This PORK BUTTS for you!!!!

It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since our family went to the Essman's for dinner and had the pleasure of our first pork butt. Since then I have made it for my family, Keith's family, friends and even my Bunco babes. It's a simple yet DELICIOUS meal that is fairly inexpensive and VERY easy to make. I recently learned that what we fondly call "pork butt" is actually called Kahlua Pork. I've had a few requests for the recipe so I'm passing along my "version" of it. I didn't actually get the recipe from Shauna so the recipe that follows is what I remember of what she told me and then what I've done to change it up and make it my own. If you try it make sure you let me know what you think.

Ingredients:
pork shoulder roast
cooked rice
black beans
shredded cheddar cheese
salsa

PORK BUTT

pork shoulder roast
3 tbls each of course salt & liquid smoke per 4lbs of pork

I slow cook mine in my crock pot for 12 hours on low. You'll know it's done when it starts shredding apart easily. (I just had a bit of an ah-ha moment. I just realized that the last two times I've made the pork I actually had it in my crock pot for 24 hours and it was WONDERFUL. This actually made it easier because I could put the pork in the crock pot between 4 and 6pm and it was ready the next evening at the same time.)

Serve the pulled pork over a bed of rice (I prefer brown rice which can be made with chicken broth in the rice cooker - 1 part rice, 2 parts liquid). On top of the rice and pork, put a spoonful of heated black beans, then shredded cheddar cheese and top with a liberal scoop of fresh salsa.

So that's how we eat our pulled pork "butt". My family absolutely loves it. I normally get my pork shoulder roast at Winco for .99lb. But the last time we were at Winco I noticed the price had gone all the way up to $1.99lb with the bone-in. We ended up getting our last pork butt at Costco and paid $1.75lb and it was boneless. Keith is the one who always "pulls" the pork for me. He said that the cuts from Costco were much better, they didn't have nearly as much fat as what we normally get at Winco. If I'm cooking for a lot of people (10 or more) I will do two roasts.

I hope that if you try the recipe you'll enjoy it as much as we do. If you have any questions, let me know!

(Amended on 5/5/11)
We have found that depending on the brand of liquid smoke you use this could easily become too salty.  I prefer Stubb's brand.  It comes in both Hickory and Mesquite flavor.  We like the Hickory best but either is good.  If you are using Wright brand you will want to use less salt.  Or if you don't like salt use less.  I wouldn't use less liquid smoke though, it really enhances the flavor of the pork.  Also, the saltiness seems to increase if you have leftovers.  But we still LOVE this recipe.  We like to use the leftover pork for tacos!!!

To "Pot" or Not?!?!?!?

So I posted a status last night that Keith and I were finally going to watch the first Harry Potter movie. I had more comments than I was expecting wanting to know my opinion so I thought I'd go ahead and post my own "movie review" on the blog I never use anymore! LOL!!!

Some background -
I have not read any of the Harry Potter books nor had I watched any of the movies before last night. Why? Because I've never had the desire to do so and I knew that there was a big controversy on the content of the books. And if I was being honest I'd probably say that I felt they were a little "immature" for me, but not in a snobby way. I just didn't know if I would find them interesting.

After partially watching (unfortunately I fell asleep) the movie last night I regret to say I don't have a very definitive answer to the questions asked of me. I am still torn between letting my girls watch them. I realize that they are old enough to decipher for themselves between fiction and reality but I would just hate to allow them to watch something that might affect them in a negative way. The whole basis of the movie being sorcery and witchcraft isn't something to be scoffed at. I just don't know if I want to even open the door to that for my 9 and 11 year old. Also, I researched the rest of the movies to find out if they would be able to watch the whole series. I found that the first three movies are rated PG, though a review of the 3rd stated it should have a PG-13 rating. The next two movies do have a PG-13 rating and then the 6th goes back to PG. So that would mean that the girls wouldn't be able to watch all of the movies for quite some time.
Having said all that I would have to say that I did find the movie and storyline more interesting than I expected. (I didn't fall asleep out of boredom.) Also, I didn't find anything objectionable in the movie concerning language or "sexual situations". I don't think that the movie itself would scare my kids in any way. I think that Keith enjoyed it and is ready to let the kids watch it. So we just might end up "Potting" it?!?!?!

Thanks Tank #29

So this post has been a long time coming. To be honest, I've been meaning to start back up on my blogging but I've intimidated myself into not actually doing it. After being gone from the "blogging world" for so long, I wanted some awesomely, hilarious post to get me back into blog land. Kind of reminds me when I very first started blogging and not knowing what to name my blog kept me from starting a blog. But anyway, enough with the procrastination. I'm starting back with baby steps . . . . my thankful thoughts for today!

1. I'm thankful for four days without rain with actual bursts of sunshine and fairly warmish weather!
2. I'm thankful for kids being back in school where they belong.
3. I'm thankful for a husband who works hard even when it frustrates me because there are so many other things he could be doing that would be equally frustrating but I realize he is just trying to make our home be the best it can be.
4. I'm thankful for old pictures that bring back some of the most amazing and precious memories!
5. I'm thankful for planned visits with friends.
6. I'm thankful for friends that let you vent and rant and rave over instant messaging even when you haven't seen them in almost 8 years who tell you all the things you needed to hear!
7. I'm thankful for cleansing tears and healing laughter.
   

It's what keeps us coming back . . . . again & again & again!!!

So, we are very blessed to be such close friends with the Owen Family. We've known them for about 5 1/2 years now and yet it seems like forever - in a good way! Unfortunately, they moved away from Washington 2 years ago BUT they didn't move far enough away to "escape us"! Anyway, two weekends ago we spent some of our vacation time down here helping build a shed for them. We had a blast staying up way past our "bedtime"! We are now back down here to finish up the shed and help celebrate David's 6th birthday! All of this to say - we LOVE our friends and this is what keeps us coming back . . . again and again and again!!!!

my blogging bff wants to fill your thanks tank!!!

One of my very bestest buds is having a giveaway on her blog. So hop on over and check it out. Her posts are always funny and entertaining or thought provoking and spiritually inspiring. Her blog is why I started my own. Let me know if you end up being a winner to one of her awesome giveaways!!!

The End is Here

So the end of the '08-'09 school year has finally arrived for us in Bethel School District in Western Washington. As always, we are excited to see the school year end and for summer to arrive! But I also wonder how long the euphoria of summer will last before we are ready for the new school year to begin?!?! The ending of this year is a little bittersweet because this is the girls' last year at Graham Elementary. A new elementary school will be opening in the fall and because of new boundary lines we will become Nelson Navigators and be Graham Grizzlies no more! While the prospect of being at a brand new school holds great appeal, I think the girls are a little sad to be moving. And I feel pretty bad for them because this will be there fourth elementary school they've been at since starting school! Anah is only going into the fourth grade! But lots of their school friends and all of the kids they ride the bus with will moving so I'm sure it will end up being all good! Here are some pictures of the girls on their last day and also some from their first day as well! Look how they've grown!!!

Savanah Janne' - June 16th, 2009

Samantha Reigh - June 16th, 2009

Savanah - September 2nd, 2008

Samantha - September 2nd, 2008

Some things I learned . . . . while on vacation!!!

My sisters, cousin and I just got back from an amazing trip to Belize, C.A. "Belize" it or not - C.A. does not stand for California but Central America. (I actually knew this before leaving for Belize but was a little shocked at how many people didn't even know what Belize was!) Anyway, it was such a beautiful place and we had a ton of fun. I thought it might be interesting to share a couple of things I "learned" while gone!

• i am actually capable of drinking not one, or two or even three but FOUR whole cups of coffee in the morning without reheating a single one if I take the time to sit down and enjoy my coffee without being distracted by other things.
• i can survive without Facebook for a whole week and not even have withdrawals.
• i'm surprisingly getting much better at the whole flying thing and did just fine on all of our flights to and from Belize as well as the two tiny airplane rides we took while in Belize flying from Ambergris Caye to the mainland and then back again - no nausea and no panic attacks.
• i didn't miss my cell phone one stinkin' bit while gone and could have went a whole nother week or two without turning it on once i was home!
• i am not as young as i once was and that fact doesn't bother me in the slightest.
• i am not now - nor was i ever into the "party scene".
• i truly enjoy karaoke even though i am not very good at it!
• i smile too big for pictures.
• i smile too much for snorkeling.
• i am getting to old for sleeping on hide-a-beds!
• i look better with a tan!
• God has created the most magnificent world and I love being able to see all the things and places that he has made.
• the Caribbean is indescribable in its beauty!!!
• i love meeting new people and getting to know more about them and their lives.
• i don't like being ignored!
• i could live in Belize if the opportunity ever presented itself!
• Belizean Red Beans and Rice is SO YUMMY!!!!!

Blessed by my Momma!

Though I'm a day late - I still want to wish my Mom a very Happy Mother's Day! I am truly blessed by the most wonderful momma in the world. I love you, Mommy!

He is amazing!!!

I have big plans for my weekend. I need to get all my Christmas decorations taken down. I need to do some major deep cleaning because we have some of our FAVORITE company coming next weekend and there are some major allergies in the family. Because of the cold weather and having a puppy we've had our animals in the house quite a bit over the last 2 months. All traces of our pets must be removed, as much as possible anyway.
I told my husband last night that I was going to get up early to get started on my day. Of course, I needed him to bring in all my Christmas tubs. When I woke up this morning, it was after 9 am. My hubby was not in bed. I came out and my kids were quietly eating breakfast and playing cribbage together and all my Christmas boxes and tubs were lined up inside just patiently waiting for me. Coffee had been brewed!
After being up for just a short time, something became glaringly apparent. My kids had pulled one over on me with their quiet demeanor and "show" of getting along. Within a half hour I was about ready to pull my hair out. Anything and everything that they could fight about they were. And they weren't just fighting, they were being down right cruel to each other. My hubby came in and found me hiding in the office trying to "get-away". I apologized for sleeping in and he just hugged me and held me and told me that I needed it and it was fine. As we were trying to go over some things the girls were just getting worse and worse.
Fast forward to an hour and a half later . . . .
I just got done listening to my husband calmly and patiently talk with the girls about their behavior. He has such a gentle and yet firm way with them. He amazes me with his wisdom in disciplining them. They are now both laying down for some much needed rest. Hopefully they will actually get a nap in and when they wake up we can start the day "over".
I am so blessed by this man . . . my husband . . . my love . . . the perfect father for my daughters!

Thanks Tank #27

It's been awhile since I posted a Thursday Thanks Tank but even though I haven't posted anything in some time each Thursday I think a little more on the things in my life that I am thankful for. I love this exercise of consciously and purposefully taking time to think on the things that make me thankful. Here's my list for this week!

1. I am thankful for my new gym membership! I am excited to be able to be "hitting the gym" with my very good friend Heather. I'm excited to be setting some goals and hopefully being able to reach them.
   
2. I am thankful for a good deal on said membership. I've been meaning and wanting to get this membership for close to a year now. It's actually my Mother's Day gift from 2008! By waiting this long, I'm only paying half of what I would have been paying if I'd signed up before now! Yeah, me!!!!
3. I am thankful for the chance I had this past weekend of hanging out with my sister! We got to go up to IKEA on Saturday and have a free breakfast and then had a whirlwind shopping trip. She got lots of neat items for her home! My whole weekend was actually spent with family and it was really nice to be able to get out of the house and relax! Friday night we four girls went to see a movie. Saturday late afternoon all of us "kids" went shooting at the shooting range. And Sunday was spent out at my parents. It was a wonderful weekend!
4. I'm thankful for a chance to get together with my "other" family (my sister and mother-in-law) on Monday and scrapbook together! We hadn't done that for a long while and it was lots of fun!
   
5. I am thankful that things have been going so smoothly with our puppy but I'm also thankful that he should be going to his new home this weekend! Unfortunately, I've gotten a little attached to the stink pot so I'm praying I don't have some sort of crying fit when he leaves!
6. I am so, so thankful that my husband was able to figure out the problem with our washing machine and that we should be getting the rather inexpensive parts in the mail tomorrow! I am SO BLESSED to have a mechanically inclined hubby to do these sorts of things!
7. I am thankful for how responsible my kids are (usually) in the morning. I've gotten spoiled with them always getting up with their alarm and doing their normal morning routines without much help from me. It takes mornings like this morning (when they slept through their alarm) for me to realize that most 8 & 9 year olds need a little more coaching from Mom to do what my girls do on a normal day all by themselves. I'm very blessed!
8. I'm thankful that our very dear friends who were unable to make it up for Christmas from Oregon are coming up for Valentine's Day! I would be going insane with impatience if I didn't have so much work to do to get my house ready for company!
9. I'm thankful for my church, my church family and friends and how I miss it when I don't make it to church. We are SO BLESSED to be a part of a wonderful group of believers who love the Lord and are such an encouragement to others!

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

So once again, I'm stealing a post idea from JA. What can I say, she's got all the great ideas!!! These are just a few pictures of my time spent at Ecola Bible School and one of them is actually from a reunion. This was definitely the most defining year of my life. I grew in ways I never thought possible and made friendships that have lasted 16 1/2 years. Because I moved around so much growing up, I unfortunately don't still have friends from Kindergarten. Amazingly through Facebook I am reconnecting with friends from different states I've lived in and that has been a blast but my closest friends are all "newer" friends - friends that I've made since graduating from high school. At times this makes me sad but I am so grateful for the friendships I have that it doesn't keep me sad for long. I am thrilled to be reconnecting with my "older" friends again and am hoping that now that we've reconnected we won't lose touch again. But back to my "lovely pictures"! Enjoy the pics - they make me smile and laugh!!!

Kristi and I at the Fall Talent Show!
Kristi and I at our Spring Banquet

Julie and I at reunion but I'm not sure what year it was!

Kristi and I pigging out on food after going for a run in the pouring down rain!

Jenni, Tammy and I getting ready for our Spring Banquet. Everyone who sees this picture comments on the "big hair"! Ha, ha!

Not Me Monday

Ok so this is my very feeble attempt at my first, but hopefully not last, Not Me Monday! I have enjoyed reading through my dear friend Jane Anne's Not Me Monday posts over the last couple of months. If you even slightly enjoy reading this you should check out her Not Me Monday post as well!

After going for a "long spell" without having a Starbucks and then asking my hubby to bring me home one two nights in a row and that not quite working out, I certainly DID NOT buy myself not one but two quad shot Caramel Macchiatto's last Thursday. NOT ME!!!

I also DID NOT decide not to look for subs for Bunco last Thursday because it would give us all a better chance of winning. That would be so selfish and certainly doesn't sound like something I would do - NOT ME!!!

I DID NOT leave a status up on my Facebook profile for an extra long amount of time and refuse to update it until I had someone comment on it because of how clever I thought it was. NOT ME!!!

I DO NOT still have Christmas presents sitting in my bedroom that still need to be wrapped and given to friends. NOT ME!!!

I DID NOT thoroughly enjoy driving my husbands Durango today with new tires and wheels. NOT ME!!!

And lastly, I HAVE NOT been shamelessly leaving message after message for one of my closest friends pestering her about coming to visit. That would be inconsiderate of me to nag and nag and I would never do that. NOT ME!!!

I'm keen on KEEN's!!!!

While checking out my friend Jane Anne's blog, I found a link to a fantastic give away. Just thought I'd pass along this great opportunity to you all! Hop on over to this blog for a chance to win your own pair of KEEN's!

Go Elf Yourself!!!

Scroll down to the bottom of my page and see my family "elfed" and then go make your own. Let me know so I can come check out your very own "elfing"!!!! And Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Broken weather widget!

I think my weather widget might be a little "off". It's showing a clear, sunshiny day in my neck of the woods. When in reality - it's dark, windy and practically monsooning!!!

Thanks Tank #26

This evening I am thankful for many things. Our warm home with Christmas decorations up and Christmas lights softly glowing here and there around the rooms. I'm thankful for dinner made by my husband and the chance to sit and eat with the whole family even though it was nearing 9 pm, a whole hour after the girls' bed time. I'm thankful for the opportunities taken to get together with friends for an evening of food and fun and knowing that it didn't matter what my house looked like - they were just glad to be here. I'm thankful for the honesty of friends asking for prayer for a difficult time they are going through and being able to diligently pray for them and then see specific answers to prayer. But mostly tonight I'm thankful for my husband. I'm thankful for the love we share and the burdens that we bare together. I am a blessed wife because of my husband and I never want to take that for granted. So thank you Keith, for all that you are to me! I LOVE YOU!!!

Thanks Tank #25

I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!!

1. I am thankful for the beautiful weather and warm sunshine today.
2. I am thankful that things went so well having Savanah's "saliva ball" lanced. Unfortunately, I don't think it was a permanent fix but it will give her some relief temporarily.
3. I am thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving break spent with family all four days!
4. I am thankful for my husband taking the time to unbury all of our Christmas decoration tubs and boxes.
5. I am thankful for a "free" weekend to spend putting my Christmas decorations up.
   
6. I am thankful for our house and home!
7. I am thankful for the chance to reconnect with some "old" friends and also family on Facebook.
8. I am thankful for dear friends that I miss so badly I can actually feel a physical ache.
9. I am thankful for time spent hanging out with my girls, playing around and having fun!
10. I am thankful for our hairdresser squeezing us in for haircuts and hair-colors before Christmas!
11. I am thankful that Samantha is taking the loss of her kitty as well as she is which is much better than I have been taking it.
12. I am thankful that my sister is slowly, but surely, healing.
13. I am thankful for laughter and how much I have been hearing it in my home when only the four of us are here.
14. I am thankful for candles and how yummy and inviting they make my house smell.
15. I am thankful for a cleaner than normal house.
16. I am thankful for my heating blanket on my bed and for my husband who always turns it on in plenty of time to warm my side of the bed before I crawl into it!
17. I am thankful for coffee that is already brewed before I wake up.
18. I am thankful for my niece who just turned 3 years old on Monday and who will officially be my niece within 2 weeks time.
19. I am thankful for my new niece or nephew and the technology that allows us to know before hand - pink or blue? Hopefully, we will know tomorrow!
20. I am thankful for hope.
21. I am thankful for my parents and how much I love them and how lucky I am to still have both of them in my life.
22. I am thankful for surprises.
23. I am thankful that gas prices have dropped so significantly.
24. I am thankful for chocolate and brownies.
25. I am thankful for a tiny, perfect baby born of a virgin who came to earth and died on the cross for my sins and for the sins of ALL who would believe.
    

Wednesday Why's

There are no "whys" concerning this Wednesday's post . . . . . .

only a bunch of "yes, Yes, YES's"!!!!!!!

Wednesday Why's

Why????

I am wanting to know what the common practice is for recess on rainy days like today. I understand the need for teachers to have a break from the students and for the students to have a break from the classroom. But I'm also sure that there is some alternative for recess on days when the weather is so poor. Apparently Samantha is not aware of the alternative so I thought I would find out from you what the policy is. She came home today with pants wet all the way up to her knees, boots soaked through and socks that were so wet that I actually wrung them out. She said they had been this wet since first recess. Obviously walking around in wet socks and shoes all day cannot be healthy. I'd like to let her know what her other options are for recess besides for standing outside in the pouring down rain.
(Above letter sent to teacher today via email!)

Why????

Tuesday Teachings

Today is Veterans Day and so I thought I'd do a little research on this National Holiday to better know what we are celebrating and to be able to pass some of this information along to my girls so they too realize how blessed we are to live in a country with so many freedoms.
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day and it was to commemorate the ending of the first World War. Armistice Day, "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'.", became a legal holiday in 1938. In 1954 this was replaced with a new bill and a new name. Under this new name, Veterans Day, all veterans from all wars would be remembered - not just those from World War I.
I often get confused what the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is. Memorial Day is a day set aside for remembering and honoring those that died in service to their country. Veterans Day on the other hand is for remembering and honoring ALL that served their country.
So today as we go about our daily lives, remember those that have served and who are still serving to ensure all the freedoms that we enjoy today.


I looked at this article and this web page to get more information about Veterans Day. They are worth checking out!