Fall Funk

I'm going to copy Jody over at her blog and talk about some "Fall Funk". Sort of a brain dump, or small update on our crazy life.

1. I wish that the house would always be clean. All the time. Not have to worry about making messes, or ever having to use a toilet brush or vacuum again.

2. Homework is not my hobby. Even though it might seem like I like to do it, since I'm doing it 24/7 a few hours each night.

3. Siblings DO drive me crazy. Some more than others depending on the day, and what they do and will continue to drive me crazy throughout my life. Especially when they're hurting others at the same time...

4. I love Fall... I really do. But I mean really; why does it have to be this cooollldd? I know, I know it's Minnesota and almost November but I would love for it to heat up just a bit. 

5. I love compliments. Just today I got more than 4 compliments on my hair. Makes me smile every time.

6. Teachers frustrate me. Not often or a lot, but sometimes they just do. Do they think I like failing a paper, having to redo it in 2 days, and now currently having a C- in that subject?? Ugh

7. THE CHRISTIAN RADIO IS AMAZING - enough said.

8. We seem to have a seat-buckle issue with 'T' right now. Sometimes refusing to buckle, and having mom get out more than 3 times to help her back in - In the middle of the carpool lane at school, thus backing up the long line.

9. I can't wait to drive. haha I'm getting Drivers Ed from my parents this year for my birthday!! Which is in 13 days! Thought I'd remind you again... 

10. Dinner and dishes seem to come faster and faster everyday... Poor mom. I was surprised to come home today and see the kitchen was clean. Then I told her nice job!

11. Halloween came up WAY too soon this year. Do we have pumpkins yet? Nope. Do we have any decorations up for Fall? One or two. (We don't put all those creepy decorations up like some people - no offense to anyone, but people can go over the top sometimes.)

12. I'm craving some Ethiopian food right about now. It's so expensive, and we haven't been there recently at all. I think it's a good sign to know we've been saving a little bit of $$$.

13. I don't think I've been to Walmart, or Target in more than a month! Oh. My. Goodness. Definitely need my shopping fix soon... Even if I don't buy anything.

14. My dad's boss frustrates me (and my mom), and especially my dad sometimes. He hasn't gotten a higher paycheck in more than 5 years, and just found out that they are hiring more employees for about the same salary as him. Talk about frustrating. I mean really people?! Wake up and look at my dad - He's the hardest working guy ever!

15. The End.

Thanks for reading my pretty very long vent about life. We're doing just fine... Taking one step at a time. Our God is good, and that's stuck in our heads at this point. Have a good Tuesday night!

Blessings,
~Michlyn

Apple Crisp

I meant to post this a couple days ago, but that didn't happen so here it is now! I love Fall! When the colors change, when you can pick pumpkins, and the weather is almost absolutely perfect! On our way to school everyday we take the back roads to save time, and my mom noticed an "apple stand". You can go pick out the apples you would like for a small amount of money as a donation.


So this past weekend, my mom, 'T', and I stopped and picked up a pretty big box of damaged apples, since we would just be using them for cooking. They were delicious, bruised or not! We set up a a little area outside, to get some fresh air, and get to work right away. We made about three gallon sized ziplock bags worth of cut apples, and used two of them to bake. (The other one we froze)

Apple Crisp Recipe:

Ingredients:
6-8 sliced and peeled apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place apples in ungreased 2 quart casserole pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, water, and lemon juice. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients; mis with pastry blender, fork, or wooden spoon until crumbly. Sprinkly crumb mixture evenly over apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown.

Serve warm with ice cream, or whipped cream! Enjoy!

Blessings,
~Michlyn

A Cooking Day

Yesterday was a cooking kind of day. A night where I wanted to bake something, Erin was baking something, and my mom tried a new recipe. At the end, this is what we ended up with:

Zucchini Bread
Cupcakes
Corn Chowder

Erin was reluctant on making the zucchini bread, but we now have at least one loaf left out of two. That's how popular it is at our house.

I was craving some cupcakes a few days ago... I don't exactly know why, but you know when you just all of sudden want chocolate or something? That's how I felt. So I decided to make some.

The corn chowder was soooo good! I think I'll be having the leftovers for lunch today.  The cupcakes were also really good.  At least I didn't mix something up and they turned out horrible. The zucchini bread will probably be gone tomorrow, but we'll see.

Wishing you all a productive day!

~Michlyn

Quick Post - A look back

Yesterday, on Sunday, we got to enjoy Ethiopian food. 'T' said that she wanted "injera" (traditional Ethiopian bread - SO good). So our family took the hour drive to our favorite Ethiopian resturant and ate way too much. Good thing we have leftovers!

So on our way out my mom said she wanted a picture of my dad, 'T', and herself - a year later. So I took one, and there's a huge difference. 'T' has gone through so much this year, and has improved so much. Tomorrow, if I remember, I'll post all of the achievements she's made this year. She's a bright, spunky, little girl who can dance like no other! If you've ever heard Ethiopian music, then you know what I'm talking about!

We love you 'T'! We can't wait to see what God shows us this year, as we continue to learn more and more; what's best for our family!

And a little video of 'T' on July 24th, 2010, swinging for her first time!

 Blessings, ~Michlyn

Quick Post - New recipe

So tonight my mom made these quick zuichini snacks. The recipe is below:

Things you need:


1 zuichini (or more depends on how much you want to make)
Vegetable Oil
1-2 eggs (again it depends how much you're making)
Saltine crackers

How to make it:
Start by heating a fry pan and lightly pouring the vegetable oil in the pan just to cover the bottom of it.
Next, you can start cutting the zuichini in medium slices, and putting them off to the side.
Then, take a handful of saltine crackers, put them in a plastic gallon sized bag, use a rolling pan or just your hands, and start crushing them.
Put the crushed crackers into a bowl, and also the egg(s) into another separate bowl and mix well.
Once your pan is heated you then take a slice of the zuichini, dip it into the egg, roll it in the crackers, and finally place it on the pan to cook.
Once each side is done to your liking flip it to the next side.
Continue until all of your cut slices of zuichini are made.
ENJOY!

We also enjoyed some porkchops tonight with this tasty snack!

Blessings, ~Michlyn