Its all about...me

I was more than willing to let this birthday pass without much pomp and circumstance, I did know that Jon would treat me like the queen that I am(hey he said it, so I'm running with it!). I was pleasantly surprised when my sister gave me a sweet birthday blog post, thanks Tami. After spending the day just being with my family it was time for my birthday meal.

Jon cooked, Grace and Willy helped.Avery put himself in charge of taste testing. He can't help him self when there is shrimp scampi on the menu!

Willy set the table, with a bit of direction from Grace, she told him to flip the knives over. We go back and forth with the knife thing, the blade edges are to face the plate, but the writing on the blade faces up and we don't want to be trying to read sideways. What would you do?

Willy gave a lesson in proper silverware usage "work your way in."

The sparkling cider was chilled and the salad tossed.
Willy dished up the shrimp scampi (Ave is already at the table by now).Grace dished up the tenderloin tips and mushrooms.

My feast is ready, and I will tell you, I felt like Astro when George Jetson was shrunk and Astro kept saying "rook at the rimp-rook at the rimp" over and over again. But just LOOK AT THE SHRIMP!!! I love shrimp, and Jon made 2 kinds. And the mashed skin on baby red potatoes, mmm~mm. Amazing!!!

How sweet it is! Now you will understand where the queen status comes from.

Thats right, I'll be cooking with Wolfgang(he even signed the box they came in)! Then it was onto dessert, I will share that later. It was a very special day.

Friends Fur-ever!

This is how it started...... it happens...

...every......day......day... ...after......day......sometimes......twice a day!

Cowboy Cookies

I have a confession to make...I have a thing for cowboys. I think it comes from growing up around... well some cowboys. My Grmpa Ed was a serious cowboy/horse trader/mule team driver and most of my Moms 6 brothers are cowboys in some form or another.

My Dad is a retired rail road man, but as long as I can remember he has worn a cowboy hat, boots, and usually a western shirt. This is my Dad and I at his surprise 70th birthday party in August.

This is my nephew Derrick...yea a really serious cowboy, he is chasing his dreams...he just started a job in Iowa training horses. Grace took this picture of Derrick when he took her for an early morning ride before my Dads party, where we served...

COWBOY COOKIES!!!

2 sticks butter (or 1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco & 1 stick butter)
2 2/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tbls. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
2 2/3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter, sugars, and vanilla, then add eggs. Mix oatmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then add to creamed ingredients. When mixed fairly well then add pecans and chocolate chips. (I have a big mixer so it does all the work for me/us. If you don't have a heavy duty mixer you may need to finish with your hands). Shape into balls the size of a walnut (I/we cheat/work smarter here also and use a small ice cream scoop) Place on sprayed cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake in 350* preheated oven for 11-13 min. Cool on baking sheet for 5 min then finish cooling on cooling racks. makes about 4-5 dozen. This is a double recipe, cuz cowboys don't mess around and they freeze really well. They are a dry cookie...great for dipping in strong coffee after one of those long trail rides, or long car ride north.

Now Jon...not so much the cowboy, more like a farm boy. We haven't yet found a cowboy hat that I like on him. He does wear cowboy boots...

...but this is the kind of Mustang he likes to ride!
He is waiting for the paper work(old cars+lost titles=hassle) he will then haul it home and start chasing his dreams, and one day I can say "hey cowboy, take me for a ride!".