Hiking we go!

We got out the maps and decide to try another trail.   Wow this was  a very steep trail but was so beautiful when we got to the top.

The moose and his little mouse friend on his ear wishing us luck as we take off to head up the mountain..

The girls and puppies hiking up the mountain top.. looking at us like really!

Andy, girls and puppies on there way up the mountain..

One of the beautiful views we got to see once we made it to the top. Sure worth the hike.

This is one half way up the mountain, over looking the water!

Andy, taking a break on the top and saying see we did it..  might of took awhile but we did it.

Me (Kris) with a big smile.. saying yea we did it.. If I can do this steep mountain I can climb almost anything.  Now its back down.

Balloons, Balloons, Balloons!

 

Getting ready to go up, up and away!

 

Big air bubble in the middle.

 

Working on getting all the air out of the balloon!

Putting the finally straps on!

Trying to get the final bubbles out..

Inside the balloon just before take off.. all bubbles out.

 

Gentleman start the flames we are ready for take off!

 

Ready for take off!

 

Up it goes! 

 

The girls waiting for take off!

 

 

 

We had so much fun that day.. had to get up really early which the girls didn't like at first but once they got there they really enjoyed it.   It was a very neat thing to see.

LOL

Hi all, We have some AMAZING news, we are EXPECTING!!!!!!! 12 weeks!! I know I'm in shock too! I can't believe it myself! We weren't going to put it on facebook but wanted to make it official. :] I mean who would have guessed that we're expecting!! yup its official...we are expecting Santa in just 12 weeks!!!



Just wanted to get all my blogging friends up and ready for Santa..

Happy Apple Seed Day!

Wow! So much smoke!

How many more fires can these poor fireman try and put out.

Not only are they fighting the fires in the mountain, but this afternoon a
apartment went up and boy the flames could be seen for miles.

The smoke is so thick.. my oldest daughter and I try to walk up the
mountains but couldn't get very far, it was hard to breathe and the
smoke was burning our eyes. 

So, sad to see all this go up.  


We need rain so bad, so tomorrow I am going to outside and do my
little rain dance.



I will do it with my clothes on but if that wouldn't do it. Next week I will
do it in my birthday suit, if that don't scare the rain out of the sky nothing will.

Mini Cupcake Meatloaf!

                                                         Mini Cupcake Meatloaf!

Oh my stars are things good and easy to make.
Was  a big hit at our house.


Recipe:

1 lbs. ground beef
1 pkgs stove top stuffing mix
1 cup water
2 Tbs. Steak Sauce.

Heat oven to 375

Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and steak sauce well.
Press into grease muffin or cupcake pans.. 

Makes 12

Bake 20 to 25 minutes..  Let stand for 5 minutes. .


Well the mini cupcakes meat loafs are cooking boil potatoes, when done mash.

Make a brown gravy..

When done put mini meatloaf on bottom, add potatoes then gravy..

Apples! Apples! Apples!

We went a picked some apples.  There were tons and tons of apples they kept wanting to give us the apples. Oh my stars they taste wonderful.

We haven't had a good apple in 10 years.. they don't have many apple trees on the ocean.

We were eating and eating them right off the tree and they taste so good..

Today we made homemade apple pie!  It turn out wonderful! 



We love our pie with extra cinnamon on it.. then add ice cream right out of the oven couldn't ask for anything better.

Now we have to figure out what to do with the rest of the apples.

Crock Pot Applesauce!

This recipe is wonderful and out of this world.  We made it and love it.

We put ice cream or whip cream on top.  It taste like apple pie without the crust..
Oh my Stars its simple and great.


Recipe:     Crock Pot Applesauce!


4lbs of tart apples  (cored and sliced thin)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix apples (about 12 cups)  with cinnamon and sugar in crockpot.
Pour water and lemon juice over apples. 
Stir

cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.


This is a great recipe.. more cooking today.

Bike Ride!

Sometimes getting away and just let your mind relax and smell the roses and what ever else you can find to smell or see works wonderful.

We decided on Saturday to load up the truck and go on a bike ride. 

The girls did 30 mile bike right and we just drove around talked and try to get our heads clear and decide what is next.



It was so pretty up there.  A little scary when we got to the top and looked over but well worth it. The view was just breath taking.

The girls were both on the trail for over 5 hours when they came out the tunnel at the end they had there arms in the air and said we did it.  It was so cute. They both were so tired and cold.
The tunnel itself was over 2 miles long. They said it was very dark and cold.


another view on top of it..

How to have Faith? How to Believe?

I have sat and ask myself these two question for the last two days.

How to have Faith? and How to Believe?
Its hard it seems like everytime I get happy and think things are going good. Love the place and area.  We get a big slap in the face.

How do people want you to believe? 

Everytime I get to the top of the hill there is someone there to slap me in the face. 
Or tell me I need to step back and move this rock out of the way and things will be ok.
I been trying to move this rock for along time now, it wouldn't move.

I cried so many tears.



                                     
hoping the tears will make the grown wet so I can dig the rock out and move it faster..

I ask WHY? so many times and get no answers..

I go to bed at night and prayer and talk to God as much as I can, my mind just wonders and goes all over the places.. 

Before I know it my pillow is wet from tears so many tears I am sitting up bed and can't sleep.


How does one go on and still believe when there is always something in the way.

I understand and know life isn't easy.

I been told so many times God only gives you what he thinks you can handle. 

I wonder how much more he thinks I can handle..

This is getting old and I am getting tired.  

How do you keep yourself going and thinking positive? 

What a beautiful day!

Took the girls and puppies for a walk to a new burger joint down the street. 

It was a nice walk down but then I forgot it was all hills to come home. Thank God the weather was cold and nice little breeze..

The burgers were great the place was great and the prices were great.

          
                

Coupons!

Do I use coupons?     

Well I try but sometimes its hard.   It seems when I go get the item I want with a coupon they have none on the shelf.
Or buying generic is cheaper with no coupon so I end up throwing the coupon away.

I was watching one of those shows on tv where these people go couponing and get all kinds of food for almost nothing.

Wow how do they do it? I don't get it. I never find those good deals like that no matter where I live.

Then I sit and think why does someone need over 100 tissue boxes or 100 soaps, even over 100 can goods.

Are they going to eat all that food before it out dates.  Well the answer is no unless they have a huge family.

Why buy it all even if its almost free.  What are you going to do with it? If you give to food panties wonderful or family/friends that is great.

Why not leave some for others to try. 
I know alot of places around here are putting a limit on how many you can buy now.

I guess I need to take time and do more studying on couponing and try to help my family that way. 

I hear it works and is worth in the end. I am just lost trying to find out how they do it.

But, you know what they say it takes time to learn so I am going to learn.

Well Good Morning Jack!

Open our front door this morning to take the puppies for a walk and guess we was there to greeting us  Jack.. yea I know its early but Jack didn't think so.

I said Good Morning Jack.. wow hold on I am not dress for you and ran back inside put on my coat and mittens.
                                            


 
You see it was Jack Frost that was out there. 

The air was crisp and cool, felt wonderful.. 

I came back out dress and ready to face the cool morning and look around its been along time since I felt or seen Jack Frost.

I was born and raised in the North but been in the South along time.

It felt good for now I am sure in a few months I will tell him to go night night. LOL

 

Potato Bread/ Rolls for Large Mix

One of our families favorite.  Add butter and honey.. hmm so good.

                                        Potato Bread/Rolls for Large Mix!


3/4 cup potato water                          1/4 cup butter (soft)
1 egg                                                    1/2 cup mashed potato
2 Tablespoon sugar                            1 teaspoon salt 
3 cups bread flour                              2 1/2 teaspoons yeast


Put ingredients in order into bread machine. Place on dough cycle. (About 1 and half hours)

When done put on floured surface. Cut in half. Place 1/2 in greased bread pan.
Cut 12 dinner rolls and place on greased pan.
Sprinkle lightly both lightly with flour.
Let rise in warm oven for 30 minutes.
Bake @ 350 
Rolls   10-15 minutes.
Bread 20-25 minutes.


I have never done the bread. We have always made the rolls and they are big rolls.

Enjoy they are easy and good.

Windy Day!

One of those Winnie Pooh Windy Days..

If you don't have it nailed down its going to blow away.
If I was 20 pounds lighter I would be flying to Oz to see Dorothy..  But no worry here.

I just hope no one trys and burn anything and we get no lighting we don't need any fires..
There are plenty little ones going on around here. 

So, hang on your hat enjoy the wonderful windy day.

Another Beautiful day!

Weather man says big changes on the way.

I do hope so I hope we get some rain out here in the mountains we need it, everything is so dry.

Its sad when all these beautiful trees go up in a fire, let alone all the house and things. So sad.

Going to go put on the hiking shoes and go do some more exploring today before the winds pick up and rains come. I hope it does.

Hope you all have a  wonderful Sunday and get out and enjoy the day or relax with a good book or a movie..

Hike in the Mountains!

Got up and packed and ready to go..  Off to the mountains we went.

This time the girls and I hiked over 8 miles the views and look outs were breathe taking.
Its sometimes hard to believe its not a painting.

We had a wonderful hike.

one of the beautiful views we ran across..

breathe taking!

    

 

 

 

from the top we made it..

Goes on forever and ever!

 

 

 

Koda Bear enjoy a sit in the water after a long hike. Three hours later we made it back to the truck and all were ready to go home and rest.

Politics

I just hate politics so much.. I think its a waste of money and time.

I think if they the politician would take half the money they raise and give to those that need it. Or help those find work I think we would be farther ahead.

I don't like how people treat others or label them if you don't believe what  they want you to believe they call you all but dumb or blind because you wouldn't agree with whom they are voting for or go along with whom ever they are voting for.

I think politician  are funny people. They say what they want you hear and to get your vote.

After that, if they win they never walk there little walk they promise you so.

I hate  politics I think it cause more fights then anything..

Just because I don't vote for someone doesn't make me or my family bad.
Its American right we have the right to vote and think the way we want. Doesn't make us all bad or does it?

Fall is in the air!

Wow! the mornings have been getting so nice and cool.

Its wonderful to walk in the mountains and not sweat like a pig.  hmmm now that is funny saying why do they you sweat like a pig.  Pigs don't sweat.

All windows open and nice breeze coming in. Get all the ugly germs out that were locked in from all the heat.

Super in slow cooker and smelling good.  Its chicken breast with cream of mushroom soup going to make mashed potatoes to go with it..

You raise me up-- by Josh Groban

http://youtu.be/oni0tO_HN30



This is a great song.. So beautiful...

Walking in the Mountains..

Every night the Wolf Daughters and I clean up the kitchen after supper and gather the dogs and go for our walk up the mountain.





The walk is so beautiful, relaxing and breathe taking. We love seeing all the animals and watching them look at us like we are nuts or something. We talk to them. If they understand I don't now. They look at us like they do.

Well last night on walk up the mountain I got to the top and guess what nature called and I had to go potty bad.  I looked at the Wolf Daughters and told them I need to go pee. They looked at me then looked down the mountain and said mom thats along ways down. I said yes and looked around the woods awhile. Oldest Wolf Daughter said I know you are redneck mom but I am little more classy then that. Hmm I thought a bit then I thought I can't do this to her. But, I don't know if I can get to the bottom of this mountain. You know as you get younger in age its hard to hold.  
Well this mamma decide I would be a trooper and hold it and climb down the mountain. I never thought the end of mountain was ever that far down before it seem to go on forever. Like hours in a day..

Well we finally hit bottom and who was waiting at the bottom of the mountain but our deer family we talk to every night.   I just keep walking fast. We usually walk slowly by them and talk to them. But, I really had to go and knew we had a ways to go yet. 


So, I keep going fast by them and the Wolf Daughters said slow down mom they will get scared and run. So, I slow down a bit told them I was sorry couldn't visit tonight as nature was calling and I needed to go. Sorry.. no sooner did I say that then out of no where. Well I guess it wasn't out of  no where a fart came out. The deer looked at me and ran like I just shot them with a gun or something.  The Wolf Daugthers go mom. I said I am sorry guess I need to get moving faster.

Well the moral of the story is next time you climb a mountain go to the bathroom first. Its along ways down when you have to go..

Lazy Sunday!

Don't you love it when you wake up with the windows open and its so cool out, theres a gentle breeze you don't even want to get out of bed.

This morning I woke up and pulled this big fat hind end out of the bed to the bathroom with goose bumps all over as the house was cool and there was a gentle breeze coming through. I thought I was dreaming it was so relaxing and refreshing..

Then I went to get dress and thought hey girl want to keep up with the Jones and all. So, out I pulled my Halloween pumpkin sweatshirt put it on. Went to the dresser drawer and pulled out my Halloween socks.. 

Off I went for my morning crisp walk in the woods to see the lovely animals.   There were plenty animals  this cool morning playing in the sun.  

Came back all refresh and ready for another day. Made some homemade choc. chip cookies for the family..

Along with pancakes, eggs and sausage.

Now off to go do some more walking and site seeing. This mamma is not going to let to much grass grow under her not now anyway. Winter will be here and there will be time to do that.

My New Hobby!

This is so true. If I had a penny for everytime I been ask mom do you know where this is I put it here and its not here. LOL

Good thing mom's know where everything is.