Grandma Thompson's dumplings

I know it's been forever since I posted.  No Christmas pics for 2012...we got busy and well life happens.  So to new things.  Since Mother Nature has blessed us with a wonderful winter week. I was looking for yummy cold weather food to make.  Today I attempted to make Grandmas Thompson's FAMOUS Chicken and dumplings.  This recipe was never officially written down, it was in Grandmas head.  You could ask her a million times how to make it and she would tell you, " a pinch of this, a cup of that".So all we really have to go by is what we "saw" her make.  So after a phone call and text to Darrell's mom and aunt I felt up to the task at hand.  I boiled the chicken, made the dumpling dough, put it all together and waited.  I have to say, it turned out pretty good.  Darrell hand seconds so that's a good sign!  However I have to say no one will ever be able to make chicken and dumplings like Grandma Thompson.

Stolen from Facebook...

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON

1. Play a sport.
It will teach you how to win honorably,
lose gracefully, respect authority,
...

work with others, manage your time
and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother
because I might be missing you.

Fall Fun

Jack's 5th Birthday

So I'm just now getting to posting pictures.  We celebrated Jack's 5th birthday with a big group of family and friends with the O'Fallon Fire Dept. at their firehouse near our house.  We were able to tour the firehouse, learn about being a firefighter, and then the big suprise..they brought out the ladder truck!  The firemen showed us all the gear and gadgets that belong on the truck and even raised the ladder for all the boys.  It was awesome!  Even as the mom I was totally into it.
A huge thank you to O'Fallon Fire Station #4 for everything you do and for making Jack's birthday a day he'll remember forever.

After the firehouse we headed back for cake and ice cream.   A big thank you to all who help celebrate Jack's birthday!  I cannot believe I have a 5 yr old! 

 

Butterfly House 2012

Last weekend I took the kids to the Butterfly House and the Faust Park Carousel.  I've never been on the carousel and it was very cool.  The carousel's story is a good one.

The St. Louis Carousel is home to an original carousel created by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia in the 1920’s. The Carousel was installed in 1929 at the Forest Park Highlands. When the Highlands burned to the ground in 1963, the carousel was the only thing left standing. Howard C. Ohlendorf purchased the carousel to prevent it from being dismantled and donated it to St. Louis County Parks in 1965. The department operated it during the summer months at Sylvan Springs Park until 1980. The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission and Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation raised enough money to restore the carousel to its original beauty and installed it in a climate controlled building in Faust Park in 1987.

Halloween 2012

Another wonderful, candy-filled, pumpkin carved Halloween has come and gone!  We had our own little pumpkin and Spiderman to Trick or Treat with.  Megan was very into carving the pumpkins this year.  Jack not so much.  But it was still a great day!  Now I'm off to raid the kids stash!

Not enough room...

I ran out of room on the last post...Along with everything else this fall, Darrell and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary last weekend.  We headed back to southern IL and the Shawnee Wine Trail for the weekend.  We visited some wineries and enjoyed some quiet time!  Happy late anniversay to my handy, wonderful, loving husband, who I still love even though he's hunting!