Hogs, Sisters & Cupcakes

It's been a whirlwind since Paul got home from the rig. We've been going non-stop! I love it!

One of the great things about marrying into a BIG family is that there are always people around. I only have one brother, so it's nice having tons of sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and new cousins around.

Saturday we met up with some of Pauls' family. First we went to a friends house and killed a hog they had caught. (I'll spare you the pictures of that!) But here's a picture of the momma hog and her babies. We caught two of the babies and are keeping them to fatten them up. Tomorrow we are going to our cousins house to build those little hoggies a pen.

After the slaughter, we headed to my in-laws to smoke the hog. In our family, we turn it into a day long event. It's so much fun! ALL of the kids are just running around like wild animals and the adults sit in their lawn chairs and spend the entire day outside. I'm sure we all look like a bunch of rednecks. I actually turned into a redneck yesterday, well, atleast my neck did turn red. I thought I was turning red because I'd had a beer, but turns out I was just getting sunburnt. (One drink of alcohol will turn my fair skin fire red!)

The kids had some jello snacks, and evidently mine was raised by wolves and forgot how to use silverware. Hands work just as good, right?

By marrying Paul, I gained five sisters and one brother. So we've got a big family. Big Christmas gatherings and big birthday gatherings! This is my sister-in-law Bridgett. She's a month older than me. So she'll get to turn 30 before I will. =)

This is the best part about having lots of family, the kids! After dinner, the kids were hyped up and all started climbing on the Jeep. Don't worry, the keys weren't in it!

Lastly, today we went to another cousins 1st birthday party. Here's Miss Kirsten scarfing down a cupcake. Her face is still stained blue.

Trip to see the Pioneer Woman

On Valentine's Day, Ree Drummond was in Dallas, so Paul took me shopping, to an early dinner, and then off to meet Ree!

To our surprise, Marlboro Man was there too! (This is Pioneer Womans' husband)

Cooking Eggs for Kirsten (Ree Style)

My Mom & I have become quite obsessed with Ree Drummond. We've been making recipes from her cookbooks & her blog. She's just simply amazing. We also bought her book "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels". I started reading it this morning and I'm halfway through. I actually didn't want to put the Nook down to post a blog, but I'm trying to stay committed to the blog.

In Rees' cookbooks and on her blog, she documents every step of her cooking process with pictures. So, this evening when my sickly daughter (who rarely eats anymore) told me she was hungry, I jumped out of my chair, and prepared to make her a wholesome meal. But she wanted scrambled eggs (her favorite). So, in true Ree style (and because it's lonely here tonight), I decided to document the way that Kirsten wants her eggs made. (note: she's not much of an eater, so I use the entire egg for her, along with vegetable oil & butter ~ not the healthiest thing, but when she rarely eats, then it's not much of an issue)

Scrambled Eggs ~ Kirstens' Way

Preheat a small skillet to Med or Med High

& add a small amount of vegetable oil (use Pam if you want to be healthy, but that's not how we eat!)

Add a small spoon of butter, let it heat up

In a small bowl, crack open two eggs (we use the whole egg, but you can use whites if you prefer)

Stir it up with a fork or a whisk (I prefer forks, because they are easier to clean~and I have no dishwasher!)

Add a few pinches of cheddar cheese (salt & pepper if you wish, but I don't)

Once your pan & oil/butter is heated, then add the egg mixture to the pan

Meanwhile...

Stir eggs with a spatula & continue to cook them until they are light & fluffy

Chop them up really good with the spatula. Much easier for serving to kids. Eggs are done when they are light & fluffy with all the liquid absorbed.

And finally, serve.

Enjoy watching them eat it, then get to cleanin' it up! Miss Independent makes a big mess.

~~ I'm sure you all know how to scramble eggs. Basic cooking 101, right? But thanks for reading, I had fun sharing our eggs escapades with you.

Kerry

More Fun on a Snow Day

The weekend was slow, due to the snow. But, thankfully, it's mostly melted! That is, until it snows again on Tuesday.

Kirsten had a great weekend. Paul is away at work, so we spent lots of time with my parents. Here's some pictures:

Helping her babydoll make snow angels

"fixing" Granlees' hair

My VERY independent little girl dresses herself now.

(notice the shirt is on backwards ~ and stylin' with the mismatched pants)

Granlee made "octopus" for lunch. yum yum!

We had a great weekend!

Snow Day #4

This is the fourth day of snow this week, and it's about to hit again. We love the snow, but we are ready to get out & have some fun! Thankfully today was actual snow, instead of just the nasty ice. The wind chill wasn't too low and we were able to go outside for a while.

I've never had snow ice cream. My parents say that I have, so I'm sure they are right, but I certainly don't remember eating it. So today we made some. It's the third big snow this year, so I figured it was safe to eat. After gathering a gallon of snow, some sugar, vanilla, & milk; we made snow ice cream! Kirsten was convinced that she didn't like it, but we finally convinced her to eat it. She loved it! I wasn't a fan. It wasn't bad, but I could do without eating it again. Maybe I just didn't make it right.

Starting Over

Well, I'm trying this "blog" thing again. On one hand I hate documenting my thoughts. But then again, it's nice to have something to look back at, since my memory has disappeared. Remember Diaryland? I found my diaryland from long, long ago (2001). It's so much fun to look back on all my old thoughts (meaningless as they were), first loves, and the beginning of my college years. I managed to keep that blog going for 3 years. These days I can't keep a meaningful thought in my head for three minutes. *sigh*

So to catch you up, Kirsten is 2 now (2 yrs & about 4 months). She's a sassy little girl, with blonde hair & blue eyes. She looks nothing like me, but acts just like me. She's full of energy and as smart as she can be. I wouldn't trade her for anything, but I'm certainly glad she's the only one. I barely have the energy to keep up with her.

Paul has started working in south Texas for weeks at a time. It's been quite an adjustment learning to do the day-to-day life without him. I don't much like it, BUT I've certainly learned more about myself. I've learned to handle lots of things normally Paul would do. I'd say it has toughened me up, but I'd be lying.

I had the day off today. It's been one heck of a blizzard here in Oklahoma. We've been stuck indoors for the past few days, but Kirsten went to daycare today and I'm home alone all day. Instead of doing my long list of chores, I decided to relax and watch tv most of the day. Sweet Home Alabama is playing in the background. I just love that movie.

Life has sure changed these past few years, and I absolutely love it.