Friday Funnies: Year 3

Friends.  I only have a few school-related funnies, but let's go ahead and get started.

1:
Let me set up the scenario.  Two days ago, I wore skinny black pants to school.  It's important to know that I wear these at least once week and I've had them since last fall.  They're dang comfortable and they're black, so they go with everything.  I've never, in my dozens and dozens of times of wearing them, had a student make a comment in regards to their style/fit.  I suppose there's a first thing for everything.  What follows is the dialogue between a female student and I:
Female Student:  Mrs. Carlson, are those skinny jeans?
MC:  Yes.
FS:  I bet you feel like you're in high school again when you wear those.
MC:  Well, skinny jeans weren't around when I was in high school.
FS:  It's only a matter of time before you're walking in the hall and a boy comes up behind you and is all, "Hey girl, how you doin?"
MC:  Thankfully that hasn't happened yet.
End of conversation.

2:
I walked into school this morning at approximately 6:50 am (I'm a morning person, just let me be).  And what should my wandering eyes see?
A hostile mob of parents?  No.
The marching band?  No.
A stray cat?  No. 
A million construction workers?  Yes, but that's not the point.
A suspicious bookbag?  No.
A snake?  Yes.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

People, I do not lie to you.  One of satan's own was on the freshly scrubbed tile.  Thankfully a student was only a few feet ahead of me.  I literally froze in my tracks when I saw it.  Enter dialogue:
MC:  Is that a snake?
Male Student:  Yes.
MC:  Are you afraid of snakes?
MS:  No.
MC:  Will you please remove it from the premises?
MS:  Yes.

I stuck around long enough to see said male student pick up said spawn of satan.  Then I bolted to my classroom, keeping watch over every crevice where another spawn might live.  Nasty.

That's all I have for now.  Come back later...there's sure to be more.

Summer 2012

A farewell to summer 2012 and space phone pictures:

You were fun, my sweet summer.
You were full and wild.
You put paint in my hair.
And made me feel like a child.

Much food was consumed
While a symphony was heard
It only would've been better
To have the view of a bird

We camped in the desert
And got a terrible sun burn
While it made a good memory
I said, "No more!" very stern

With bats in the attic
Huzzie knew just what to do
So he donned a ridiculous suit
And the space is good as new
Lots of time with friends
And lots of belly laughs
Memories made all around
And only a few social gaffs

Challenges to the heart
Not to be taken lightly
God's doing a new thing
We only need to move slightly

Hours of prepping, priming, and painting
And gallons of paint washed off my hands
Summer, you knew this was a heckuva project
It's done! I now watch the Olympics from my couch (aka: grand stands)

Vacation, vacation,
You have such a sweet tone
Especially with a fam
Who is super to the bone

Daniel even wore red pants
But only for a short bit
Would have totally bought them
If they were a better fit

And last but not least
We celebrated these two
Adorable twinsies
Before them, what did we do!?

Summer, you were kind
But you went so dang fast
Please come again
And let it not be your last.

Love,
Heidi

Freezer Cooking 2: Feeding the Masses

Greetings, fellow freezer-cooking friends!  Here are two incredibly easy recipes that will feed a crowd.  One is for breakfast and the other is perfect for when you're hosting a gazillion people OR for when you want to serve it tonight and have plenty for leftovers.  In regards to the breakfast recipe, don't be freaked out by the fact that you will be freezing eggs and milk.  It really is fine.  Just stick it in the freezer right after you make it and you'll be golden.  

Sausage and Egg Casserole (serves 6-8)
1 (6-8 oz) box croutons (the seasoned kinds are awesome - make for a great flava-flave)
1 pound sausage - sauteed and drained (or bacon or ham or whatever meat you like)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 eggs
2 cups milk
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 t. dry mustard (I don't always do this and it is still super delish)

Here's where you have some awesome options.  Either make 1 9x13 pan OR make 2 8x8 pans (you could freeze both or serve one today and freeze the other).  I prefer to make 2 smaller pans since our fam is teeny-tiny. 

Spray pan(s) with non-stick spray.  Spread croutons over bottom of pan.  Cover with meat of choice, then cheese.  Beat eggs, milk, and seasonings together and pour over.  Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour.  

If freezing and baking later, allow at least 8 hours (no more than 24 hours) to thaw in the refrigerator.  Then bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour (check at 45 minutes).

Other modifications you could make:

• Be vegetarian-friendly and substitute the meat with veggies.
• Instead of using the suggested pan sizes above, make individual portions using ramekins.  Perfect if you're cooking only for yourself or if you want a handful of yummy, single-portioned breakfasts in the freezer. 

This next recipe's a classic Sheree Glanzer meal, friends.  Entirely perfect for the Sunday when you invite a billion friends over for lunch or for a football game.  Like the breakfast casserole recipe above, it's also perfect for separating into smaller portions.  So mix once and dump into 2 or 3 freezer bags.  And who doesn't love cooking once and eating thrice!?

Stuff Over Fritos (serves 12-15)
2 lbs. ground beef - browned
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
3 sm. cans tomato paste
40 oz. water (5 cups - add this when you're ready to cook it, not pre-freezing...the water will totally weigh down your freezer bag)
2 t. oregano
2-3 t. chili powder
2 t. salt
2 t. cumin
1 chopped onion
Garlic salt to taste
2 cans beans of your choice (I use one can of black beans and one can of red beans)

After browning meat, combing all ingredients.  If serving immediately, allow to simmer at least one hour on the stove OR cook in crock-pot 8-10 hours on low.  

If freezing and serving later, mix all ingredients (except the water), place in desired amount of freezer bags, and freeze flat.  Allow 1-2 days to thaw in your refrigerator before placing meal in crock-pot. 

Serve over corn chips, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, sour cream, black olives, and salsa.    
Make these items today and feed your people for the next week.  They'll love it.  I've gotz lotz more recipes to share.  Let me know if you want them for your freezer repertoire!

Freezer Cooking: Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are great for everything.  Seriously.  Breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, dinner, friends, family, neighbors, pets, etc. etc.  You should make this recipe right now, feed your family in a flash, and freeze the leftovers.  Your breakfasts for the next 2 weeks will be off the charts.

Freezer-friendly Breakfast Burritos
18 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup green pepper
1/4 cup onion
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 lb. sausage (or bacon or ham or whatever you prefer)
20ish tortillas


Brown sausage and set aside in a ginormous bowl.  Saute onions and peppers.  Whisk milk, butter, and eggs and then scramble eggs over medium heat.  When eggs are cooked, add to browned sausage.  Add cheese, onions, and peppers.  Wrap 1/3 to 1/2 cup of mixture in a tortilla (make sure you wrap it like a present, not a taco...that way the filling will stay in the tortilla).  Wrap tortilla in small paper towel and put in freezer bags.  When ready to reheat, microwave burrito (still wrapped with a paper towel!) for 2 minutes, flipping at 1 minute.  

People, I can't explain to you how easy and awesome these are.  But please please please use a non-stick pan to scramble your eggs.  Or be like me and use a regular skillet and then scrape it for 15 minutes a day for the next week.  Not even kidding.  

Enjoy!

PS: Do you need any other freezer-friendly recipes?  Always happy to share! :)