Been a long time!!!

Well, since it was the week before school the last time I blogged, I am sorry. I will start to blog more often, I promise.

I have a new thread of blogs I am am going to blog.
COOKING!

I love to cook!

This is what I have made this week. I will attach the recipes also.

Sunday I made Hoppin' John **
Yumm - O
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 (1 to 1 1/2 lb ) ham (I used black forest ham pre-sliced)
1 onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14 oz) bags frozen black eyed peas
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice

1. Brown pork. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot and brown ham, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate with bacon.
2. Cook vegetables. Add onion and celery to pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add broth , peas, bay leaves and browned ham and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until beans are just tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer ham to cutting board and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
3. Simmer rice. Place rice in fin-mesh strainer set over large bowl. Rinse under running water until water runs clear, about 1 minute. Drain rice well and stir into pot. Place square of aluminum foil directly on surface of simmering liquid. Simmer covered until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes, stirring and repositioning foil twice during cooking. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Stir in bacon and ham.

Monday I made Skillet Carbonara Casserole *

8 slices bacon, chopped fine
2 slices white bread, torn into pieces
1 1/4 c grated Parmesagn cheese
salt and pepper
2 large eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
5 1/4 cups water
3 garlic cloves
1 cup white wine
1 pound penne pasta

1. Fry bacon, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat unil crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lines plate. Pour off fat from pan, reserving 3 tablespoons.
2. Prepare topping. Pulse bread, 1/4 cup cheese, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, one quarter of crisp bacon and 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat in food processor until coarsely ground. Whisk eggs, milk, remaining cheese, and 3/4 cup water in medium bowl.
3. Simmer pasta. Heat remaining bacon fat in empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add garlic and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining water, penne, and 3/4 teaspoon salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente, 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust oven rack to upper middle position and heat broiler.
4. Add sauce. Off heat, add egg mixture and remaining crisp bacon to pan and toss to combine. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

This was amazing. It freaked me out a little when I had to pout in the egg mixture into the penne and not really cook it but the hot past cooked it. I booked the bacon in the oven instead of the skillet and also cooked 2 chicken breasts at the same time. I cut up the chicken and mixed it in with the egg mixture.

WOW.

Tonite I made Red Win Braised Short Ribs ****

These are such good recipes! There have been left overs all week. The girls at work really appreciate it!

I will post the recipe shortly.

School is around the corner!

School is around the corner and I am not ready! The only reason I am glad that summer is coming to an end is that temperatures will go down! This summer has been toooo hot! If it is too hot to stay in the pool after 12 noon, it is too hot.
Have not blogged since July. Been busy!
The 20th -24th, David and I went on vacation! My favorite vacation is where I sleep in my own bed every night. We picked a direction and every day went to take pictures. David is becoming so good at taking pictures. See his blog malottphotos.blogspot.com to see some of the pictures. Here a few of my favorites:

























I really have enjoyed staying at home with basically no one here but David. There is something soo stress free when you do not have to clean up after anyone but yourself! I had wanted to complete a few home improvements but too hot. Will take care of some of them when it gets cooler.

Birthday weekend!

With Marielle, Lucy the dog, Hanna, Emerson and JD all having a birthday this last week, it was busy! It started last weekend when we all went to Vanderpool to stay at a cabin. Thank you Jerry and Marlo! It was a relaxing weekend. Jerry, Marlo and their kids, Marielle and her kids, Bruce and Christi and Emerson, David and me. We had a great time!

Then Tuesday, Lucy celebrated her one year birthday! We had a picnic supper at the Plum Creek pool. Presents were animal stuff that Marielle's kids could donate to Paws! Garrett and his girls were here from Las Vegas! It turned into a engagement party since Garrett asked Marielle to marry her! We are ALL so happy! Garrett is already one of the family!

This weekend was a day of birthday parties. Emerson's birthday party was Saturday morning. She is such a happy baby! She got the cutest gifts. She really liked her frog prince!

She came over on Sunday and used her swim float! Emerson loves the water!

Saturday evening, it was supper with the parents for JD's birthday! It was fun just sitting round and laughing at JD, Kristen and Jacob!

Typical July in the Malott house!

Happy Monday to all!

Family Reunion

The Kaiser Family Reunion was yesterday. It was a great day. There were about 50 of us there! Three of us almost 90 years old all the way down to one who just turned 1. I have posted the pictures on photobucket. You can click on this link.

You should be able to see this pics. If not, please email me! malottsa@gmail.com

an evening with David and his camera

Sorry I have not posted pictures or updated my blog in a while. I had my gall bladder out on the 26th. I have fully recovered. I have a very small scar at my belly button and 3 punctures. They feel like a marble was left inside right under the skin. I had an attack about a month ago in the middle of the night. I survived the attack. I went to the doctor the next day and he said I needed a sonogram. Went for the sonogram and they found 3 gall stone, one of the them large. So large that I needed surgery to have my gall bladder removed. Out patient surgery on the 26th, was home by lunch. I am such a alcoholic wimp and can not hold my liquor so anesthetic does a number on me. I slept the whole day on the 26th. Got up on the 27th and was fine. I felt like I had done 1000 sit ups the day before but really no pain. Went to the end of school luncheon on the 28th. Was driving by Friday. It was weird missing the end of the school year but got a whole week early for summer. Was released from the doctor by Monday and was swimming. It has been a breeze. I I told my 90 year old grandfather that if he could have his gall bladder out at 85 and have no problems and recover in hours, I had to "keep up with the smiths". He laughed! Sorry Theresa, no pictures of the scar.

David and I took off one evening with the camera and drove around Austin taking pictures. He does such a good job! Here a few of the pictures that he took.

Blanco Vista's first field day

It was a beautiful day. Joseph did well! Wendy's class also did well.

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

Today is Thursday and it is my last day of school for the year! It actually does not end until next week Friday. I am having surgery on Tuesday at 6:30 am to have my gall bladder removed so I have to be off the rest of the week. Tomorrow is field day for Joseph so I am going. Today was a VERY busy day just to get it all done before I could leave today. I will post the pictures from the field day tomorrow!

Saturday rains

I love it when it hasn't rained in awhile and then it rains...Especially when it is on a Saturday. Had coffee by the pool this morning and then got the house cleaned. It is pouring right now and David and I are watching movies.

It is the count down to the summer! Two Mondays and counting.

Last weekend we went to Fredericksburg to spend Mother's day with Oma. This is a picture of 4 generations of Kleins. Oma, Dad, Wendy and Joseph.


It was a great day! Sat around and looked at old pictures with Oma. She is amazing! She can glance at a picture and knows exactly who is in the picture. It does not matter how old it is.

Joseph and David went down to the creek down from her house and took pictures. This picture Joseph took with David's camera right before he almost fell in the creek, freaked out David.










Then David and Joseph hammed it up! These are pictures that Joseph wanted taken.

Saturday evning

So, it is Saturday evening. JD moved to North Austin today. He is now about 5 minutes from his work. He is so excited to be able to sleep until 7:30 and be at work at 8:00. It is almost like high school!

For those of you who are not in Texas, it was 94 today. It felt like 109. Too hot for the beginning of May. I hope this is not the plan for the year. I want Spring a little longer. I know that it is only three weeks left in the school year but not ready for heat!

Sitting around and watching what we DVRd, nice quiet evening. Going to see my grandmother tomorrow. Excite about lunch. Will take pics and post tomorrow. Hope to see Omie and Opie also!

Thursday and tic tic tic

I have always wondered why the end of the school year seems to speed up to a speed equal to JDs driving and just as bumpy. I can barely keep up. I think it is crazy so we really appreciate the summer. After about 100 people coming to my office and needing something from me, I was glad to come home and not talk to anyone for awhile. My poor David is suffering from the same thing. He has come home at 8 or later all week. ..but now for the good news
JD and Jacob found a place to live in North Austin today. I am so excited for them. They are moving to about 5 minutes from David and JD's work. JD is sooo excited to sleep late and not have to get up at 5:30. I hope that they get moved this weekend so that "we" can spend next week, cleaning. I may take crime scene cleaning crews to clean it up. Toxic waste is hard to clean up.

What a great weekend!

So, Friday we went to La Paloma and spent the weekend in one of the most beautiful places. It is south of San Antonio, in the middle of no where. We spent the weekend with the Tips with Aunt Jo and the Austin Malotts. Oh, and Josh! Can not forget Josh! We really did not do much. Just Jeep surfing! We had a great time. The kids threw water balloons and made us laugh all weekend. That is David, right before he crashed! It was a great weekend to just sit and visit! Even Mr. Tips joined us for a few conversations.

Thursday evening

As the week of TAKS winds down, swine flu winds up. It is amazing to me how the TV people have created a "pandemic" of this. I am concerned about Opie, Omie, and Oma. I hope they are choosing to stay in. This weekend we are going to the ranch, so David should be posting pictures on his blog after we get back.
I got an email this morning from Lori and sent posted our wedding on UTube. Here is the linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX106qAKes0.
I hope you get a chuckle!

Sunday and 6 more Mondays!

It is Sunday morning and I finally have time to post. David is fighting the wind and playing disc golf. It is very windy today. Last Sunday we went to Omie and Opie's. it was a wonderful day. I love my Grandparents very much. I can not believe that they are 90. I am very fortunate. JD was in a great mood and kept up laughing. He was a very good sport and hunted Easter eggs. I guess it did not hurt that some of the eggs have money in them!

The week was a blur. I had about 28 ARDs, but it would soon be over. 6 MORE Mondays. TAKS is in two weeks. Then I have 1 more week of ARDs. I have lots to wrap up. I love the end of the year. I get to clean up the folders and shred. I think shredding is therapeutic! I take care of lots of my stress.

The pool pump broke this week. $200 later and it is fixed. The pump was 1 year and 2 days old. The company that I brought it from said that it had been leaking for 3 months so would not warranty it. This is the latest that I have EVER not been swimming. All of the kids, including mine have asked when they can come swimming. I sat on the side of my pool and put my feet in but it was too cold to get in. Today it is too windy. I hope this week it was finally get warm enough to go swimming.

Easter weekend

Sorry about the delay in posting. Very busy week. Walked out side on Tuesday to take out the trash and notice that the pool was BLACK! The oak trees had dumped their pollen in the pool and it mold spread their mold all over the pool. David and worked on the pool two evenings to get it back to the sparkle we like. It is way too cold to swim in yet. Especially today! It is 56 degrees and overcast. It is threatening to be bad weather this evening. I hope not! Yesterday Debbie and Mike had tornadoes right over their house in Tennessee but no damage.
Easter is tomorrow in Fredericksburg. I cant wait to see Opie. Have not seen him since he started chemo. Sometimes you just need to "touch" someone to make sure they are really OK. He keeps saying that he is OK but I need to see. I have eggs to hid for JD and Joseph. Money, money, money will be hidden. I will post pictures of the "fools" running around for eggs.

Sunday....

Got up early...check
Got David out of the house to play disc golf...check
cleaned house....check
wash clothes....check
grilled beer brats for lunch....check
going to roller derby...Worth every minute of drudgery!!!

Going to roller derby with JD, Tenille, AJ and David. It should be fun!

Went to the play "The Hand that Cradles the Rock" in Lockhart! It was funny. I really like Billy Alexander. He is such a good actor! I really enjoy the plays at Lockhart. Afterwards went out in the back yard, laid on a blanket and looked at the stars with my husband. Even saw a shooting star! Perfect ending to a great date!

A beautiful Spring morning

Sitting around with my husband, serfing TV and Facebook! Drinking coffee, had a great breakfast and laughing at Riley and Marielle's kids! Watched movies last evening with the best man on the planet! Start of a great weekend. David is looking at pictures that he took the other evening. This is a picture of the lemon tree in the back yard. It smells soo good! The yard looks good right now. We have had some consistant rain so that helps. I still have things I need to take care of. Along with rain comes weeds. Will treat them tomorrow morning or this evening. David is going to mow and help me clean the pool. Still too cool to swim but soon....very soon....

6 more days till a day off!

I am copying Marlo's facebook status. I AGREE! Why does it get harder the closer to summer? I can not wait until it is summer and it is the daily grind of...get up...put on a bathing suit...make breakfast...put it on a tray...carry it out to the pool....put it on the green table next to the pool..get in the pool...hang on the side of the pool, eat breakfast and tan! That is the ideal summer day!! I think I read 25 books last summer.

An update on YingYang. He is healing nicely! I wish he would gain weight a little faster. His fur is still matted in places. I have not taken him to the vet to get them cut off because Kristen is coming over on Friday to help me. I think it will be less stressful for YingYang if I keep him at home. He is sooo sweet. I left him inside last night. He did just fine. I was more worried about Jack and Daisy not staying inside considering it was raining. They are really not happy about a new cat in the house. They do a lot of staring at YingYang. Daisy, of course, hisses but she hisses at everything. We were outside watching the cats and we saw two of the coolest hummingbird moths flying around the lemon tree. Daisy was sitting under the lemon tree deciding which to catch and eat. See the pictures of the moth. It was so fast. David was having difficulty taking their picture.

well, well, well

YingYang was already spayed. Because he was already spayed, he was not sedated. Because he was not sedated, they could not cut off all of his mats. Poor baby. He was not happy when I picked him up. I appreaciate the people at Emancipet. They said he was the healthiest, sick cat they have ever seen. He has ear mites and an absess from when he was bit by something. Other than that, he does not have anything else. He is soo skinny. They said he is a great cat. He is sitting in the chair beside me. The other cats are mad. I am letting YingYang run around monitoring them so that there is not a cat fight. I really need to do something nice for the other three.

Poor YingYang

YingYang is at the Vet. He is becoming a little less he today. He is also being shaved. The poor baby has mats everywhere. He would not let me cut them off. I have tried. I thought about finding him a new home when he got "well" but no longer....He has attached himself to my heart. He is sooo sweet. He loves to be held and cuddled and pet. He follows us around everywhere. The other cats are..um...concerned about just what he is. Daisy hisses. Jack just looks at him...not really angry..just wondering. I have kept them apart until I could find out if anything is wrong with him. So far, so good. I was waiting for the vet to call. They were going to run the tests first and let me know if they found anything. I have not received a call yet. I am so glad. I really do not want anything to be wrong. I will post a picture this evening. I am sure he will look bad.

The wedding

Fred and Lori's wedding was fun. But it is always fun to sit around, eat, drink and laugh with the Malott family. Lori, you looked amazing, especially in the dress that you wore 10 years ago at the last wedding. Kyle and Katy you did so great in the wedding. Hanna, you looked beautiful. We are just sorry you did not make it in time, Dang TxDot and their road crew!!! Fred and Lori, the house was beautiful. We loved the stories about all the work you did the week prior to the wedding. I am glad the kitchen did not catch on fire yesterday, just someones shoes!