours.

Yep. It was heavenly.

All that to say that we are taking a little bloggy break. We will be back in full swing next Monday!!! Come back for some randomness. I am pretty sure we will be sharing some "Ah-ha" moments from out marriage conference as well. Oh, and my favorite pumpkin recipes, because NOTHING says fall like PUMPKINS!

Now, go hug your hubby and tell him that you love and respect him! Trust me, he needs the reminder. They all do! :0)

Until next week...

It's Fall Y'All

Since we didn't have any soccer games this past weekend, it was a great excuse to hit the biggest pumpkin patch in town! And, it was the PERFECT fall day. Cool and breezy, but not freeze-your-toes-off-cold.

They are ready for some fall fun!

My little pumpkin heads.

Monkey see, monkey do.

Here we are on the train, ready for the MOST expensive ride of our lives. Yes, it cost us a total of $15 for all of us to board. The train ride lasted 4 minutes, TOPS. Lesson learned. We will skip this part next year.

The more I look at this picture, I am noticing that my kids kind of DO look like me. I have always thought they received only Nurse Boy genes. But, honestly, I see a little bit of me in each of them. I guess I should get in the pictures more often and I might notice this.

This is how us city folk play cowboys...




Ya know, with a steel horse and a hula hoop. Hey, it works for us and no one has to clean up any... waste.


In the corn maze.


Having nothing but fun!

That's my Bruiser.


All of my boys on top of the jungle gym.


Sweet Pea has got her daddy right where she wants him.

Here we are in the pumpkin patch. They had so much fun.

Which one should we get?



I think she just might be a country girl at heart.

My man carrying our perfect pumpkin. Yes, we only purchased one. On our way home we bought 2 more at the grocery store. Just call us cheap. Hey, we have to put 3 kids through college in the near future!

It isn't fall until you've ridden in a wheel barrel.


And, Bruiser couldn't agree more!

It was a great day. Plus, I will be craving some more pumpkin doughnuts all year long. I have a date with several next fall. You just can't go wrong with fried bread, can you?

(Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the doughnuts. We devoured them much too fast!)

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is Monday. Nurse Boy is staying home with the boys today. They have the day off. Ironically, I am the only one who doesn't have the day off. I even agreed to work some extra hours today. And, it is Monday. I know I already said that, but who agrees to work EXTRA on a Monday? Certainly NOT ME.

Except I did.

So, Sweet Pea and I are going to go play with some preschoolers while the men stay home and destroy the house. Oops. Did I type that out loud?

Here's hoping the house isn't destroyed when I come home! As a matter of a fact, I am certain that the laundry will be cleaned, folded, and put away. I am also positive that the bathrooms will sparkle and the kitchen will smell of homemade bread.

Yeah, right...

Ready for some randomness... or randomess, as Jewel stated last week? Fitting, huh?!

~The other day I heard the song, "I Think We're Alone Now," by Tiffany. It almost made me want to put on a sweater dress with some leggings and go to the mall. ALMOST.

~Speaking of the sweater dress, they are selling them at Old Navy. Really? It is really making a comeback? I am pretty sure I will not be sporting that look again. It brings back too many memories of fifth grade in Mr. Graber's class when I... ahem... entered womanhood and my mom had to tell him why I acted weird and had to go to the restroom with my purse one week out of every month. Nope, not wanting to relive that time in my life.

~Last week the boys interrupted a very important episode of Project Runway to come downstairs, in a huff, an hour after their bedtime. The complaint? Bruiser was licking Dimples. WHAT?!?! Apparently I am raising zoo animals who are caged up in bunk beds.

~I wonder how Bruiser will avoid bedtime tonight?

~The other day Sweet Pea was complaining about the "de-gusing" vegetables on her plate while she was dipping her grapes in ketchup. I can't make this stuff up, people!

~Mocha Chip Java Chiller, you are unfairly yummy. Stop calling my name every time I pass a Sonic. You don't play fair with all of your coffee ice cream goodness.

~I hate it when people pull out right in front of me when I am driving and there is no one behind me for MILES.

~Last week a little boy at preschool was wearing a Run DMC t-shirt. He is three. And, I am pretty sure he has NO idea who they are. It made me smile all day long.

Want to join in? Let me know in the comments and I will send some linky love your way!

EDITED TO ADD~
Check out Jewel's randomess HERE.
Michelle has posted her randomness over HERE.

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


IT'S FRIDAY!!!! Can I get a hallelujah?!


This weekend the boys do not have soccer games for some bizarre reason. However, Dimples is heading off to a Junior Bible Quiz Meet. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am that he signed up for something as challenging and spiritual as JBQ. It is hard work and he studies EVERY NIGHT for it! He really impresses me! I am not sure I am that disciplined NOW, much less when I was 9 years old!


Oh, who am I kidding. I am not even close.


Go Dimples! Kick some Christian butt! Oh, wait a minute. I might need to reign that in a little... or maybe a lot, huh?


Just kidding! ;0)


So, what's for dinner? How about something easy, healthy, and yummy?


Garlic Ranch Chicken


Here is EVERYTHING you will need! As always, SIMPLE and DELICIOUS! And, for an added bonus, you can have your husband grill these bad boys outside and keep your kitchen clean!


Can I just say that I LOVE it when my kitchen stays clean?!


You will need:
4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup fat free ranch dressing
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (As you can see, I used minced. I hate to smell like garlic!)
2 tablespoons parsley (fresh or dried)
My favorite part?! A zip lock bag!


Throw the chicken breasts in the bag. Next, add the 3 other ingredients. Close bag and shake it all about. Yep! It IS that easy. The recipe suggests throwing this in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I agree with the suggestion. It really does help the flavor.


The recipe also suggests grilling the meat. It was a beautiful night, so that is what we did. I still think it would be amazing in the oven. The meat was really moist and the flavor was perfect.

Here they are, fresh off the grill! Not the best picture. What can I say, we were hungry?!


Have a terrific weekend!