ICE IT!

Today has been a day of ICE... Ice on a tooth ache, Ice for a headache, Ice for a car sick little girl, and last but not least, ICE is now under my 4 broody hens.  ICE is good for everything.

When I say I "can't" I really can't!

I often tell people how I CAN NOT MAKE COOKIES... they laugh and say "whatever" everyone can make cookies. 

It lasts for 2-3 months then I start to believe all the others around me telling me that they don't believe me and that EVERYONE can make cookies.  So out comes the sugar, flour, chocolate chips and mixer.  I measure, mix, add ingredients, stir, everything you need to make a simple chocolate chip cookie. 

 

As I mix the cookie dough I think... oh that is a nice creamy mixture... this for sure is going to turn out.
 Then I add the flour, it says it will be stiff so I go with it...  I add the full amount of chocolate chips because I want to make sure I follow the recipe exactly.  I did add 1/4 cup LESS flour than it called for because it was looking really dry.  I scoop up the cookie dough and put it on the baking sheet.  It is so dry it falls apart.  I FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS!

 I had to smash the cookies down when they came out of the oven, they were still in hard little cookie scoop shape... what is wrong with my cookie making?
 These have all been pushed down with my hand... I can not make even simple chocolate chip cookies.  WHAT A WASTE of time and ingredients.  I am better off buying frozen cookie dough.

 

I don't want to waste the ingredients so I will try to add something to it, maybe another egg or some butter, it needs some moisture.  PS I USED THE RECIPE from the back of the nestle chocolate chip bag.  I want Christie WATT to see this because she was the last person who didn't believe me and I want her to believe... THAT I Jenny Rowser can not make cookies!

Hey mom meet "Jorge"...

Aiden asked yesterday as he was putting dishwasher liquid in the dishwasher... "Mom, it is the Liquid Plumber that we put in right?" 

My boys each made a "guy" out of their large punch balloons.  I love that Aiden spelled Jorge instead of George.

Aiden funny quotes:   Aiden ~ "Mom, on facebook right there where it says 'Search for people, places and things' why don't they just say 'Search for Nouns'..." I am chuckling even typing it! I LOVE MY KIDS! lol

Jacob is feeling a little better with his cast on now...  Still hard to test, write, WIPE, and everything else you use your right hand for.  Brian's quote was "I don't know what the big deal is I never use my right hand!"

Hand made Christmas ~ Jacob

Jacob is my animal lover... he has always loved animals, recently he has even told me that he is going to be a Veterinarian when he gets older.  Which I didn't think was a good idea at first because he loves to kill things too.  But then I remembered that Matt Crane (VET) is also a hunter.  This thought also allowed me to have a dream about Jacob growing up, going on a mission and becoming a vet, moving to Salina with his WIFE KELSEY CRANE, and hunting with his father-in-law!  

A GIRL CAN DREAM!  ANYWAY...

 Jacob is also my hunter, fisherman, and documentary watcher!  Yes, there is such a thing as someone who just wants to watch Documentaries on EVERYTHING.  He loves everyone of them especially anything to do with wildlife.  I shouldn't even say especially because we were watching a documentary on where our food is grown in the US and how we are building on all of our farm lands, and I couldn't get him to go to bed.

Anyway, I decided to paint Jacob a picture.  I have done a couple drawing with him and he is always so impressed so I figured I better do it now while he is still little and easily impressed!  ;)

 I haven't painted in a long time and I have never painted with Acrylic paints so I "googled it."  Yes that is right, I had to google how to paint with Acrylic paints.  I am glad I did because I would never have used the water bottle to keep my paint moist.  I LOVE GOOGLE!

 Anyway at this point "above" I was starting to get a little nervous.  It looks more like Chewbacca than a bear.  It is defiantly harder than it looks.  I always tell my mom that I cheat, and I cheated on this one too, I looked at a picture from my phone to get the colors better.  I also found that I didn't draw in upper teeth so I had to add those because he looked more like he was yawning than GROWLING!

 Maybe I had a "Jacob" werewolf on the brain because I think he looks like a cross between a werewolf, bear, and a Wookie!  I just noticed I didn't sign it, I will have to get out my paints and sign it... (I will sign it for you Mr. Johnson, you are missed, thanks for teaching me to love art!)

Hand Made Christmas...Jack

 Jack loves to sing, dance, and play the piano... he was the first child to ask about playing a violin and has been super patient waiting.

Wait no longer you will. ~ YODA

For Christmas I found this awesome classical Guitar on KSL.  I met the "poor" student down in Provo.  He and his wife are attending BYU and just had a baby, they live in a one bedroom apartment and needed space. 

 It is beautiful, the case however could use a little spiff up...  So I thought I would line the case with some fun velvet.  I never found any and when I did I couldn't figure out how to finish it off around the edges.

The answer:  MY MOM, she always has such wonderful ideas... we found this 'felt' and I LOVE IT!  I used freezer paper to make a template and then ironed it onto the fabric.

 Cut it out and then did a small black finish stitch around the outside, just for looks...

 I then cut 4 1/2" strips to cover the sides.  (see the small stitch above)  Filled in the bottom and made a special cover for the little compartment for his extras!

He and Charlee asked for a rainbow for Christmas... I think he is going to love his new guitar!

Christmas Cello Concert ~Jacob Reed Rowser

 Jacob chose to play the violin and cello this year for his 5th grade instrument.   He had his first cello concert tonight and it was awesome.  He took his splint off (broke arm last Saturday) because it restricts his elbow movement and put a small wrist brace on for the concert.  It is a snowy night, our first big storm of the year...

I was extremely proud of him, he said it hurt but he was glad he was still able to play.  What a great kid I have... mamos, papa, grams, pops, daddy, Charlee, Aiden, Jack, and myself were all there.

I stopped the ball mom...

After Soccer practice today Aiden and Jacob played goalie as Aiden's soccer coach was drilling the balls in towards the goal.  Coach has mentioned he has been impressed that my boys can stop his balls.  Anyway Jacob took a hard one to his wrist/arm as he batted it out of the goal.  HOWEVER it ended up breaking both bones in his arm.
Jacob is worried he will not be able to play the cello with the cast over his elbow.  He has a splint now until the swelling goes down.  He has decided to not cast it until after his Christmas concert on Monday so he can still play the Cello.  

Smoked Chicken...

Well we have 11 chickens and no eggs, I finally decided that a light might be helpful.  I placed a screw at the top of the roof support and hooked the light on.  Turned it on, easy peasy, RIGHT.

Wrong, I guess the chickens roosting like shown in the above picture get a little to close to the light and somehow unhook it and even with metal protection guides that surround the light bulb, when it falls I guess those push out of the way.  When I came home something didn't look right with the light in the coop so I walked over towards the coop to find the light nestled in a beautiful pile of smoking straw.  When I grabbed the light from the smoking roost and patted down the smoking straw, this is what I found.

 This is the hole in my chicken coop! The poor things they must have been terrified, and the smell probably brought animals from miles around wanting some CHICKEN DINNER!
 Jacob just built a fire for us... he used wet wood. Now we have 5 smoked Rowsers and 11 smoked chickens! :)

Today I am Thankful...

I have never done the "day to day" November thankful posts, until today.  I am thankful for the relationship I had with my Great Aunts.  When my family moved to Idaho from Virginia, shortly after my father retired from the military, we moved in with my Great Grandmother Lettie Long.  Her daughters would share weeks to come and help take care of her.  She was 96, I believe when we moved back to Idaho, and she lived to 105.  Back: Forrest & Vonda Long Odekirk, Rayma Long & Lafe Jepsen, Front: Verl Long, Myrle Long Pierce, Reed & Carma Long. Rufus Long's children and their spouses. Taken at the Reunion June 2, 2012

I have fond memories of all my Great Aunts, Aunt Leola told great stories, Aunt Rayma would always do Great Grandma's hair, Aunt Myrle would sit patiently and Crochet with Great Grandma, I guess they all did that.  That is how I learned to crochet.  Aunt Vonda, Clint and I first called her Aunt Vodka, made the best burrito casserole, I still make today.   I knew them, they lived with us and I loved them and still love them very much.  Aunt Leola has passed on and is now with her husband she lost when her children were so young.  Finally the reason for this post, today Aunt Vonda passed away in her sleep, I love you Aunt Vonda and miss your smile, I miss playing card games, hearing of your adventures at the cabin and stories from when you were "just a girl."  I am ever thankful for all the memories I still treasure from those years I spent with my Great Aunts.  The picture below hung on our walls for many years, I love my family.

Violin Recital... Jacob and Aiden

Both Aiden and Jacob played in a Violin Recital tonight and DID AWESOME!  I wish I took a picture, I think I only have video...

IT'S ALL HISTORY...

I checked out a 7 pack of movies from the library for Jacob, all History Channel, title:Great Explorers... He came out of his room and said "those movies are SO good" "well except there is a lot of executing in them." I love my 10 year old son and his love of History and documentaries.  He has watched 3 full cd's and is awake watching them now, I need to go pull the plug.

We WILL get along SHIRT!

Today was not a great day for BROTHERLY LOVE, so out came an old shirt, scissors, and a permanent marker...  The "WE WILL GET ALONG SHIRT" was born.  Thanks for the great idea Tori! 
Aiden was being mean, and then didn't want to share the shirt with Jacob.  Jacob thought the shirt was funny and forgot the mean things Aiden said to him!  Aiden didn't forget! :) 
Jacob had made toast and said "what am I suppose to do now?"  I told him that he had one arm and he needed to get Aiden to help him. 
Later Aiden wanted to sit down (still pouting) I told him that he needed to talk to Jacob about it, Jacob got a bar stool and let Aiden sit down while Jacob finished his toast.  THEN Aiden decided to pull away, with them in the same shirt it didn't work and the both ended up on the floor with the bar stool on top of Aiden.  Somehow he thought that it was my fault?  I guess next time NOTE: have them sit down somewhere together!

I am OKAY with it...

Republican's still mantain the majority

 I like what Brian said, I am okay with the election, the republicans kept the majority, Romney will win the popular vote, Obama will be more aware of the enviroment, he will be active with gay rights and he will control the immigration. Something close to that, please do not quote me or HIM!

Brian came home from a neighbors house (we don't have TV) and told me all the positive that could come out of this election. Was he excited NO, did he want this outcome, NO... I love everything he said... well and I love him.

Honey... darling.... sugar plum

About a month ago Mr. Bosshardt delivered our honey from our hives.  This is the fourth Season we have had bee's in our yard and second season with our very own hive.  Darryl delivered the honey a few weeks ago in a large bucket and told me to get it into jars before it crystallized.  Well I procrastinated and so the bucket went into the Hot tub for a day or so until I could poor it out into jars.  The first picture is what it looks like when I de-crystallize it (not sure the proper term for that).

After last season we decided that we better leave the honey until the next year just to make sure our hive survived the winter. Well they did and we got about 3-4 gallons of honey from our bees this fall. I happens to be the best tasting honey EVER!

Rickenbackers.... for Dinner

 

In the waiting room of Rickenbackers is this ART...         

It comes up from the airport lobby and into the waiting area on the second floor.   This is a fabulous restaurant, has a great value for the quality food, and it is sooooo YUMMY.  Call us anytime we will meet you there, give us about 30 min. :)

 Brian and I were going to go up to Brad and Soozy's house to let the cousins play and they decided that we should go on date night instead.  Great idea!

 We were in the front, yes that is where the pilot sits!

Bryce and Sharece (8 months pregnant) sat in the middle...

Brad and Soozy sat in the very back, it is only about a 30 min flight to get to Ogden, so we were up and then landing before we knew it.

I love this wonderful man of mine!  Thanks for taking us on a great date... I sure wish he would show a little more affection in public and take those hand out of his pockets!  Maybe it takes 15 years of marriage to get that... I can wait another year!  :)  Thanks for taking pictures Sooz.

Surprise.... Aiden only 11 months LATE

Ryker P,Gavin O,Soren N,Jacob,Gavin D,Casen L,Mckay Y,Tanner W,Ben W,Bridger J,Aiden, Charlee, Jack, Corbin H.  2nd row Connor Y. and Hayden R.

While talking to a friend trying to plan a surprise birthday party for Aiden, Katie (McKay's Mom) and I decided to plan the boys birthday parties together.  McKay was going to take the boys to a movie today (no school) and I was trying to plan a party at Jump on it for Aiden.  It worked out perfect, McKay invited Aiden to his party and had no idea that it was also for him. 

We met everyone at McKay's house at 10 am after I made poor Aiden go and get a hair cut.  Everyone was there and hid in the back yard for the surprise.  It was so great, McKay was the best to share his birthday with his good friend Aiden.  So from there we drove down to the mall went to "Wreck it Ralph" and ate a ton of unlimited popcorn.  After the movie we walked downstairs in the Mall and we had a large room reserved for our party at Wingers.  The boys all ate and off to "Jump on it" we went.  Brian and the kids met us at Jump on it for cake and presents.  It was a lot of fun.

 Opening Presents!  Hayden        Casen, Ben, Aiden  McKay, Jacob, Ryker

 This is McKay the other birthday boy, his Birthday is November 1 (yesterday).

 Aiden on top of the highest ledge....

Aiden swinging off the top of the highest ledge....

A huge shout out to the mom's and boys who were able to keep it a secret...

Halloween

 We finished carving our pumpkins last night.  Aiden was in trouble for over reacting and throwing a temper tantrum (PS this doesn't happen very often with Aiden, but Jacob had been in his room all day Sunday for the same behavior so Aiden had the same punishment on Monday.)  so he wasn't out with us gutting them.  We were able to get them all ready to carve and then carved them Tuesday (Halloween EVE).  I think they turned out really well... especially because the patterns were not the punch out tape on cut out kind.  I had to free hand draw the picture on with a sharpie marker...  Charlee wanted the silly face, Aiden the skull face, Jacob the werewolf, and Jack the Dragon.

 Aiden really wanted to go as Justin Beiber this year and walk around saying BABY BABY BABY Ohhhhh with a knife in his back.  I couldn't come up with a outfit so he went with the clearance mummy I found.  Jacob, Jack and Charlee all went with costumes we had from last year after Halloween clearance.  Charlee was a lady bug, with JEWELRY! 

 Jacob went as a army/hunter guy, he wanted to carry his bb gun around.  I told him NO!

 Jack has his awesome turtle shell and ninja nun chucks!

 I was so shocked that Aiden wanted to be the mummy and very thankful at the same time.  I usually don't go for the scary masks but I let him wear them for the pictures. 

 While Trick or Treating he just wore his mummy hood, the weather was fabulous so the kids were all hot quickly.

 The headless horseman even came to our local neighborhood party!