New Mexico All State Choir

After two days of hard work we got to see the fruits of Savanna’s labor. The All State Choir was amazing and moving. It’s always such a surprise to see a group of children from all over the state come together and become a choir of such magnitude. I have to give a lot of credit to the Director, the choir managers and of course all the choir teachers who work with these children from day to day. It’s not an easy task to bring Middle School children together to accomplish much of anything, and yet a spectacular choir emerged in just two days!

A big bonus for us, was that the All State Choir took place at New Mexico State University. Getting to spend time with Lauren on her turf was the icing on the cake. We got to meet her new roommate, Alex, and see all the Mo Town girls.

Hanging in Las Cruces

Savanna is singing in the New Mexico All State Choir on Saturday. She had to be at New Mexico State University yesterday to start rehearsals. The northern and eastern parts of the state were expecting a “big” snow storm Thursday morning, so we packed up the RV and got out of dodge on Wednesday night. Which ended up being a good choice, as the roads were bad on Thursday. We drove as far as Truth or Consequence on Wednesday night and just spent the night in the WalMart parking lot. We woke up to a cold rain, but just a few miles north of us the interstate was icy.
When we got to Las Cruces it was still cold and rainy.. Which is so unusual.

We are staying at our favorite RV Resort, Hacienda. The best thing is that Lauren just got a job here! So I sat in my warm trailer and watched her out driving around on the golf cart in the rain.

We have both of the dogs with us for this trip. Jester really doesn’t like to “camp” and this is Gabby’s first trip. She seems to be getting use to it. She LOVES the dog walk here…. She can run off leash.

I told Scott today at breakfast (they have a lovely free breakfast here at the resort) that the reason I love to RV is because it makes me feel so young. We were by at least 20 years, the youngest people in the room.

Bagachels

Four generations come together to make a recipe that’s been in our family for many more generations.
It’s hard to describe these tasty treats that look like a cookie, but aren’t sweet. They’re made with mashed potatoes, something like a biscuit, yet nothing like bread. They’re best when eaten straight from the oven with butter melting on the top.
Nano says her mother, AKA Big Nana, made them for special meals and they ate them as bread.
When Rebbie and I were little we’d always make them when Big Nana would come to visit from Pennsylvania. It’s the best memory I have of my great-grandmother. We’d also make them with Nano when she’d have leftover mashed potatoes. Now Nano makes them with her great-granddaughters and I’m sure they will always remember just how special Bagachels are. They are a part of our past, and I really hope will stay with for family for generations to come.
Nano was missing two of her great-granddaughters, Kristen and Lauren. Don't worry... they've both made bagachels with their Nano.

Recipe:
Leftover mashed potatoes
Good TBS of shortening
Salt
As much flour as it takes
Bake on greased cookie sheet @400 until golden

We’ve come to the conclusion that this “recipe” is an art and NOT a science, and therefore really has to be passed down. The dough has a feel to it when it’s ready, and no amount of measurements and science can make a Bagachelen.

Snowy Day

Today has been the best “snow day” of the week. We’ve had small passing storms over the last four days. Tuesday was a two hour delay for school, Wednesday a three hour delay (which was weird). Yesterday there was no snow, only wind so it was school as usual. This morning I woke to a heavy wet snow falling, and a two hour delay. By 7:00 they decided to just close school.
Gabby LOVES snow, and just runs and runs and eats it. I have to bribe her to come in. She smells like a wet dog in a bad way. Her coat is so thick, and curly that it just holds the moisture, and she needs a bath!
Jester on the other hand hates the snow and would rather pee on the porch then get his toes wet.
Savanna is in her PJ’s still, and I’m sure will stay that way all day. She’s been in her room most of the morning practicing her music for the All State Choir.
I’m looking for inspiration in my Scrapbook Room….. But haven’t found it yet.
I was thinking of tromping out in the snow to take a picture of what I think is a dead horse in my neighbors yard. That would make for an interesting scrapbook page. I just don’t want to get my slippers all snowy.
Anyone wanta see the dead horse?

My little brace face

Monday Savanna got her braces on. Then Scott and I took her out to brunch as per Justin’s suggestion. He pointed out that her mouth would be too sore to eat for a few days. We all know that Savanna has a very low pain threshold… so this should be a loooong year of braces fun!

Savanna’s Room

Savanna decided last summer that she wanted her room decorated in a Paris theme.
Thanks to Mrs Persival (art teacher) and her hours of painting with Savanna
over the summer break.
Tonight we put the finishing touch on the wall….
The long awaited clocks!
These clocks have been working out in mine and Savanna’s heads for a long time.
And today I bit the bullet and just did it.
Thank you Erin for the encouragement and advice on cutting vinyl on the Cricut.
And thanks to Scott for spotting me as I climbed up on the stool
and helping me get everything straight.

Gabby graduated for obedience school today

She did so well in the eight week class, and often times was the “star” of her class. Funny how once we’d get home she’d push the limits of behavior…. I guess just like a child does.
Part of the “requirements” of graduation is snake proofing. They started by letting all the dogs smell the snake (a real snake), then they had to walk by the snake while the handlers reacted with fear. Most all the dogs reacted to the fear and understood that snakes are BAD. Then they had to walk while someone threw a snake (yes, a real snake) at them. Gabby was so horrified by the snake (as was I) and threw herself on the ground and flat out refused to go anywhere near the snake. As soon as we got to the other side of the room she hid under a table and kept an evil eye on that snake. She wouldn’t even come forward to get her diploma at the end of class. I’m no fan of the snake, but it will be interesting to see what Gabby does when we have a snake encounter in real life.

Frosty New Mexico

We woke up yesterday to a thick frost that covered everything outside like a fluffy white blanket.

It was so pretty, and cold outside. I love winter, and frost, and snow.

I'd rather die then throw up!

I NEVER throw up.... NEVER.
In fact I really don't remember the last time I did, but I'm sure it was more then 10 years ago.
If I get sick and feel like I could or should yack I can will myself not to. BUT on New Years Eve
(no I wasn't drunk)
I started to feel bad around 7:30 PM and by 9:30 I had lost the fight. I spent the rest of the night, or until 3:ish AM in my own personal hell. It was awful!
And to top it off.... I think I threw my back out throwing up! Is that even possible?