Long Time Coming

I had to stay home today because my foot got in the way of a falling glass from my freezer yesterday.  It hit my foot so hard...it shattered on my foot and sliced me up through my shoe.  What kind of freaky thing was that to happen on a quiet Sunday morning??  Very annoying.  I probably should have gone to the ER and received a stitch or two....but hey...I'm a nurse.  I can take care of this myself.  Anyway....in my (oh my God....I'm so bored) free time with my foot iced and elevated today, I decided to get caught up on some bloggers I follow.  Then it occurred to me..."oh yeah...I have a blog!!"  Oops.  It's been a really long time since I've even looked at it.  I reread all of my posts and then remembered how much I enjoyed it.  So what the heck...here's one.

I made this for dinner tonight.  I made it because it was easy....and I needed something I could cook that wouldn't make me run around on my foot too much.  It's such a good recipe and it's not mine.  It's Pioneer Woman's.  I'm not ashamed.  I love her recipes.  It's how I grew up eating.  Reminds me of my mom...and I highly recommend it.  One word of advice however...go easy on the green onions.  I usually only put in about a 1/4 cup.   Oh...and double the cheese.  :-)

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 pound Ground Chuck
• 1 can 15-ounces Tomato Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 8 ounces, weight Egg Noodles
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 1-1/4 cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
• 1/2 cup Sliced Green Onions (less To Taste)
• 1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground chuck in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce. 1/2 teaspoon salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.

To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.

Going Away...."Party"

This past weekend we had a going away party.  It doesn't really feel like "going away" and "party" should be in the same sentence.  What a bittersweet feeling it was...to have over 45 people show up to tell us good-bye and good luck in Colorado.  We felt  completely blessed that so many people took the time to see us off.  Each and every person that came has a special place in our hearts.  SO many memories with each and every one....too many memories to even try to write about.  But please know that it meant the world to us....and we love you all.

I meant to take my camera...and kicked myself when I realized I didn't bring it.  I mean...I could have even taken some pics with my iPhone...but that didn't even occur to me until after everyone left.  I was so busy soaking in what little time I had left to talk to everyone.  But fortunately one friend DID bring her camera and we were able to at least get a few pics at the end.  Here's one:

Boy....we're sure gonna miss these two.  What special friends they have been to us...and such a blessing they are to our lives.  Again...lot's of great memories we share with them...and everyone else.

Our time in Norman is almost up.  We load up our moving truck this Wednesday and head out early Thursday morning.  The house is almost completely packed and looks....well....empty.  We leave SO many great friends, neighbors and co-workers here...and it truly breaks our hearts to leave.  But rest assured we don't leave here "empty".  We leave here filled with MANY wonderful memories...and we leave here with true friendships that we KNOW will last a lifetime.  And that my dear friends....completely fills our hearts with joy.

Subaru's, Mountains, and Dreams

It's been a few months since I've messed with my blog.  I almost forgot about it actually.  That means I'm not a good blogger I guess.  But lots of things have happened since my last post...so I thought now might be a good time to throw one out there.  One biggie since I blogged last:  Bob and I both turned 50!  It's hard to believe!!  Don't you think??  I mean really....50??  Oh well.  I don't feel it...AT ALL.  I guess that's a positive.  The alternative is not a preferred one...so I'll have to get used to this....some day.  :-)

Another biggie:  WE'RE MOVING!!!  Some of you may be surprised at the news.  Some of you who know us well...won't be too surprised.  For about the past year, Bob and I have been tinkering with the idea of moving.  Moving to a place we've felt like we've always belonged.  To Colorado.  Well...our dream is now a reality!  We will be moving to Colorado Springs at the end of May...early June.  Bob is very fortunate to be going to work for a great company called Hercules Industries.  They are a thriving, expanding company and Bob will be able to grow right along with them.  He's pumped.  :-)  As for me...I will be an Army Civilian Nurse at Fort Carson in a pediatric clinic.  Going back to my roots I suppose....pediatrics that is...not Army.  :-)  It will be a new adventure for both of us.

Here are some pics of where we will be living!

I know I said a few...but there are too many pictures to choose from!  :-)  Beautiful...huh??  We just can't wait to absorb all of this!

Last thing:  We bought a new Subaru Forrester.  We didn't think 'ol blue would do well in the mountains.  Also...I've named my Forrester.  Her name is "Subee".  My friend Teresa said she needed a name.  So that's all I could come up with.  :-)  But we love her...and she can't wait to get to the mountains!  As are we!!

We're looking forward to our new adventure...and I will be more faithful in keeping up my blog...so we can keep you all updated.  Time to get reacquainted with my Nikon.

The Art of Waffles

 It's Sunday.....(wait....I mean Monday) and that means it's waffle morning at my house!  I just love waffles.  And I mean it.  I LOVE WAFFLES!  It reminds me of being a little girl, laying in bed, smelling those lovely, little round pieces of art being cooked by my mom.  My mom was a good cook....and I'm so grateful she always took the time to show me the "ways of the kitchen."  With this lovely cold front that has finally made it's way through Oklahoma, I've been re-energized to get crackin in the kitchen...so my family got beans and cornbread and apple pie for dinner last night.  Yes....I'm ready for Fall. 

I've been working on the "perfect" waffle recipe.  I've 'tweaked' and 'twirped' and 'twisted' waffle ingredients until I came up with what I think is the perfect waffle.  And after many practice runs on my family, I think we all agree on this recipe.

I also think the right waffle maker is key to a perfect waffle.  I prefer a traditional waffle maker rather than the popular Belgian waffle maker.  I like a thinner, traditional waffle.  It just feels like "home" to me.  The traditional waffle maker is harder to find however.  I found this Cuisinart waffle maker on Amazon.  And I love it.  It's all I use now.  Just be sure you season it good.  It won't stick if you do!

 Enjoy!!

 Waffles

Ingredients

• 1-¾ cup All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 2 whole Egg Yolks
• 1-¾ cup Milk
• ½ cup Melted Butter (1 Stick)
• 2 whole Egg Whites
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

In another bowl beat egg yolks slightly, add milk and melted butter. Pour this mixture into the flour until just combined, leave it slightly lumpy.

In a separate bowl combine egg whites and vanilla and whip to stiff peak. Then gently fold into the bowl of batter.

Then pour batter into a preheated waffle iron (about ½ cup). Cook until golden. Repeat until you use up all of your batter. Top with maple syrup.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Crazy Bird People

Let me just say it.  We're crazy bird people.  Well...Bob mostly, but I like 'em too.  But not as much as Bob.  Some of you may already know about Bob's crazy hobby....and some of you have NO idea.  I'll explain in a minute.  I recently saw a hummingbird in our back yard.  So we decided to go to Lowe's and purchase a feeder.  There are SO many types of hummingbird feeders....it was a little mind boggling.  But we finally decided (well...I decided) on this "really cute" one.  (Bob knows when he can't win).  So we came home and carefully looked up the correct formulation of hummingbird "juice" to put in the feeder.  I guess what we're doing is working, because we now have about 8 or so hummingbirds that have set up roost in our back yard.  And boy are we having fun.  Bob has identified at least 2 different species of hummingbirds.  One is the standard Ruby Throat Hummingbird that you see most commonly in this area.  The other is a Black Chinned Hummingbird.  He sits out back with his "sexy binoculars" (don't ask) and tells me which ones are males and which ones are females.  Did I tell you that he knows EVERYTHING about ANY bird??  Well....he does.  He's like a walking, talking field guide.  He comes in handy at times.  Anyway....here are a few shots of our little darlings....

Have you ever seen a hummingbird sit still?  I haven't until now.  Bob hung up a make shift "perch" next to the feeder.  They love it....along with their really cute feeder.

See??  Isn't it really cute?  The feeder I mean.

A completely accidental good shot.  But turned out pretty cool. 

We also like to feed other birds.  We have made a (very large) group of House Finches completely and utterly dependent upon us.  They are about to bankrupt us with their little eating habits. But they're just so darned cute. So we continue the madness.  We've seen several families raised in our yard. 

House Finches

We also get Gold Finches.  These are our favorite.  They unfortunately don't hang around all year.  So we always get excited when they migrate through.  Very pretty. 

Gold Finches

So there you have it.  A quick glimpse of the Roberson back yard. I hope you enjoyed the "tame" side of things.

Now...remember I told you earlier I would explain to you about Bob's crazy hobby?  Well....here it goes.  BTW...I know Bob and the other Falconers who might read this will be offended by me saying "crazy" (and hobby for that matter)...and I'm sorry in advance...but honestly....most people who hear about what he does....just stare at me and say....CRAZY.  Bob is a falconer.  When looking for something to sum it up in a nut shell for you...I just couldn't find anything that would fit in a nut shell.  So I opted for just the simple definition:  Falconry - The sport of hunting with falcons, hawks, eagles, etc.  The art of training hawks to hunt.  And there you have it.  And he's been doing this sport/art most of his entire life.  He's been in love with falconry since he was a little boy.  Bob IS falconry.  I've not known him any different.  And that's one of the reasons I love him.  He's devoted....plain and simple.  He loves what he does.  That's the life of a true falconer.  And he also loves his yearly (what I call) "bird trips."  He loads up who ever will go with him....his boys, his friends (not me) and heads to Wyoming/Colorado.  It's a big deal really.  It takes weeks to prepare for the trip.  It's quite unbelievable how much he can pack in his truck.  What is the goal of this trip?  Looking for Goshawk nests.  Yes....nests.  And sometimes the cute little Goshawk babies that are IN the nests.  And he's good at it.  He can find the Goshawk nests.  It comes naturally to him.  He has a built in GPS for them.  That's the goal of the trip.  Well....they also hang by the fire and eat (I've seen the pics of the gourmet camp food) and they fish...and run into the occasional moose.  And they climb trees.  Really tall, tall, tall trees.  Because....that is where the nests are. 

See the crazy guy on that tree?  It's not Bob.  But he DID find the nest.

And here's what they find.  A baby gos.

AND mama gos.  And she's NOT happy when someone with climbing gear is near her nest.  And she can get nasty.

                                                                                  

She's gonna get 'em!

And here's Bob....the master goshawk nest hunter.  He's pointing....

And here is the prize.  Well....after the babies grow up!

I hope you've enjoyed the "tame" and "wild" Roberson bird tales.  We always seem to entertain ourselves around here pretty well.  Life certainly isn't boring when you have a falconer in the house.                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                          

Sunday Breakfast

Good morning! As some of you know....I love to cook.  And occasionally I make up a recipe.  Here's one I thought you might enjoy on this cloudy Sunday morning.  It's actually published on Pioneer Woman's Blog "Tasty Kitchen."  I giggle when I see reviews on these muffins. It's received a "5 mitten" rating.  Who knew?  Hope you enjoy. 

MARSHA’S BANANA-CINNAMON MUFFINS

1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream (low fat)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup mashed bananas (2-3 very ripe)
1 1/2 cup flour (sifted)
Dash of salt
1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. cinnamon

Brown sugar (topping)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs.  Beat until light and fluffy. Add sour cream and baking soda.  Stir in bananas.  Add flour and a dash of salt.  Beat until smooth.  Add vanilla and cinnamon.  Fill muffin cups then sprinkle with brown sugar.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Relationships 101

For some reason, I'm most reflective when I'm cleaning my house. Weird...I know. There's just something about that time on a Saturday morning. Sometimes I plug my ears up with my iPod and listen to David Crowder. (He really seems to motivate me for some reason). Other times, I just like the quiet of it all. And that's when it happens...the thoughts come rushing to my head. I seem to have SO much to ponder at times, and this morning was no exception. My thoughts were consumed with....relationships. Some lost ones....some current ones. And then...I just can't help but wonder about the lost ones. Why is it that some of your best relationships seem to end? Especially the ones that you never thought in a million years would EVER end? Is it that your lives have taken such a turn with changes and such, you just drift apart? Have I changed? Have they changed? Who out there knows the answer to my questions?? :-)  I realize life is ever revolving and people come and people go. And I know God has a reason for this. And trust me...I am thankful for ALL of the people He has put in my life. I am especially thankful for the people who have made a positive impact...the kind of impact that my life has been changed forever...and for the better. But I am most thankful for my family. They are my MOST important relationship. My high school sweetheart Bob, to whom I am still married and hopelessly in love with...and my three boys, that have grown up to be kind, loving, honest and upstanding men. I mean...how can you not love that? I love them all so much and I know I am blessed beyond measure. So as I reflect on the past relationships...I know these things are for certain: they were all placed there for a reason, even if only for a while...and I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together.