A Recipe

But you know me.
Since when has it ever just been a recipe?

Yesterday was my sweet nephew's 1st birthday.
I take care of him on Wednesdays.
Jobie was super excited to be with him on his birthday.
And thought we needed a picture of the birthday boy.
So I gave Jobe the camera.Why is it impossible for them not to take a picture
of themselves when they have a camera?
Have you ever read Hints from Heloise?
Her column is in our local paper.
I like to at least skim it.
And have picked up a few helpful tips.
However.
I'm not sure we will use this one:

"Have a scratch or cut
larger than a typical adhesive bandage?
Try using a panty liner.
Tape it to the area using an adhesive bandage."

Ewwww.
Brookie and I got the giggles over that one.
Seriously?

Ok.
Finally.
Getting to the recipe.
A yummy after school snack.
My kids loved it.
Brookie ate 3.
Then said:
I don't know.
They're not really that great.

Sometimes I don't get her.

Ezra's friend was over.
He said:
Ezra, next time we have a party.
I'm inviting you.
And your mom is going to make these.

He's my new favorite of the kids' friends.

Crunchy Caramel Balls
1 large pkg. jumbo marshmallows
1-12oz. pkg. caramels
1-14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter or margarine
Rice Krispies

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt together the caramels, milk and butter. Stir until creamy. Cool. Using tongs, dip each marshmallow in the caramel mixture, then roll in Rice Krispies. Set on waxed paper. Make 3 dozen plus. My variation:
I used Cocoa Krispies instead.

Next time, I want to dip them in the caramel.
And then a dark chocolate.
Maybe even add some red and/or green sprinkles.
Christmas treats!

Actually, I prefer salty treats to sweet treats.
In case you were thinking.
About what to bring to my house during the holidays.
But I will accept anything, really.

I hate to be picky.

What Happens When You're the Baby

Your shorts become lederhosen.

That's what the older kids call this.
I have no idea why.
But it's always a guaranteed laugh.
Especially when it rides up the rear.
(we are classy and dignified people) Even Jobe thinks it's funny.
For now anyway...

Odd Occurances

There's been odd things happening here lately.
Not odd, odd really.
Just odd.
Unusual.

Jobie has had a fever for 3 days now.
Complaining of his tummy hurting.
In summer.
I thought we weren't supposed to get sick in summer.

I have a cold.
In summer.
No runny nose.
No stuffiness.
Just a cough.
A nasty cough.
The kind that makes everyone around holler "shut UP!"
We're loving like that.

My glass 9x13 pan shattered on me yesterday.
I barely bumped it.
My other two 9x13s are metal.
I don't use the glass one as much.
But for some reason there are certain things I like to make in it.
Have to get a new one.

Our chest freezer went out Wednesday.
It was full.
Full, full.
Fortunately, I discovered it before the meat had thawed.
It was my grandma's.
It was old.
It was gold.
With a faux wood top.
I'm a little sad about it.
I remember that freezer in my grandma's dining room.
Dining room.
We're fancy like that.
Ryan was able to come home a little early.
We ran to Sears before they closed.
And bought a new freezer.
That's money I would have much rather spent elsewhere.

My parents are on vacation.
A few weeks back my dad found a horny toad.
He caught it.
Brought it home.
Bought an aquarium for it.
All because he knew some of the grandkids had never seen one.
He's cool like that.
Brookie named him Steve.
No idea why.
She seemed to take a liking to him.
So my dad asked her to take care of Steve while they were gone.
He brought Steve over.
Gave her money to buy crickets for him.
Ummm.
Steve died.
Tuesday we came home with fresh crickets for him.
He was stiff.
And now we are wondering if Steve is a Stevette.
It looks like Steve died trying to lay eggs.
There's something odd happening "down there".
Brookelynn put Steve in a baggie.
In my freezer.
In the kitchen.
Now every time I open the freezer.
There's Steve.
Neck stretched out.
Mouth hanging open.
Staring at me.
Nice.
She wants Grandpa to perform a funeral.
Won't that be fun?
Her new nickname is Steve Killer.
We're forgiving like that.