A new treehouse master?

Since the kids have clearly outgrown their    current swing set. We decided to embark on building a treehouse. We are still in the early phase of building it, but I wanted to share the progress so far. 

It's located just outside our fence, on the back corner of the property. The fence line will be moving in the spring. It measures 8 x 10.

Even Benny Boots chipped in to help his dad.

We saved money on accessories by buying a swing set off someone on craigslist. It was a really good deal, we got a slide, swings and a mini rock wall for $75.

The lower platform is for the slide.  

Checklist:

1. Install zip line 

2. Determine railing materials

3. Build house

4. Install larger rock wall

Pinewood Derby Scout

Today we had our first Pinewood Derby. Mike took home 3rd place in speed overall, along with medals for craftsmanship, design and 1st for speed in the Tiger group. 

Free Pop Tarts!

Go to this link and print your coupon....it's only good 1/17-1/22

http://www.gofreebies.com/freebie.asp?id=9636&src=0&cid=20745462

Christmas in the Catskills

Finally got these pictures today and I am so happy to be able to share these.  My family spent a few days after Christmas at our dry cabin in the Catskill Mountains of New York.  We built this cabin last July on an old Prowler trailer foundation.

My brother-in-law, "Matty"....great picture walking down the road.

Every year we have a "Christmas in the Woods" party to get all our friends and family together.  Since we are all spread out geographically across the east coast, its a good way to spend more time with everyone.  This year Matt enhanced the party by building a Beer Garden to house the beer and snacks. The battery operated Christmas lights really kept the holiday spirit.

Operation clean out

Today's agenda included making some headway in the current garage space in order to start knocking down walls. 

As you can see someone in my house flirts with hoarding tendencies..

Having to stop a few times to work on the tree fort, this is all the progress I made.

This week we will work on:

1. Moving the exercise machine so it can collect dust in the barn.

2. Relocating all of the items above the garage to the second floor of the barn.

3. Knocking down the walls, making our great room even bigger. This may be a stretch-- stay posted!

Cake girl

I got a little creative with some leftover candy today. I'm calling it my cake twin.

Ben was also getting into his alter ego-- The Phantom!

The phantom's must have accessories include a bow tie and sweatbands, in addition to a red cape.

Chicken, artichoke, bacon and tomato pizza

Here is a recipe for one of my favorite pizza's. If you've had the pleasure of me cooking this for you in the past, I know your mouth is watering over these pictures :)

I left the mozzarella off half so you could see all the wonderful ingredients in this diet buster.

Store bought pizza crust

Artichoke hearts, chopped

1 c grilled chicken breast, chopped

4-5 slices cooked bacon, chunked

1/2 pint balsamic tomatoes

    (See previous post for that recipe)

Roasted garlic cream sauce

Layer the cream sauce on pizza crust. Top with chicken, tomatoes, artichokes, bacon and finally mozzarella cheese. Bake 350 for about 15 minutes. Yum!!

Cream sauce:

(Makes enough for two pizzas)

1 block cream cheese

4-5 gloves roasted garlic, diced

2 tbs butter

Cream ( milk or cream)

Combined all ingredients and melt in a pot.  Add cream to desired consistency.

***You could also use Philadelphia roasted garlic cooking sauce, but my stores don't seem to carry it.

Next time I make this I am going to add some chopped red onion. I think that will go well with the other toppings.

What will you add?

Let there be floor!

Yesterday we started out on  a mission to see the second level floor of the barn. Since my last post, we have taken one trailer full to the dump. Here is what we started with yesterday...

I can't show you all the spiderwebs, pine combs, leaves, and squirrel droppings--totally gross. I strapped on my face mask and rubber gloves while the hubby piled it all on the trailer. Needless to say, we accomplished our goal. Let there be floor!!

We've made a pile in the corner of things to save or sell.  For some reason I just love the. 1970's style lamps.

A nice pile to go to the scrap yard below.

We ended up with one and a half trailers of garbage, which Tyler took to the dump.

Among the "finds" where some old coins, two dollar bills and ten-cent war savings stamps/stamp album. The stamp album, upon initial internet research, seems to have some value. 

I am going to add this to my personal stamp collection at this point.

Next up for the barn:

1. Determine necessary repairs.

2. Sell scrap metal.

3. Clear second floor of remaining items.

4. Insulate and Sheetrock.

No Mayo Slaw

This is a recipe from the Herald Statesman in 1973.  Being a southern gal, we tend to BBQ all year round. It's ideal for hot summer gatherings, because there is no mayo. This coleslaw can last up to 3 weeks, but it usually gets eaten very quickly. 

Ingredients:

10 oz package of angel hair coleslaw

1/3 med green pepper, chopped

1/3 med onion, chopped

2/3 c sugar

1/3 c veggie oil

1/3 c vinegar (white or yellow)

1 tsp celery seed ( more to liking)

Salt and pepper

Optional- jalepeno (pickled or fresh)

Combine coleslaw, peppers, onions, sugar and mix well.

Mix oil, vinegar, celery seed and salt in microwaveable bowl. Heat until boiling. Pout over cabbage and stir until well mixed. Store in airtight Tupperware in fridge. Suggested sit time is 3 days before eating, I generally only wait one.

Enjoy with your favorite pork dish!

Free Milky Way Ice Cream bar

7-Eleven's have a promotion for downloading their app--you get a free Milky Way Ice cream bar!!  Just go to the website below, get the freebie and click on 7-Elevens savings section to redeem on your smart phone.  Be careful the savings is only good for 15 minutes after you click on it.

http://www.gofreebies.com/viewFreebie.asp?id=9584

While you are on my site, don't forget to click on some ad's :)