Nap Time

Logie's first nap in his crib...

A Pleasant Surprise

Not too long ago, Brian and I were craving ice cream, so he ran to the littletinygrocerystore we have here in town. Most of the ice cream at this store has been in the freezer for years and has so much freezer burn on it you can't even get one scoop out... When he came home he said, "I got this. It was only $1.99 and I didn't want to spend $5 on crappy ice cream." But when we tried it, it was like the best ice cream we had ever had! Probably not the best, but we liked it so much, we haven't purchased anything else. So, the next time you are in the store, give the $1.99 ice cream a try. You might be pleasantly surprised!

My Music Man

I have 3 men in my household. Brian, Logan, and Michael Buble. Luckily, Logan appreciates Michael as much as I do! The other day, after an extended period of crying, I turned on THIS guy...

which resulted in THIS guy...

(He also did this when he heard Jason Mraz. Thank goodness we have the same tastes in music!)

First "Real" Outing--Day 2

Day 2 (A couple weeks later...)--After Friday's evening in Salina, we headed to Clay Center for Saturday's Piotique festivities. Brian and I always enjoy attending Piotique and this year Brian's dad and step-mom were in town. His dad had just returned to the states from working in Asia for the summer, so this was the first chance for them to see Logan. Brian's dad also had a collection of Native American artifacts being dedicated to the Clay County Courthouse Saturday morning. When Brian's dad, Riley, said he had "some arrowheads and a few other pieces" K-State was cataloging, I had no idea what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a really neat collection and the dedication ceremony was nice.

We took advantage of all Piotique has to offer...we ate brats from the wrestling booth and a funnel cake from the "red funnel cake trailor" (which were like 2 inches thick by the way!), strolled around to all of the booths, visited with friends, and of course, watched the parade. Surprisingly, Logan slept through the whole parade!

Here are a few pictures from Day 2 of Logan's first "real" outing....

Logan with Grandpa and Grandma Rankin...

(Logan looks like he has red hair in the picture above, but he doesn't...dangit...)

Grandpa Rankin's Artifact Dedication...

(Brian's God-Mother Mary, Stephanie, Riley, Loagie, Brian, and I)

~Thank you Pam for the great pictures!~

Empanadas

Have more taco meat leftover?
Here is another quick and easy recipe using your leftever taco meat!

1. Make your favorite double pie crust or buy the pre-made crusts in the refigeration section.
(I used the crust recipe on the back of the Crisco can. It isn't my favorite, but it is quick and easy. For those of you out there who have never tried to make a pie crust, or say you "can't", it really isn't too hard to do. Stick to an easy recipe and just keep trying. You don't have to have any "pie making tools" either. When I started making them I rolled them out on my (clean) countertop using waxed paper on top, cutting the Crisco or butter in with a fork, and rolling them out with a plain vase (which actually worked really well). I did eventually buy a pie mat, pastry utensil, and rolling pin (which I wish I would have bought one without the handles...the one that looks like a tapered stick) but you don't need to go out and buy all of these things to just try it out. But enough about that...)

2. Put about 1/3 cup of meat mixture and however much cheese you want in one of the corners/edges. (Next time I think I will put some Lipton Taco Rice in there, and maybe a few jalapenos for Brian.)

3. Put the second crust on top of the first. Separate the empanadas and "fork" the edges closed.

5. Cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the crust is done (I keep touching them and when they are firm I take them out.)

6. Add your favorite sides and enjoy! (I would have normally made a cheese dip, but I had already started supper late and didn't want to dirty any more dishes...)

(I did have extra dough leftover that I sprinkled sugar and cinnamon on, baked, and ate for dessert, but that was gone before I remembered to take a picture!)