Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Sweet Potato Biscuits

This is a recipe I want to try. If any of you try it, let me know how you liked it.

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Recipe created by Cristina Ferrare



Sweet potato biscuits are a mouth-watering addition to any holiday table.


Ingredients:Makes 15–18 biscuits


2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 cup (half a stick) cold butter
3 Tbsp. cold vegetable shortening
1 cup mashed sweet potato
6 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. melted butter
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine flour, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt in a bowl. Add cold butter and vegetable shortening and mix until crumbly. Add mashed sweet potatoes and milk. Stir until you have dough. Chill dough in refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Knead dough on floured surface—do not overwork. Roll dough to a 1/2-inch thickness and cut with a 1.5-inch biscuit cutter. Place biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops of biscuits with melted butter. Bake for 12 minutes or until nicely browned.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Who is that cutie?

Kelly the navigator (Florida Trip)
Carleigh snoozin her way to Florida
Carleigh the Diva

No more tears!


Carleigh keeping the shampoo out of her eyes

Just Pictures from the past

Greg, Vandy and Kelly



Carleigh and Vandy - Slumber party on the floor!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELIA!! (Oct 27th)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VELVET!! (Oct 20th)

Well, this wish is almost a month late, but better late than never.

Bold at age 7

My laugh for the night:

Debbie, Kelly and Greg are watching The Animal Channel; Carleigh is doing homework in another room.

Carleigh comes in the room, looks at Greg and says:
'Give me your wallet!" (quite demanding little thing!!)

I start howling with laughter and Greg informs her that she doesn't need his wallet.
She says - I DO need your wallet!! Of course, Greg asks her why she thinks she needs his wallet.

For now, the answer was that she needed it in order to complete her homework. The assignment is to count the amount of change in a pocket or purse. I have a feeling that she will be just as bold in the future when she wants to go to the mall or somewhere else where 'Daddy's wallet' is required!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Our Economic State

This says it all!

Our Economic State




Get this and other graphics from www.pyzam.com

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Our New Pony - Truman



This cute little thing is our new pony. He is Kelly's, Carleigh's and my Christmas present for the next, oh...10 years??!!

His show name is "The Truman Show", and we call him Truman. He is a 10 year old, 14.1 hand, beautiful paint pony. We got him Friday night so we are taking the next couple of weeks to get more familiar with him. He is a little fast and we are going to have to learn how to work together, but it seems like he is going to work out. We are really excited about getting him! He came from Naples, Florida from Holly Homewood who worked with him and trained him for over a year. Thanks Holly (and Angela)! I'm sure there will be lots more posts about him in the future.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Vandy Girl - Happy 14th Birthday!

Our sweet baby Vandy Girl has a birthday on October 12th. She is definitely showing signs of her age, but she is still the sweetest little puppy to me!

Carleigh is already practicing her birthday singing skills.

Road Trip! Tina Turner Concert in Chicago!


My favorite Tina Song....
You Better Be Good To Me!! That's how its gotta be now...Cause I don't have no use for what you loosely call the truth, you better be good to me!!!

For all you youngsters out there, even though Tina is about 100 years old, she DOES NOT look it and she actually put on a pretty good concert! I'm not a huge Tina fan, but I do really like some of her songs. My college girl friends and I wore out the above song singing it to our boyfriends in college. And yes, believe it or not, Greg was the one I was singing it to!

My sister, Angela, and I took our girls (Ashley, Kelly and Carleigh) to the concert. They were by far the youngest people there, but they did enjoy the concert and the trip to Chicago.

Some of you may be more familiar with "Rolling on the River" - (song name is actually "Proud Mary") and "What's Love Got to Do With It?". And, for those that didn't know it, Tina grew up outside of Brownsville in Nutbush. She even wrote a song about it called Nutbush City Limits. Rumor has it that Oprah, Stedman, and Tom Cruise were at the Chicago concert on Friday - however, we were there on Saturday.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sleep-over fun


Kelly invited her friend, Michelle, to a sleep-over tonight. Kelly and Michelle became good friends through their competitive gymnastics team. Kelly burned out and quit last year, but Michelle is still competing. Even though Michelle is a tiny little thing, she is only a year younger than Kelly.

The theme of the sleepover must have been 'You Tube Fun' because they were in Kelly's room hooting and hollering over the 'you tube videos' they were watching. I couldn't resist snapping this picture of them.

They want to create some videos tomorrow and post to 'you tube'. We will have to see about that!

Tooth Fairy

Kelly had 6 of her baby teeth removed on Thursday. An oral surgeon in Germantown did the extractions and he was just wonderful. They gave her a little valium to help her relax and take the edge off. Then, they gave her anesthesia so she wouldn't be awake during the procedure.



The first picture is of her about 30 minutes after the valium.




This picture is of Kelly and the nurse after the procedure. She does not remember sitting down in the office, or anything that she said on the way home. She was pretty funny in her 'medicinal stupor'. In case you are wondering, she has guaze in her mouth.
She left a note for the tooth fairy that night that said....

Dear Tooth Fairy,
I just had surgery and got 6 teeth pulled and went through pain, so can you please give me a little exra money please!

I think the tooth fairy felt sorry for her and gave her some extra money AND a new Webkinz. Kelly seemed to be pretty happy about that!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Where there's smoke....

Thank goodness there was no fire....this time!!

This is what you get when you put your computer bag on the stove, and somehow by putting the bag on the stove you accidently turn it on......



After putting my bag on the stove, I turned around to read the mail. It wasn't long before I started smelling something funny. I turned around and saw smoke billowing from underneath the bag. You don't even WANT to know what I was saying as I yanked the bag from the stove!! Carleigh came running in the kitchen wanting to know what was going on.

We immediately opened the doors and windows to let the smoke out. I was so thankful that I didn't go to the back of the house like I usually do. For some reason, the smoke detectors didn't go off, even though the batteries are still working. Maybe it was the lightening speed in which I yanked the bag off the stove. I don't usually put my computer bag on the stove, and I don't know why I did on Friday. But I do know that I will not do it again!!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Oh, Puh-LEEEEZE, Woman!!!

Tonight's highlight conversation between Kelly (10) and Carleigh (7).

Carleigh: Kelly, how much money do you think I have in Webkinz World?

Kelly: Like $10,000 or so

Carleigh: No, $12,070! (rather triumphantly)

Kelly: Well, I have over $30,000. You will never be able to catch up with me.

Carleigh: Oh, Puh-LEEEEZE, Woman!!!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Vandy Girl - Close Call for our Dog



This is our very sweet baby 'Vandy Girl'. She will be 14 in October and we were worried that she wouldn't live long enough for us to celebrate that milestone. Not that we have a party or anything, but we do take notice of it.

If you notice in the picture, Vandy is tilting her head to one side. The tilt is MUCH less noticeable now than it was this past weekend. Additionally, she was unable to stand on her own, but now she is getting her 'land legs' back. Her hips have been bothering her for quite some time and we thought that her legs/hips had just finally given out on her. Luckily for us, we are pretty sure it is old dog 'Vestibular Disease' (symptoms like inner ear problems).

Her poor little world was just spinning which caused her to be unable to get her balance. Our kids were devasted (no more so than I was) to think she might be in her last days, so we are just ecstatic for her to have this problem instead! We know the day will come, but we just aren't ready for it yet!!!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Baby Will Buckley pics (and family)





Big Brother Bay and baby Will (in the picture below)






Sunday, August 24, 2008

Happy Birthday, Angela!



Hugs and kisses and a million wishes coming your way....
Also, your birthday card is coming! Always late!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Beach Babes







We took our summer vacation with Angela, Ashley and Mike in Ft. Walton Beach. Everyone had a great time! These are some pictures of Ashley (13), Kelly (10), and Carleigh (7).

Uh...How did Uncle Mike get in this post (with the hat)??!! Sorry Mike and Greg, but you don't quite qualify for "beach babes"!

Crabbin' Around - Summer 2008




This is a poor sand crab that managed to be captured by Greg. The girls were quite intrigued by all the crabs they saw and caught. This crab was was fortunate enough to be put back out to sea immediately after inspection so its life was spared.

Kelly (10) and Carleigh (7) get one last look before the crab is taken back to the water.

The crab in the bucket wasn't so lucky....they had to learn the hard way that you shouldn't try to keep crabs in a bucket. If only Sponge Bob were around...isn't he the one who likes crabby patties?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Welcome, New Nephew!

My sister, Delia, had her baby boy today! Yeah!

I don't have a lot of the details, but this is what I know so far. (I'm getting this information from Angela and my mother for now, but I'll talk to her when she has time to rest some more).

His name is William Buckley and they are calling him Will. They named him after one of Jeff's good friends. We are not sure if they decided on his middle name yet.

He was born around 2:30 AM by C-section. He is just shy of 8 pounds and is healthy with dark hair (at least for now - he may end up with blonde hair like Bay). Delia is pretty tired after being in labor for 2 nights and then going through the ordeal of a C-section. The baby is having some problems with his gag reflex and holding down his milk, but other than that he appears to be just fine.

Congratulations Delia, Jeff and Bay on your newest little addition! Can't wait to see him!!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Chinese Buffalo Place

Kids say the funniest things! Carleigh wanted to eat at one of the Chinese Buffets in Memphis after her guitar lesson. Her memory of Chinese Buffet came out a little different: Mommy, I want to eat at the Chinese Buffalo place. That suited me, so we went to one and had our dinner. It was really late - about 9:00 pm, so we got the left-overs.

Well, Carleigh must have eaten something that did not sit well with her. She spent the middle of the night and the next day or two in the bathroom. She told us that she never wanted to eat at the Chinese Buffalo place again!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

What hit me??

You would think that I took an advanced Pilates class by the way I feel. But no, it was just a one hour horse-riding lesson - very basic horse riding lesson. Sitting behind a desk for too many years has taken its toll on my body. I think I hear it saying, "You're too old for this! Please just take up knitting or cross stitching instead!".

The kids make it look so easy. And they never complain that they are sore after a lesson. My trainer suggested that I pretend to post at home to get into shape for it.
If you want to get the exercise of horse riding without the fees associated with it, you can do the following:

1.Pick a wide chair in your house -- one that does not have arms...maybe a dining room table chair.
2.Put a pillow in the chair to make it a little wider, like it has a saddle and saddle pad. Go ahead and sit down...get a little comfortable. I did say to straddle the chair didn't I? Face the back of the chair and pretend the back of the chair is the horses neck/head.
3. Now, pretend your horse is trotting and start posting.
4. Up
5. Down
6. Up...Down
7. Barely sit down before you go up again.
8. That's it....Up, down, up, down....you're doing great. If it gets too much for you, you can sit, but don't get up. Just rest for a few minutes, then do it again.
9. Come on, just another 45 minutes left. Then, you too, can feel like I do! That is, only if you are as out of shape as I am.

Just try it....misery loves company. And, who knows....tomorrow just might be your day to ride a horse! You will be ready.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

19 Blissful Years and counting!

Happy Birthday AND Happy Anniversary, Greg! Greg and I have been married for 19 years today! Add the 7 years we dated prior to the wedding (yes, I did say 7), and I have been with him over half my life! What a birthday present...wonder if he wishes he had received a regular gift instead????!!!!

Sweet Lass, we'll miss you!


My sister, Angela, and her family lost a very sweet canine member of their family on June 20th. Lass is a Brittany and is just the sweetest dog you could ever meet. Our Brittany, Vandy, will be 14 this year and I think Lass was already 14 when she died. This picture is of Lass in her final days. She will be greatly missed!
link to their page at www.brooksfamilybog.blogspot.com

Sunday, June 15, 2008

More Birthdays!


Happy Birthday to:

Susan (Greg's Sister) - June 9th
Mike (Angela's husband) - June 19th
Greg - June 24th
Jeff (Delia's husband) June 24th
Troy - June 26th (Where are you, Troy??!!)
Lisa English - June 30th

The peonies are for Susan....Happy Birthday Susan..I hope you like your present!!

P.S. Happy Anniversary Angela and Mike - June 20th

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Happy Birthday to my family!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

BAY - MAY 2 (13 YEARS)
ASHLEY - MAY 12 (13 YEARS)
JASON - MAY 20 (21 - I THINK)
MOM - MAY 25 (YOUNG AT HEART)

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Carleigh's Photo Session by Mom

Cute pictures of Carleigh before a dinner out with the family.


Monday, April 7, 2008

Delia is Pregnant!!

My sister, Delia, is going to have another baby!!! Yeah!! She is about 5 and a half months pregnant now. The nurses tell her that they are pretty sure the baby will be a boy. Delia and Jeff already have one son, Bay, who will be 13 years old in May. We sure hate that they live so far away in Naples...we want to get to know our new little nephew (or niece) and want to see them WAY more often than we do now!

Our Moss cousins are having babies (the latest is Phillip and Renie), so I guess Delia is going to join the club and expand on our side too!!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Pictures








These are some pictures I have been wanting to post for a while. Included in these pictures are: Greg's mother; Greg's sister and Brother-in-law, Susan and Mike; our nephew, Jason; Jason's girlfriend, Leslie; and of course, Greg, Kelly and Carleigh. The cute dogs belong to Susan -- Chico and Goldie.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Happy 100th Birthday Carleigh





~~ Carleigh as 100 year old Woman ~~
Today is the 100th day of school so they needed to dress as though they were 100 years old. We think Carleigh could pass as at least 95!