Greetings from 2013!

Hello long lost friends and family. Or maybe I'm the one that's been lost. I know it's been a while since the last post, but rest assured, I haven't been resting. Wildman started Kindergarten and Tater Tot is just blooming into a wild rose.

 We bought Suge's grandmother's house and are in the process of remodeling. Our house is on the market and really, need I say more?

xoxo. -Mama Stone

Italy & Greece 101

You thought I was going to give you a quick lesson on my summer trip to Italy and Greece? 

No, I was just stating the temperature while we were there. 

That's me and my elementary-high school classmate Heather in Athens. 

We had a fabulous time and learned WAY more than should be allowed on one trip.  

My advice, don't wait. These trips won't get any easier. 

The King's Birthday.

I remember a little bit about when he was born. I was 5 you know. Not all memories were lost during college.  Anyway, I remember getting a giant doll, that could wear my baby clothes. I guess this was my consolation prize. If nothing else, I could play house with all the "stuff" Mom had gotten as gifts for this new family member. I also remember all the years following that we fought and argued. I barely remember playing together peacefully. But I wouldn't trade him for a prize of any kind these days. He's grown into a wonderful person, husband and friend. He's loyal and sarcastic, both to a fault. But I will admit he's mine. Baby Brother turned 30 in June.

Photo Update

This photo update is brought to you by:
The busiest four months of our lives.

(Wildman is now registered for Kindergarten) 

xoxo.

Mama Stone

2012

I am already so tired of hearing New Year, New You. Aren't you?

But...if we are going to talk about new year resolutions let me suggest a book, 52 Small Changes, One Year to a Happier, Healthier You, written by Brett Blumenthal. So far I've really enjoyed it. I have to say, if all I stick to by reading this book is drinking more water, than so be it. It was worth the download.

A couple of years ago about this time Suge and I took a trip to Boston, to clear our minds OR to order room service and stay in bed and watch t.v. YOU DECIDE. Anyway, it snowed about 9" while we were there and was absolutely wonderful. It was amazing how the city just kept going and so did we. We hiked that city up one side and down the other, in the snow and freezing temps. It was heaven.

Here's hoping for a few snow days around these parts this year!

Happy New Year!

-Mama Stone

And he's 5...

I remember being so anxious and ready for my little bundle of joy!

The night before, Suge took video of me and all my bellyness.

I was up at 11, but let Suge sleep.

We checked into the hospital around noon the next day.

My 8 pound sweetheart was born at 4:52 p.m. on a Wednesday.

It's been an exciting, scary, up and down, roller coaster ride ever since.

Happy Birthday to my Wildman.

Christmas Greetings!

With all the holiday parties, shopping, hustling and bustling it's easy to forget what Christmas is all about.

Take a moment.

And remember.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

XOXO,

Mama Stone

12 months old...

Tater tot is 1. She made it through a year of Mom, Dad and Brother all watching out for her and her every move. She's smart but most importantly she's tough. Don't mess with her, or she'll pull your hair. She will leap out of my arms for her Daddy, but will come right back with a smile. She'll play forever in her Brother's room with his cars, swords, superheros, or whatever else he has laying around. She goes with the flow. She sleeps all night and we love her to heaven and back! Hope you had a wonderful birthday my sweet baby girl!

The most wonderful time of the year

I'm heading out in the morning to go riding with the girls. We've been taking this fall riding trip for several years now. I can't really relay to you how wonderful it really is. This year we are heading to Alabama for the first time, to a place called Seven Springs. There's even a saloon in a cave there. Pretty fancy for us... Anyway, I'll miss my wild ones and Suge too, but there's nothing like a few days away with the girls (oh yeah, and nature). Maybe I'll take some pictures. Until then, here's a few of my sweet ones~ I love the one of them together because you can see how caring he is. Wow! Who knew he'd be such a good Big Brother? Happy Fall Y'all!

Soccer Mania

Never say never.

It happened to me.

I said,

"My kids will never play soccer."

Well, guess where I have to be in the morning...

you got it--the soccer field and

I LOVE IT!

Wildman loves it too.

Who knew I'd be a

soccer Mom too?

Tennis any one?

I spent the majority of my Labor Day watching tennis. Or so it felt like. It can last forever. Longer than any football or basketball game (not basketball season mind you). Suge loves to watch it on t.v. and I have to say that I don't really mind watching it.

So WHY for goodness sakes can I not figure out how they score it. I did take tennis as a PE in college. Now, the amount of classes I actually showed up to, you can count on one hand. But if you know me, or anything about me, you know that I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to sports. I know most of the rules of football, basketball, baseball and some rules for figure skating...

So why is it that I can't figure tennis out? Is my mind too tired? Too full? I think Suge has even explained it to me once before.

I give up.

I guess I have to admit that I watch it for their outfits, grunts, legs, and the little guys/gals that run so quickly to retrieve the balls.

30 Love.

Mama Stone

Let's Rest...

Rest time is not wasted time. It is economy to gather fresh strength...It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. -C.H. Spurgeon

Garden Harvest

Lately we've been eating out of the garden. Not our garden mind you. But plenty of people like to share their bounty- I think sometimes gardens get overwhelming and gardeners don't know what to do with it all, and that folks is what I count on. I was surfing around today and found this recipe on www.twopeasandtheirpod.com . I know zucchini is one thing gardeners always have plenty of, and one thing we are always looking for recipes for...

Baked Zucchini Fries
Ingredients:
3 medium zucchini, sliced into skinny sticks
2 large egg whites, beaten
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (we make our own)
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp dried basil
Pinch of dried oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites with a fork until frothy.
Put the breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, garlic powder and cheese on a plate-I used a pie tin. Mix well.
Dip the zucchini sticks in the egg whites and then into the bread crumb mixture, make sure all sides get coated well. Place the sticks on the prepared baking sheet. I did the sticks one by one.
Bake at 425° for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a little crispy. I turned over the fries half way through. Serve warm. We like to dip ours in marinara sauce.

I can't wait to try it! I like anything w/ fries in the name.

xoxo.

Oh...

the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,

but pouring them all right out...

chaff and grain together;

certain that a faithful hand will...

sift them,

keep what is worth keeping,

and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

-Dinah Maria Craik

Isn't it romantic?

Do you and your sweetie have a special place? A restaurant? A park? A place that makes you feel romantic just being there? Well, my Suge and I do. We haven't been there together in a few years. 5 to be exact. Suge's 30th birthday, the very same weekend I found out I was pregnant with Wildman! Just the thought of the special times we've spent there brings a smile to my face.

Thank goodness we are making it back there this weekend. Thank goodness for fantastic Grandparents. And thank God for my Suge.

Why I Love iPhoto: Reason #435

It took me about 5 minutes to find Wildman's first 5 Fourth of July celebrations. Sorry I missed you on Independence Day. We had a blast (ha). It really is one of my favorite holidays. Hope you enjoyed yours! Soon we'll be saying so long summer. Can you believe it?

When we all get to Heaven...

After going to the funeral home tonight I had these thoughts-

Parents should not have to loose a child, but a child shouldn't have to loose a parent.

Thanks to GOD, we'll all be in Heaven together.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

If you've never checked out www.thepioneerwoman.com I highly recommend it. She's genius. In everything she does. I got Sweetheart one of her cookbooks for Christmas and I think she has actually used it. How many cookbooks do you have that don't have a cracked spine? Soon I'll show you my cooking book. It took me too long to make it, seeing as it took 45 minutes to put together. ANYWAY...

This blueberry pie is from the website. It's called Mom's Blueberry Pie and I LOVE IT. Maybe I'll marry it. Sorry Suge.

Mom's Blueberry Pie

2 Pints (to 3 pints) Blueberries (or for all you folks like me that can't convert 4-6 cups)

Sugar

1 dash (to 2 dashes) Nutmeg

2 tbs (to 3 tbs) Flour (optional)

2 whole pie crusts

1 stick butter, sliced into pats

In a large bowl place the fresh blueberries.

Coat them with regular white sugar, not too much,

just enough to bring out the natural sweetness.

Throw in a dash or two of nutmeg and a few tbs of all purpose flour.

If you prefer a pie that's more juicy leave it out.

Pour the blueberries into the pie crust and top with 8-10 small pats of butter.

Cover with a second pie crust. Press both edges together, tucking the dough under as needed.

Cut three or four slits in the top of the pie for ventilation.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

FYI: I always add the flour and I use 2 dashes (at least) of Nutmeg.

It's a hit, even with people like Suge, who insist on only eating chocolate dessert.

For Sweetheart, PW (Pinewood) and my Beautiful, Wonderful Stepmother

Ok ladies, I dare you to try this...

I found this recipe when I was organizing all the ones I had cut out and printed out etc...

Jalapeno Jelly

2 large sweet green peppers (about 1 lb) corded, seeded chopped
6 large jalapeno chiles, seeded and chopped (about 2/3 cup)
1 cup cider vinegar
5 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 box (1.75 oz) powdered pectin, dissolved in 3/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
Green food coloring (what? why?)
6 canning jars (1/2 pint), lids and seals

1-In processor, finely chop green peppers and jalapenos with vinegar.
2-Place pepper mixture in 5 or 6 quart heavy-bottomed nonaluminum saucepan. Stir in sugar and water. Bring to boiling, stirring occasionally; boil over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
3-Meanwhile, in small saucepan boil pectin-water mixture 1 minute.
4-Add pectin mixture, lemon juice and desired amount of green food coloring to pepper mixture. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
5-Pour hot jelly mixture into sterilized canning jars; seal. Process in hot water bath following manufacturer's instructions. Remove jars from water and place on wire rack. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours or until jelly sets up.
6-Store in cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Now ladies, I know you have gardens...

Wouldn't this be fantastic on tortillas, quesadillas etc. etc.

Let me know!

Cookout Season

I don't know if I've told you this before but my children and I guess my whole family really, love to eat! Wildman will eat practically any thing put in front of him and Tater Tot has thus far. Since it's that cookout time of the year I've got a few recipes for you to try out. I've highjacked both of them from the internet and will give credit where credit is due. Both serve as a base and you can definitely take creative liberties when preparing them for your crew.

We had a great time cooking out with our family last weekend. It's always fun to see what people bring and to see how your own new recipe turns out. We had Dad's smoked chicken~enough said!

This potato salad recipe was the one I took with me and although I'd never tried it, I was pleasantly surprised. It is definitely a base and I think you don't have to get too creative to come up with some really good additions. For example, green onion (which I did), bacon, dill pickles/relish etc. etc.

Fipps Family Potato Salad (from myrecipes.com)

4 lbs. baking potatoes

3 hard boiled eggs, grated

1 cup mayo (I used Dukes)

1 tbs. spicy brown mustard

1 1/2 teas. salt

3/4 teas. pepper

Cook potatoes in boiling water (I peeled and diced them first) until tender.

Stir together potatoes and egg.

Stir together mayo and next 3 ingredients.

Gently stir into potato mixture.

Serve immediately or cover and chill.

So so so so easy. Next up is a pasta recipe I served as a main course hot. But it was really good the next day cold. I think this would make for a great side at a cookout. Or I think it would be fantastic with chicken in it.

No-Time Pesto Pasta (from kraftrecipes.com)

1/2 of a 16 oz. pkg penne pasta, uncooked

1/2 cup pesto

1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers

1/2 cup crumbled feta (w/ basil and tomato or plain)

Cook pasta as directed. Drain, return to pan

Add pesto and peppers, cook and stir on low heat 3-5 minutes

Stir in cheese.

What?!?! That's it?

Summer here we come!