Winter Blahs

I haven't seen the sun in days. Stuck here in the midwest I see snow. I see ice. I see clouds. I see no sun.

One of my school kids asked me today, "The sun is red right?"

"No! It's yellow!" Shouted another.

"Orange! The sun is orange!" offered yet another student.

*Sigh*

The lack of sunlight has effected the young too. Not being able to colour something as simple as the sun. So, so sad.

Let us hope the ice on the ground, the snow now falling leads us to a 2 hour delay in the 'morrow. That would make this weather worth it... well, almost.

Scattagories fun

WHAT IS YOUR "Blog' NAME: Kikilia
BOY NAME: Kieran
4 LETTER WORD: Kelp
GIRL NAME: Keiko
OCCUPATION: Knight
A COLOR: Kelly Green
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Kilt
BEVERAGE: Kahlua or even Kool-Aid (ick)
FOOD: Kiwi
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Kaopectate
A PLACE : Keikionga
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Kids
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Kowabunga!

Barley Soup

It's cold here. Cold. Light dusting of snow on the ground. Time for Oma's Barley soup. Oma is would be my great- grandmother whom I've never met except through her barley soup.

Hope you enjoy too.

1 pounds beef short ribs or soup bone with lots of meat
1-Tbs shortening -brown ribs on both sides- so meat is brown
When meat is brown add 1 qt liquid-- Water or beef stock/broth. I prefer broth/stock.
Add salt and pepper & garlic clove
Cook until meet is tender 1-1 1/2 hours
When meat is done- remove from broth and take off bones- add back to soup
Add 1/4 cup shredded carrots (or cut fine)
1/4 cup onions cut fine
1/4 cup celery diced very fine
1 potato diced fine
1 Tbs. ketchup
1/4 cup barley

You can also add green beans- though I never have

It takes about 20-25 minutes for barley to cook.

This soup is great the next day.

Hope anyone who tries it enjoys it.

Monday

Can't believe how long it's been since I've posted. Not a whole lot to blog about actually- everyone around here is beyond sick and I'm just getting over it. The child is just getting it, and my mother is in the middle of it.

If awards were given for hacking coughs- I'd say we'd be contenders.

Anyway- hope to post more soon.

I think I've been inspired by the first snow of the season. Yup, snow. It even stuck to the ground. :-)

Trick or Treat and other Halloween things

Our small town decided to have trick or treat tonight, October 30 rather than on Halloween due to the local football sectional. I am miffed to say the least, but Pipsqueak had a good time being a vampire witch this year.

My letter to the town Halloween committee will get done and maybe will have some bearing on next year. I won't hold my breath, but one never knows.

The pictures are this year's Jack O' Lantern and one I call "Thank you- thank you very much"....

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!

Oh- and btw- the car- not mine. It's my folks.

Indian clothes!

This is just a touch of the embroidery on Pipsqueak's newest bday gift. A traditional Indian outfit. She looks lovely in it. New outfit and bangles- what a great way to extend the bday.

8!

Good grief! I can't believe it's been near on a month since I've posted. I guess life has been getting away from me and the blog or lack thereof as the case may be has suffered.

Today the Pipsqueak turned 8. Yup, 8. I still can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday this small creature came into my life. She totally turned my world upside down and it's been great (for the most part).

She woke up and celebrated with cake for breakfast, a brand new Nin*tendo DS and accessories a la Hello K*itty... plus a game.

We then went to the zoo (met her G*dmother there), Indian restaurant for lunch- the food was divine, and to wrap it up we hit the mall where a "new furry friend" was made thanks to Build a B*ear. She chose an elephant whom she named Elly. Elly is of course an Asian elephant.

All in all it was a great day and I hope she has many more great days to come.

I'd love to do a thought provoking post on the last 6 years with my child but am too tired. Maybe later this week.

Until then- Happy Birthday Pipsqueak!