Catherine Love~ Ramblings from my Heart and Home

Cowtown Boots

While we were on vacation, down in New Mexico, we went to Cowtown Boots to buy Eric some… well… boots. It was actually a late birthday present. He had already gotten his hat so all he needed was some real, authentic cowboy boots. Just so happened to by a cowboy store right there in town so we all went.

All of our Littles have cowboy boots and hats. You should see the lot of them. Today they all got dressed up to play outside as I’m assuming Cowboys and “bad guys”. Haha

There were many, many pairs of boots to look at when we went to Cowtown Boots, but these were my favourite. They look tough enough to ride a horse, yet they have a simple prairie look about them. Iffen I had the money I would bought fer myself. Not to mention the fact they were a purrty shade of green and brown that gave them that old-fashion look, and they lace up. Like ‘em?

Cowboy Caleb had fun being surrounded by all them boots. He tried a dozen pairs on before we had to stop him from shuffling through. I followed him down an aisle to see what he was doing and he said, “Joshalyn, where all them boots go?” as if he couldn’t find a pair…

Hikes and picnics go well together

Ah, another beautiful, breezy day today. Mid-70’s with none of that horrid heat of the past week that kept our ancient window a/c chugga- gugging.
Ahhh, I sit with the breeze ruffling the ends of my hair and contemplate the blissful energy-savings of not running the contraption.
We have so enjoyed this cooler weather. Mr. Steady had a church softball game Tuesday evening and we quite enjoyed watching and visiting with our church family.
On Wednesday, Mr. Steady and I both took the day off for a special family day at our local nature center.  We explored their special exhibit as well as their gardens, butterfly house and a couple of great hiking trails.
Tomorrow is suppose to be another day like today.
And there was a picnic lunch.
Created by yours truly in a fit of inspiration.
l didn’t want to do the same ol’ same old but wanted my family to know they were special. And how better to tell your family how special they are than with food?
I mean really!
First, I decided no paper products! Its not because I want to go green- although that’s a good 3^nd best reason- but because I wanted my family to feel special (and paper plates doesn’t exactly say “You’re special”) and because my momma gave me the most wonderful little picnic basket filled with cups and silverware and enamelware plates and red checkered cloth napkins.
Now we still had good ol’ sandwiches and the kidlets chose bologna- but Mr. Steady and I had yummy thick slices of ham (from the freezer) with garden fresh lettuce and tomato.
There was chunk cheese.
And of course, chips.
Grapes.
Homemade bacon ranch macaroni salad (something I whip together that Mr. Steady and Maiden just LOVE).
Raspberry Lemonade.
And the bestest little pies ever.
The kids named them Baby Berry Pies.
Aren’t they sweet?

Little graham cracker crusts with a generous dollop of Bavarian cream and topped with farm fresh black raspberries.
Delish.
Only thing that would have made it better (or gilded the lily) would have been a dollop of fresh whip cream on top.
I’ve noted that for next time.
We were so full from such a delicious lunch that we ended up scrapping my meal plan for supper and had a small batch of nachos instead.
While hiking we spotted two wild turkeys plus various birds, a chipmunk and Maiden swears she almost stepped on a snake.
We didn’t see the snake but Mr. Conductor and I found four snake skins nearby.
Very cool.

Photos: Kiddos and I after our last hike. Enjoying a Baby Berry Pie.

Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!!

OK...I'm going to see if I can get this to work 'cause the link is LONG!

Staples is having their annual Teacher Appreciation Days.  I take advantage of this every year.  In case you don't know, homeschoolers CAN get a Staples Teacher Rewards card/key ring tag!!  Be sure to let the clerk swipe it at every visit.

Here is the link that you can go to and find out the date of your local Staples' Teacher Appreciation Day.

Hope this works...

http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/tad_2008/?storeId=10001&cm_ven=Glamour&cm_ite=teacherday&cm_mmc=email_retail_TRW-_-CORP_TRW-_-TRW-_-TeacherDay&cm_lm=ex:WOLFHOMESCHOOL@NETZERO.COM

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

Here is a family favorite I thought I would share w/you.  Our family has had the pleasure of going to Holmes County, Ohio ~ the largest Amish settlement in the world ~ a few times.  Once my dh and I enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend at an Bed & Breakfast there.  The husband had grown up Amish but left them to marry.  Their B&B was built by his Amish family members and looks just like an incredible Amish home.  The difference being that the whole 1st floor is made up of lovely, themed guest rooms (we stayed in Grandpa's Room) w/a good 1/3 of the 1st floor being a HUGE country kitchen and a wonderful country gathering room w/several tables and chairs (for those incredible breakfasts and freshly made pie in the evening!) and a relaxing living-area w/a fireplace, piano and comfy couch and chairs.  There is also a wrap-around porch.  The family that funs the B&B has the entire upstairs as their own "house."  That, of course, is a private area.    It's been a while since we've been there, if you're interested, I believe it's called Miller Haus.  It sets on the highest knoll of Holmes County.

Anyway...one of our incredible breakfasts while there was Amish French Toast!  I have made this from-time-to-time ever since!  If you try this, you will be in food heaven!    Let me know how you LOVE it! 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

eggs

milk

butter

bread

syrup

powdered sugar

~Mix w/fork 2 eggs and enough milk to cover (this you will do as necessary for each slice of bread)

~Melt butter into med/hot skillet (do this for each serving.  IF you MUST use margarine, use one that is non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance – I have to do this for one of my girls)

~Crack egg into skillet

~IMMEDIATELY soak a slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture and lay on top of the egg in the skillet; fry for about a minute or so until bottom egg is cooked through.

~Flip egg and bread – together – and let bread toast on other side.

~You MAY need to flip over on each side again until egg is fried to your satisfaction.

~Move egg/toast to a plate and top w/syrup and powdered sugar.

~ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Disappearing posts & caution

You may have noticed that I've locked a couple of posts.
My brother stopped by this little bloggy home and advised me that I should be more careful with what I say.
And I agree.
I like to think I maintain a bit of anonimity here with code names and not naming specific nearby places and such but one never knows.
You just never know.
I keep this blog for myself, the joy of writing, sharing that writing and hearing back from others. It's a grand thing.
I've never gone out of my way to share this blog with my family and friends- its not a way to stay in touch with far-flung kin--- its just me being a bit more me than I can be at times and at the same time a bit more anonymous than I can be at times.
I remember my surprise when I found that a friend had found my little blog here and had been reading it anonymously for quite some time. It was a bit unnerving and for awhile I found myself changing my writing style because of it.
Just my long winded way of saying I must "proceed with caution".
Oh and go here to check out my brother's business blog.
Hi Roo!