Boil the shicken out of it. I just wanted to say that again. Haha!

Confession time!

Until tonight I have never made chicken stock the correct way. But is there a right way and a wrong way? Yes, take it from me. Until tonight whenever I have made homemade chicken noodle soup I put the ol' bare naked chicken and drown it in water. Then boil the shicken out of it. Once it was done, I took the meat off of the carcass and threw everything back in the pot of water with a little bit of chicken juice. And added boat load of chicken bouillon. 

Enter Harley Man. A few weeks ago he made homemade chicken noodle soup. And the broth was soo good and I decided to make his recipe for stock.

On a side note, he's been fighting off some super human infecting bug that causes him too be really tired and cough and sneeze. Enter the cold and flu season. Poor Harley Man. I did pick up Mucinex today and this evening I made him my homemade chicken noodle soup. Not my creamy dreamy version, just the good old fashioned brothy kind. Anyway, getting back to the stock. 

Ok, if you are reading this and already know the scrumptious way to make stock you can stop. Right now. Because I'm going to go on and tell the rest of the peeps allll about it. 

Get yourself some carrots, an onion, a few stalks of stringy celery, thyme and basil leaves. Put the naked chicken (don't forget to take out the the gizzies) in a stock pot and put in the chopped veggies. Add enough enough water to barely cover the chicken. Hey, no need to chop the vegetables really little. Don't go all veggiematic on me. You don't even need to peel the carrots, if you don't want.  Just make sure everything is washed. 

Next, boil the chicken until it's done and strain the veggies putting the golden deliciousness back in the stock pot. 

I have to tell you, I didn't even use one bouillon cube for help in the flavor department. 

Now hoping my homemade soup helps Harley Man. 

Veggies for soup-not stock.

Did you know this is the way to make delicious chicken stock? 

P.S. Harley Man thought it was the best soup ever. He might have a fever though. haha! No really, he is taking his meds. 


~Melody
xoxo
It's a great day to be alive~make it a great day! 

Apparently she only needs Whisky when sick. Hmmm...

Grandma Becker's diary entry for January 27, 1990
"20 and sunshine, and cloudy by 9:30. Cleaned oven, washed a couple loads. Then we made 2 batches of caramel corn. Then we had dishes. Sun this P.M. but very windy from N.W. No special mail. Watched Purdue beat Iowa all to pieces! HyVee groceries late P.M."

Grandma Perrin's diary entry for January 27, 1964
"Colder-strong west wind shifting to Northerly. Zero at noon. Defrosted and cleaned refrig.-P.M. Charles, Alberta and Connie at Mason's - evening."

Sunshine in a Bottle. A Few Products I Love.

Brrrrr it's freezing here today! The sun has been shining all day but it's so deceiving. But on another note, my Sunday morning was pretty productive. Laundry (check) and my workout (check) were the two things on my "must do" list. Settling in to watch a little football and probably spending countless hours on Pinterest for the rest of the afternoon. Although I'm flirting with the idea of baking. 

But first I thought I'd share a couple of things I have been LOVING. 

This time of the year I always need a little pick me up in the sunshine department...I always feel a bit better about myself not looking so pale and pasty. Ok, so back to what I've been loving. My sister DeAnn gave me SUNSHINE IN A BOTTLE for Christmas. It's Foaming Sunless Tan from Rodan+Fields. I started using it last week and I LOVE it!  I've never used a self tanner before and this is the bomb dot com. I did want to order some last year and try it, but it is always sold out so fast. Anyway, you guys, I love it. Do yourself a favor and order today. Before it's sold out. It's kind of nice to tell old man winter he's gotta try a little bit harder to take that spring away from my step! 

If you do want to order you can find DeAnn on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007403988536&fref=ts or her website is https://deannjohnson.myrandf.com/Shop/Product/AAAC010.  

My sunshine in a bottle.

Another love I've discovered is ipsy. For $10 a month you are sent make up and beauty products tailored to your answers from a quick online questionnaire. Each month you are sent 5 different samples in a really cute bag. Make up is so expensive and I hate wasting money on products I'll never use. So this makes sense. If you like what they send you that's great and if not, you're not out alot of $$$. Plus did I mention the adorable bag that comes with? This is what was in my ipsy bag this month: pur-lisse Blue Lotus eye serum, Mitchell and Peach Body Cream, a makeup brush, Mr. Write (Now) eye liner, and marsk eye shadow. I can't wait to try them! 

2nd month

Last month my adorable bag consisted of Bombshell eyeliner, it Cosmetics Hello Lashes mascara, Power of Love lipstick, and So Nude perfume. If interested here is the link: https://www.ipsy.com/

1st month

It's a great way to try beauty products without breaking the bank! And I have a feeling my granddaughters Brooklyn and Briley will love the bags and few things inside. It's a win! 

Have a great day everyone! 

Melody
xoxo
It's a great day to be alive~make it a great day! 

Grandma Becker's entry for January 17, 1990
"Still dark and dreary but no fog here. There is in many places - light rain in night, warm. Gerald left at 8 to go to Aplington with truck load. Back by noon. Dustin here 9:30 to 11. Cute little guy! Melody had an interview at another store. Went to Aldi's and HyVee. At 6 to Hudson House. "Eve" (?) here first time since Dec. 19. "Boys" won all 3 games. Ardith and Judy here too. All of us tired, I guess. Mike and Melody - new black car." 

Grandma Perrin's entry for January 17, 1964
"30 above zero A.M. Partly cloudy. Sunny at noon. Cracked 1 lb pecans, shelled popcorn. Charles and Alberta went to hospital, evening. 
I wrote to Alan. 
Charles hauled fertilizer at home A.M.
Delbert Tousley died suddenly of heart attack. 
30 above zero at midnight."

Thank God I Remembered My Eyebrows

Yes, so my eyebrows are really light and I fill them. There may be two instances I have forgotten too, and ohhh mah goodness. It looks like I need eyebrow Rogaine. 1/2 there, 1/2 not. But wait, really they are just very light. 

Thank God it wasn't what I forgot this morning. 

My ritual is too ALWAYS put my lipstick on while I'm driving out of the driveway. Not sure why, maybe it's just a few neurons firing away telling me to get it done. I reached in my side pocket of my three year old purse (I know...I try to be a purse person, but I'm not) and it. was. not. there. PANIC. I really, really, really need lip color. So I looked at myself in the mirror just WONDERING if I could get away with it. Yeah, no. 

Then I realized gosh, something else looks a little off. Like more than normal. 

I forgot to apply blush. Great. 

Now in the mornings there is a routine in which I spackle. But not this morning, I remembered Mr. Pretzel Potpie was doing his twisty turnies and low barking. He needed a Beggin' Strip for (probably) something Miss Pippi did. 

So he goofed up my routine. The goof. Ugh.

Walgreens was my best friend today and was in and out of there within 20 minutes. Which was deadly fast shopping for make up. 

When I got in the car I promptly unwrapped them both. Lipstick on first since the wrapping was the easiest to pry off. Then the blush. Now one of the reasons why I bought this particular blush is because of the teeny tiny barbie sized brush that came with it. Not sure about you but makeup brushes didn't come as an accessory on my car. Like cruise control. But that's another story.  As soon as I opened the case, the teeny tiny barbie sized brush dropped between my seat and console. 

I now have a fabric seat burn (hazards of a non-leather seat) on the topside of my hand. But I got the little thing.  

My whole point is if you are looking for a lip gloss that isn't grainy or sticky check out  Maybelline Color Elixir/ColorSensational. (That's what the bottom says). I bought 505 Blushing Petal. It's not bad! 


I actually liked the blush as well, made by Wet 'n Wild. It doesn't say what color or anything else but the ingredients. But I hate the brush. 



But love Walgreens! 

And I really wish I had awesome eyebrows. 

Melody
xoxo
It's a great day to be alive~make it a great day!



No entry for Grandma Becker on January 13, 1990

Grandma Perrin's entry on January 13, 1964
"10 below zero - A.M. Sunny and calm. Bud went to Allison to Farm Bureau breakfast. Assessor here, A.M. Charles and Alberta went to Sartori Hospital, evening, to see Mrs. P., who had surgery this AM.
7 above at 10:30 P.M." 

Cheesesteaks - a Healthy Way

I love a red carpet night. It's tradition while watching this (Golden Globes) red carpet I make my homemade lasagna. Then, during the Golden Globes I enjoy a glass or two (whatever....probably 3) of Cabernet, a big slice of lasagna and garlic bread.  I'm not sure why, but cold weather+comfort food+red carpet+red wine+awards shows=a great night for me.

But.....
Not tonight. My tradition is broke. Well, it's all going on except the part about the lasagna [insert sad face]. On the other hand...I made a new dish [insert happy face]. With CHEESE. WINNING! It's a healthy version on one of my very, very favorite sandwiches from my favorite city in the USA. I've been looking for 21 Day Fix approved recipes and this is what I came up with. 

Healthy Philly Cheesesteak

2 large green bell peppers
2 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
steak, thinly sliced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 slices Provolone cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking dish, set aside. (I used a loaf pan)
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
3. Slice green peppers in half, remove seeds and ribs and place them int he boiling water for 3-5 minutes until they are tender. Remove peppers from the water (be careful!!) Place cut side down on a towel and let water drain. (YES, DRAIN THEM) 
   
4. In a 12" skillet, heat olive oil on medium. Add garlic, onion, red bell pepper, & pepper. Saute 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
5. Add steak slices and Worcestershire sauce and cook until meat is cooked to your liking.
   
6. Place green peppers open side up in your baking dish. Fill each pepper with 1/2 slice of Provolone and the with meat mixture until they are overflowing. Top with other 1/2 of the cheese.
   
7. Bake in oven for 10 minutes until cheese is golden brown. 
   
8. EAT

Enjoy! Make it your own if you like mushrooms, add them.  I didn't add any greek yogurt  (healthy) or sour cream (oh yes) but that would totally top it off. 

Hope you like the healthy version of the Philly Cheesesteak! 

Thank you for reading! 

Melody

xoxo

It's a great day to be alive, make it a great day!

No entry for Grandma Becker on this date in 1990

Grandma Perrin's entry on January 10, 1964

"10 below zero - A.M. Partly cloudy thru day. Went to P'burg with Bud and D. They went for groceries and went to Dr. Rolfs for check up. A.M. Alberta went to dentist. Dorothy went to hair dresser P.M. Alberta went to C.F. to wedding - evening. 

10 above zero - 11 P.M."

One of My Largest Fears Revealed. Bonus Reading: 1964 & the Bread Man

Have you ever felt like you were a half a step behind your self? If that even make sense. That was me today! Right off the bat this morning in the shower the largest bottle of conditioner known to mankind slipped out of my hands.  And while making my ShakeO a banana slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor. Whether it was dropping things or whatever...I just felt....a half step behind. Allll day. 

Oh. This happened:

A quick trip occurred to Bath and Body over my lunch break. I was super bummed to find out my favorite lotion is being discontinued. Darn it. So I started looking for another scent. Well I just can't walk passed the Wall of Candles and not stop....and this always happens - of course I had to do the smell test to a few hundred. Well shoot, it was probably 5. I wanted to smell a hundred but remember I was in a hurry. After a couple of those yummy candles jumped in my tote bag I skirted over to the Wall of Lotions. Remember I was on my lunch break. Ahhh....sooo many lotions. So little time. I found a label I was drawn too and...

.....popped the top open of "Pink Chiffon" and out squirted lotion RIGHT BETWEEN MY NOSE AND UPPER LIP. 

At that exact moment a sales clerk came over and asked me if I needed help.

Yes. Yes, I do. All of the time. 

After work I was super hungry and did NOT want to work out. I whined to Harley Man a few times and even to the three amigos, Miss Pippi, Mr. Pretzel and Oscar. They didn't care. I was trying so hard to let outside forces control how my night was going to go. Sometimes they win. Tonight they didn't. I got my 30 minutes of Pilates done and I am so dang happy. Treated myself to a lovely aromatherapy bubble bath. Oh yes, I did light one of my new candles and used my "Pink Chiffon" bubble bath and lotion I bought from the very caring sales clerk (who did offer me a Kleenex). 

See my smile? I was after I got up from the floor. Pilates done! 

Oscar was my cheerleader tonight. 

Perfect. 

Oh one more thing. Have you ever tried or heard of "Blood Oranges"? Oh my gosh where have I been for the last 51 years on this beautiful Earth of ours? I mean I haven't been abducted and probed by aliens (one of my very largest fears, by the way) that I know of. I bought a bag and tried one for the first time. They're my new jam. 

Sesame Street approves of Blood Oranges. So do I. 

Have a super Thursday night and watch out for Aliens. 

Melody

xoxo

It's a great day to be alive~make it a great day! 

No journal entry for Grandma Becker on January 7, 1990

Grandma Perrin's entry for January 7, 1964

"22 above at 3A.M. Partly cloudy most of day. Bud and D. went to Romana's late P.M. Stopped and had lunch with Esther. Our bread man back on route with help. I wrote a few more notes. Esther went to foot Dr. - A.M. Chas. and Alb. visited Friends in C.F. in evening."

Toes, Zippers and Sales

How was your Monday? I was ready to get back to work after the long weekend. 

Wait. I know I didn't say that in my outside voice. But it's true. I wrote it down. I was ready to get back to work today and kick the new year off with a fantastic start. 

Things were going well this morning right out of the starting gate. No dogs threw up in the middle of the night, I didn't step on anything mushy or stinky, Miss Pippi Jackpot didn't try her little legs out and imagine she was a greyhound. Nope, none of them ran away. (Mr Pretzel wouldn't run away before getting a treat just so you know). Things were really looking up. The sun was starting to make its presence known and I even had an outfit picked out ahead of time. 

Which is all good since I usually change on average 4 times. 

Anyway, I started to get dressed. I didn't get very far. When I started to put on my underwear my big toe got caught and tangled up in them. Yes, I said my big toe was tangled in my underwear. Yep. 

I fell. 

And twisted my ankle. 

So much for 2016 starting off on the right foot! 

Has your big toe ever tangled you up? I can't be the only one! 

It continues. Just wait. 

So later this afternoon I called upon a client I had yet to meet. I'd been there before but never connected with the right person. Until today. Yay! She was there and had time to chat. Well, she had on a really sharp looking blazer and I noticed (when she turned to make a copy of a script) the back of it zipped up. Now I love myself some zippers, grommets, bows, really anything that adds extra "personality" to clothing or shoes. That's when I blurted IN MY OUTSIDE VOICE that I am a FREAK for zippers. She stopped and turned around s l o w l y and smiled. I explained I'm really not that "freaky freaky". And when that didn't come out right I said I'm "not really freaky at all. I just like zippers." I just shook my head and said I liked her blazer. Then I started worrying are they really called blazers? It wasn't a boyfriend blazer. I think it was just a normal blazer. My retail background needs some brushing up. 

Getting back to my story, I did make the sale. And I still like her zipper blazer.

When I was leaving the office I actually waved and said goodbye, and she waved back and told me goodbye as well. 
Yay Me! 

Maybe she didn't think I was really THAT freaky. I'm sure she did. 

Admit it, when was the last time you heard Rick James "Super Freak"? I know it's on your mind now! 

How was your day? Hope it rocked and the first Monday of 2016 treated you right and not freaky!

Melody
It's a great day to be alive, make it a great day! 
xoxo


{No entry for Grandma Becker on this day in 1990}

Grandma Perrin's diary entry on January 4, 1964
"Fair and mild all day. 45 above zero mid-P.M. Didn't do anything special. (Tired) Alan & Mario went back to Ames - P.M. to resume classes Jan.6. 
Snow about gone. Early Jan. thaw. Gordon's at Gerald's - evening. Bud & D. went to Grundy Center P.M. to shop then to Ramona's.
Pollock's back from Neb. in night."