HULU...who knew?

A little while back a college friend blogged about Hulu.com. It piqued my interest. Weird name. Never heard of it. I needed to know more. Wikipedia's definition is "Hulu is a website that offers commercial-supported streaming video of TV shows and movies from NBC, Fox and many other networks and studios." Cool. So, I searched the site and found that it might just suit my "needs".

I have blogged before about our lack of television time, desire, needs. But, at the same time there are a few shows that come around that I like but their schedule just does not jive with mine. And for those of us *privileged* to pay for a limited number of channels, also comes the lack of TiVo or On Demand or whatever those services are called.

The more I looked into Hulu.com, I liked it. I could even subscribe to shows I like and they hold them in my queue. Then at my own convenience, I watch them on our computer.

Not a perfect solution, but a balance. The only problem I have is that my queue backs up and I still have to make the time to watch them! HA!


*Denotes spoken with tongue in cheek :)

Soccer

This Fall soccer season has kept our family on the run with practices and games. It has been lots of fun watching two of our kids get out there and play!

Ann Elise has really had a good time learning the game. We are really proud of her for hustling and sticking with it. She has even scored two goals!!


The season was extra special for her because Kris was her coach! Their team had five little girls and each did a good job of listening and doing what Coach Kris asked of them. Their team name was the Bumblebees and Kris would "Buzz" them after each team huddle. The girls loved it!



Wes enjoyed his season just as much. He moved up a divison this year. And with that came a little more knowledge of the game, a larger field, and getting to play positions. Wes had opportunities to play defender and goalie. He loved both positions...but he really loves to score!



This past weekend we spent every spare minute at the fields (at least it seemed like it). The usual schedule is such that Wes and Ann Elise play two games each on Saturdays. Well, this weekend they additionally played two games each on Sunday afternoon due to rainouts. Needless to say, we basically camped out at the fields complete with a picnic lunch! The weather was beautiful - couldn't have asked for better days to have that kind of schedule. The kids even squeezed in a little wrestling match with Daddy!

FLASHBACK: Day at the Beach

As the summer begins we have such great dreams of using our "down time" wisely. We have a full list of all the fun things we want to do. Before we know it, July is ending and our list seems to have gotten longer instead of shorter.

As the beginning of school was just a few days away, we set aside the time to take a day trip to the beach. We have done this a few times before and enjoyed it every time. We always come away saying things like, "we should do this more often" and "it takes no time to get here" and "what a great way to get away".




The kids love to play in the surf and dig in the sand - not once did they ask "what can we do?"!

Saints vs. Giants...in person!

You read it right! One of the five dubs had a once in a lifetime experience this past Sunday - an opportunity to see the New Orleans Saints play the New York Giants at the Superdome. But the goodness does not stop there - the view was from a suite!





A former BSU'er called the office Friday and offered the tickets to Lloyd and Kris. He had received them from his work and was unable to attend. The opportunity was a no brainer! Of course, they would "use" the tickets! HA!

They had as super a time as you can imagine. The suite was very nice. They had a great view of the stadium and field. They enjoyed some catered Gumbo. And the highlight? They cheered the Saints to a victory!

FLASHBACK: Watermelon with Bobby

I have previously mentioned how fortunate we are to live next door to family. The most special reason being the relationship our kids have with their grandparents. Several times this summer the kids went running out of the house and down the hill screaming, "Hey! Bobby has a watermelon!" (Bobby is what the kids call my father-in-law) The kids would be on their way to enjoying a big, juicy watermelon on their grandparents' backporch. Within minutes their faces would be sticky and sweaty and smiling from ear to ear.





Gotta love summertime!

Seafood Bisque

I enjoyed this most awesome recipe a year or so ago at Bunko. With this past weekend's temps dipping a little, I got the desire for a big pot of soup to warm us up. It didn't disappoint!

Seafood Bisque
2 cans whole kernel corn
3 cans potato soup
1 can chicken broth
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
1 stick butter
1 qt half n half
2 Tbsp Tony Chachere's seasoning
2 small cans mushrooms, drained (optional)
crab/shrimp/crawfish as desired

Melt butter with half n half in large pot. Soften cream cheese and mix in. Add all other ingredients and cook on low for 30-45 minutes.

**I went to Corner Market and got them to steam me 1 lb of small shrimp. I told them not to add seasonings since they were going in a soup. I also found prepackaged, real (not imitation) crabmeat at Corner Market and used about half the pack.

**I read in one of Robert St. John's articles that you should make bisque the day before you are going to serve it and refrigerate it so all the ingredients/seasonings can blend together. That's what I did, but I ate some as an appetizer Wed.night to make sure it tasted good before serving it to you guys and it was delicious then!!

***My friend passed out this recipe after we were all raving about it. I typed it up just as she did for us - so the extra points are hers, not mine :)

Happy Birthday, Wes!

Today Wes turns SEVEN! I can hardly believe it! I asked him a few questions this afternoon to try and capture his little mind at this fun age.

Wes' Answers:
What are you good at doing? Playing basketball
If you had ten dollars, how would you spend it? buying Bakugans
What are you afraid of? mummies, ghosts, Halloween stuff
What is important to you? being at school
What is your favorite book? The Boxcar Children
What is your favorite food? Hot Dogs
What is your favorite thing about school? recess
What is your favorite thing to do? play with Legos
How do you show your family you love them? taking care of them
What do you want to be when you grow up? policeman
Why? because I like getting bad guys
What are you thankful for? my home
Tell me something about God. God is love.

I love you, sweet boy! You are more precious than I could have dreamed, more special than I could have desired, and more wonderful than I deserve!

I am busy pulling together a Wacky Olympics Party that will be celebrated tomorrow. Maybe I will get a post up about it soon! It's gonna be a fun one!

Sweet Revelations

One of my most cherished moments with each of my children is rocking them to sleep. I know, I know. Some think it is taboo. And, as big a follower of BabyWise as I was, I rebelled in this one area. I have chosen to rock each of my babies to sleep (or just about) and have loved every second. I look forward to that time of night when it is just me and the baby one on one. I am already dreading the day of moving Bankston Hays into his very own big boy bed. For this is the time when rocking my other babies has come to an end.

Over our three children I have found a groove with how this scenario works. Of course, each child always throws their own likes and dislikes into the mix - they way they sit or curl up in my lap, the position they like for my arms to hold them, etc. As I start to rock I start to sing. A certain repertoire has evolved over the years and the next song naturally flows out of my mouth without me hardly thinking about what song is next.

Well, the other night as I was rocking Bankston Hays and he was settling into my chest and grabbing my hands to pull them tighter to him. He soon started saying "ing", meaning "sing". So, my nightly repertoire ensued. After a song or two he started saying "lellow pea". I continued to sing because I did not know what he was wanting. He conitnued to say "lellow pea" and I continued to sing not understanding him. But, when I started singing the "ABC's" he quieted down. Once I got to the part of the song "L M N O P", I got it. He had been requesting the "ABC's".

By all means little man! I'll sing "lellow pea" anytime you want! I love him!

Oh, yes I did!

I find that a lot of my recipes call for chopped onions. I like chopped onions...especially sauteed in butter! But I loathe chopping onions! Anyone with me here? Chopping onions causes me major pain. They make me cry. And I mean those big ol' crocodile tears that are uncontrollable. Then my eyes continue to burn for a while. I can do it, I will do it, but I will not like it.

Earlier this week it was that time again. I needed some sauteed onions for what I was making and my stash was depleted (I have been known to have one BIG cry fest and chop several onions, saute them, and freeze them). I was not looking forward to it. However, I remembered seeing an ad that just might help me out. The ad was for onion goggles. Yep, onion goggles.


Wouldn't you know these onions came with an "onion goggle" price, too?!?

I got to thinking about this concept. Would Wes' swimming mask do the job?


For no more tears, I was willing to try!

Oh, yes I did! I wore the above snorkel mask while I chopped the onion. And I am proud to report that I remained tear free - for free! (Guess I want be storing that piece of summer equipment after all!)

On the subject of onions, another pet peeve of mine about chopping onions is the way my hands continue to smell of onions for quite a while after I am finished chopping. No amount of soap seems to help. I came across a tip (I think from Martha Stewart) a year or so ago that really works!! All you need is stainless steel. Got a stainless steel sink? That will work. Used a stainless steel knife to chop the onion with? That will work! All you need to do is rub your hands on the stainless steel when you are finished. VOILA! The after-chopping-onion-smell is history!

Pooped!

Bankston Hays after a day filled with school drop-off and pick-up, grocery shopping, errands, ballet, ...

I completely understand how you feel, Bankston Hays! Could you make a little room on the couch for me?

FLASHBACK: Omaha Fun with friends

I thought I would share a few pictures of some of the fun times we shared with our friends while we were in Omaha.

Our first night there we enjoyed supper at HuHot. Talk about some tasty Mongolian BBQ! The Hub City could use one of these. Here we are watching our food be prepared.


Kelly, myself, and Margie before heading to the Stadium for our first game!


Lloyd and Tanner having fun while waiting to get in the stadium.


The sign of sweetness! This local ice cream joint sits across the street from Rosenblatt Stadium. If you ever visit the CWS it is a must taste!


A small ice cream cone will treat you right! MMMM Good!


On our off day we took the afternoon to visit the Omaha Zoo. It also sits across the street from the stadium. In fact, if you recall ever noticing the "dome" in the backdrop of right field while watching on TV, that is part of the zoo. It houses the desert exhibit. We were pleasantly surprised at this first class zoo. Lots of great animals, exceptionally clean, and entertaining. A highlight was the gondola ride above the exhibits of ostrich, giraffe, elephants, and rhinoceros. Just beautiful!


Our friends (all named above) were out one night and were told about this big slide downtown that was a must see. We were feeling pretty adventurous, and with it being our last night without kids, we felt we were up to the challenge! There was a good group of young folks already there enjoying the slide. They advised us that it was best to slide down on top of a piece of wax paper...it would really make you fly! Very cool!



Kris and I really enjoyed our unplanned time away! Where can we go next? Hmmm...