Superbowl, Cracker Barrel and Costco!

What more could you ask for right?

We set out this morning with a ton of errands to run, our first stop was Costco. We got a membership back in July and haven't been back since, so today we decided to go in and get a few bulk items AND our passport photos taken.

I didn't know that Costco did them and I was surprised to find out that not only are they really cheap, $4.99 a set of two.....but they're also really good. I think they turned out perfect. Now if the cheap inexpensive photos and the bulk cheaper items are not incentive enough, you could always do what I do. Enjoy all the free food samples LOL
Seriously, by the time you leave the store you have had lunch and dessert. We tried meatballs, pork loin, chicken soup and chocolate banana cream pie........which ended up coming home with us, couldn't leave it behind of course LOL

We also picked up one of these Can Organizers for only $20. I think Laura will be extremely proud of me LOL My cans all fit perfectly, it's expandable AND you can make the sections as wide or as thin as you like. It also brings it's own little labels, I haven't put them on yet.

One of the things we eat a lot as snacks are Pretzels and these Costco Sourdough Ones in the big tub are just to die for. I also picked up a huge jar of olives, Granulated Garlic and Chopped Onion. Those big tubs were only $3 and it will last me a couple months at least.

Of course you can't leave without looking at the books and when you see something like this, you have to grab, place in the cart and quickly proceed to the checkout so you're not tempted to get any more. I've quickly flipped through it and GOODNESS GRACIOUS, I don't think I saw one recipe on there that I didn't like. I can't wait to try them all and share them with you on our Slow Cooking Thursdays.

After we left Costco it was lunch time and we headed to Cracker Barrel. Not just because it's our favorite but it's again, inexpensive and good homemade food. No matter how many times I go to that place, I am always amazed at the decorations inside, the old photographs, the antiques hanging on the walls and that little Peg Game sitting on the table. It just feels like home....well, if you live at Cracker Barrel I mean LOL




You can't leave without a quick game of Checkers, some fighting over who beat who and who is cheating and also, getting your shoe stuck on the bottom of the rocker *looks at Jasmine* LOL



This Cracker Barrel is just across the street from the Cardinals Stadium and let me tell you, it is CRAZY out there. Traffic Jams, parking lots overflowing with cars, people on foot, police and helicopters just nuts.

I was able to snap two pictures of the stadium as we drove by because getting anywhere near it was impossible. We actually had to put up a paper in our car for the restaurant parking, they were monitoring all the parking lots to make sure that it wasn't for the superbowl.

We decided to give up trying to get near it and just came home. I got the groceries and the Costco stuff put away and then took the kids to the BX. They didn't know what was going on, I just told them we were going there for something really neat.......when we arrived there was already a line waiting. Jason Bell from the NY Giants was signing autographs at the BX, the kids were so excited, they don't really know who he is but they just knew that he had something to do with the Superbowl and that was enough for them. I bought them each a football and then waited in line for almost an hour. He was running 45 minutes late.

But I tell you what, it was worth it. I have never come across a sweeter, kinder, well mannered young guy. He was really cute with Jasmine and Nicholas, he wanted Nicholas to sit by him for the photograph and even joked back and forth with him about the football that Nicholas didn't want to let go of. LOL
Then I asked him if he would mind signing a little paper for me and he said "Absolutely, the mommy deserves it too, after all you do most of the important work don't you?". He even let me take his picture and I could have just hugged him and taken him home with me LOL

Just one of the perks of being a military family, once in a while we get some celebrity coming to base, where else would you get a chance to interact with them and see them up close?






Yeah I'm a NY Giants fan now LOL I'm so easy, all it takes is a sweet football player to charm me and I'm a fan of the team *tee hee*

So all in all, it was a wonderful day, shopping, a great meal, meeting a famous person and now sitting here at the computer. The laundry is going, the dishes are washing, Nicholas is playing video games on the tv and Curt and Jasmine are playing a game online together. I'm about done with my blog and then I'm going to settle in to watch my first DVD from the "Tales from Avonlea" series. Outside the sky is getting really dark and there's the smell of rain in the air, I for one couldn't be happier, love the rain.

Happy Super Bowl Weekend everyone!!!

Well Hi everyone, come on in....

I don't think you want to stand out there in the rain and cold, it's foggy and miserable. Come sit with me for a bit, I've got hot "Foglifter" coffee freshly ground and brewed, and I also have some Cream Danishes and some Chocolate Donuts. I'm always prepared for the crowds LOL

It's just another Manic Monday here in Tater Land. I have to laugh because when Jasmine first started Kindergarten, she couldn't get to school fast enough, she was up earlier than me and ready to go. As the years have gone by, I kept telling her "you know this enthusiasm is not going to last very long" LOL

Well DUH, she's in second grade now and getting her up in the morning is worse than giving birth...really I could pop out a few kids faster than I can get that child out of bed.

She's also learnt that if she acts sick or really tired, that I think twice about sending her to school (not really, but she believes it LOL). So unless she's running a fever, throwing up or really really sick, she's going. I think she's finally getting the message!!!

So it's monday, we have a whole new week ahead of us, and I know I'm going to be super busy again, honestly, don't even try to call me on the phone, chances are I'm not here or too busy to get to it. Besides, like I've said before, I'm NOT a phone person, loosing someone's phone number is a GOOD day for me LOL
I should have been a hermit, I think I would have fitted in perfectly with that kind of lifestyle, isn't that sad???

I got my menus all done for this week, if you look to the right, you'll see it under Dinner Time and also at Laura's "Menu Plan Monday". There's yummy stuff being cooked all over blogland, my mouth is watering. As for my own menus, you can see things such as Slow Cooker Smothered Steak, Cornish Pies, Pastitsio etc....mmmm, yummy!!!

I'm trying to avoid running to the store today, I'm in one of those days where I really don't want to deal with kids and people??? Is that even possible, when you live ON.EARTH?!?!?!

But really, my trips to the stores are usually very stressful, there's the chasing after the kids, the yelling at the kids to stop fighting, the trying to grab everything as fast as possible only to get home and realize you've forgotten something as important as toilet paper....then have to wipe using napkins or worse PAPER TOWELS. Yeah, I've done that before!!!

And if that is not bad enough, you are all stressed and then get to the checkout and there is ALWAYS some single, hot, skinny, woman in front of me piling on vegetables and healthy stuff, while I start throwing in fruit snacks, chips, cookies, sodas and anything junky imaginable, it's not that I DON'T have the healthy stuff but for some reason, the bad ones always come out first. But what can you do huh???

I'm expecting a package from home, isn't it great when you know you're getting something from the family??? This one brings yummy goodies in in too, and some more curry powder, so I'm dying to get it. It also brings one of my all time favorite things...Bolo de Mel (Honey Cake) from Madeira.

It is SO good and it's been about 8 years since I've had any, so I can't wait to bite into it. It's one of those cakes that keeps very well, and lasts a while. I'm still looking for the best recipe for it, when I do, I'll be sure to share it with everyone :)

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and me being lazy and only this weekend removing the Halloween decorations, I was trying to come up with something fast and easy to make as a decoration for Thanksgiving, but I also wanted something that I could keep until Christmas. That is when I came upon one of my favorite Craft Blogs and found THIS...tell me is that not the perfect little garland???
For the leaf templates, go here. Guess what I'm making this week?!?!? AND, I also found a tutorial for a faster way to make pompoms, and the kids and I will be making some Turkey's for decorations. Just like the ones on Shanna's Mantle.

So there you have it, that's just some of the stuff I'll be working on this week. I also want to get started on the Christmas Name Ornaments, remember I put some up every year with the names of everyone in the family that can't be with us. Over the years I've used the plain ball ornaments and then decorated and wrote the names on them, but those were either broken by the kids (when they were little) or by the cats we used to have. Now I'm going for something made out of fabric...still having a hard time deciding on the pattern etc.

I have errands to run and house to clean, plus some clothes to iron AND I need to run to the post office to mail off the Family Portraits, yeah, that's how busy I've been that I totally forgot about those and I'm sure the family is wondering where they are, plus I have a book that needs to be mailed off for Paperbackswap. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever just fall down completely burned out, but I've also realized that I'm not one to lay around, I get bored really easily and twitchy...if ever you see me sitting on the couch and my eye starts twitching, giving me something to do, don't just stand there ok??? LOL

As you can see I have a lot on my plate right now and just not enough time in the day to get it all done. I do however plan on making some time to email my family and friends and come and visit your blogs. I think I'm pretty much caught up on everyone, but I know there's some I haven't made it to you yet. Soon, soon!!!

Have a blessed day,



Swedish Meatballs anyone??? It's one of those recipes that I always fall back to when I'm busy and don't have the energy to remember what to make with the ground beef. Going to serve them with some Butter Rice and some Green Beans :)




Rachael Ray

Gayle King shares the behind-the-scenes stories from her road trip with Oprah and plays Stump the Rach! Then, the must-have item for your wardrobe, and Dennie's advice for moms whose teens are headed into the dating game.

General Hospital

Carly agrees to give up her wedding date for Luke and Laura.

Wife Swap

A rhinestone cowgirl mother swaps with a mother who calls herself the CEO.

Bachelor Rome

Lorenzo takes the final three women on exotic dates in Sweden, Budapest and Sicily.

Laundry
Ironing
Cleaning
Errands