Happy Birthday DAD!! (or POP as Joe would say!)
We wish we could be there to celebrate with you! Next time you'reup, we'll buy you a birthday burger and beer at the 5 -8.
Love you lots and hope you have a fabulous birthday!!!
October 31, 2008
He'll be home in February
I got an email today from cousin Brian. He loves the blog (just had to throw that in there) and he told me that he will be back in Wisconsin in February...for good! He will be getting a civilian job and joining the Air Force Reserve in Milwaukee.
Brian ~ Let us know when your settled so we can come visit!
Also, he passed along a picture of a very handsome young man and his pumpkin...Happy Halloween Draiman!
Brian ~ Let us know when your settled so we can come visit!
Also, he passed along a picture of a very handsome young man and his pumpkin...Happy Halloween Draiman!
Another one bites the dust...
When I first started at InTouch, I was put on a project with this gorgeous blonde named Kelly. She was nice enough to invite me to eat lunch with her and some others and we quickly became friends.
For about 2 straight months we went out together every weekend and then at the end of May that year, she moved back to Chicago. We've kept in touch and she made the 2hr or so trip to come to East Troy for my bridal shower (which my mom thought was just too sweet) and the 6 or so hour trip from Chicago to come to our wedding last year.
Well, on Thursday morning, I got an email from her with fabulous news - she is finally engaged! I don't have a picture of her and Chad but I do have one of her and Joe...
Congratulations Kelly and Chad!! I can't wait to hear all of the details!
For about 2 straight months we went out together every weekend and then at the end of May that year, she moved back to Chicago. We've kept in touch and she made the 2hr or so trip to come to East Troy for my bridal shower (which my mom thought was just too sweet) and the 6 or so hour trip from Chicago to come to our wedding last year.
Well, on Thursday morning, I got an email from her with fabulous news - she is finally engaged! I don't have a picture of her and Chad but I do have one of her and Joe...
Congratulations Kelly and Chad!! I can't wait to hear all of the details!
October 30, 2008
October 28, 2008
Sloppy Joe Hash Browns
Sloppy Joe Hash Browns - To spice it up a bit, add a little taco sauce on top. Next time we are going to add taco sauce to the sloppy joe/chili sauce. PS - this is what Joe made last night for me!
Ingredients:
8 Frozen hash brown patties
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
15 oz sloppy joe sauce
1 tbsp chili sauce (I would add more to make it spicier)
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, taco, colby jack, etc)
2 cups lettuce
sour cream
taco sauce
Directions:
Cook hash browns in batches according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add sloppy joe sauce, chili sauce and pepper; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.
Place two hash brown patties on each plate. Top with meat sauce, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and taco sauce.
Ingredients:
8 Frozen hash brown patties
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
15 oz sloppy joe sauce
1 tbsp chili sauce (I would add more to make it spicier)
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, taco, colby jack, etc)
2 cups lettuce
sour cream
taco sauce
Directions:
Cook hash browns in batches according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add sloppy joe sauce, chili sauce and pepper; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.
Place two hash brown patties on each plate. Top with meat sauce, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and taco sauce.
Joe's new job
One week from tomorrow, I will have my husband back. Joe accepted a new job last Wednesday and starts on Monday, November 10th. His new title will be Corporate Executive Chef and I am not really sure what he will be doing but his hours are Monday through Friday 7 am - 3pm.
So what does this mean for us? Well first, I have to give up the boyfriends that I have acquired throughout the last year and a friend of ours says she gives us one month before Joe or I file for divorce, although she did assure me that she was just kidding. The funny thing was, when I told Joe what she said, he laughed and wondered how long it will take him to annoy me.
You see, as much as I miss not having Joe around Monday through Friday, I have gotten so used to being alone and having my own space I do wonder how quickly we'll get on each others nerves.
Well, I got a glimpse last night and I think everything will be ok. Joe had yesterday off (gasp!) because another manager is on vacation so he will have to work everyday from today through his last day, November 5th. ICK!
So back to last night...
I got home about 4:45ish or so and there my husband was - slaving over a hot stove for me! I can't tell you the last time he cooked for me and man was it good! Call me crazy but all of a sudden I don't think I will be that annoyed at having my husband home with me now.
So what does this mean for us? Well first, I have to give up the boyfriends that I have acquired throughout the last year and a friend of ours says she gives us one month before Joe or I file for divorce, although she did assure me that she was just kidding. The funny thing was, when I told Joe what she said, he laughed and wondered how long it will take him to annoy me.
You see, as much as I miss not having Joe around Monday through Friday, I have gotten so used to being alone and having my own space I do wonder how quickly we'll get on each others nerves.
Well, I got a glimpse last night and I think everything will be ok. Joe had yesterday off (gasp!) because another manager is on vacation so he will have to work everyday from today through his last day, November 5th. ICK!
So back to last night...
I got home about 4:45ish or so and there my husband was - slaving over a hot stove for me! I can't tell you the last time he cooked for me and man was it good! Call me crazy but all of a sudden I don't think I will be that annoyed at having my husband home with me now.
Falling Prices
Who would have thought this price would make think "Wow $2.19?! That's cheap!"
And just a little further down the road..
That's $2.14 if you can't quite read it!
And just a little further down the road..
That's $2.14 if you can't quite read it!
October 23, 2008
Congratulations Kari and Bryan
I was in Boston on Sunday, October 5th for work and was in an all day certification course. At the lunch break I saw that I had a missed call from Kari. When I was finished with the course and getting ready to meet the group for dinner, there was another missed call.
Now that is pretty unusual - we can go forever without talking so if one of us keeps calling the other, it's usually for a pretty big reason. I thought either she's mad at Bryan or she got engaged.
I was on a time crunch so I made a mental note to call her after dinner since I was heading to the lobby to meet the group. Well after dinner, on my way to my room, there was another call from her this time with a voicemail. Yes! She had just gotten engaged!!!!!
Congratulations!! Kari and I have been friends since 7th grade. We used to talk during reading class and the teacher would yell at her and say, "Kari - Brooke can talk and still answer the questions, why can't you?" or something to that effect and what can I say, Kari still wanted to be friends.
We've been through lots together and she is the one person that I know will always be there for me no matter how far away I move as long as I keep vacationing with her.
I am thrilled that she has found someone besides me who can tell her that she is being completely insane and to knock it off and she'll actually listen!
Bryan and Kari, I couldn't be happier for you both. I can't wait until 2010!!!
Now that is pretty unusual - we can go forever without talking so if one of us keeps calling the other, it's usually for a pretty big reason. I thought either she's mad at Bryan or she got engaged.
I was on a time crunch so I made a mental note to call her after dinner since I was heading to the lobby to meet the group. Well after dinner, on my way to my room, there was another call from her this time with a voicemail. Yes! She had just gotten engaged!!!!!
Congratulations!! Kari and I have been friends since 7th grade. We used to talk during reading class and the teacher would yell at her and say, "Kari - Brooke can talk and still answer the questions, why can't you?" or something to that effect and what can I say, Kari still wanted to be friends.We've been through lots together and she is the one person that I know will always be there for me no matter how far away I move as long as I keep vacationing with her.
I am thrilled that she has found someone besides me who can tell her that she is being completely insane and to knock it off and she'll actually listen!
Bryan and Kari, I couldn't be happier for you both. I can't wait until 2010!!!
Happy Belated Birthday Luke
It was my soon to be baby brother's birthday on Monday. Isn't he handsome?
Happy Belated Birthday Lukie!!
Your gift is going in the mail tomorrow morning
Love you!
Cranberry Chili Meatballs and Potato Keilbasa Skillet
Cranberry Chili Meatballs - These ROCK
Ingredients:
16 oz jellied cranberry sauce
12 oz chili sauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cayenne pepper
38 oz frozen meatballs (thawed)
Directions:
In large saucepan over medium heat, combine first six ingredients; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add meatballs; cook 20-25 minutes or until hot, stirring occasionally
Potato Kielbasa Skillet - Yummy! *Next time I make this, I am going to cook the potatoes in the skillet and not the mircowave. If you choose to try that, cook potatoes first.
Ingredients:
1 pound red potatoes, cubed
3 tbsp water
3/4 pound smoked kielbasa; cut into 1/4 slices
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups baby spinach
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (pre-cooked hormel bacon works great - in the veggie section)
Directions:
Place potatoes and water in microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes or until tender. Drain.
In large skillet, saute kielbasa and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add potatoes; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until kielbasa and potatoes are lightly browned.
Combine brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and bacon. Cook until spinach is wilted
Ingredients:
16 oz jellied cranberry sauce
12 oz chili sauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cayenne pepper
38 oz frozen meatballs (thawed)
Directions:
In large saucepan over medium heat, combine first six ingredients; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add meatballs; cook 20-25 minutes or until hot, stirring occasionally
Potato Kielbasa Skillet - Yummy! *Next time I make this, I am going to cook the potatoes in the skillet and not the mircowave. If you choose to try that, cook potatoes first.
Ingredients:
1 pound red potatoes, cubed
3 tbsp water
3/4 pound smoked kielbasa; cut into 1/4 slices
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups baby spinach
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (pre-cooked hormel bacon works great - in the veggie section)
Directions:
Place potatoes and water in microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes or until tender. Drain.
In large skillet, saute kielbasa and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add potatoes; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until kielbasa and potatoes are lightly browned.
Combine brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and bacon. Cook until spinach is wilted
A wonderful Sunday
I love Sundays that are productive but still have that lazy feel to them. This past Sunday was just that.
I woke up early and started laundry and made my grocery list while Joe slept in (we have cable now and it keeps him awake for hours!). Joe awoke and off to the grocery store I went. I came home to find him "winterizing" the house.
He was unhooked the hose and draining it out, putting away the grills, sucking up the leaves with our leaf vacuum (best invention ever) and then was going to climb on the roof of our garage to cover the hole. Yes, there is still a hole in our garage from the big tree that fell on it.
I figured since he was outside doing "husbandly" things, I would stay inside and do "wifely" things. Here is what I created:
Cranberry Chili Meatballs
Potato Kielbasa Skillet
Apple Pie
I woke up early and started laundry and made my grocery list while Joe slept in (we have cable now and it keeps him awake for hours!). Joe awoke and off to the grocery store I went. I came home to find him "winterizing" the house.
He was unhooked the hose and draining it out, putting away the grills, sucking up the leaves with our leaf vacuum (best invention ever) and then was going to climb on the roof of our garage to cover the hole. Yes, there is still a hole in our garage from the big tree that fell on it.
I figured since he was outside doing "husbandly" things, I would stay inside and do "wifely" things. Here is what I created:
Cranberry Chili Meatballs
Potato Kielbasa Skillet
Apple PieHarbor View Cafe
At work there are four of us who try to have a "ladies night" once a month which consists of dinner, maybe some drinks and lots of conversation. About a year ago we took off on an adventure to a purse party in Durand, WI and stopped in Pepin, WI at this little restaurant called Harbor View Cafe.
Amazing - and I have wanted to take Joe there ever since. Well last Saturday we acted like an old married couple and took off for Pepin, WI which is about an hour and a half drive. God bless Joe for putting up with me on that drive. I was snapping pictures left and right and making him pull over at "Historical markers" so that I could take more.
I have been up here 5 years and this is by far one of the prettiest falls that I remember. Here are a few photos of the drive
Now, I knew that Harbor View was a pretty popular place to eat. It's only open part of the year and doesn't open until 5 pm and doesn't take reservations. I figured if we got there by 4:15ish, we'd be set. Oh was I wrong. We got there at 4:15 all right and Joe went to put our name on the list. He came back saying that we wouldn't be seated until 6:30!
Harbor View was still packed at 6:30 but we were seated promptly and had an amazing dinner. If you are ever around Pepin, WI stopping at the Harbor View is a must!
Amazing - and I have wanted to take Joe there ever since. Well last Saturday we acted like an old married couple and took off for Pepin, WI which is about an hour and a half drive. God bless Joe for putting up with me on that drive. I was snapping pictures left and right and making him pull over at "Historical markers" so that I could take more.
I have been up here 5 years and this is by far one of the prettiest falls that I remember. Here are a few photos of the drive
Now, I knew that Harbor View was a pretty popular place to eat. It's only open part of the year and doesn't open until 5 pm and doesn't take reservations. I figured if we got there by 4:15ish, we'd be set. Oh was I wrong. We got there at 4:15 all right and Joe went to put our name on the list. He came back saying that we wouldn't be seated until 6:30! What to do in a town of 400? Well mosey on down to The Pickle Factory for a couple drinks where Joe finally got to try New Glarus Spotted Cow beer!!!
Harbor View was still packed at 6:30 but we were seated promptly and had an amazing dinner. If you are ever around Pepin, WI stopping at the Harbor View is a must!
Anna's Big Day
Well it's official, on September 13th Anna and Todd tied the knot. It was a fabulous day and Joe and I had a blast!! Here are some pictures from the day - although I just realized, I have no pictures of Anna and Todd together - sorry you two!
Anna, Katherine, Me and Molly - Katherine and Molly were our neighbors freshman year at Carroll
The boys pretending they are rock stars (or at least Joe)
Dad, Mom, me and Joe
Travis, Joe and Todd at the end of the night
Anna, Katherine, Me and Molly - Katherine and Molly were our neighbors freshman year at Carroll
The boys pretending they are rock stars (or at least Joe)
Dad, Mom, me and Joe
Travis, Joe and Todd at the end of the nightCongratulations Todd and Anna!!!! We love you!
October 18, 2008
A night in Duluth
On September 6th, Anna and I were in Duluth for her final bridal shower at her parents house. The last time I had been there was 10 years ago!!
It was an absolute blast staying with Mom and Dad Schifsky. Anna's aunt from TX was there (what a riot!), Tya (Anna's sister-in-law) and Tya's mother (you put her and Anna's aunt together and watch out - what a hoot). We were busily getting everything ready for the shower Sunday morning and what fun. There were probably 30 some ladies in all that came to celebrate Anna's big day.
Amazingly - we were able to fit all of Anna's (and Todd's) presents in her little Honda Civic and there was even room for her and I too.
The best part about staying with Anna's parents? The pink fleece sheets!!! Yes - there were pink fleece sheets on the guest bed and they were the comfiest and warmest sheets I have ever slept on. I have been looking all over and finally found a set of my own, although I had to settle for beige since they didn't have pink. Seriously - do yourself a favor and if you ever come across fleece sheets, buy them!
It was an absolute blast staying with Mom and Dad Schifsky. Anna's aunt from TX was there (what a riot!), Tya (Anna's sister-in-law) and Tya's mother (you put her and Anna's aunt together and watch out - what a hoot). We were busily getting everything ready for the shower Sunday morning and what fun. There were probably 30 some ladies in all that came to celebrate Anna's big day.
Amazingly - we were able to fit all of Anna's (and Todd's) presents in her little Honda Civic and there was even room for her and I too.
The best part about staying with Anna's parents? The pink fleece sheets!!! Yes - there were pink fleece sheets on the guest bed and they were the comfiest and warmest sheets I have ever slept on. I have been looking all over and finally found a set of my own, although I had to settle for beige since they didn't have pink. Seriously - do yourself a favor and if you ever come across fleece sheets, buy them!
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