Sick kids-winter is definitely here!

Today my 12 yr. old is home with the ever dreaded Streph throat. Everything was fine until he spent the evening at the local gym for 3 hours playing b-ball. Saturday morning he woke up with a fever. No problem, he went to his b-ball game, played but not as he usually does. Sunday morning still has a fever, now a sore throat-go to the clinic- sure enough. Streph throat-so no school until he has 24hours of antibiotics.

Today, Monday, he is home watching every DVD he can find. Luckily for me, he'll be back at school tomorrow.

The weather looks as if it might actually warm up!

My 10 month old just decided to drink out of the dog's dish! What's next? Never a dull moment here.

The snow is flying! Warm up with a great meal.

Here's a great recipe if your stuck in the same old dinner routine. Everyone is sure to love it!

Salsa Chicken

Ingredients:

6 chicken breasts
1 15-oz can black beans
1½ c. corn
1 ½ c. salsa
1 c. Cheddar cheese, grated
Hot cooked rice


Directions:

Combine ingredients in slow cooker, except rice and cheese. Cover; cook on Low 6-8 hours or High 4-6 hours. Serve over rice and top with cheese.


For those of you that didn't know you CAN fix dessert in your crock pot. Here's a recipe for the chocolate lover in us all.

BROWNIE BOTTOMS

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2 Tbs cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups packaged brownie mix
2 3/4-oz package chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup milk chocolate chip morsels
2 eggs
3 Tbs butter, melted
3/4 cup water


Directions:
Lightly grease the stoneware with a non-stick cooking spray. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, 3/4 cup water and cocoa powder and bring to a boil. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients to form a batter. Spread the batter into the stoneware, and pour the boiling mixture over the batter. Cover cook on High for 1 1/2 hours. Turn of heat and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Don't forget the icecream!!!!YUM!

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Rich Brooks hasn't retired YET!!

I just heard on the news today that UK already has a replacement lined up to take the lead of the UK football program. Rich Brooks hasn't even retired! What's up with that? I guess they want to have an easy transition when and if Rich leaves.

But why would he want to? He has back to back bowl wins!!! I haven't heard who is set to fill his shoes, but I'm sure it's someone on his staff. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

GO BIG BLUE!


Well, it looks like we will eventually get joker Phillips to take the helm.
Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips has agreed to become the Wildcats' head coach following Rich Brooks' retirement. While no date has been set for Phillips to take over, Brooks is expected to sign a contract extension this week that will carry him through the 2011 season.

"With the landscape of college football changing from year to year, the decision to name Joker Phillips the next head coach at the University of Kentucky provides continuity and consistency for current and future players," Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. "Continuity and consistency will be a competitive advantage for UK going forward, an advantage our program has not enjoyed very often during its history.
"Joker is a native of the commonwealth, an alumnus of the university, a letterman, and a person who has been an integral piece of our last three bowl victories in program history. He bleeds blue and believes in the foundational principles that Coach Brooks has put in place for the program."

Living life in the Bluegrass state (for those of you that do not know that would be KENTUCKY) .

Kentucky is said to be the "bluegrass state", why you ask? Well, it's supposed to be because of the vast amounts of bluegrass. Well in my "neck of the woods" the bluegrass is giving way to "urban development". Horse farms and rolling hills are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Everywhere you look another developer is trying to squeeze another house in on a lot that is nowhere big enough for a house and a yard to roam. I guess you'll save on gas because there won't be much of a yard to mow.

I love to shop just as much as the next person, but really how many shopping centers does one city need?! It's absolute craziness!

Each young person dreams of living the city life, I say go RURAL and avoid this rat race.




Don't get me wrong, I love living in Kentucky (I'm a transplant from Illinois). What isn't there to love? We have horse racing, UK basketball-even though they aren't doing so well we still love them. GO BIG BLUE!!!

We have Maker's Mark for you bourbon lovers and many other wonderful spirits.

With five children that can be a blessing!

Seriously, though this is a great place to live.


Avoid the traffic and shop online at these wonderful retailers!







For your children's uniform needs be sure to visit:



If you are a busy mom like me, you enjoy finding short cuts to fixing dinner. Visit crock-pot.com to find great recipes and deals on the best slow cooker.

Crock-Pot Cooks All Day While The Cooks Away!



Here's a great recipe for those cold winter nights!

Mexican Chili Chicken

Ingredients:

2 medium green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
4 chicken thighs
4 chicken drumsticks
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1 jar (16 ounces) chipotle salsa
½ cup ketchup
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
Hot cooked noodles

Directions:

Place bell peppers and onion into Crock-Pot® slow cooker; top with chicken. Sprinkle chili powder and oregano evenly over chicken. Add salsa. Cover and cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours or until chicken is tender.
Remove chicken pieces to serving bowl; keep warm. Stir ketchup, cumin and salt into liquid in slow cooker. Cook, uncovered, on High 15 minutes or until hot.
Pour mixture over chicken. Serve with noodles.

Tip
For thicker sauce, blend together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water. Stir into cooking liquid with ketchup, cumin, and salt.



This would also make a great meal for your Super Bowl party!

Wondering what to do with all the leftovers?


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