Life At Korthuis Manor

Life At Korthuis Manor
Captain Randy and his First Mate!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Yipee!!! 18 pages done!!

Last night and today I got to go to a weekend crop my friend Sherri was having. She sells Creative Memories and twice a year she has a big weekend crop. This is Sherri and her daughter McKenzie - I bet she didn't think I'd be blogging this picture when she made that face :-)!


Tanya and I headed out about 4pm Fri. PM, and then realized about 10pm that we were both staring at blank pages and just needed to call it a night. I do much better scrapbooking if I get a decent night of sleep. I was having a hard time cranking out pages last night. You know when you haven't scrapbooked for a while, it takes several pages (yukky ones at that!) to get into the groove again!

Today we headed out about 9AM, and about 11AM Kathi came out and joined our table. We scrapped all day and the pages came easier as I kept working! I finished 18 pages!! My goal is to have Brandon's book current by graduation. Today I got him caught up to the end of his Freshman year, so only 3 more years to go! That is a very attainable goal - especially since my slumber party is coming up soon!

Here's my favorite single page.........




Here's my favorite double page spread............

Scrappin' all these pages made me fully aware (once again) how quickly Brandon has grown up and how soon I have to let go............. :-{

Thursday, February 26, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....?????


Ok, really, enough now.........I'm a snowstorm lover........but I am OFFICIALLY DONE!

Yesterday I was at work when it started to snow - couldn't believe it!!! It got worse as the day went on, and started piling up. My car door was frozen shut at the end of the day and it took me 5 minutes to scrape the ice and snow off the windows! My car's back-end was slipping around on the way home and the milk truck I was following home had a 2nd trailer that was slipping back and forth!! I was so glad to arrive home.

Here's what it looked like last night.


Today school was canceled and the kids were home. I was going to work on sorting pics and getting ready for a crop I get to go to tomorrow night. But once again I filled my day with laundry, ironing, making dinner (we invited the neighbors over), bookwork for the school, and once again didn't get to the scrapbookin' ..............:-{!

This morning was COLD but beautiful!


Hope everyone stayed warm today. Tomorrow they're saying mostly sunny - that would be wonderful!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

Today was our 23rd anniversary! It blows me away that in 2 years we'll hit our 25th! I remember my parents celebrating their 25th! I am blessed to have Randy as my husband! He is the consistent, non-dramatic, "staying point", in my life! He is my friend - and he has proven his love for me over and over through the years! (I know I couldn't handle being married to me! :-)

Tonight we had dinner with the Jansens and Raskes. It's always a special treat to get together with our "Dinner Group", but it was even more special because they wouldn't let me bring anything. Well, anything but the makings for Lemon Drop Martinis.........so we started off with those.

Then of course, Kathi had the table all set up with the "LOVE" theme! It was beautiful!


The dinner was delightful and then we hot tubbed for about an hour at the end! It is such a blessing to have friends that have the same values, beliefs, likes and dislikes, the men get along as well as the women do, but best of all friends that have been friends for years!

Kathi was a bridesmaid at our wedding 23 years ago and then I was her bridesmaid when she and Jeff got married almost 18 years ago!


We've known Dan and Marla for almost 18 years and we became fast friends and have just grown closer through the years.

Friday, February 20, 2009

ETC.

I haven't had really anything, (or anytime!) to post, so I'll just write a quick one about not necessarily anything important! I have been absolutely loving the sunny days! Yesterday I had coffee with my friend Kathi and we sat outside on their beautiful patio with a latte' - it was so relaxing! I came home unloaded groceries and then quick washed the car - it got filthy driving up to Mt. Baker. Then I headed to Bellingham. Last night I was asked to go to a dinner for a few alumni of Bellingham Christian School (I went there K-8), and then we all sat in a group and they asked us questions and video taped our conversations. BCS is having their 50th anniversary and they are going to use these video clips to show at their celebration. I sat next to my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Dvoracheck, and had an absolutely lovely time. There were those moments when someone would mention something, and you'd have a total flashback - "Oh wow - I haven't heard that, or I had forgotten about that" moment!

Last night as I was making spanish rice for dinner for the family, I decided to take a picture of my new favorite kitchen tool! I don't even know the technical name for it! It's from Pampered Chef and you use it to kind of chop and stir your hamburger while you're browning it!

This tool is so awesome! It breaks the hamburger up really fine! You must get one!

Also, I made a family favorite for dinner this week and thought I'd share.

I don't even have a name for it! My friend taught me how to do the sauce and this is the recipe that kind of evolved after I had learned to make the sauce. This recipe is not for faint of heart - OK, I mean those with high cholesterol :-) - since it is made with whipping cream! I use the fresh cheese tortellini you buy in the deli section from Costco (it comes in a 2 pack and I use 1 pack for this recipe).

You start by cutting up 4-6 polish sausage and browning them in a skillet with 2-3 cloves crushed garlic. After the meat is starting to kind of brown, pour in 2 cups whipping cream right on top of the meat. Keep heat on Med. and let the cream reduce a bit. Then I add frozen peas and keep things a simmerin'. Once the tortellini has been boiled I add about 1 cup grated parmesan cheese to the skillet w/whipping cream, meat and peas. Stir well, this will thicken the sauce up a bit. Sometimes I add a bit more cheese - just kind of eyeball it. Add sauce to drained pasta and serve! It's a hit!

I always serve it with a loaf of fresh crusty bread (have you made it yet?). This dish is great for leftovers too, if there are any! When I make this recipe we're sitting down to eat about 20-25 minutes after I start! TRY IT - just don't make it too often :-)!

Enjoy the sunshine!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Valentines day..................skiing style!

On Sat. (Valentines Day) Randy and Nathan had ski patrol. They headed out about 6:45 am and Randy left me this for Valentine's Day!!

I got up and baked a loaf of crusty bread, stuffed 40 mushrooms (to bake up there at the end of the day for the team), packed a lunch, and Emily and I headed up the mountain. We got there about 11:30 and met the boys for lunch. After lunch we headed out to ski with Randy for the afternoon. Here is Randy and Emily in the Ski Patrol warming hut at the top of Chair 8.

Randy had to leave right after this (His hand in his jacket is on his radio getting ready to respond to a call), to help out on a Code Red call. Here he is getting the tobaggan ready to go. He said it was probably one of the toughest accidents they've had as the guy was on about a 45 degree angle where they had to get in to rescue him.

It was a busy day on the Mountain accident wise. There were 2 Code Reds, which means pretty serious. One was flown out by Med Flight and the other was taken by ambulance. I forget to be so thankful for all the safe days of skiing we've had with our kids. Randy works so hard up there........all those guys do. It's not always such a fun job!!

Here Emily and I are at the top of chair 8. It was a pretty cold day, and it was snowing most of the day. Emily remarked how when you caught snowflakes on your glove, you could see actual flakes - it was beautiful!

We came home and cranked the fireplace and watched the 2 little neighbor boys for a couple hours and then went to bed nice and early! It's amazing how a few hours of skiing can wear you out!!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Preparing to let go.............

Well here I am less than 4 months to graduation and the tears are starting to well up at any moment without notice!! Last night I finished filling out the FAFSA (a government torture for parents of college bound students), and I'm sure when I hit the "submit" button the angels sang! You know - it's one of those moments when you feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.

Anyways, now today, Senior ads are due for the annual. Senior ads are when parents put a picture and a short message in the annual for their Senior. Last night I was going through pictures to pick the right one - and here they come - the tears! I started writing our message today, and again - the tears! Then today I was having lunch with my mom and talking about how in 6 months we'll be taking him to college, and again - the tears! Wow - it's not even my emotional time of the month.

So if you are talking to me sometime, and the tears come - just put out your shoulder for me to cry on - I'm afraid these next 6 months are going to fly by much too quickly!

Here's my cutie pie "dandelion fluff" as he was dubbed by a friend! I call him "Brandon boy" or "bud".

Brandon has been such a joy to parent! I can't believe I have to start letting go...........................

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A kitchen kind of day

Today was a day spent in my kitchen - which I love. It was cold and even snowed all afternoon! I had Ethan while Tanya worked at school, so we made chocolate chip cookies! Ethan put all the ingredients in the bowl, turned the mixer off and on, scooped the cookies, and he even cracked the eggs!! (He was very proud of this!!)


I also made crusty bread, a double batch of rolls, and a double batch of Potato sausage soup. I fed my husband lunch to warm him up - I love being here when he can come home for lunch!

Tonight, Randy and the kids and I took soup and rolls to The McKissicks house and had dinner with them. Bev is in her 2nd battle with cancer. She is such a blessing, and her joyful, peaceful heart is so wonderful to be around. I always think I'm going to encourage her, but came away encouraged myself! It was such a cozy evening. Our friends Rick & Beth joined us too, and we all sat around the table laughing and eating. It was a simple meal and Beth brought salad and a fresh apple pie (she makes the best), and Rob & Bev had their cute little bright red wood stove burning away!

This is Bev (in the middle) with Beth and I. Please pray for her and her family!! We decided we need to do this often in the weeks ahead!!

Last night was such a reminder to me to count my blessings - sounds simple - but often I simply forget!! Seize the day - and pray for my friend!!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Comfort food

Sunny, beautiful and COLD! Wow - rumor has it the snow is a'comin! I've been home all day working on bookwork for the school, so I've been warm and cozy. I decided to make the family's favorite for dinner tonight. Now - before you judge a book by it's cover, or a recipe by it's name - you have to promise to have an open mind..............it's called Lil' Cheddar Meatloaves!


No - don't react like that!!! It's not your ordinary meatloaf for so many reasons.
1. It's not one big loaf, it's 8 mini loaves.
2. It's moist and nummy (word on loan from Deb!)
3. I've made believers out of "meatloaf" again with this recipe
4. It's smothered in awesome sauce
5. It's loaded with cheese
6. My family fights over it and Randy declares the leftovers are his for sandwiches
(I'm sorry to say that there are rarely leftovers since Randy and Brandon eat 3 each, and Emily and I have one!)

If you do try it (which I hope you do), please let me know what you think!

Lil' Cheddar Meat Loaves

1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 cup grated cheddar
1/2 c. quick-cooking oats
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1 lb. hamburger

Sauce:
2/3 c. ketchup
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. mustard


Shape into 8 mini loaves. I put a large spoonful in the palm of my hand and place in greased 9x13 as I make them. Bake for 45-55 min. @350. ENJOY!!


If you think your family will freak out because of the name - just rename it!! If you're adventurous - maybe shape them into hearts for valentines!! :-)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Just because it looks like spring............

Okay - I love it, crisp,sunny & slightly warm days........but just because it looks like spring doesn't mean it is spring! Today my neighbor called to see if I wanted to go for a walk with her. I've been meaning to start walking, I'm just so bad at doing these things alone - it was so pleasant - the weather, the company, even the exercise part of it was pleasant with a friend! I can't bear the thought that we have to go back to cold, wet & windy days. Rumor has it we might be in for one more snowstorm the end of Feb - worse than the Dec. storm - I can't bear the thought! If we do get another snowstorm - I vow to scrapbook the days away!

This morning I started my routine with a latte'. I really missed this little routine of mine while we were gone.

This is the lovely mug that my friend Marla gave me for Christmas - it matches my office perfectly!
This beautiful primrose is a new breed to me. It's a double flower primrose. My friend Adri was celebrating completing chemo (for the 2nd time) and a friend from church had a Par"tea" for her. Adri gave us all one of these gorgeous little flowers - doesn't it just make you smile?

I ordered 195 pictures today from our trip. I'm going to try a new scrapbook style that's supposed to be super duper quick and easy. I'm making it to send to Doug and Lori as their camera was stolen on our trip. Hopefully I'll pick up the pics tomorrow and dig in. I'll post pics of my progress. Hmmm - maybe I do need a snowstorm :-)!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

We're Home!

Our last formal night on the ship - does my man clean up nice or what?!?!?!


Sorry I haven't posted, but with all the catching up to do, it didn't seem to be very high on the priority list!

We left Sydney at noon on Wednesday the 28th, and arrived in Vancouver at 7:30am on Wednesday the 28th. Isn't that the wierdest concept? Our friends Craig and Debbie picked us up (yes, they had to get up at 5:30am - aren't they awesome?), and then we had breakfast once we reached Lynden. I brought the kids Dairy Queen lunch at school, they seemed more excited about the hot lunch than about seeing me, but I'm sure I misunderstood :-)! Brandon just wanted to know if I was making dinner that night!!!!

Saturday Randy had ski patrol, so I spent the day washing windows,doing laundry, cleaning the house, washing the car inside and out, and cleaning down the front porch - I will be sooooooooo glad when we have a yard planted to hold down some of that dirt!!

Sunday we went to the boat show with Jansens and Raskes and then came home in time for the Superbowl. Was that a tense game at the end or what! Pretty fun!

I desperately am wanting to get in my scrappin' room and get some scrapbooking done, but I have a few more pressing things to catch up on yet.

Loving the sunshine - missing the heat........................ah, reality!

This isa picutre taken on our last night in Sydney. We were staying at Irene's house - she's a friend of Doug and Lori's. John, Rene, Noah, and Elijah came and joined us for Thai food on the patio. It was an absolutely delightful evening!


While we were at Irene's we went for a walk along the path that goes along the rocks and past several different beaches over to famous Bondi Beach. Absolutely gorgeous!

Doug and Lori on our last formal night..................what great friends they are!!

Well, no more vacation pics, just on to real life here at Korthuis Manor. I do love being home and playing house in my beautiful abode. I'm back to cranking out the meals and tonight I'm making my 2nd batch of bread in 1 week - I think they missed it!