Be Their Biggest Fan

Tonight is our 15 year old's first home scrimmage for High School. HS football in our small town is so exciting! It always has been, but since we won the State Championship last year, it's especially exciting!  

I wrote this poem a few years ago. It's about parents....and they types of fans we should be. I'm sure I shared it on here then, but thought it might be good to do on here once again.

BE THEIR BIGGEST FAN

Your children play on courts and fields,

You watch from in the stands.

Be careful of the words you say.

Be their biggest fan.

Some dads yell out in fits of rage.

They don't seem to understand.

The child is trying as best as he can,

So be their biggest fan.

Moms may scream at the top of their lungs

That the officals ruined the plan!

But boys and girls your example see,

So be their biggest fan.

It's fun to win from, time to time,

But losing we understand,

Will make them stronger every time,

So be their biggest fan.

Your child will someday go out on his own.

He'll learn to take a stand.

Your example he'll learn - that example he'll be -

Please be their biggest fan.

A fan is one who supports and cheers

Each young woman and each young man.

Let them hear your positive tone,

Yes! Be their biggest fan!

Little eyes are watching you!

They hear you in the stands!

With every game, do all that you can

To be their biggest fan.

by Lori Waugh © (but may be shared!)

October 8, 2010

I had been thinking of this poem title for a while and finally sat down and wrote it.  Hope you enjoy it :).

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Cinnamon Roll Biscuit Bake

Sunday morning breakfast at our house used to always be about cinnamon rolls - from Pillsbury canned to homemade.  But over the years, the tradition has waned.  Obviously it's not the healthiest of breakfasts, but also because the kids grew tired of the same old, same old.....

This past Sunday, with our oldest child having just left for college, I kind of wanted the "old" back.  A special memory of Sunday mornings....in the hustle and bustle getting ready for Bible class and worship.

I flattened a can of Grands biscuits into a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.  Spread tub "Move Over Butter" over the top (a couple of tablespoons), sprinkled it with a few tablespoons of sugar.....

....and topped it with cinnamon.

The biscuit dish baked for 15-20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

For a sweet glaze, I used a cup or so of powdered sugar, a tablespoon or two of milk, and a few tablespoons of real Mexican vanilla.  Always good to use that stuff :).

I poured the glaze over the biscuit bake and served it up to my hungry boys! Only one isn't a big fan of the dish, because of it's "soft" texture.  If you have a "texture" sensitive boy or girl.....maybe just bake it a little longer to toughen up the bread.  Or, do like I did and offer him cereal :).

For an impromptu dish, it was quite a hit! The rest disappeared throughout the day....as in-between snacks and dessert. 

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Cabinet Makeover

This cabinet brings back a lot of good memories.  For most of my life it was in my grandparents house, housing a few photo albums.  When I would visit, there was one small album that had several pictures of me from when I was a little girl, so I would go get it and flip through it.

When my grandparents both passed away, I got the little cabinet. I wanted to paint it, but sentimentally, just couldn't...until a few weeks ago.  I didn't treat it (like maybe it should have been), but just painted it with a black acrylic paint.  When I opened the cabinet, it was the sweetest smell - the smell of my grandparents house! So, I quickly decided to leave the inside gold :).

It turned out very nice!  And now I'll be using the cabinet in a more visible place in our living room.  I think I might even put that photo album back in there.....just for sentimental reasons.  But one thing is for sure. The inside smell will always bring back great memories!

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Pizza Grilled Cheese

I found this Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe on Facebook, but originally heard of it from a friend's daughter. She was doing mission work over seas, and her host families' mom made these delicious sandwiches. I couldn't remember everything she said about how to do the sandwiches, so was really excited to see the recipe come across my newsfeed a few days later!  They were a BIG HIT with my family! It's always great to get a new, quick and easy recipe that also tastes delicious!

(I made more than is called for in the recipe, but below is for two sandwiches.)

4 slices of bread (I used Arroweat Italian sliced bread)

Buter

4 sliced mozzarella (I used shredded)

Italian seasoning

Parmesan cheese (optional, but I used)

Garlic powder (original recipe doesn't have, but I added)

Pepperoni (or other pizza-type toppings)

Pizza sauce (for dipping)

Warm a medium/large skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Butter each piece of bread on one side. When skillet is hot, place a piece of bread, butter side down, on the skillet.

*Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Butter each piece of bread on one side. When skillet is hot place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet then add one slice of cheese and small shake of Italian seasoning or basil (add a small shake of Parmesan cheese here too if desired). Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 8 -10 whole regular pepperonis per sandwich) If any other toppings are desired, add now. Add another slice of mozzarella and top with slice bread butter side up.
Repeat with second sandwich. When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully. Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired.


Makes 2 Sandwiches

Then add one slice of cheese, small shake of Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.  

Top with pepperonis (my kids would want more pepperonis when I make these again....so about 10 or 12 would be better).  If other toppings are desired, add now.

Add the second slice of cheese and top with bread, buttered side up.  Grill until browned on bottom.

Flip carefully and grill other side until browned.

Serve immediately, with pizza sauce, if desired.

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Pancho's Green Dressing

This is another recipe sent in by blog reader, Marsha.  This sounds really interesting, so I look forward to trying it soon!

Pancho's Green Dressing

1/2 cup mustard

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/3 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon oregano

4 green onions, chopped

Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor, and let her rip!

Thanks for this recipe, Marsha!

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'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

Note: I wrote this poem on August 18, 2010, for the first day of school.  Each year, on the night before school starts I post it again.  Tonight is the night.  What a great summer break we had!

Our three boys will be starting school in the morning. One will be a Junior in HS, one beginning HS as a Freshman, and the youngest in his last year of elementary...5th grade. Our daughter won't have to start school in the morning. She's bragging about it, of course! :)  No, she'll be going to college next week....starting a brand new, exciting life.  But, she's still in the poem!

'Twas the night before school started and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse (thankfully).

The backpacks were hung on the laundry room hooks,

They would soon be loaded down with papers and books.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of homework danced in their heads.

And Dad in the bedroom had just begun snoring,

And I was still cooking and might be 'til morning.

When out of a bedroom I heard such a clatter,

I sprang down the hallway to see what was the matter.

Away to the bedroom I made a mad dash,

And opened the door, my toe I did smash.

The night light plugged in shone brightly in the night,

One of the children had yelled out in a fright.

When what to my wondering ears did I hear,

But children exclaiming, “It's finally here!”

With a kiss and a hug I calmed down their spirits,

And told them I loved them – they needed to hear it.

More rapid than TIGERS, the prayers for them came,

And I spoke to God softly and called them by name.

Be with Lauren and Zachary, Jacob and Tyler,

And guide them all safely - my prayers lifted higher.

To the kitchen I then wandered all calm and sincere,

That God would be with them throughout the school year.

I rushed through the cooking and baking with ease,

And got to bed early – I was certainly pleased.

But before my tired eyelids ever closed for the night,

I prayed for my children one more time – it seemed right.

In the morning they'll awaken, mixed emotions galore,

I'll miss them and think of them and pray for them more.

But I won't need to worry for my Father knows best,

That He is still with them when they're out of the nest.

Written by Lori Waugh

August 18, 2010

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Pancho's Cheese Dip

 This recipe came from a blog reader. She sent a few recipes that I look forward to trying and wanted to share with all of you. The first one is for Pancho's Cheese Dip and sounds great!

PANCHO'S CHEESE DIP

1 pound Velvetta

1 can mild Ro-Tel (tomatoes and green chilies)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

Melt cheese and Ro-Tel until smooth in a double boiler or microwave, stirring throughout cooking.

Puree Ro-Tel and cheese in blender or food processor and add cumin and garlic powder. Blend thoroughly and serve.

Thanks for the recipe, Marsha!

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Taco Salad Bowls

One of our favorite meals is Taco Salad.  I usually make it all together in a great big bowl, mixing it together right before serving.  Everyone just dishes it into their own bowl, but when we have it, we never have enough bigger bowls.  And since it's the only thing we're having when we have it, you want a bigger bowl instead of a small one.  Another thing when we have this meal is that half of us like tomatoes and half don't. I usually leave them out of all of it and just put the tomatoes in a small bowl on the side.

But now I've found a new solution to this problem!  Have you ever eaten at Fuzzy's Taco Shop?  There Chicken Taco Salad with Garlic Buttermilk Ranch dressing is my absolute favorite! I think I could eat that salad every day.  Since there's no flour and no sugar, it makes it extra- appealing to me!  But the salad is neat because it's served in a huge stainless steel bowl.

And that was the inspiration. It's so easy to mix the dressing and salad together because the big bowl is extra-big!  I also liked the restaurant's bowls being stainless steel.  Kind of made it fun!  So, I planned to get me some stainless steel bowls for Taco Salad night.  I didn't need as big of bowls as Fuzzy's uses, but wanted something bigger than I had.  Guess what?  I went into Walgreen's today for something and happened to see some of those bowls! There were three sizes - in the dorm-living section, so probably a temporary item!  I bought the medium bowls (8 in. diameter) and bought the six they had - just enough for our family.  They were $2.00 each, but I'm wanting to get more of the for when we have company. I also want to pay $1.00 or less for each.  The quest is on!

(Ingredients:  Leaf and Iceburg lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, Ranch Style Beans (heated), browned ground beef seasoned with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder, tomatoes, and Kraft Catalina Classic salad dressing.)

Another thing I decided would be fun is to let everyone make their own salad.  There's room to mix them because of their size and now the non-tomato lovers can keep them out all on their own!  The kids thought it was really fun and it tasted really good! Maybe it tastes better done separately, maybe it was the bowl, maybe it was just in their heads :).  Who cares, right?  Everyone was happy.  Everyone was full!  Everyone had fun! 

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Banana Bread Bars

There's a recipe that's been going around Facebook for months....maybe even a year....that looks delicious!  I kept thinking I would make it some day, but haven't yet.  However, a friend did make them last week and said they were SUPER!  So, since she thought they were great, I was pretty sure I would think they were great and decided to pass it on to YOU!  You're welcome :).

I'm not sure of the original poster of this recipe, but thank you to whoever you are!!

Ingredients:

Banana Bread Bars:

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups (3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Browned Butter Frosting:

½ cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
about 3 tablespoons milk or half and half

Instructions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour 10x15 jelly roll pan. Beat first four ingredients until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla for one minute. Add dry ingredients and blend for one minute. Stir in nuts and spread in pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool slighty until warm but not hot and frost with Browned Butter Frosting (recipe below).

For the Browned Butter Frosting:

Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat past the melting point until it is boiling and a delicate brown. Remove from the heat and immediately add the remaining ingredients. This should be thicker than a glaze and thinner than frosting. Using a spatula smooth over the top of the Monkey Squares immediately. The frosting will be easier to spread once it's on the warm bread.
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Yum! Sands Restaurants, Raton, NM

Last week, as my family traveled to Colorado for vacation, we decided to try out different restaurants along the route.

We stopped in , New Mexico, and found this great place on the website TripAdvisor, called Sands Restaurant. It was delicious!!

I got this Monte' Cristo Sandwich, which had ham, turkey and Swiss cheese inside, then coated and fried until golden. The kids helped me eat it because it was huge! (Sorry some of the pictures are sideways. I uploaded them from my phone and don't know how to rotate them on the blog!)

The specialty at this restaurant was Mexican food. Whichever child got this said it was great!

Our daughter got this Italian chicken dish, which was also very good.

...and a roast-type of sandwich. Others got duplicate meals, so I'm not showing those pictures.  

It was fun going to family-type places, instead of chain restaurants. I'll be showing more eating places for a few more posts.  It was a fun part of vacation! 

I have a vacation post on my "Shine Like Stars" blog, if you're interested. It was great to get away!

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