Oatmeal Pancake Mix

Here is a reason never to buy pancake mix again!!

3 1/2 - cups old-fashioned or rolled oats
5 - cups all purpose flour
3 - Tablespoons sugar
3 - Tablespoons baking powder
1 - Tablespoon salt
1 - Tablespoon baking soda
1 - cup oil

 Grind the oats in a food processor until they are chopped fine but not a powder. Put the oats, flour, and all other dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Using a mixer, mix on slow speed, drizzling the oil into the bowl while the mixer is running. 

 
 When all the oil has been added, stop the mixer and squeeze a clump of mix in your hand. If it stays together, it is just right. if it is still crumbly, add another tablespoon of oil at a time until the consistency is correct. 

 Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature, or indefinitely in refrigerator or freezer. 








 Batter:

whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup of milk and 1 egg.  Don't worry if it seems thin at first: the oats will soak up the milk and the mix will thicken a bit as it stands. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before cooking. 

Heat a griddle, lightly greased and drop the batter onto it by heaping tablespoons to make a 3 inch diameter pancake. 

Note: 

A batch using 1 cup of the mix will make twelve 3-inch pancakes.   

Randy Rogers Band and Lone Star Park

First...us. We went for a fun evening at Lone Star Park (horse racing) and Cary was there too, he took this picture!!

We had a press pass from getting a subscription to the Arlington newspaper and it gives us discounts and stuff and tons of places. So, we used it along with an ad from the paper and we all got in FREE!! it just so happened to be the same night that the RANDY ROGERS BAND was in concert!! The boys were way excited! We have extreme limited going out and doing things experience, but man did we handle that concert well!!

Here's the band. The boys went for autographs and pics. Zachary got a pic of Alexander with the band on his DSI, but he has yet to email it to me, so I am creating this with out and you will just have to believe me that Alexander stood next to them and was photographed.

There were soooo many people. Tons of high school aged people that honestly need parents or guidance or hey-how bout both?? Even the boys thought they were lacking brains or discipline. Now that's bad. Regardless.... there really were waaaaaay more people then this, behind me, to the sides!! We are not big crowd people, but hey, for a free RRB concert, we sucked it up!

On this particular night, they were filming a video for a new single called Interstate, so if you happen to see that video in the future, be sure to look for Alexander. He wiggled and squirmed his way up to the front and he is positive that he got in the video and hopefully it will be some footage that isn't cut and he will be in it!! He went thru soooo much to get there-he deserves it!!

They were awesome!! Cary and I were on a hill a ways back but super crowded with people, but we danced and sang. It was fun and I'm sooo glad we went!

Sloppy Joe's with homemade buns, fries and onion rings!!

YUMMMMY!

These were so delicious!! The buns are so super easy to make. Recipe will be at the bottom.

Alexander was the main onion ring maker; I just assisted! He dunked them in beer (Dos Equis) and then seasoned flour-TWICE! then fried them AND he only burned himself like four times on numerous items, not just hot grease!!

I peeled and cut the fries myself and we only dipped them into the beer and flour once before frying.

They were crisp, but the center was soft and just right. They are the best fries I have ever had.

I was fighting with the ice cream maker while the boys ate and came back for seconds, leaving me only two teeny rings and four fries. :( oh well...I didn't need those anyways! but oh man, that sloppy joe was amazing!!

bun recipe

1 cup water

2 Tbls butter

1 large egg

3 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 Tbls instant yeast

Combine all and mix and knead together using a mixer until it's a soft, smooth dough.

Grease a large bowl and place dough in it, cover with a towel, let rise for an hour. I put mine in my electric oven with the light on. Any draft free place will do.

Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape into flattened balls. Place the balls on a greased baking sheet, cover, let rise 30-40 minutes until they are quite puffy.

Preheat over to 375. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and place to cool on a rack.

Fleece Pants

I made these fleece pants a few weeks ago. They have an elastic waist and I just used an old pj pants pattern. I think my model adores these cause I have seen him wearing them quite a bit!!

Yoga Mat Bag with pocket

I recently joined the YMCA with the boys and there are alot of yoga classes available and I really like yoga. So, I made a cute bag to carry my mat in. I'm thinking it might make me feel more excited about going. Turns out, the bag isn't causing my desire to go at all. However, the next blog about composting with several pics of me is causing me the desire to go and take every fitness class available. OMG!!!

West Texas Sky and Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake

It was sooo cold today, 32 and the wind blowing. Brrrr! When I was backing out of the drive to go into town this afternoon, I gasped at this site. I thought it was really pretty and it has all of the important sky line views. Windmills, a work over rig and a pump jack. West Texas does have some amazing, breathtaking sky views. And at night the stars are so bright and they seem close enough to reach up and grab. But I really hate the wind. Really.

Okay, on to the cake. I don't know why I do this in the skillet. I do have a soft spot for iron skillets, but cake? Anyway, it's simple and good, so I guess it doesn't really matter. This isn't your big tall fluffy cake, it's more cake like though then a cobbler.

Preheat oven to 350.

5 Tablespoons of unsalted stick butter. I just put it in the skillet and stick it in the oven. Don't forget it though like I do and the butter gets all burnt and strange and then you have to start all over.
1/2 cup brown sugar packed into the measure cup. Sprinkle it over the melted butter.

1 can of pineapple rings or whatever shape of pineapple you might prefer. SAVE A 1/3 CUP OF THE JUICE.

Add 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla to the juice. Keep holding onto the juice, now with the vanilla.

In a totally different bowl, put 1 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 2/3 cup sugar and stir them together.

2 eggs, beaten until they are thick and frothy. Above is what I call thick and frothy.

Add the juice and vanilla to the eggs now while still running the mixer.

Now add the flour mix to this and mix well, scraping sides of bowl.

Pour on top of the pineapples in the skillet and bake. I think about 20 minutes. I forgot to time it. Sorry. I did actually measure everything and write it down, so when it looks done, it probably is!!

This is what mine looked like tonight. I wish I could show you how great it tastes, but you will have to try it for yourself!!

Enjoy!!

yoga pants

I am so in love with these pants!! or the fabric! both!! They are a bit long in this picture, but I have since hemmed them again. I first thought they were ok, but then I tripped. So I hemmed again. That is the beauty of making things yourself. They are exactly the length you need! I got the fabric at Hancock's Fabric in Midland. It's a wool blend and so very soft and warm and not the leaste bit scratchy! I have a little bit left so I am anxious to find something great to do with it. I am seriously thinking of going back and buying more to make a blanket! It's just that great!
I found the pattern in a book at the Midland County Library-which has sooooo many old, outdated books. It's such a large library to not be more updated then that. I just got so spoiled in Arlington. The name of the book is S E W Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp. Its the only decent book in the sewing section. I also saw it just this weekend at Barnes and Nobles. It comes with patterns and a ton of beginner tips and knowledge. Its really a pretty good book.
Did I mention how much I love these pants?? They are very very comfy!!

matching mom & daughter aprons!

Super fun cowboy kid/chuck wagon print apron with bandana print trim~ very cute! I used a Simplicity pattern # 2492 for these! Above: child size apron-I need a model for this!

Above: mom apron to match!

shopping bags with produce bags

here is a cute shopping bag with a presidental print fabric that I picked up at Alco in Colorado City. They have a pretty decent selection of fabric and it's never priced over $3.99 a yard. They don't have huge amounts though. Anyway, as you can see, this is kind of unique. One of my sisters selected this for another sister of mine. Hope she likes it! Shown here with a mesh, drawstring produce bag included with every shopping bag! Another shopping bag that one of my sisters said looked like it's calling should be boxer shorts. None of the 'men' in my house agree and are not interested in boxers made from this fabric. So, I guess the remainder will go on to be something else. I did make a pair of slippers from this as well.

Below: here they are all wrapped up and gift ready! I love ribbon and tying things up like that! also shown here is my super adorable business cards that Jeffrey got me as a gift. thank you!!! I appreciate it a bunch-very generous!!

horses for sale

Texas Miss Prefect aka Missy
Registered Quarter Horse
Has given birth once to a filly. Very fast horse. Lots of thoroughbred bloodlines. Approx 13-14 hands. Great demeanor. Has been used for playdays with teen girls, barrels and poles. Just messing around with a speed of 19 on barrels with inexperienced rider. Comfortable with loud noises, kids and animals running around her. Loads and trailers wonderfully. Farrier owned and his model horse! $800 with papers, neg coggins. Contact Jeffrey Dalton at 432-813-6740 Below: Sugar Baby aka Sugar
Registered American Mustang

Great horse! Very sweet and gentle. Farrier owned and loved. Willingly stands for farrier, brushing, haltering. Very strong and fast horse! Rugged built with no injuries. Has been ridden quite a bit; bareback and with a saddle. Readiness to learn. Not for a beginner at all, but is a great horse. Contact Jeffrey Dalton 432-813-6740

the gift of a shopping bag and tissue holder

My daughter, Brittany, works at a credit union and not long after starting there, she was required to bring a gift for a lady whose name was drawn. The gifts were to just shower her with kindness for the day, which is very sweet! Above is a cute little tissue holder that matches the shopping bag that I made to give. At Dollar Tree for $1 is an 8 pack of those little pocket size tissues! What a deal!! I made a ton of these and gave at Christmas! Easy and cute.

Above: the shopping bag all ready to give. I love tying everything up with ribbon. It's just so gifty looking!

Below: the bag laying flat.

Below: packaged and ready to be given!!

Turns out the recipient really liked her gift. I think it was the very best gift she got, but that's just me saying....

guy dish towels and cute slippers

I made these super cute and comfy slippers for some ladies for Christmas. They were all excited and put them on right away. To make them took very little fabric. In fact, the first pair I made I used a cute polka dot cloth napkin that I found at a thrift store for 10 cents. I found a suede jacket at a different thrift store and used it for the bottoms of the slippers for a more durable, non slip sole. It worked out really well. The inside is warm, soft fleece. Elastic at the back for a great fit. These were fun to make. Thank you Jacki for the pattern and the instructions that you had to email!! Below: I found these crazy guy looking dish towels and added ric rac to them. I got them for $1 each at Dollar Tree.

Here it is opened up. I wanted to give a gift to this guy who has always been sweet and helpful and whose family I absolutely adore! He is an amazing cook so I thought these were a great gift. He lives in Durango, CO on a cool ranch, so we also gave him super warm socks.

The Family December 2009

I took these myself and I have to say they are great!! Notice the short sleeves in December!! Ahh, one of the many joys of West Texas! Above, Left to Right: Jeffrey, Zachary and Alexander. downtown Stanton, Tx.

Above: Steve. The snow was also in the month of December. Crazy West Texas.

Above: Brittany

Above; left to right: Alexander, Brittany and Zachary