The President Reigns Supreme

Last night, a little earlier than usual, I got into bed. After 30 minutes of watching what I wanted to watch on TV I decided it was too early to be hitting the hay. I jumped up out of bed, wriggled my toes into my friggies (a family word for slippers) and walked to my bedroom door. At this moment I hear the squeak from one particularly weight worn stair. I know it's Joel. And by the steadiness of his steps, he was trying to be quiet. I thought to myself, "I'm gonna get him..."
Clasping the door knob, I prepare my attack. The door open a crack. All light from our room extinguished, so seeing him was easy as he was back lit from downstairs illumination.
Wait.
Wait.
Patience.
I see his silhouette move past the door jam. (He's peeking to see if I've fallen asleep) I yanked open the door and bellowed a primal roar. (I surprised myself at the sheer volume and ferocity- I meant business). SUCCESS! I haven't seen him that overwhelmed in years. Ohhhhhh, it felt good. THE KING HAS BEEN DETHRONED!!! How long has it been since I scared the bejeebers out of some one? Yay, ME!!!
But this victory is short lived. He stole all of my unders. I am sans scivvies. I bow to his sneaky sneakiness. I am the April Fool.
Sidenote, while driving down I15 this morning, has anyone seen my unmentionables ?

Who am I trying to fool?

This is what Kate wanted for breakfast.
I am not a morning person, so this is what Kate got for breakfast. (Or she would have started asking me questions and talking incessantly... but it is the whining I feared the most this a.m.) I like to start conversations around 10:04 a.m. She gets up too early.

This is what I wanted for breakfast. No, not in a dirty way. I just really hoped he had gotten my request for home help and would be here bright and early to, you know, help. Good Morning, Ty.... sigh. AND... uh...good morning to you too, Wil. I LOVE YOU, HONEY!!!!!

Oh Martha-help me, guide me

Martha has provided me with a new bible. The HOUSEKEEPING HANDBOOK. It's probably been out for some time, but I found it today and I am on a mission to prepare my home for the day when M.S. comes to the HIDEOUT to do an on-site interview with the Fabulous Saying It Simply sisters. (that's us.) I am ready to be famous and famously clean and organized. I want monogrammed napkins and linens for every occasion. I want my towels to absorb like they were born to. (Martha sent me an email today and explained why my towels aren't soaking up the liquids anymore. Go here to learn for yourself : http://www.marthastewart.com:80/good-things/towel-tune-up?xsc=stf_MSLO-GOODTHINGS) I'll make her proud by exemplifying the image of a Housekeeping Handbook student.





Sidenote to cleaning and organizing...I am currently without children (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa.) and I am finishing up some orders and attempting to make SIS a living space in the dungeon. But I need some serious help. Does anyone personally know my TV boyfriend Ty Pennington? If so, will you please tell him Kristine has a clean pallet on which he can work his magic? Come on baby, show me your power tools! However, the dungeon still needs power run throughout it, so TY, bring along an electrician... I'm tellin' ya, the more the merrier I'll be. Oh yah, Joel had to go into work, so right now is a perfect time to come over...

tu tu cute

Sorry if you are catching the double posting from 'SIS' and the Hideout.
This was just too much fun to make yesterday I had to share it as much as I could. I made it for a niece who asked if I could make anything. And I said, "Yep." (You'll have it soon, Tess!) I think I used 5 yards of purple tulle and pink tulle each! It measures 20" from the waste to the hem. I am hoping it hits Tessa's legs about mid calf. (my good friend Tayler helped model it - she's about 6" shorter than my niece.)

ohhhhhh..... It makes me want to twirl just looking at it. Isn't it cute?!?!?!?

How many toes do you have?

Came across this pic today and loved it too much to keep to myself. Would you check out the blondies?!?!?! I can't wait for summer!

Easter Brunch

We're forgoing the typical Easter Dinner and enjoying a large filling breakfast/brunch.
Puff Pancake, (aka German Pancake) Spiral Cut Ham (cooked in crockpot over night-delish), Hashbrowns, Orange Smoothie

Puffy Pancake Recipe (Thanks, Grandma! Yum!)
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 1/2 cube butter in 9x13 pyrex dish. I like to melt the butter in the pan while the oven is warming.

6 eggs
1 Cup milk
1 Cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
Use hand mixer and blend well. Pour into 9x13 dish ~ over melted butter. Bake for 18 minutes. Kids will love to watch this cook, because the pancake sides rise higher than the pan sides.
Serve warm. Top with powdered or granulated sugar, strawberry jam, fresh fruit or syrup. We use a homemade syrup that tastes like melted marshmallows. I just can't remember the recipe and I am desperately attempting to reach my Dad and Marian to get a copy.... Help, DAD!!!

GOT THE RECIPE!!!!
Buttermilk Syrup
1 1/2 C Sugar
3/4 C Buttermilk
1/2 C Butter or margarine
2 Tbs Light corn syrup
Stir and bring to a boil
then add:
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Baking soda (this will make it rise up quite a bit-make sure you use a larger pot)

Happy Easter, All.

Info from the Prez

If a HiDeouT member has a personal issue, please know that the office door is always open.

Case in point:

Setting: Evening meal ~ pastrami sandwiches, french fries, fruit of choice

Members present: Joel, Kris, Jack, Luke, Kate

Members completing said meal: Joel, Kris, Jack, Kate

Member with issue: Luke

Fifteen minutes after being told he must take at least one bite of his dinner, Luke (Hideout Factuary) entered the family room silently crying and profusely saying, "I'm sorry". When questioned what he felt sorry about, (my mind is thinking he must have done something to dinner and knew it was inedible, thus not partaking of the dinner in question I had devoured), he cried, "I broke my tooth." Clarity. His first loose tooth. Pretty darn loose, too, I might add.

"It hurts. I should have brushed more." Tears, anguish and worry changing his features.

We tell him everything is fine. It's supposed to do that. It only hurts a little. Your big tooth is pushing it out...

"Oh. O.K." Facts clear in his mind, he leaves.

5 minutes later, new tears. New worry. "It's bleeding!!!" We notice it is reaaallllllly loose.

We asked, "How long has it been wiggling?"

"Only 7 days exactly." He's been counting? Where have I been? Before Jack lost his first, he sucked it in and out repeatedly. Drove me nuts!

He leaves again.

39 seconds pass and the whole brood stampede downstairs screaming that it's out.

Luke says, "Once I knew it was supposed to come out, I pulled."

Looking back, I acknowledge that it has been 7 days he has refused to eat. Duh.

A GIVEAWAY!!!

We're doing it again! Go to www.sayingitsimply.blogspot.com and enter to win this reversible sign!

I love working with my sisters. Lucky me to be with 2 people who make me laugh; celebrate the same way I do; have the same family emergencies; and (because we spend so much time together) know I am not faking if I call in sick!

Don't you want to be part of this madness? We're always welcoming honorary members to our fam.

Lucky Us To Believe

I freakin' love holidays. Every Holiday!

We are lucky to have an annual visit from a Leprechaun at our house. His name is Ned Farley. He brings the kids a treat and causes mischief as he attempts to avoid the searching eyes of Jack, Luke and Kate. He's just left his surprise at the door and the kids are frantically looking for him. (They have some serious plans for that gold.) Turns out he's lost his coat again and needs it for his journey back to Ireland. (Why he spends the holiday in Utah, is way beyond me.) Ugh. Gotta make this short. Kate and Luke have just gone outside in search of the crafty fellow.

Lucky me to see magic through the eyes of my children. Thanks, Ned.