Osage Tooth Fairy

I just realized that my last blog was in February....YIKES!

 

For those of you who wondered where I've been, let me tell you, I've been all over God's green Earth and Home again!     We we home (my beautiful Osage Reservation) the whole month of June and stayed long enough to pop firecrackers at Pa-Pa's house in Grayhorse.    It was so nice visiting family, friends and the occasional foe.  Aye China!  

School has started again and I was so happy to be back on our schedules, you know those schedules that we didn't manage to pay attention to when it was summer vacation.    Dance Classes, Soccer Practice, Soccer Games and everything in between.   My other favorite part of school starting is that IT IS NOW FALL AND FOOTBALL SEASON!!!   (I was actually singing that part)   I love fall and everything it brings.....smells of apples, crisp mornings and evenings, cardigans (yes I said cardigans....I just wished Cole Haan's were popular again), stews and chili on the stove, and last but not least Football Games!    Oh yeah and baseball playoffs are starting to heat up!   

G-Men Won Last Night!!!

So let me tell you about G's latest adventure.....Last night she lost a tooth!   She wiggled that thing loose like it was a precious diamond in an African Diamond Mine.  We were both super excited and she couldn't wait to show Daddy.   As she was carrying it to the kitchen to put it on the counter she lost it....SHE LOST HER LOST TOOTH!   Oh my, you should have heard the wails coming from that child, I had a vision of her being an old Osage woman wailing her prayers in the morning sun, it was that bad!   We searched everywhere and everywhere!   

 

  She had herself completely convinced that the Tooth Fairy was invisible and took it from her early!  That DARN Tooth Fairy was trying to get off work early!!   G was ready to rip that poor Tooth Fairy's own teeth out!   I was completely baffled and sent her to her room for a bit.   If I was a tooth where would I be?   So being the loving Mommy,  I got down on my hands and knees and SEARCHED for that tooth....you would've thought I was searching for that Diamond.    AHA!   I found that tiny little tooth under the couch....how did it get there?   What the Heck!!!    So I ran and put it back on the napkin on the counter.    Later on she came back downstairs and SAW IT!   She was the happiest girl in the U.S.A!   "I knew the Tooth Fairy would bring it back b/c I didn't get to show Daddy" and "I bet the Tooth Fairy saw how much I was crying and wanted me to be happy"   Oh on and on about how the Tooth Fairy is the keenest thing!  

TA-DA!   All Smiles Again!

CHOCOLATE CAKE worth Fighting Over!!!

A few weeks ago I signed up for Pinterest and I found this chocolate cake recipe.   Sunday afternoon came around E and I were wanting something with chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate and my mind immediately went back to this recipe.   I printed it out and BAM! it was sealed in the history books.  I will never again buy a store box chocolate cake  b/c this was so easy to make!!!  

I bet if we took this cake to the United Nations it would end all wars, but then again it just may start a few fighting over the last piece!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

The only one you'll ever make again!!!

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour
2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Cocoa Powder
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs
1 C. Coffee cooled
1 C. Home made Buttermilk (Add 1 Tblsp. Vinegar into cup and fill remaining
Cup with Half and Half Cream)
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Real Vanilla Extract


Chocolate Frosting
1/2 C. Margarine, softened
2 oz. Melted Unsweetened Chocolate, cooled
3 C. Powered Sugar
3 Tbsp milk or Half/Half
2 tsp Real Vanilla Extract

(1 Tbsp. of Cocoa Powder if you taste and it isn't chocolate enough) 

First thing you do I make sure you have a cup of coffee.  I have a Keurig so getting a cup of coffee was easy.   I had 3/4 cup of fresh hot coffee but added enough ice cubes to bring it up to a full cup.

Next is make your homemade buttermilk.  I used half and half b/c it brings a bit of richness and this cake is very worth it!

This cake is so delicious and it even includes coffee and cream!   It cannot get any better!!!

Directions

1

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.           

2

Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.           

3

Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin.           

Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans.           

5

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans.   DO NOT OVER BAKE!!!!

6

Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

First mix all the dry ingredients together.

Mix well  b/c it distributes all the Cocoa Powder evenly.

Add all the wet ingredients together and beat it, just beat it...Whoo!  

Oh sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Also you well hear bubbles and crackling it from the vinegar and baking soda!   Yes!  if you have children they will love this part!!!

Remember DO NOT OVER BAKE!  

Once cooled completely prepare to set up for presentation....

I like to add icing only to the top and middle like an old fashion  look.   Almost as if this fabulous recipe has been passed down from your Great-Great Grandma!

February so far....

I haven't blogged in a while and boy do I feel  bad!   

It's February.....have you ever thought about how February is spelled and tried to pronounce it s-l-o-w-l-y???   It just seems weird when you say it slow....I bet you are trying it right now, huh? 

In case you didn't know....The Giants Won the Super Bowl and Limoncello was flowing!  It was a good time had by all....and it took me 2 days to recover from all the excitement and Limoncello!  

G and I went to the celebration at Giants Stadium!!!!   

I Celebrated my Birthday at Giants Stadium!  It was the best day.....We tail-gated, sat in the sunny side of the stadium, cheered, clapped, whooped and hollered!!!   We did eventually get wind-chapped but it was worth it!   G learned how to the "THE WAVE" with the crowd.    It was the BEST BIRTHDAY!

Next was Valentine's Day....

G and I made these super cute Valentine Cards.

It never ceases to amaze me what construction paper and imagination can create!

Valentine's Day was super stress free and simple.   I made homemade cheese pizza (Pillsbury pizza crust in the tube is AMAZING!  and worth trying!!!)

G planned a romantic dinner for us, she made place cards, asked if we could set up the candles and use wine glasses.    She is so sweet!   I just love her more and more!

So far so good!!! 

I have a Chocolate Cake recipe that I will be blogging soon!!!    I promise, so get your printers ready!!!

Giants, Buffalo Chx Dip, and snow all in the mix!

It officially snowed today!  YAY!!!   I'm so glad that I did all my Food Store shopping yesterday because I really don't want to be out with the CrAzIes when it snows!  

Taken at Giants Training Camp Aug. 2011

The Giants have BIG Game tomorrow and we are all super excited!   BIG BLUE!!    If they win this game they will be playing in the Super Bowl.  Ya Down with J.P.P?  Yeah you know me!!!  Ya Down with Big Blue D?  Yeah you know me!!   (I heard that song on FOX 5 news)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC_ucbiqKoQ

  I'm making Pulled Pork (for recipe look at blog PULLED PORK YOU'LL FALL APART FOR) and Baked Beans! 

Training Camp at the Meadowlands

For everyone else I thought I'd give you the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip (Always a fan favorite)!!!  My friend Kelly gave me this recipe back in 2008 and it has been pleasing appetites ever since!   

Buffalo Chicken Dip

16 oz. Cream Cheese-Softened (I usually nuke it to make it a bit smooth)

8-9 Oz. Franks Red Hot Sauce   (any Hot sauce will do)

2 cups (about 1 1/2 lbs.) boiled shredded Chicken  

1-2 TBSP Medium Salsa

1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Mexican Cheese

(will need more to add to top)

Melt Cream Cheese then add Hot Sauce, mix well until smooth.   Next add Chicken, Salsa and Cheddar Cheese.   Mix together and taste....if you want more spicy here is the time to add one or two more oz. of Hot Sauce.

Place into Baking dish and top with more cheddar cheese.   Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins or unitl beginning to brown. 

If you feel a little fancy you can add Blue Cheese dressing or Crumbles of Blue Cheese!

BEST CHIPS to serve with is FRITO SCOOPS or Tortilla Chips!!!

Super Easy and SUPER DELICIOUS for the SUPER BOWL!!!

Go Giants!!

hey wise-guy!

This is how I know I'm getting older....or should I say wiser?   

Instead of calling my friends about drink specials at the local pub, I considered calling my friends to tell them about the MEAT sale going on at the local Food Store!   Seriously, I was picking up a Pork Shoulder (for the Giants Play-Off game) and strolled by the ground BEEF (yum Beef!) and saw that it is currently $1.99 per pound!    JACKPOT!!!    I picked up 3 packs and already brought them home, separated into ziplock baggies and they are chillin' out in the freezer!    I swear I am so cool!!!   LOL!

This week I managed to sneak away while G was at school and I saw 'The Descendants' starring George Clooney.   I believe it will win for Best Picture, it was serious yet had a bit of humor in the right spots.   Everyone should see it.   It made me sad b/c the last Queen of Hawaii's descendants had to determine if they wanted to sell the land or keep it in trust, and the ones that wanted to sell didn't have a connection or appreciate the true beauty that land holds.   Then I kept thinking of our Original Osage Alottees and their land.    It made me appreciate my Grandfather Raymond and how he kept hold of his land for his children and grandchildren.    That money has a way of coming and going but Land is constant.   I love you Grandpa!   

Map of the Osage Reservation

Did anyone else notice that my favorite MOOD FABRICS is where everyone from Project Runway buys all their material?    Only the best place in NYC!!!     

My experience with MY WEEK WITH MARILYN....

This morning was a blistery uber cold morning....considering it has been an extra warm December and now January is just trying to freeze us out.    It was so cold that even the water spout outside decided to burst in the middle of the night.   HOLY MOLY!    The best thing to do if it's Freakin' HoTter than Hades or Colder than the North Pole is to Go to the Movies!!!

Today I decided that it was going to be THE day that I go to see My Week with Marilyn.    So 12:35 rolls around and I better be off to the theatre.    (I tried to convince E to go with me, but he is a NO-GO.  Bummer!)   I walk into the AMC Theatre and there is a line....A LINE at 1:00 p.m.???    Wow I wonder what all these people are planning on seeing???    

I get my ticket for Theatre #2 and hit the concession stand for a Cameo Pack (which is a tiny bag of popcorn and a small drink).   Merrily I'm bopping down to my designated theatre and I look at the sign and #2 looks like it's showing The Muppets and #5 is showing My Week with Marilyn.   There are a few elderly ladies standing outside looking confused.  Hmmm...well the computers print the tickets and I'm sure they are coordinate the screenings with the tickets.  (My Analytical skills at work).   Alright well I'm going in!!!  I'm the first one in and so I choose the best seat.   Aisle Seat about 4 rows from the back.  I must also include that this particular theatre is an old school kind, meaning no stadium seating.  

A couple of people come in and sit.   So far so good.   After about 2 previews the movie is starting...Yay!!!   After about 5 mins. into the movie, a crowd of people coming from #5 started plowing into the theatre...let's just say they weren't quiet people either.   Old Men were yelling to their wives, "Oh Jesus, the movie started already!", "How long has the movie been on?"  The wives were yelling back to the husbands, "Just sit down" and "I'm not leaving!".   I had to pipe up and make an announcement that "THE MOVIE JUST STARTED AND THIS KID IS TALKING ABOUT HIS FIRST JOB"   Then almost in unison everyone said, "Oh Okay Thanks" and everyone sits and all is quiet again.   

Then wouldn't you know a rowdy crew of three old ladies come in talking all loud and make a big production on where to sit.   Oh but it doesn't stop there, they continued to talk throughout the WHOLE MOVIE!   The sweet little ladies behind me first did the polite shhh.   The Rowdy crew was silent for a few minutes then started talking again, then someone else yelled for them to "BE QUIET!"  I felt like I was in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.   It was horrible!!!  Everyone tried their best to ignore them but about half way through the movie they started having full on conversations about the movie, like they were invisible.  Those sweet little old ladies behind me kept trying to shush them, but those roustabouts just kept talking about the movie louder and louder.     Good Lord above, please give me strength!   I felt my tolerance reach it's all time high for a movie and I sternly whipped my head around and said, "Would you talk about the movie AFTER the Movie is over! You are being rude to everyone else around you."    Then everyone else in the theatre said, "YEAH"!   LMAO!   We did not hear a single peep, cough, sigh, or noise of any kind from them again for the rest of the movie!!!     I was officially the My Week with Marilyn Hero!!!  

Oh my goodness, Michelle Williams' portrayal was AMAZING!   Definitely Academy Award performance.   You were able to see the highs and lows of the lifestyle Marilyn Monroe lived.    The movie was written very tastefully and I am looking forward to reading The Prince, The Show girl and Me.  I would definitely see it again and recommend it to everyone I know.    I give it 2 Thumbs up! 

Michelle Williams

 If I had to choose between War Horse and My Week with Marilyn....Marilyn would win!!!   

The Giants make the Playoffs and pass the Meatballs!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!  Can you believe it is 2012 already?   1992 doesn't seem that long ago (That's when My Sis graduated from good Ol' Pawhuska High)  That was my freshman year in High school too!    20 years have flown by!!!

The Giants beat the Cowboys and they play again next Sunday!    That means I need to make more Limoncello....so far it has been a hit with every Touchdown!    #80 Victor Cruz had an amazing game and some awesome catches!   Shout Out to Cruz!  Cha-Cha!!!!

For New Year's Eve I made some Sweet & Spicy Meatballs (Which is always a favorite for people of all ages) .

You will need 4 Things and only 3 Step Process.

1.) Handy Dandy Crock Pot or Slow Cooker, whichever you prefer to call it!

2.)  A Bag of frozen meatballs

3.) 2 lb. Jar of Welch's Grape Jelly

4.) 1 Large Jar of Taco Sauce or 2 small ones.  Brands could be Ortega or Old El Paso

Oh my goodness this is so easy to make and so delicious!   Everyone would think that you put some real work into it!    E's family refers to them as "The Meatballs".  

Example:   Aunt El:  What would you like me to bring?  I can bring "The Meatballs"!  

Me: Yes, bring "The Meatballs"!   Awesome!!!

Step #1.  Empty Bag of Meatballs into Crock Pot

Step #2 Empty Jar of Grape Jelly onto top of Meatballs

Step #3.  Empty Taco Sauce on top of Meatballs and Jelly

Slap that lid on and set to High!

In a bit STIR everything b/c jelly will start to melt.

Go ahead and watch some reality TV and play Words with Friends. 

In a few hours the meatballs will soak up the Sweet and Spicy Concoction and will be perfect!

Be prepared to hear everyone saying " How did you make these" "YUM" and "These are good"

2012

Love, Peace and Fry Bread Grease!!!

Banana Bread and Words with Friends!!!

I cannot believe that 2012 will be here on Sunday!    I hope that Mayan Calendar is wrong!  LOL!  

G's Festival of Lights Concert

at her school she performed Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree.   SO CUTE!!!

The Limoncello turned out A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and it was way better than the stuff from the store!!!!  The Giants won so that meant SHOTS FOR EVERYONE!!!  It was so delicious that a certain someone (who should remain nameless) was high-fiving and hugging everyone!!!     This next game the Giants have to beat the Cowboys in order to make it to the playoffs....let's just say that every Giants fan around the globe is hoping for a victory.   

She called it her "Deer in Headlights Pose"

Okay my friend Steph (from my hair salon) got me hooked on Words with Friends.   I am completely addicted and have numerous games going.    Right now I have 2 games at the same time with my friend Nancy!  LOL!!!    I can completely understand why Alec Baldwin got kicked off his flight....I feel your pain Baldwin brother!!!

Here is the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread that I included in my goodie bags that I passed out to a few people.    It's so easy squeezy!!!

Choc. Chip Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

3 or 4 ripe Bananas Smashed (not drunk smashed...HA!)

1/3 cup of melted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

1 egg beaten

1 tsp. of Vanilla

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cup of Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 cup of Choc. Chips (or as much as you like) 

Mix Butter and Bananas with a wooden spoon

Mix in Sugar, egg and vanilla

sprinkle in Baking Soda and salt

add Flour

mix in choc. chips last.

Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Look at this cute Christmas wrapping paper she created.   I just love her more and more!!!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!!

LimonCELLO!!!

Ever since I saw the episode of Danny DeVito acting CrAzY on The View I've always wanted to try Limoncello..... I mean if it has Danny DeVito passed out in his Limo then by all means I wouldn't mind trying it!  So I finally bought a bottle and it was great!   It reminded me of a Lemon Drop Martini, and I LOVE Lemon Drop Martinis!!! (Lemon Drop Martinis are one of Oprah's favorites too...just a little FYI)    

After I brought it home I showed E and his friends (b/c they were over watching a Giants Football game and after every touchdown it would be Limoncello shots for everybody!!!   So it stuck (at least for this season)

So I Googled "Limoncello recipes" and the first one that popped up was Giada DeLaurentis' recipe.   She has to know what she's talking about b/c she's on the Food Network after all!!!   The recipe looked easy enough it was basically Vodka, Lemons (Lots of Lemons) water, sugar and TIME.    And to my surprise I was able to easily obtain all 4....Yay Me!!!  
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/limoncello-recipe/index.html

So here we go......

Stage #1 and we have to wait 4 days!

LIMONCELLO

Ingredients

• 10 lemons
• 1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups sugar

Directions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

I plan on bottling it up and giving it as gifts along with Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Peanut Butter and M&m Cookies!!!    

It's December!!!

Oh my goodness where do I begin?  

Okay so last week I got an email from G's Agent and she had a very big audition for NBC....so we trekked into NYC and she did great!   I think they were looking for an older kid (she's only 6) but fingers are still crossed!!!

While we were in the City we decided to try a new Restaurant so we went to Mars 2112!   It was so much fun!!!   Everything was red and there were red rock formations everywhere also martians walking around.   I felt like we were in  Men in Black scene!   

Oh YeaH!!!!   

After Thanksgiving we went to Lancaster, PA. for the Christmas Show.   It was a nice, sunny and warm weekend.   We did a little shopping, ate some delicious Amish food, and went to the Pendleton Store!!!!   That was the highlight of my weekend.   They had Pendleton Towels for only $30 and Mugs for $12!!!    LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!

Wishbones and all....

On Thanksgiving Day my Mom would let us sleep in b/c she was usually up baking pies, pies and more pies. She would always make her usual Pumpkin and Raisin Pies. (She was the only person I knew that would make Raisin pie...hmmm I haven't had that in 10 years!!!)

My Dad was usually out huntin' (b/c it's Deer Season) so that meant we were able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! I would sit and flip from channel to channel hoping I wouldn't miss anything....

About Noon my Dad would come home and we'd load up everything that Momma made and would head over to Grandma Peggee's house. As soon as we opened her door the smell of Thanksgiving would hit us. Oh that glorious smell of Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Sweet Tea!

We would help set the table....if we made it there in time either Brandon, Melinda or I would get to break the wishbone and hopefully our wish would come true! (I wonder if kids nowadays even know what a wishbone is?)

After Dinner someone would call to see what movies were playing in  B-Ville.   Then we'd load up the car and go see the one we all decided on!   Ahhh such wonderful memories! 

I want to wish my cousin Israel a very Happy Birthday!  Dang, You are getting old! 

Samuel, Israel, Raymond, Brandon, Chancellor, Isaiah, Daniel, Trey and Brad

 

They look so handsome!

Thanksgiving is closer and closer....

It's officially less than one week until Thanksgiving....My favorite HOLIDAY!

I love everything about Thanksgiving.   Being Thankful, Great food, Family and Friends.   It wasn't until I moved out here to NJ that I witnessed my first Lasagna placed at the table.   WTH!!   I've never seen such a thing, where was the real cranberries and Dressing????     I've learned to adapt....I make my favorites but we usually eat them during the weekend.   

Last year my best friend Margie and her husband came out and spent Thanksgiving with me!   I was VERY THANKFUL that they flew all the way out here....It was Awesome!   We went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.   What a perfect way to experience it....It was my first time ever seeing it in person and I got to see it with my BESTIE!!! 

I remember watching it every year as a child and the smells of freshly baking pies, dressing and turkey filling the house.   

Surprisingly there wasn't any traffic going into NYC and there wasn't a wait on the Lincoln Tunnel.   We got in and out of the City.   The crowd wasn't so bad (it actually kept us warm) and we were home by 12:30 to put the turkey in the oven and enjoy a glass of Sangria! 

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!!!

Hanging out with Santa before Thanksgiving???

I'm ahead of schedule this year....HOORAY!!!!   

As I was beading Gianna's new moccasins Late Tuesday night/Early Wednesday morning I had a tired/delirious idea!   I was going to make our Christmas Card say, "Moccasins were hung by the chimney with care...".   I've never seen a Christmas Card with that particular wording and thought it would be Perfect!!!      So after G got out of school, I loaded up her Osage clothes, whipped up a pretty red bow, and away we went to Picture People!  

So we get to the Mall and Picture People didn't have any Candy Canes small enough to fit in the moccasin (they only had props that were 2 feet long)....what was I thinking?   I knew I should've bought some in advance....I had a particular vision in mind.    So we whisked down in hunt of Christmas Candy....we found some in Gertrude Hawk Chocolate!   SUCCESS!!!    

G was extra fabulous and was being FIERCE....working that camera! 

 

(RuPaul Song playing in my head)   You better WORK! (cover girl)  Work it Girl (give a twirl)  Do Your Thing on the runway.... 

Merry Christmas 2011

I love this photo...It's my favorite!  

After Picture time G wanted to go down to see if Santa was in the Mall and we were in luck HE WAS!!

Santa wasn't even sitting in his seat, he was hanging out talking to the picture taker guy.   Buh!  It wasn't until he saw that G was coming that he ran back to his chair.  I wanted to laugh so badly but I couldn't!   So I'll laugh now...Ha hahahah!  oh Ho ho ho!!!  

She explained to him how she wants a Mad Scientist Kit and he can "google it" to make sure he knows what it is!    She's Crazy...another thing I wanted to laugh out loud about! 

Nice List!  Yay!!!

Where has the time went????

Wow!   I've been gone for a while.   Yup, my life has been busy and I still haven't won the lottery!  

We celebrated Veterans Day by going to Downtown Toms River for the Veterans Day Parade.    It was very nice.   Thank You to the Men and Women in Blue....We Love You!!!  

God Bless America!

G and I made these signs to show our support for our Veterans.

I had my first Bow Party on Friday Night and it was a BLAST!!!   Four of my friends came over and I showed them how to make Bows.   It was so fun....we had a few drinky drinks, picked out ribbon and made some of the cutest bows EVER!!!   I'm just a little sad that I didn't take any pictures.   What was I thinking???  

Here is a Thanksgiving Bow I made.

Thanksgiving is only a week away....Where did the time go?  If anyone knows where the time went be sure to let me know!   I am bringing desserts and wine....I was thinking maybe making cherry cobbler and pumpkin pies.   What do you think?