A- Age: 36

B- Bed size: King and wouldn't have it any other way!

C- Chore you hate: Folding the "whites" laundry.

D- Dog's name: I don't have a dog anymore...I have a child with asthma and a child with allergies.

E- Essential food/item: frozen, boneless, skinless breasts, cheese, cereal, and whole wheat bagels with veggie cream cheese.

F- Favorite color: green

G- Gold or silver: Most definitely Silver

H- Height: 5'3"

I- I am: not looking forward to moving. Not. At. All.

J- Job: I'm a part-time preschool teacher and I sub at my boy's school if they call me on my days off.

K- Kids: 2 boys.

L- Living arrangements: with my husband and two boys.

M-Mom's name: Debra

N- Nickname: Jen, Jenni, Jiffiner

O- Overnight hospital stay: When I was 17 and diagnosed with endometriosis, then having my two boys at 27 and 29. Then when Seth was in the hospital this past summer.

P- Pet peeve: Driving, cruising, not passing in the left lane. Someone throwing cigarette butss out the window. Popping gum. Children not using their inside voice inside!

Q- Quote from a movie: I am constantly amazed by people who remember quotes from anything.

R- Right or left handed: Left

S- Siblings: I was raised as an only child, but I have two great step-sisters now.

T- Time you wake up: 6:00-6:30AM, Saturdays as late as I can!

U- Unique thing about your car: My car is not unique. Well I guess it is around here since everyone in north Louisiana drives a white Yukon or Tahoe it seems!

V- Vegetable you hate: Olives and that's it. I even don't mind brussel sprouts.

W- Ways you run late: I am a punctual person 99 percent of the time.

X- X-rays you've had: Can't even count or remember them all.

Y- Yummy food you make: Chocolate chip cookies.

Z- Zoo favorite: The big cats.

Not to brag...

but I like MY pot roast recipe MUCH better than The Pioneer Woman's! WOW. I'm really surprised. My family likes mine better too.

Lemon Loaf

I made this yummy lemon loaf last night. I love anything lemon! It reminds me of spring and summer and since we are aren't getting snow around here anymore, I'm ready for spring!

Here's the recipe. I substituted the oil for 1/2 cup of applesauce to save on fat and it still tasted wonderful! Next time, I think I'll try just the egg whites to see if I can save there.

Lemon Loaf

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 T softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
grated lemon rind (I used 1/2 a lemon's worth in batter and 1/2 in glaze)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I subbed 1/2 c of applesauce)

---Lemon Icing---

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 T water
1 t lemon juice
grated lemon rind

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, blend eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract, lemon rind, and lemon juice with an electric mixer.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix just until smooth.

Pour into a well-greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes.

When loaf is cool, remove from pan and ice with icing.

Slice into 1" slices.

Weekly Menu and I love the Pioneer Woman!

I love the Pioneer Woman I got her cookbook for Christmas and have made several of her recipes. I'm going to try a couple of new ones this week...HER pot roast and HER enchiladas. We'll see if her's are better than mine. ;)

Here's what we are having this week:

Mon: BBQ, grilled polish sausage, Pioneer Woman potato skins, broccoli salad
Tues: Pioneer Woman Pot Roast with carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls
Wed: Church Bulletin night at Chick Fil A!
Thurs: Pioneer Woman Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Salad
Fri: Out to eat (sidenote: I'm SO tired of the restaurants here...guess it IS time to move!) ;)
Sat: Pizza/Movie Night Homemade "make your own pizza".
Sun: Baked Chicken, Homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, rolls

Lifetime Achievement Award

My Papaw Walker was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for DeQueen/Sevier County this week. I'm so proud of my grandfather and love him so much! He sure has come along way (and been through so much) since last April. God is good and answers prayers.



Here's what was on the local radio station's website:




Lifetime Achievement Award


The last award of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award. We do not give this award every year….It is reserved for that special individual who has spent their life going Above and Beyond what is required of them for the betterment of their community.



The recipient this year and is well-qualified for this honor and I feel that he is one of the most respected people in our community. He has spent his life loving and serving the Lord and has always been there to help those in need.



Bro. J. L. Walker was ordained in the ministry in 1951. He moved to Horatio in 1956 to become the minister of the First Assembly of God Church, where he preached and took care of his congregation and community for over 54 years.



He has blessed countless numbers by officiating at weddings, sitting by bedsides for sickness, births and funerals. He never refused to officiate a funeral when called, even the difficult ones for the people whom he did not know.



He was a Sevier County road employee beginning with Judge Coulter and worked until his retirement under Judge Tallman.



He loves music and still visits the nursing homes monthly. Everyone loves his BBQ, which he prepares any time he receives a call to help with a benefit.



He and Ms. Irma have 10 children, 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Wasting Time (stolen from Leslie)

I've had such a busy, crazy day! Nothing really major, just being around very excited preschoolers, my own kids, and AWANA kids. So now I'm sitting just chilling watching TV and perusing blogs. Leslie always posts these fun things and I'm going to steal it from her.

1. What would you like to appear in your hands right now?
a piece of chocolate.

2. What was the last thing you ate?
Chicken

3. What is your favorite episode of a tv show?
When Derek and Meredith got back together on Grey's.

4. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
No

5. Which is better, your cursive or your printing?
my cursive

6. What photos are living on your camera right now, waiting to be downloaded? And why are they still there?
None. I just downloaded them yesterday.

7. How many pregnant women do you know?
Several, like at least 6 that I can count right now.

8. Three things you did this past weekend:
Scrapbooked, played Bunco, and took the kids to the park.

9. If you could only visit three websites for the next month, which would you choose?
Facebook, Yahoo mail, and Blogger.

10. What did your family do for vacations when you were a child?
Sadly we didn't take vacations as a family unless it involved the nearest lake or deer camp. sigh...

11. Law & Order or Boston Legal?
Law and Order

12. Do you mind if guests show up uninvited?
I don't mind at all. I love guests. Well the ones I know.

13. When will you next travel by plane?
I hope to go to San Diego to visit our dear friends in the next few months.

14. What did the last text message you received say?
it said..."Well then he won't get his present."

15. When was the last time you got dressed up?
Like major dressed up was Nathan's military ball in Oct of 08.

16. The perfect sign of affection is:
Hugs

17. Do you use your real name online or do you go by a screen name?
I don't know

18. What do you miss when you’re away from home?
my bed

19. What are you completely & totally over hearing about, reading about, discussing ad nauseum?
Tiger Woods for sure.

20. Do you reply to comments on your blog?
Yeah sometimes

21. What are three things that you are looking forward to?
Visiting Charleston and Savannah, Disney World, John Mayer concert!!!

22. What is your favorite kind of tree?
Magolia or a blooming mulberry (aka umbrella trees)

23. What is the newest thing you own?
Some clothes from Old Navy

24. If I do anything well, it’s:
not sure. I can cook ok I think.

25. What is your favorite dessert?
Cheesecake

26. Do you use a planner?
No

27. What is your all-time favorite tv comedy?
Friends

28. What is your current obsession?
Diet Dr. Pepper, especially from Sonic, reading blogs, facebooking, handmade/handstamped jewelry, ID Channel, Aveda products, "Battle Studies" album, My IPOD and downloading music, Sassafrass and Cosmo Cricket paper, and as always, Target.

29. Three signs Spring is here:
Those yellow flowers popping up, wanting to clean, (worse)allergies for my poor, allergic kids.

30. Do you balance your checkbook or wing it?
I wing it and check it online often.

31. What kind of grapes do you prefer?
Red seedless

32. What is your favorite store-bought cookie?
I love Oreos

33. What was your fifth grade teacher’s name?
Miss Guire and she was my favorite.

34. High school was:
a wonderful time for me.

35. Describe your dream kitchen.
I'd have tons of cabinet space, counter tops like I have now and Electrolux appliances. And I want an island and a HUGE pantry.

36. What would you really like to purchase?
A cricut and a new handgun...seriously.

37. How many of your friendships have lasted more than a decade?
alot, maybe not close close since Uncle Sam keeps me on the move.

38. Are there times when you still feel like a kid?
Not at all. It's hard to when I take care of my two boys and preschoolers all day.

39. What teacher from high school comes to mind first?
Mrs. Hodges my amazing English/Lit teacher/Cheerleading sponsor.

40. What magazines do you read?
Southern Living, Real Simple, People, and Scrapbooks Etc.

Mardi Gras Parade at the Boardwalk

On Tuesday, February 16th, we went to the Mardi Gras parade at the Boardwalk. This parade is a 'tame' parade and geared towards children. The highlight of the parade was getting to see Billy the Exterminator from VexCon, but by the time I could get a picture, he had his back to us! Darn!

Canvas People

I saw this advertisement on someone's blog about getting a free canvas from http://www.canvaspeople.com/ You can get a free 8X10 canvas...just pay the shipping OR you can get a huge discount on the larger ones. I got this canvas of one my favorite pictures of the boys. I got if for around $20 because they were having an even better special the day I ordered. Processing time is super fast and I received it the day after they shipped! I LOVE IT! Now just need to figure out where to hang it.

Our (rare) Louisiana Snow Day!

On Friday, Feb 12th, we got a couple of inches of snow! The boys (and I) were out of school so we had a fun morning playing in it. My boys are SNOW BABIES! They love it...wonder if it has anything to do with them being born in Wyoming...one of the "snowiest" states??!

Photo Cube

I have so many of these 4X4 wooden blocks, that my husband cut out of landscaping timbers, so I've decided to start altering some into photo cubes. This is one I made today. First, I sanded the block, then I painted the block and decorative wooden "feet" with a couple of coats of craft paint. I attached the wooden "feet" with wood glue and then decorated with scrapbook paper and embellishments using Mod-Podge. I then added pictures to each side also using Mod-Podge. These are so fun to create and make fun gifts too!

Battle Studies World Tour 2010

WE. ARE. GOING! I got tickets today! Nathan and I are going to see John Mayer in Dallas on March 9th! I can't wait!

Valentine Altered Target Mailboxes and $1 Michael's Frames

I bought the cutest Valentine's Day paper and scrapbook stuff at Michael's last week. I couldn't wait to use some of it so I made a couple of frames and some altered Target mailboxes for the boy's teachers and bus driver. The mailboxes are so easy and turn out so cute! And I think getting some new, fun supplies has motivated me to scrap more...I hope to get some layouts done today since I'm off.

100th Day of School

This is what Seth wanted to do for his 100th day of school shirt. I hot-glued 100 tootsie rolls to that shirt! And yes, it was a bit heavy!

Happy Birthday Nate!

Last year in his 30s!

My Straight A Kids!

Meal Planning

Here's what we are having the next two weeks:
Monday: Party sandwiches and chips
Tuesday: Greek chicken, black eyed peas, and rolls
Wednesday: Chick Fil A (love how they do the special, "Bring your church bulletin from the previous Sunday, Buy one combo meal, get one free".
Thursday; Spaghetti and meatballs (both homemade), salad, garlic bread
Friday: Out to eat
Saturday: Filets (steak), twiced baked potatoes, and garlic bread
Sunday: Beef Stew Corbread

Monday: Grilled chicken, Pioneer Woman cheesy potatoes, fresh green beans
Tuesday: Ground beef tacos, rice and refried Beans
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Baked tilapia, roasted potatoes and broccoli, rolls
Friday: Whatever, leftovers or out to eat
Saturday: Homemade pizza
Sunday: Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots, asparagus, homemade bread (well Rhodes frozen dough)

Seth's Birthday Party Sleepover