Buddies

The first part of this week was just beautiful, weather-wise.  We truly felt the beginnings of spring and we all took advantage of it by throwing open the windows to let the fresh air in and by spending time outdoors.  Marley and Mac got to spend a lot of time together, too, getting to know each other a little better.  They have developed quite a camaraderie and are a lot of fun to just sit and watch.  I don't know if Marley is protecting Mac or imprisoning Mac... but they are often seen just like these photos below.  :)

And then there are these buddies!  These two make me smile all the time.  Jonathan and his best bud Zack.  What a pair they are!   :)

Jackson's Calendar Giveaway

Last fall we put together a calendar using some of Jackson's photos as a donation to our local Truman alumni group for a silent auction.  We were happily surprised when it turned out to be a popular item, attracting higher bids than we had expected.  We then decided to purchase several to give as Christmas gifts.  They really turned out well and showcase Jackson's photos quite nicely.  We have one left over and I thought perhaps it would be a good prize to give out for my very first blog contest.  :)   I realize it is now 1/4 of the way through the year, but perhaps someone out there would still get enjoyment from this calendar for the remainder of 2011.

The calendar was made by apple through iPhoto and all holidays are identified, as well as Daylight Savings Time dates.  The quality of the paper itself is very high.  The overall dimensions of the calendar are 13" x 21".  Here is a sneak peek at what it looks like.

If you would like to be entered in the drawing for this calendar, just leave a comment on this post.  We will then write all the names down and randomly draw a winner on Sunday.  We'll let you know Sunday evening who has won!   (P.S.  This was *me* taking the photos of the calendar... my flash messed up some of the shots.  But hopefully you get an idea of what the calendar looks like.)   :)

Paula Deen's Pot Roast

I thought this was super yummy!  The three guys liked it well enough, but they actually prefer my 'regular' pot roast recipe.  That about sums it all up... I like changing things around, they don't.  :)  Ah well.

Here is a direct link to Paula Deen's original recipe.  I made just a couple changes in seasoning... not much.

Paula Deen's Pot Roast
beef roast - about 3 pounds (I used a chuck roast)
1 onion, sliced
1 Tbsp. Rosemary Herb seasoning (from Pampered Chef)
salt and pepper to taste
4 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
2 or 3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup Chardonnay wine
about 1/2 cup water

Sprinkle roast with seasoning.  Put roast in Pampered Chef stoneware baker.  Mix together remaining ingredients and pour over roast.  Put stoneware lid on baker and bake in oven at 325 degrees for several hours until done.

Anna's Senior Pictures

I just can't believe that my little niece, Anna, is graduating from high school in just a couple of months!   How can that be?  How on earth did she get to be 18??  Of course, one rite of passage is senior photos.  Anna asked Jackson to be her photographer and the two of them spent a few days last summer taking photos here at Willis Creek Ranch and at Truman State University.   Although Jackson much prefers nature and landscape photography, I think he did a great job and really captured Anna's personality in these photos.   Here are a few of my favorites.

Pork Tenderloins with Roasted Potatoes

We tried a new recipe and everyone liked it.  It was quick and easy, too.  Wonderful!

Pork Tenderloins and Roasted Potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced (I just used garlic powder)
about 1 tablespoon Pampered Chef Rosemary Herb seasoning (or seasoning of your choice)
1/2 teas. salt
1/4 teas. pepper
4 pork tenderloins
6 - 8 red potatoes, cut into chunks
1 red onion, cut into chunks

In a bowl, combine the oil, garlic and seasonings.  Toss potatoes and onions in oil mixture to coat.  Lay the pork tenderloins in a greased sheetpan and pour the potato/onion mixture over top being sure to allow some of the seasoned oil to drizzle over the pork, too.

Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.  Broil for 5 - 10 minutes longer until potatoes are browned and meat is 160 degrees.  Let stand for 5 minutes before standing.

My boys

I chuckle every time I look at these photos.  They perfectly display the polar opposite personalities of my boys.  Too cute.

A gravel pile can be loads of fun!

Jonathan rappelling up and down the pile.

Made even better with the addition of Marley.   :)

"Wait a minute... are you taking photos of me??"

"Aaarrgghhhh!  You are watching me!!"

Here comes the other brother....

Jackson spots me with the camera...

...and INSTANTLY goes into full HAM mode!

Drags Mac into the posing...

My goofy "look at me!" boy.   :)

Satisfied.   :)

Catching Up

Here are some brief snippets from the last couple of weeks.

Lunch with my lovely book club ladies (mentioned in the gratitude post) was wonderful with Kelly making scrumptious crepes.  I don't make crepes at home because I am not very good at it.  I have determined, however, that either I need to GET good at it (because they are SO yummy) or I need to have Kelly invite me over more often.  :D

Marvin finished work on the new tack room in the barn (except for the staining he will do when the weather is warmer).  It looks wonderful and is SO useful!  Makes us wonder why it took us so many years to actually do it!

We attended the lovely wedding of my cousin Melissa to James.  James just got back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and they were married in Melissa's hometown of Milan.  It was nice to see extended family at the wedding.  

We enjoyed having Jackson's guitar teacher, Drew, over for dinner with his lovely fiancee Bonnie.  They are graduating from Truman in May, getting married in May and moving to Chicago.  We will certainly miss them and wish them all the best!