Sunday, September 30, 2007

The best Beer.rocks - A family tradition


Thought I would share the recipe for a family favorite. At my house, we call them "cabbage burgers" but they are known to others as "beerrocks". I make this recipe with the help of my kids, they are fun to work on together and very delish! I'm thrilled that my kids love them.


The best Beer.rocks start with Bridgeford frozen bread dough. Thaw the bread dough and let it rise per the package directions. I use all three loaves that come in the package. Each loaf makes about 7 or 8 beerrocks. I cover the dough as it rises with a clean dish towel, just so the tops of the dough don't form a hard crust on them.


Use 3 lbs. of hamburger meat

1 large yellow onion

1 large head of cabbage

salt

pepper

garlic powder

Brown the hamburger and onions. (using part mild german sausage is optional, I usually just use hamburger)

Salt, pepper and add garlic powder to taste.
Chop the cabbage like you would a rough cut slaw. I like chunky larger pieces of cabbage, but thinly sliced is fine too. You really can't mess this one up.

Add all the cabbage to the cooked hamburger mixture and cover w/ a lid. Let it steam and cook down, stirring (and tasting) occasionally. Season to taste.
Let the mixture cool completley.

While it's cooling you can split up the risen bread dough into smaller pieces, usually 7 or 8 smaller roll size per loaf. Flour your surface well and your rolling pin well. Roll out into small circles, stuff with the cooled mixture, gathering them on the bottom and pinching them closed - shape them into small round roll shapes.

Bake in the oven at 350* for about 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

My kids like these served with ketchup or honey bar-b-q sauce.

Enjoy


These freeze really well. Just pop them into a ziplock bag. They are perfect for game nights when we don't have time for a huge dinner, but need to grab something quick and filling. Just pop them back into the oven to warm for about 10-15 minutes. You'll need to cover them with foil when you rewarm them in the oven so the tops of them don't get too brown. I like to serve them with another veggie like corn on the cobb.




Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Taking a little Homework Break.....








In between math problems and the list of 20 spelling words, we take a break....have a little fun in the backyard. We take 15 minutes in the day for each other. It's nothing spectacular, just a chance to run outside, throw the football, help Dad w/ a project. It's our little piece of quality time together. We try to have just a little bit everyday, sometimes we all watch Wheel of Fortune together. That's perfect for us. No it's not a walk thru the park or a trip to the zoo. It's just a simple way of being together.


When I was little it was a drive to Merced. It was actually 30 minutes in the car when we would talk, argue, laugh. It was our only time that we could bond w/ Mom. I loved it, still think about it. We used to drive to Merced on Saturday mornings for shopping. Sometimes we'd come home with nothing. It took me a very long time to figure out that it wasn't always about the shopping, it was more about the drive and time we made for each other.


How do you make time for each other? Do you have your "Wheel of Fortune" moments...where you turn to each and smile because you both guessed the same puzzle. Corny? maybe, but it's our time :) our little break from the world to just be in the moment.....together.


Saturday, September 22, 2007

Welcome Fall!



Celebrating a new season! Sprinkles on the back patio, kids thinking of Halloween, mini pumpkins to decorate.


Happy Fall Colors Everywhere!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Maintenance Mode




We have been working non-stop to keep our little cabin in the woods maintained. Thank God for men that know how to use power tools and for good work friends. Glenn and Scott took on the side job of restoring our cabin and giving it a fresh new coat of paint. We are finally in the finishing stages of the project. Rich and I just need to put a fresh coat on the front of the lower level basement. I'm excited that we'll be able to kick back and enjoy the Fall days soon!!


Before and after pictures for you to see what we've been up to. We used all Behr paint for the job and the orangy color is called "ground nutmeg". It's a deep, rich pumpkin color and so pretty in a mountain community. Exactly the look we wanted. Trim paint is "hampton" and a dark olive green. I love the green! So happy with the results to far!!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Why do you carry that camera in your purse?.....




It's a question that I've heard at least 100 times over the years. I've been taking picutres since I was 12 yrs. I've been carrying my camera with me everywhere I go for decades! It's a part of me....my camera is like an extension of me, who am I...what I love!


Well, Never more thankful for the silly habit, when Arnold and Bubba showed up at work yesterday afternoon!


The Govenor came to Children's Hospital to talk about his platform for healthcare reform, Alan Autry to support his position on creating "affordable healthcare" for all of Californians. His plans for health care changes would have an impact on all of our lives, the lives of the children we serve, and maybe one day...all of Americans. It's an exciting time to witness the changes that will happen in our community and in California.


Could Universal healthcare be the answer? The answer for serving families that go years without coverage? The answer for children that go unattended by a physician, because healthcare is unaffordable? Maybe we'll find out in our lifetime, for today....just happy to be able to capture the moment :)
"I'll be Back"!






Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Spit Shined for picture day....





These photos cost me $10....I had to bribe them to sit still this morning. LOL! No lie!




I think it's a classic out in front of my truck. It will bring smiles to me in years to come, as it does today! Well worth $10 bucks don't ya think?






Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Journal Tag Book



There is nothing more fun than staying up late and scrapping. I haven't done it in a long time, but decided I would stay up late and keep Mellie company the other night. While she stayed up working on her 60 little ablums for her class, I made this "journal tag book". My modern version of a "Diary".


I really wish I had time to keep a real journal or daily diary. I don't have that kind of time in my life right now. I'm VERY realistic....... I know that my life is hectic and I won't keep up on a traditional journal. I can, however, take a few minutes during a break, or while waiting to pick up kids, to jot down a favorite memory of my day. This little journal tag book is 3.5 x 4.5" and just big enough for a little note. I use the tag to remind me of a special event, a favorite quote, or even use the tag itself on a layout.


I think it's important for us to cherish something special and wonderful about each day. This little book will help me do that.


Have a sweet, memorable day!

reen

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Whoooooo....Whooooooooooooooo!!!


A little owl crazy today! So sweet and so very wise! Had some fun scrapping and making this cute little owl tag for my layout. Who makes tags anymore? I think the tag craze died w/ the paper dolls. Tags???? They seem to have gone out of style on layouts, but I'm going to revive them.....at least for this layout anyway. I still love tags....still collect them...lots of them.
This one inspired by Erikia Ghumm in Scrapbook Etc. Sept. issue.

Hope you are loving the 3-day weekend