Applebees Chicken Freschetta

I went to Applebees today with my mom.  We had the 2 for $20 plus a free appetizer.   I had the Chicken Freschetta and it was quite good.  Mom likes her meat and she had the Riblets.   I really don't know what they put on the chicken but I noticed tomatoes and cheese which is always good.  It also had french fried like onions on it and peppers I believe.  It also comes with cubed roasted potatoes which were good, but not fully baked.  Here is a picture I took of it.  We had a very friendly waitress and the place was so packed at lunch time that people had to wait to get seated.  For the appetizer we had cheese sticks with marinara sauce and ranch dressing.  I also picked up a couple of applications for my twin sons for the summer when they have a break from college.   It looks like a great place to work and maybe good tips.

Monday Night Church

Last night I went to church with my husband.  Our church has two services on Sunday but we both like to go on Monday night because it's casual dress and it's at 6:30 at night.  We enjoy the service and it's a small group usually (about 40 or 45).  It makes you feel good to hear the word of God and is like food for the soul.  I've been a member of our church all of my life and my husband joined after our daughter was born.  He had been a member of another church but wanted the family to all go together to one church so he joined mine.  It's kind of like being a member of a family when you go to church.  People visit afterwards and catch up with the latest news or whatever they want to talk about.  We are blessed to have 2 full time pastors and also 2 retired pastors who help out also. 

Wordpress or Blogger? What's Better?

I have looked at many blogs and it seems like Wordpress is a lot more popular than Blogger.  I started my blog a couple years ago and didn't know anything about it and still don't, lol.  I had just made my blog at that time to enter giveaways. Now I see such beautiful blogs and I've heard lots of people say they  like Wordpress better. I'm just getting used to Blogger.  I always have to ask my daughter if I have to figure something out.  I've seen some people still have Blogger so I don't feel too bad.  What's your opinion?

Quiet Monday Morning and Mom Blogger's Club!

This morning is quiet in our household.  My daughter left for college and my sons will leave in a while.  I will probably stay on the computer and play around.    I still don't have many followers on my blog but I did get a few more from the Mom Blogger's Club in the last few days!  This seems like a neat club to talk to fellow mom bloggers and get new followers for your sites.  Everyone I talked to sounds very friendly. 

Homemade Beef Stew

I made some homemade beef stew and biscuits yesterday.  It's good on a winter day and even better on the second day for leftovers.  I like it and it's full of vegetables.  I just make the stew from scratch like my mom does.  It has stew meat, carrots, potatoes and peas in it.  Yum!  I have the stew recipe on my recipe page but you can change it to your style or taste.  I don't measure anything really!

Oh Yes, Today is Sunday!

I got up early today to get on the computer because my kids sleep in and one of them always wants to go on the computer when he gets up.  I thought I'd put some trash outside and mail a letter.  I went out and saw our Sunday newspaper laying there.  Then it hit me, today isn't Monday it's Sunday!  Yea!!  So I gained a day and I can relax!

Our Lemon Car Is Acting Up Again!!

A couple of weeks ago I said our Saturn Vue just stopped on my twin sons going to college (which is a 2 hour drive for them).  We had it repaired (it was the second time) and everything was all right till it stalled out on another day they were driving.  My husband thought they might have gotten some bad gas and put some of that stuff in the gas (I don't know what you call it) to clean it out.  Anyways, it ran good again for a couple of weeks.  Now the last few days it's making a squealing noise once in a while.  This car has turned out to be a lemon!  It was a used car but in nice shape and clean.  The first two times we had it fixed it was the transmission that was bad (I know, that's not a good thing).  I told my husband we should just trade it in.  I will see what he decides to do today.  More later......

RED LOBSTER SHRIMP ARE MY FAVORITE!!

I love to go to Red Lobster!  It's a special treat for me to go there.  Whenever I go I get some sort of shrimp.  Right now they have a special deal where you get to pick a dinner, soup, dessert, and it's all for $15.  That's pretty good I'd say.  I usually get enough to take home and make another meal of it.  I love the coconut shrimp.  They are delicious!  My daughter always gets the pasta with shrimp in it.  I also love their biscuits!  They are so delicious.  When I go with my mom she always wants butter to put on them (she always needs extra butter).  It's my favorite restaurant!!

No Snow on the Ground!

Today is January 26th and there is absolutely no snow on the ground here in Michigan!  I really do not miss it because it is so dangerous when driving.  I also don't miss shoveling snow at all.  In 1982 I moved to North Carolina with my sister before we were married.  It was an adventure and I wanted to see what it was like to live away from Michigan.  That year it was 65 degrees on Christmas day.  Just my luck!  The year I moved away from the cold weather it was warm in Michigan. 

AMERICAN IDOL TONIGHT!!

Yippee!!  One of my favorite shows is on tonight at 8:00!  I bet a lot of people didn't stay up late on Sunday after the football game to see it.  I did and it was pretty good.  I liked the last guy that was on that was a mechanic.  He had a guitar and called it a "git fiddle"!  That was pretty funny.  I was surprised he was a pretty good singer.  I think the judges were kind of surprised too.  Steven Tyler is the one judge I like to watch.  He's got a personality!  So I have to get ready to watch it and hopefully get some entertainment!

College Is Expensive!

We have 3 kids going to college.  Most people only have 1 going to college at a time, maybe 2.  I really don't know how we do it.  Our daughter is 22 and our twin sons are 20.  They all commute to school so that saves money but it's still so expensive.  I remember when they were little our biggest expense was diapers!  That seems like yesterday and now they are college students!  My daughter is going for graphic design and my sons are going for digital video production.  Hopefully they will all get a job when they are done.  It sure isn't like the old days when you just needed a high school diploma to get a job.  Jobs are not plentiful so it's scary thinking about whether or not they will get a job when they graduate.  I know they will have to move to a city to get a job that they are going to school for.  There aren't jobs in our town. 

Off To College and Church Tonight!

My kids are all off to college today!  That means everyone will be gone for the day.  My twin

sons have to drive over 2 hours to get to their school (college) and my daughter Karissa has

to drive an hour.  So today will be the day to be at home alone with my husband.  It's kind

of quiet when everyone is gone.  Tonight is church so my husband and I will go.  Just came
back from church and it was full.  That's nice to see on a Monday night!

Our Windmill On A Cold Sunday!

It looks like a cold Sunday morning outside today!  The wind is whistling through the windows.  Our windmill by our house is really going around!  My dad got it for us when we moved here about 17 years ago.   At least the sun is shining and we don't have much snow on the ground.  I guess I will get a cup of coffee and look at the Sunday paper.  My kids are sleeping since they are night owls and stay up all night watching movies.  I guess that's all right.  They are good kids!  They are all college students and commute from home.  We go to church on Monday nights.  I like it because it's a nice little group and nice and homey.  My husband is eating lunch already.  I better get up and moving!  It's nearly noon!

Sparkling Snow!

I went for a walk today and it was so beautiful outside!  The sun was shining and the snow on the ground was shining like glitter!  I had my winter coat on with my hood, my gloves, and ear muffs.  It was so nice I had to take off my ear muffs and gloves.  I heard birds in bushes making lots of noise, and a couple of dogs were barking at me.  The snow made noises when I stepped in it with my tall black boots.  I go for about 2 miles and it's a nice way to get your exercise.  I've been walking for quite a few years now and it does make you feel better.

Shopping and Ring Sizing Today?

My Earrings and Ring

For Christmas my husband got me some nice gifts.  My special gift was a beautiful ring and earrings set

that match.  There are black diamonds in both of them.  I went to the store where he purchased

them a couple of weeks ago and wanted to get the ring sized because it was too big for the finger

I want it on.  I won't mention the store but they said it would cost $25 to have it sized.  I was kind

of surprised about that.  He spent quite a lot of money on the set to begin with and then they say

I had to pay another $25 just to have it sized.  I didn't do it that day and brought it home.  I asked

my husband about it and he said I might as well have it done if I want to wear the ring.
So I guess today is the day to go shopping!!

Cleaning House Instead of Going For A Walk

Today I got in the housecleaning mood.  I washed the kitchen and dining room floors on my hands and knees.  We have laminate wood floor and I use water and Murphy's Oil Soap.  It smells good and leaves the floor shiny.  Then I dusted furniture, picked up things and put them away, and cleaned one of our bathrooms.  Whew!  That's enough for today.  I have to get ready for tonight and watch my favorite (or one of my favorite) shows, American Idol.  It is so cold out today I never even went for my daily walk.  I went yesterday and slipped on the ice and fell.  Luckily it was on my knees and I never hurt myself.  So, winter is here now.  Last week it was like Spring outside.  This week Winter is here!  That's Michigan for you!  The weather can change in a minute!

Happy Birthday to my Husband!

My husband  had a birthday on Monday.  He didn't want a present or anything.   He's a good man and has worked hard for our family of five.  I will get him something when I get to the city anyways.  We really don't make a big deal for birthdays but I always like a present myself!  He is so giving to everyone else but never wants or asks for anything.  Even at Christmas he said he didn't want anything. Can you believe that?  I, on the other hand always look for something nice!

DID YOU SEE AMERICAN IDOL!

American Idol started out last night to be pretty entertaining.  I like Steven Tyler's hat!  It was so

colorful and cool!  The last guy on was really good.  He had a unique voice and sounded even

better when he was playing his guitar he brought with him.  If it wasn't for Steven the show would

be rather boring.  He brings a lot of personality to the show, and I love his facial expressions.

He is getting married to a 30 something I hear.  Good luck to him.  He's a neat guy!

AMERICAN IDOL TONIGHT!!!

I'm so excited that one of my favorite shows starts tonight!  I love American Idol (especially Steven

Tyler).  It's so fun to watch it from the start so you know everyone that was on and got kicked off

early.  I think it's funny to see people who think they can sing and then they are so shocked when

they don't get picked.  I really liked the X-Factor show when it was on because I miss seeing Simon

Cowell.  That show is very good too!  I thought American Idol was on last night and was all ready

to watch it, then I looked at the television schedule and it wasn't on till tonight.  It will be on tomorrow

night too!  Yeah!!  Get ready for some funny and good singers!

SCHOOL CLOSED FOR SNOW DAY!

I was supposed to sub today at the school cafeteria and just found out that school was closed today.

We only got a couple inches of snow so I was real surprised when I found out it was closed. Our

school in my town usually doesn't close unless it's really bad. So I guess it will be a day for entering

contests and having fun!  My house could use a good cleaning, but that doesn't sound like a whole

lot of fun.  I don't understand why the school is closed.  My daughter drives to college an hour

away and her school wasn't closed.  I even got up early today and had two alarms set to get

an early start to get ready.  Now I'll have to make something to eat at home for supper.  I

usually get to bring leftovers home from the school, which is nice.  I guess everyone wanted

a day off at the school!

My Daughter's Spaghetti Sauce from Vincent Price

My daughter Karissa knows quite a lot about old movies and she's only 22.  She likes Vincent Price (he was an actor and known mostly for horror movies).   Anyways, her friend said there was recipe for spaghetti sauce that Vincent Price made on line.  Karissa made it and it's wonderful!  She has made it many times and we like it better than regular spaghetti sauce.  I will put the recipe on later today.  She's going to make the sauce today since she has the day off.   The recipe called for 2 chicken livers minced and 1/2 lb. of ground beef but we have omitted these ingredients and like it a lot!  Here is the recipe:

Vincent Price Spaghetti Alla Bolognese 

Servings:

4

Units: US | Metric

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
• 3 slices lean bacon , in small pieces
• 1 carrot , chopped
• 1 celery rib , chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 strip lemon peel
• salt & freshly ground black pepper , to taste
• 1 garlic clove , crushed
• 3 quarts water
• 1 lb uncooked spaghetti
• 1/2 cup cream or 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
• additional freshly grated parmesan cheese , for garnish

Directions:

1. In a heavy skillet heat together the butter and oil, then add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the pieces of bacon, chopped carrot, and celery, and saute over medium heat until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Add the coarsely ground beef and stir until the meat is coated with fat, then add the minced chicken livers, stir, and cook until the meat browns evenly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Add the tomato paste, wine, beef stock, bay leaf, and lemon peel, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper and the crushed garlic.
5. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the bay leaf and lemon peel, then allow to simmer uncovered until the sauce slightly thickens.
7. During the last minutes of the sauce simmering, cook the spaghetti according to package directions, about 7 to 10 minutes; drain well.
8. Just before you serve the sauce, add the cream or half and half, stir well, and heat through.
9. Place the cooked spaghetti on a warm platter and dot with the 4 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with the 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan.
10. Serve the pasta either with the meat sauce on the side or in the center of the platter with the pasta around it.
11. Pass with additional freshly grated Parmesan, and enjoy!

Watching Laurel and Hardy!!!

My daughter Karissa wanted a dvd set of all the Laurel and Hardy movies for Christmas and we stayed up late watching them last night.   We all love to watch them and enjoy the truly good comedy.  Laurel and Hardy just makes you laugh out loud!  They were funny just to look at them.  When they danced in Way Out West it was hilarious!  I'm glad Karissa ordered this set on line way before Christmas.  I think it was about $60 and is well worth it.  It's a treasure of good comedy all in a set! 

Getting Another Car!!

Today we are going to pick up a used van for our family.  We like  to have all wheel drive vehicles for the kids to drive to college.  We live in Michigan and get bad roads from snow and ice.  The other day my husband and I went and looked at a van that was advertised at a dealership.  I won't mention what kind we looked at.  We weren't impressed at first because it had a few minor things broken on it.  We took it for a test drive and thought it over.  We can clean the inside because it is kind of dirty on the floors.  My husband can fix the couple of little broken parts.  So we made the decision to purchase it and get rid of one of our older vehicles, which is a 1997.

Little Kettle Bean Soup

Little Kettle Bean Soup

l lb. dry navy beans                                           

2 and 1/2 qts. water

3/4 c. celery, diced

3/4 c. carrots, diced

1 med. onion, chopped

1 meaty ham bone

1/2 c. catsup

1/4 lb. bacon ends and pieces

1 T. salt

1/4 t. pepper

Soak beans overnight.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer two to four hours, until beans reach desired tenderness.  Add additional water if necessary as it simmers.

SNOW LANDED IN MY TOWN!

OUR BACKYARD!!!

Well, we finally got snow last night here in Michigan!  Looks like a couple of inches.  It's been almost
like spring weather lately so now it looks like winter.  I don't mind a little snow but hope we don't get
a lot because my kids have to drive to college.  My hubby can get out the snow shovels now (and I
was just getting used to the spring like weather)!  I was going to go for a walk and got my boots out, but decided it might be too slippery.  I guess I'll stay inside for today!!

HOMEMADE CHILI!!!

Today I made homemade chili!  I made a double batch for my family!  I usually make the regular medium kettle but my kids like it so much I doubled it.  Hubby and the kids like it a lot for leftovers and it's nice to have in the cold winter months.  Look for this recipe on the RECIPE page of this blog!

Our Lemon of a CAR!

Well, we have had a lot of problems with the car we purchased last fall.   My twin sons have to drive 2 and a half hours to go to college since we live in a very small town.  They are both going for Digital Video Production.  This is their second year.  Anyways, we purchased a used all wheel drive car and have had transmission problems on two occasions.  It was repaired  twice for transmission problems.  Now today the car stalled out on them when they were near the city.  They called us and were in a panic in busy traffic near Detroit.   A while back we had  problems with the blinker light not working and finally got that fixed.  Now this!!  Luckily they got the car started again and made it to school.  I feel so bad about it.  My husband said maybe they got some bad gas.  Anyways they made it!!   I'll update with more later..........

We are for sure selling this car! 

The Happy Kid Company is offering one lucky reader of What Mommies Need a chance to win a Fortamajig Fun Fort!  Go to the link below to enter to win this awesome prize!!!  Contest ends Jan. 10.


   http://whatmommiesneed.com

Today I'm going with my daughter to the dermatologist. Of course, I still have things to take back from Christmas! Since we live about 45 minutes from the mall, we will have to go out to eat and make a day of it! It's nice and sunny outside and no snow yet here in Michigan! Doesn't bother me, I don't really like snow!

It's like spring here where we live.  I saw a guy walking a dog with shorts on (the guy had the shorts on).  It doesn't seem like January!  I'll take this weather.  We never had to shovel yet!!

HOMEMADE BEAN SOUP!!!

Well, I have a ham bone from New Years and decided to make bean soup today!
I have a recipe from my mom that I use and it's delicious! I have soaked a pound of navy beans over night. I have to do a couple of errands and then back home to start peeling carrots, onions, cleaning the celery.

Want to Start Having My Own Giveaways!!!

I would love to start having giveaways! I'm not very computer savvy but am willing to learn how to do this! Anyone with ideas to help me would be appreciated!!

TELEVISION

Nothing to watch on tv tonight really. I just made a bag of popcorn and went to watch something. My son is playing some games on one tv and my hubby is watching some kind of sports (oh, I see it's football) on the other tv. I don't like sports. What an eventful night. I guess I will probably go to bed in an hour or so.

Taking Back Christmas Gifts!

Today I took back a few Christmas gifts. My son had a pair of gloves that were too big. I also took a sweater back for my daughter. I had the receipts so I never had a problem.

I was looking at the pajamas for me and couldn't find any that appealed to me. I like soft pjs that button up to the neck, since I live in cold Michigan. The ones I got for Christmas were vee necks and so I have to take them back.

I love Christmas but always have to take back quite a few gifts for everyone.