Ten On Tuesday, Solo Kim

Back with a Ten on Tuesday after a break. These are actually older questions, that I answered a while back and filed. I figured I might as well post them since the work is already done!

1. What’s your variety of apple?
Braeburn, or as Gage calls them “the red AND green ones”. They had a unit on apple varieties at preschool examining colors, textures and taste so now he’s an expert. Duh.

2. Do you prefer Long-English or Field cucumbers?
Umm, burpless?

3. Tomatoes – Delicious or disgusting?
Delicious, all forms, varieties, canned, sauced, etc. My Grandma grows loads of tomatoes every year, and has my entire life. When I was a wee little girl and helped in her garden (Grandma, are there any pictures of this?) she taught me how to eat fresh tomatoes: pick, polish, bite, spit out that bite, suck out all the juice, pitch the remaining fleshy part over the white washed fence, repeat.

4. What’s one fruit or vegetable that you can’t stand and why is that?
Do mushrooms count? My tastebuds have grown up enough to embrace everything but mushrooms. (It took about 25 years for them to enjoy peppers.)

5. What’s your favourite way to prepare veggies? (Grilled, boiled, roasted, sautéed, etc.)
Grilled on almost everything. Not lettuce. And potatoes…probably mashed.

6. Sweet potato pie: Love it or hate it?
I love sweet potatoes.

7. What’s your favourite “style” of French fry? Wedges, shoelace, curly, crinkle-cut or other?
Thin and crispy.

8. What’s your favourite fruit-pie filling?
Strawberry (served cold). Or peach (served warm a la mode). One more story: my Dad begged my sister and I ride along to an auction sale when we were in high school. It was an hour away and we weren’t real excited about it. But we tagged along because it meant we didn’t have to stay home and clean/mow/scrape out hog pens for the day. When we got there and discovered they had an entire building filled with every type of pie imaginable we were hooked. We kept dragging him back for more pie. So much that we missed the sale of the one thing he actually wanted at the auction. We went back with him again another year to the “pie sale”.

9. When you were a kid did your parents make you sit at the table until all your veggies were eaten off your plate?
I don’t remember, so probably not. Honestly, I don’t remember pitching fits about eating. My kids? It’s a constant battle to get them to eat something (sometimes ANYTHING) at a meal. Help me?

10. Do you drink veggie & fruit juice blends (such as V8, etc.) or make them yourself?
I like to make my own fruit smoothies, but haven’t done anything with veggies. Also, I bring my own gravy (it’s a MONK pun...)

Ten on Tuesday: 4.10.12

If you're interested in participating in Ten on Tuesday, head over to Roots N Rings and follow Chelsea. She posts new questions every week that are usually pretty fun!

(You'll have to excuse Dana for not answering. She's super busy planning a super awesome summer reading program at the library. I'm only away of the pirate portion but that alone is worth it. If you're in the Madison SD area, utilize your city library! Its an absolute gold mine!)

1. Do you prefer fabric or plastic plasters? (or Band-Aids if American)
Fabric – I don’t like the way the plastic ones make my finger all moist and shriveled underneath. However, there aren’t pretty fabrics, so I buy plastics for the kids and that’s almost always what I end up using too.

2. Do you prefer gel pens, biro or fine liners for everyday writing?
I’ll take a fine point, blue ball point please.

3. Do you have a fear or needles/dentists/blood (if all three, which is the worst) and is there a story behind it?
Not really. I don’t particularly care for any of them though. Gage on the other hand has had blood drawn pretty regularly since he was a week old to check his thyroid hormone levels. He sits and watches the draw like its no big deal – and has since he was 2. That freaks me out a little.

4. Do you like jelly? Do you eat it at any time other than when poorly?
I like homemade jelly way more than the stuff in the stores. My Grandma makes a fabulous strawberry rhubarb jelly and divine plum jam. Jack’s Grandma makes a phenomenal grape jam.

5. What are your Easter traditions? (if not Christian, insert your own meaningful festival here and tell us about that instead)
My Grandma (the jelly maker) has dyed Easter eggs every year for as long as anyone can remember. I’ve been there probably 23 years. I also remember her making a pink jello salad every year. Without that salad, it isn’t Easter for me. Other than eggs and food, church as a family and hanging out.

6. What’s your favourite book that you have read so far this year?
The Help and Water for Elephants. I’m about ½ way through The Art of Fielding, but I’m not sold yet.

7. Do you have any magazine subscriptions or recommendations that we should know about?
Not really. I do like National Geographic for the kids.

8. Favourite etsy store (if you know the owner IRL, also include your favourite that you didn’t originally know IRL)?
Studio Mela http://www.etsy.com/shop/dazeychic - she has some great stuff

9. If you had play money (£100/$150) that could only be used on shoes, what shoes would you buy?
As many TOMS as I could. I’ve been coveting a pair for a long time but never taken the plunge. This is my year.

10. If you were going pet shopping tomorrow, what would you choose?
Maybe fish? The kids have loads of animals around between Wrangler, our poor underappreciated ill-trained canine and horses, cats, dogs, chickens and cattle at their grandparents’.

Ten on Tuesday. Day Job

We're back with some Ten On Tuesday Action. We answered these questions a long time ago, but I'm just not getting around to posting them. I'm the boss, so we follow my rules. :)

Enjoy!

1. What do you do for a living?
K: My husband and I run The Current Connection, specializing in computer and electronics sales and service. We also offer office supplies, furniture and children’s toys. We operate Midwest Rodeo Entries, contracting with rodeo associations to take and manage an online-based rodeo entry system. I also continue to pursue professional photography. Plenty of reasons to stay busy.

D: I am a children's librarian.  Sounds magical, doesn't it?  It is, actually.  We have a super stellar group of dedicated library moms (that's what I call them anyway) that make my job a lot of fun and really rewarding.

2. What’s your favorite thing about your job?
K: Our job can look however we want it to, and different every day. I like the flexibility it offers our family even though that flexibility might mean leaving the office to help out at preschool and then working after the kids go to bed at night. When my kiddos are sick I know I'll be able to pull them from school or daycare to take care of them though. And that means the world to me.

D: The kids...and once in a while I enjoy their parents too.  But mostly, I enjoy when they come together.  Cool things can happen at the library, you should go there sometime...with your kids. :o)

3. What’s your least favorite thing about your job?
K: Its difficult to leave the office to get away. We don’t get to travel back to see my parents and family as much as I’d like and we do end up working quite a few more hours than a “traditional” job. It isn’t possible to just shut down the store after we’ve put in our 40 hours for the week.

D: That I can't do it from home.  Wait, maybe I can.  I may have just thought of something!  The Neu Club Library (meaning you have to pay fees...I've got to make money somehow!).  But it would be a rockin' awesome place, trust me!

4. If you weren’t a ____________, what would you be?
K: A librarian. I have serious job envy toward Dana. She gets to work with kids AND books. How cool is that? I really do like where I’m at right now though.

D: If I weren't a children's librarian, I would be a stay at home mom.  I imagine myself being this way cool stay at home mom.  In reality, I'd probably drive my kids (and my husband) a little nuts and still not have the laundry done or dinner on the table.  A girl can dream.

5. What is something that you would love to get paid for that you think no one would ever pay you for?
K: Professional volunteer. I love helping people. If I could just randomly choose to spend my day volunteering different places, helping different people it would be divine. Let me know if you’re willing to pay me for something like that. J

D: Read books.  All day, 8-5.  Just pleasure reading.  No assignments, no editing, just reading for enjoyment.  Our library is full of great books that I'm certain I'll never get a chance to read.  Breaks my heart.

6. If you could have any job for exactly one day, what would it be?
K: Paramedic – I’m certain I couldn’t handle that for more than one day, but I’ve always been curious.

D: I think everybody should be a kindergarten teacher for one day.  I've worked in a kindergarten classroom before, but should probably do it again.  Everybody needs a wake-up call once in a while. :o)

7. If you had to do manual labor, what would you do?
K: Farmer/Rancher

D: Groundskeeper.  Give me a mower (ride-on, please) and I'd be pleased as punch.  Wait, the fact that I requested a ride-on mower probably takes the manual labor part away.

8. What is something you were forced to learn in high school that was supposed to be super important, but you never actually use?
K: I really had a love/hate with social studies all four years. The material was interesting to me, but our teacher’s style did nothing for me. As a result I trained myself to zone out when I start hearing historical material. It’s a shame really – there’s so much cool stuff out there.

D: Algebra.  I don't actually use it now, but I guess I did have to use it to graduate from college.

9. Who was your favorite boss? Why?
K: Besides ourselves, I would have to say my college job. The two owners complimented each other well, and let me see what managing several different styles of businesses could look like. And the person who I ran my scheduling through was fantastic – one of the nicest people I know.

D: I've only ever had one boss, really, and she's not bad.  I guess I did work for Dakota Ethanol and a bunch of our dads were our bosses.  That was pretty awesome.

10. Where would you rather work: Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (The Office), Wernham Hogg Paper Company (The Office, UK), or Initech (Office Space)?
K: Hands down Dunder Mifflin. Michael Scott would have been my BFF. My kids even reference Michael Scott in daily conversation. Support the Rabid.

D: Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.  I think Pam and I could be friends--we'd definitely take our break together.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 10.

Questions for Tuesday, June 14, 2011!
Provided by Lisa at Lisa’s Yarns.

1. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?
D: To rhyme with can't...but I honestly had to say it with a few names before I could answer.
K: the 'haunt' way

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?
D: Probably not. I was strongly influenced by Kim and at this point she'd probably give me a D- for participation. I'm waiting for maternity to let my blogging juices flow (consider this a warning).
K: I'm really not sure. It would be fantastic if they came here and read every word, then commented about how I'm the coolest person in the history of the universe, but that's maybe not realistic. :)

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?
D: They bag them for me...in plastic bags (gasp!). I'm not at all opposed to using the reusable bags but I'd have to bring about 10 of them along on each shopping trip. I do use them at the library though. :o)
K: The home town grocery store is pretty insistent that they bag for us. And that's ok with me. I use plastic bags, but save them for reuse or send them to daycare for her to reuse. When we're through with the diapers and soiled clothes phase, I might change my preference.

4. Do you have a green thumb?
D: I don't think so. I do moderately okay when it comes to keeping things alive, but calling myself a green thumb would be a huge stretch.
K: Not even close. The thing I've let live longest is our dog, but I'd probably score a 4 on a 10 point pet owner scale. (5, I just got out of bed to let him outside)

5. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?
D: I don't watch the Food Network. It's out of my league.
K: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and I've only seen it about 4 times. I'd love to visit those places.

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?
D: Yes, and yes. LOVE them.
K: I wouldn't mind it in a bigger tub. Our bathroom is teeny enough that we had to custom order a tub surround to fit in it. Shorter than average. Boo.

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?
D: It's been 6 months since we moved in to our house and I couldn't even begin to remember what our interior paint color is called. It's a really light tan and I haven't put a brush on the wall yet. I really don't have any intention of painting in there any time soon, unless it's in Easton or Baby's bedroom.
I do know that Kim painted some walls in her house a color called cookie dough. Strange that I'd remember that. I think she's used a few colors that have food names. Maybe that's the route I should've gone. (K: It was actually Sugar Cookie, but close!)
K: Right now, Cream Dream. Hopefully before long, Dinosaur Grey. Most of my paint choices come down to the name. If I find two I like, the one with the clever or food-related name always wins. We just painted the porch Whipped Topping and at one point, there was Chocolate Syrup as an accent color in the living room. I can remember paint names of almost every color we've used in our house but I have to ask Jack what channel John Stewart is on every. single. time.

8. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?
D: Outdoors so long as it isn't raining, it's below 90 degrees, the humidity isn't unbearable, the wind is calm (to nonexistent), and there aren't any bugs around. Hmmm, maybe I prefer indoors.
K: Indoors. There is hardly a day with wind calm enough to eat outside. And if there isn't wind, there are bugs. I would love a screened in porch.

9. Describe your ideal weather.
D: Ha! See above.
K: 78 degrees, sunny, 5 mph wind.

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?
D: Dutch. It's part of who I am. :o)
K: I started learning French in 2nd grade, so it might be fun to know more of that.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 9.

Questions for June 7, 2011

1. Have you ever used Craigslist?
D: No. I've never bought or sold anything on there...but I wouldn't rule it out.
K: I once bought a box full of clothes for Gage that I found on Craigslist. I sent my sister to pick them up and assured her that they seemed like really nice people. J I have looked for things on there before, but haven’t come up with anything else.

2. Can you sew?
D: Ha! Negative. I can sew on a button and it pretty much stops there. BUT I'm gaining a sister-in-law that can sew...and quilt...and do homemaker-type stuff. I'm not going to drop the first project on her until after the wedding. (I hope she hasn't found this blog yet...yipes!)
K: Only enough to be dangerous. I can sew up the pockets in Jack’s pants when he tears a hole in them, and take care of a stray button. I might be able to hem something if I needed to, and straight lines I could probably figure out. I sewed in 4-H but never wore anything I sewed after Achievement Days. It wasn’t my forte. I also tried to sew curtains and a slip cover for our couch when we were in college. I hated them, but used them until we moved and then threw it away…I hope. They still give me nightmares and I put off doing window treatments in our house for 5 years (no kidding…). What I have now I like so they’ll probably stay until the kids break them or we move.

3. Do you pour syrup on your pancakes or dip your pancakes in the syrup?
D: I've never even thought about dipping instead of pouring. I like an overabundance of syrup so it's likely dipping wouldn't cover it for me.
K: I pour it on pancakes and waffles. Dip it with French toast sticks.

4. Rain storms: Love them or hate them?
D: If it's just rain, they're fine...and as long as it doesn't come in amounts of more than 1/2-1in. (I'm a farm girl, okay?) If there is strong winds/tornadoes/hail involved forget it.
K: Rain storms are fun to listen to and that smell is pretty incredible too. I also like the feeling following a rainstorm at the end of a hot day. Getting to that point can be crazy though. Tornadoes aren’t cool and hail isn’t much fun either.

5. Do you like swimming?
D: I like wading. And this summer I'm waddling and wading. It's cute, I'm sure.
K: No especially. I like taking our kids swimming because they love it, but I’m a terrible swimmer. I tend to hang out a 3’ or less.

6. What kind of drink do you order at Sonic?
D: The same kind of drink I'd order anywhere else, likely. Mtn. Dew or maybe a lemonade of some sort.
K: We don’t have Sonic. But at the Powderhorn I like Strawberry Dew and at the Sugar Shack I’m digging the Raspberry Cherry Italian Soda.

7. Are you funny?
D: Yep.
K: Nope.

8. At what age will your kids get cell phones?
D: Whenever they stop going everywhere with me, because that's likely when I'll turn into a helicopter parent. I'm admitting it now, and I don't even care.
K: I have a long time to worry about that. I had one the end of my senior year of high school when I started traveling with FFA and then moved to college.

9. What’s your favorite vegetable?
D: Sweet corn. I'm counting on an ample supply from Mom & Dad to feed my family for at least a month. If you can't make an entire meal out of sweet corn, you're not a farm kid.
K: Pizza Sauce and Marinara? Hello Tomatoes!

10. Were you a Girl Scout?
D: No. I don't think they even had Girl Scouts in Chester. And it was highly unlikely my parents would drive me the 20 miles to Madison to participate. I don't think it was really my style anyway.
K: Negative. I don’t remember there being much for Girl Scouts I guess and I’m not sure I had their cookies anywhere except my Grandma’s house until we moved out here. I was in 4-H starting at 7 years old all the way through the first year of college. And FFA from 8^th grade through college too. No worries, I stayed plenty busy. J

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 8.

Eleven days since our last blog post. I know you're worried, but we're fine. At least we are mostly fine now. In that time I have (in no particular order) seen and photographed a fresh newborn baby girl, attended my brother's wedding and welcome a sister-in-law, talked to cowboys and taken rodeo entries, sorted through all of my baby clothes into keep, throw, send to Dana and rummage sale piles, and worked a few hours too.

Dana is busy working too. She kicked off the summer reading program, fought a nasty sinus infection and most importantly, continues to incubate a human being.

I know we missed a couple weeks of Ten on Tuesday, but nobody complained or even said they missed us. So we evidently haven't drawn as large of a following as we'd like to believe. At any rate, we're back. Enjoy!

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives

Questions for Tuesday, May 31, 2011!

1. From your childhood, what do you miss most about summer vacation?
D: Running around in my swimming suit all day long.  I wouldn't do it anymore even if I could (you're welcome), but how can one get any more carefree than that?
K: Sitting at baseball games 4 or 5 nights a week.

2. Are you going anywhere on vacation this summer?
D: I'm taking maternity leave the middle of July, does that count?  And approximately 3 weeks after that begins we'll be in Yankton for an extra-long weekend for my brother's wedding & family reunion.
K: Kind, but not really. We will be going to several weddings across South Dakota, and we may work in a few extra days around those.

3. What foods do you like to barbecue?
D: Steak, hamburgers, and brats.
K: Burgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken, veggies

4. How do you celebrate the fourth of July?
D: I think it's been two years since I've stayed up late enough to see fireworks.  Lame.  Maybe this year we'll celebrate with a new baby (wishful thinking).
K: This year we'll be taking rodeo entries all day. We usually try to grill and spend the day outside.

5. What’s your favorite beverage to drink in the summertime?
D: Powerade and Mtn. Dew (that's year-long actually)
K: Lemonade

6. What movie are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
D: Cars 2...with Kim
K: Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2 - yep

7. In the car: windows down or AC?
D: Windows down in town, AC on the highway
K: Windows down until it gets super hot, then AC

8. Have you ever had a summer fling?
D: Not so much.
K: Not really. In my early teens I'd crush on some 4-H boys at the judging clinics and state fair, but I was holding out for a cowboy. :)

9. Do you wear sunscreen?
D: Yes.  I've learned that my skin can handle about 30 minutes of exposure without sunscreen before things get ugly.  Then I usually put on something with a low SPF and to still get the color, but not the burn.  It's a science, really.
K: Yes, but probably not nearly as well as I should. I try to be diligent to the boys at least.

10. Do you have any favorite summertime activities?
D: Going for walks, splurging for late-evening trips to DQ for ice cream, and catching a baseball game or two.
K: Playing outside, grilling, watching rodeo, walking.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 7.

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives

Questions for Tuesday, May 10, 2011!
Provided by Nora at Walking With Nora.

1. If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

D: Hoosiers or 50 First Dates.  Totally different ends of the spectrum, but both good flicks.

K: I have to go animated and say Meet the Robinsons

2. Let’s say someone wrote a screenplay about you; what actor/actress would you choose to play you and why?

D: Dakota Fanning...mostly because she hasn't yet (or at least I haven't heard) been tainted by Hollywood--meaning she hasn't been busted for drugs or caught stealing anything.

K: No way someone would write a screenplay about me – we are terribly boring and average. But in the off chance they would, I pick Jane Seymour. Remember her from Dr. Quinn?

3. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in theaters?

D: Maybe Lion King?  Yikes, sadly enough it's kind of hard to remember.

K: We went to some animated movie as a family when I was three or four – Pinocchio or Bambi maybe? The next movie we went to as a family (I’d been to a few in between) was The Titanic. I’m pretty sure my dad slept through both shows.

4. Did you ever make out at the back of a movie theater in middle school/high school?

D: Negative.  Who pays money to do that anyway?  Wouldn't you just stay in the parking lot?

K: I’m going to say no. At least if I did, it was bad/weird/awkward enough that I don’t remember. Bahahaha!

5. Are you a Netflix-er, Blockbuster-er or a Redbox-er? (Or none of the above?)

D: Not yet.  I would imagine I will be someday.  It's probably the coming-of-age way to watch movies, of which we don't do very much at all.

K: Netflix-er, but its less about what comes in the mail and all about what I can instantly watch or show my kids. I’m currently watching the MONK series and the boys have seen way too much Diego and Blue Clues on the Wii.

6. Name one actor/actress who you would give anything to have a dinner date with.

D: Julia Roberts.  She seems normal and I think we could strike up a good conversation.

K: Brad Pitt - maybe he can explain the answer to #7. And...he's Brad Pitt.

7. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

D: Meet Joe Black.  Kim and I went to it when we were in high school and it's been a long-standing great (or horrible if you're just talking about the movie) memory ever since.  Honestly, I really want to rent it and watch it again to see if it was really as bad as I thought it was at that time.  I likely just didn't understand the plot.

K: Meet Joe Black – I’m afraid we just didn’t pay very good attention (meaning, zero). Let’s make a date next time is feasibly possible – I’m up for watching again with you! If we giggle as much as we did the first time, there’s no way it can disappoint.

8. Do you sneak snacks into the theater when you go?

D: I will admit I'm cheap, but I don't think I've ever actually done that.  Which leads into the next question..

K: No, but I know which movie theaters give free refills on soda and popcorn.

9. Movie theater popcorn: love or hate it? 

D: Big time YUM!  The thought of it is nearly killing me right now.  I LOVE it!

K: LOVE IT! We actually stop for popcorn without seeing a movie. And not even always in our own town. Sometimes while we’re out of town we’ll stop and grab that as a snack. No lie. When we lived in Brookings, theater popcorn was our meal several times a month. We’ve never found any better than Brookings.

10. What is the all-time best Disney movie in your opinion?

D: Lion King, Pocahontas, or Cars (but I haven't seen Tangled yet and I've heard great things about that too).  The Little Mermaid has fantastic music...as does Aladdin, so I guess it sort of depends on what you want out of your Disney movie. :o)

K: I have to go with Meet the Robinsons again. If you haven’t seen it, please do. It’s a pretty awesome story, has great music and little Lewis is so sweet. I’m a big Disney music fan, so its hard to go wrong with most of their soundtracks.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 6.

Questions for Tuesday, May 3, 2011

1. What is the weather like in your city today?
D: It's nice...finally! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the wind is less than 40mph.
K: Dark, but earlier we actually saw the sun. As of yesterday the snow has finally melted.

2. Do you like the zoo?
D: Yes--great entertainment. We've taken Easton at least once the past two summers and I'm sure we'll hit it up again. I'd like to take him to the Omaha zoo in the near future...maybe after I stop waddling.
K: I feel right at home at the zoo. No really, I do love the zoo. Jack and I used to go even before we had kiddos. For my 2nd official Mother's Day, we bought a membership to The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck. It was an awesome gift idea and it is a great zoo - really interactive, a great 'nature' trail and tons of fun extra activities throughout the year.

3. Do you eat coconut?
D: I don't mind it in a recipe, but I can't say it's one of my top 5 favorite flavors.
K: Not a lot. Its great crisped up on shrimp though!

4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
D: When I was a kid we had a dog house that we pounded nails in to. I'm not sure if I can properly describe just how many nails were in the roof of that dog house. Thousands, I'm guessing. I know there came a point where if Dad needed a nail or two, he'd go to the dog house and pull them out.
K: I made a bookshelf in freshmen ag class that we still use in our house. I had to take a building trades class in college for my degree and while I didn't teach wood shop in my 2-1/2 years as an agriculture teacher, we did use hammers from time to time.

5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?

D: Not really. We're lucky to get more than 3 hours away from home annually. We're just not big travelers at this point in our lives. Maybe some day.
K: Not yet. We hardly ever leave town and we usually go to Mom and Dad's when we do. We did go to California for Christmas, which used to be more a tradition for Jack when he was younger. I'd love to continue that trend - who doesn't love Disneyland in the dead of winter?

6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
D: Three. Five would be better.
K: One, and it needs to be replaced. I'm not sure why I don't have more though.

7. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
D: Wish the alarm hadn't gone off.
K: Look at the clock to figure out if I should let Gage get up for good or not.

8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
D: Yeah, if they're interested. The only camps I ever went to were sports-related, but they were always fun.
K: If they want to go, we'll sure try to make it happen. I never went to an overnight summer camp. I'm certain I would have loved it though. Too many hog pens to clean, calves to bathe and lambs to run to get away much.

9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
D: If the baked potato is a meal I would prefer butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon. If it's a side, then usually just butter and salt and sometimes sour cream.
K: Butter, cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper. In that order. Sometimes I leave out the butter, if I'm feeling healthy.

10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
D: I did...sort of. I always missed at least half of the session because our family was on vacation. I wouldn't consider myself to be good at swimming, but I'm good at not drowning.
K: Yes, and I was terrible. Not as terrible as my sister who can turn her lips blue on command and pretended to be freezing in the heat of summer.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 5.

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives

Questions for Tuesday, April 25, 2011

1. How many blogs do you read every day and what are they? (I’m talking the ones you NEVER miss)
D: I don't read any blogs that faithfully. I check in on a few now and then. I do, however, know somebody who follows numerous blogs and she always passes on the best stuff...so that counts for something.

K: Dooce, The Pioneer Woman, Enjoying the Small Things, Toast & Honey - I also Twitter-follow a few people whose sites I visit when they have something new. I had more bookmarked, but when we rebuilt my desktop at work I chose not to transfer them. I cleared a little room in my brain for something more useful. Like Ten on Tuesday. :)

2. How many “best friends” do you have? Do you have different “besties” for different areas of your life?
D: Oh absolutely. Besties at work (not so much co-workers...but faithful library patron besties), lifetime besties (hence the development of this blog), new besties, and probably some besties I haven't even met yet. Life is a great mix of great people.

K: What is this - the third grade? Besides Jack, who I quit my job over in order that we might spend 24/7 together I try to check in with Dana everyday. After 22 years of friendship, I can pretty much guarantee that she'll be around forever.

3. What’s your daily make-up routine?
D: Yikes. If it takes less than 2 minutes can you consider it a routine or just a blip in your day.

K: I think I'm 100% Mary Kay products right now. I don't know what their official names are, but I like it when someone makes up my mind for me and Mary Kay ladies are pretty good about that. So, Timewise moisturizer, concealer, mineral powder, eye liner, eye shadow and mascara. 

4. What is your ideal girl’s night?
D: Out to eat and gab, gab, gab.

K: I haven't had a girl's night in a long time. I have a great friend who has taken me shopping and out to lunch for the birthday the last few years. One of us has been either pregnant or hauling a newborn every time but its been a great laid back day and a way to relax together.

5. Do you keep up with your nails/toenails or are they au natural?
D: My nails are horrible, so why draw attention to them? I can't really see or reach my toenails right now, so they're doin' whatever they do best all on their own. I do occasionally paint them in the summer.

K: Au natural - they haven't been painted in years.

6. What’s your best roommate story (assuming you had a roommate at some point in your life)?
D: Oofta. The only time I had a roommate was in college and I'm not certain how many of those stories are worth repeating. One of my roommates left the window open in our dorm room over a long weekend...in the middle of the winter...when it was 40 below zero. Everything in our room was frozen...like shampoo, contact solution, etc. It was interesting...and we couldn't sleep in there for two nights because it took so long for the baseboard heat to catch up.

K: Not my favorite memory, but when I came back from Christmas break it had gotten so hot in our room that the full length mirror on the back side of our door melted the adhesive off, it fell to the ground and shattered into hundreds of pieces. A very nice 'welcome back'.

7. What’s your “go to” outfit that you wear more than anything else?
D: Jeans and a hoodie or a t-shirt (and after typing I realized just how sad that really sounds).

K: K: Jeans, a t-shirt and a zip up sweatshirt. Hot, I know.
(Anyone volunteer to 'style' us?)

8. Do you have a beauty secret?

D: Wow, no. A hat...maybe that's my best beauty secret. :o)

K: Keep little kids around. Then, even if you spill something on yourself, you have an excuse. Even snot on the shoulder is appealing as long as your kids are super cute.

9. Did you read Seventeen magazine growing up?
D: Sort of. I recall looking at it, but I didn't have a subscription or anything.
K: Who didn't? Wasn't it part of the curriculum for english class or something?

10. How did you learn to put on makeup?
D: I didn't. Maybe that's the problem...

K I just started putting it on. My mom hardly ever wore makeup. Come to think of it, I'm really not sure I apply it correctly. Help?

It always cracks me up to compare these answers. I hope you (or some of you anyway) enjoy it also!

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 4.

Ten On Tuesday, Questions for April 12, 2011

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
D: I drive. I would prefer to walk or bike and when I lived closer to work and didn't have a stroller to push I actually did do that quite often. I did walk some after Easton was born, but I'd park at the library then walk him to day care and felt a little silly pushing an empty stroller. Okay, I really didn't care...but people looked at me like I had lost my child. (Oh, and I think I have to be over 60 to have access to public transportation in Madison.)
K: I mostly drive, since winter now lasts 9 months of the year, but I prefer walking. Strollers are beautiful aren’t they? On a good day, I’d walk my kids to daycare, walk to work, walk to pick them up and walk them home. Its three miles if I get to do it all. I’ve never ridden public transportation, but they do provide a great service in this community. Its likely how Gage will get from preschool to daycare next year.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
D: I don't have a schedule. When I get sick of it or it starts to look even worse than usual. The last three times I've had my hair cut I've gone to someone different. So I guess no, I don't go to the same person every time. I did, however, go to the same person for the first 13 or 14 years of my life. She was cheap, easy to make an appointment with, and would do it over again if I didn't like it the first time. It was my mom.
K :Probably not often enough. If I can get there every 2-3 months I’m doing good. When we first moved here, it was 2-3 times a year. Since I have to look nice to impress my boss (ha!) I try to do it a little more often. Cutting bangs was my strategy for having to go more often, but I still end up trimming them at home. I do go to the same person every time. She’s a great person, and she doesn’t yell at me for crooked bangs trimmed with dull kitchen shears.

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
D: I try to read the Madison Daily Leader every day, but sometimes I leave before it gets delivered to the library (yes, it sometimes arrives after 5pm). If that's the case, I do read it online.
K: Yes, I quickly scan the copies that come in the mail, and the online Madison Daily Leader. I like to see which former classmates and acquaintances are getting married and reproducing.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
D: This. Is. Torture. I can't answer this without leaving a list. I'll save that for another blog post. Maybe when I'm on maternity leave.
K: Dana – what a cop out. ;o) I just finished the book Alone by Lisa Gardner. It was good. I also started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books last fall and finished them up this year. They were good. These four books are not my usual reads. A little more gore, a little less mystery than my ‘norm’. I’m a Grisham fan. These were great books though. I just put 25 Favorite Kid'sBooks on my Droid’s Nook eReader. I hope to start with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I’m embarrassed to admit how many I have (and haven’t) read on the list. Time to change that.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
D: Date Night (It's the only one I've probably seen from beginning to end this year, and it was actually good.)
K: I honestly don’t even know. I’m going to go old school and say The Lion King. I’ve seen it enough times that I should be ‘over it’, but I’m not. I love that my kids sing along, Max giggles in the same parts every single time and they roar at the most appropriate times. We’re a regular three ring circus.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
D: Depends on the day. Lately: sweet and in the form of Little Debbie Ho Hos.
K: Sweet. Chocolate. Mountain Dew. The End.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
D: Absolutely. I can't skip it. Lately Easton and I have been sharing frozen waffles. Otherwise it's usually a bowl of cereal.
K: No, I know I could probably train my body otherwise, but if I try to each much before about 9:30, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
D: I thoroughly enjoy Peeps and Jelly Belly jellybeans.
K: Easter treat: dyeing Easter eggs with my Grandma Teresa. Its her ‘thing’. I’ve invited my friends over to participate (when I was 26), take lots of pictures and now, stand back to watch my sweet sweet Grandma in her element. I think she has the metal egg droppers saved from almost 30 years of coloring Easter eggs with her grandkids. I always try to schedule a trip to Madison a week on either side of Easter to see her and dye eggs. (And I don’t even make it back for Christmas sometimes.) She has hidden eggs for me every single year of my life. And I’ve found almost all of them. It means so much that my kids are able to partake now.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
D: 8:30am satisfies me.
K: I’ll take 7:30, however, I’ve come to the realization lately, that if I bust it out of bed a little earlier in the morning (by like 6:30) my day is so much more productive.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
D: Yankton. It's a dual purpose vacation. Wedding (Yay...I FINALLY get a sister-in-law!) + family reunion. It will definitely be a blog-worthy experience as I'm due just 3 weeks before this big event. Maybe Baby will come slightly (but not too much) early. (Are you listening, Baby?)
K: I don’t know yet. I would love to go to Vegas with Jack for PBR Finals this October, but I’m not holding my breath. We’re attending quite a few weddings this summer, in every corner of this great state, so I’m thinking we’ll have mini vacations spread out all summer. In another 18 months or so, when Max is 3, I want to take the kids back to Disney. The Happiest Place on Earth.

Ten on Tuesday. Just Kim. Volume 3.

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives
Questions for Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

1. What is your ideal date?
Dinner, movie, going for a walk. Having a stomach big enough to eat a good supper and big bag of popcorn combined with enough energy to not fall asleep until we get home. I know, I'm asking a lot.

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?
It takes longer to brief the babysitter and find my phone. I might take an extra 2 minutes to make sure there isn't any foreign material in my hair.

3. What would you wear on the date?
Jeans, and 2 or 3 shirts to make sure I'm warm in the movie theater. If I'm really feeling fancy, I'll try wearing a necklace or scarf.

4. If you are married, how often do you go on dates?
Not nearly often enough. We probably go out without our kids 4 or 5 times a year and usually its because there's a banquet or event that they shouldn't attend. Can you call that a date? We try to sit down and watch a little TV together a few times a week, and we eat supper together almost every day. We also spend lots of quality time together M-F 9-5:30.

5. What was your worst date?
Nothing really stands out as horrible. Prom as a sophomore taking my freshman boyfriend was terribly awkward, but we were so un-matured that I'll chalk it up to inexperience. He's a great guy and we were much better suited as friends after we dated.

6. Do you/Did you kiss on your first date?
I can't even remember - how's that for an answer? Ha! Here's the deal. Jack and I met while running for a State FFA Office and at the end of the three days, were both selected as officers which meant we weren't technically supposed to date. Long story short, it didn't happen that way and ended up on lots of "group dates" the first year, at least when we were off campus. So I honestly think his sister came with us on what would have probably been our first date. Its kind of comical now. Then, not so much.

7. If married, how long before you knew he/she was the one?
About three days.

8. Do you prefer day dates or night dates?
If I can swing a day date, I am all over it. Especially if I can make it last 2 meals and still get to bed early enough to not be tired in the morning. Sleep is a precious commodity around here.

9. How old were you when you first were allowed to date?
Whatever the number, it was too young. I'm so thankful that I don't have girls. How nerve wracking! I think I went on my first date when I was a freshman in high school. Anybody care to dispute that? Ha!

10. What is the most embarrassing moment you have had on a date?
I may or may not have fallen asleep during a James Bond movie once. A long time ago. Way before my excuse for falling asleep was, "I haven't had a good night's sleep since April 4th, 2007."

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 2.

Questions for Tuesday, March 29, 2011!

1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
D: The first time I tried blue cheese dressing I hated it. Now I LOVE it. Especially when I'm pregnant and I'm not really supposed to eat it. Figures.
K: Red peppers. Sometime after Gage started eating solids I figured it was time to be an adult about our cuisine and cooked with them a few times. Turns out they aren't so bad - in fact, they're pretty good. Delicious in pasta sauce, fajitas, and homemade pizza especially!

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones?
D:I used to get the Food & Family magazine, but then they started charging for it and I never subscribed. I should though, it was good. It had easy, normal recipes with normal ingredients that anybody can make.
K: Can I count the kiddie recipes in Parenting Magazine or picking up the Pillsbury/Taste of Home magazines in the checkout lane. I also have all but two Taste of Home Annuals since 1995 (missing 1996 and 1997).

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
D: Cream cheese, cream soups, minced onion (or the real thing), and minced garlic. Wow, don't come to my house if you're dieting.
K: Probably cheese, or something with tomato in it.

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
D: Tomatoes. I'm fairly certain I didn't like them because my mom didn't like them, therefore, we never had them. I don't like to eat them for a snack (like my husband, who will eat cherry tomatoes by the handful), but I like them on salads, burgers, tacos, and of course BLTs.
K: I sort of already answered this. But what food did I hate as a child and still don't care for? Mushrooms. I probably haven't tried them enough different ways, but even the thought of cooking with them about turns my stomach.

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
D: Rice and raisins. I didn't know it was weird until I brought David to the farm for the first time and it's what was on the table. It's basically rice pudding (hot) that we smother with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
K:Canadian bacon and green olive pizza. Is that weird?

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
D: I don't use strange stuff. We're pretty much meat and potatoes kind of people.
K: I'm really usually pretty regular in the recipes that I pick and use. I really can't even think of anything right now.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
D: Nothing, thankfully.
K: Thankfully, no. But I was pretty pukey sick with both pregnancies. The first time, if I smelled, thought about or drove past the pizza joint in town I started gagging. Convenient. The second time around it was raw meat. I had to skip a few meals because I couldn't stand to think about eating meat after I saw it raw. Touching raw meat still bothers me.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
D: Hmmmm...nothing I can think of. Food does not intimidate me. I intimidate food.
K: I don't get it...I guess I'm not intimated to try anything. I'm not certain it would be safe for me to to use a torch in the kitchen, and I should be intimated by making gravy...I need to take lessons to learn how to prevent lumps.

9. Do you bake?
D: I like to, but don't find a lot of time to do much of it. I'd rather bake than cook. But if somebody will do both for me that's really best.
K: Barely. I really enjoy cooking but could give or take baking most days. I like to take frozen cookie balls out of the freezer and heat them up though. Or eat them raw, also a valid option :)

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
D: I don't really watch any "foodie" shows...they make me think I'm a better cook than I am, which just gets me in to trouble.
K: I like watching Rachel Ray cook, and for a while I liked watching Cupcake Wars and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I would fail miserably at Cupcake Wars, but would love to drive around visiting restaurants and burger joints. Just hold the mushrooms.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 1.

Ten on Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Here's a fun little activity. Every week, Dana and I will be answering questions, determined on this random blog: rootsandrings You will get to see each of our answers and and learn a little something about our lives. Warning: We are strange, and brutally honest. I started this a few weeks ago, posting answer on this site csquared and will continue posting business-related material there. Think store specials, information and pro photo shoots. You'll find personal stuff here.

Let's hop to it:

1. What condiments are always, always in your fridge?

D: Ketchup, mayo, and Ranch dressing. Is cream cheese a condiment? Because that's always in there too.

K: ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, parmesan cheese

2. How do you like your steak cooked? Your burgers?

D: I like them on the grill without too much blood oozing out. Medium well would probably cover it.

K: grilled, somewhere between medium and medium well

3. What’s your favorite use for fresh tomatoes?

D: Definitely BLTs, but I'll take a good slice on a grilled burger too.

K: BLTs, but they are also really good on homemade pizza

4. What’s your go-to dinner when you haven’t planned anything in advance and you don’t feel like going out?

D: When do I ever not feel like going out? I guess probably a lettuce salad or a can of soup.

K: frozen pizza or homemade pizza using frozen crust. sometimes spaghetti. hot dogs in the summer. pretty much all of my meals are go-to dinners cooked in under 30 minutes. go me!

5. What’s your favorite snack food lately?

D: Little Debbie Ho Hos and apples

K: goldfish crackers and apple slices

6. What’s your favorite weekend breakfast to make at home?

D: Cornbread. Actually anything with maple syrup is good and if there's bacon on the side it's a huge bonus.

K: scrambled eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.

7. What’s your favorite thing to grill? How do you do it?

D: Steaks or bugers. How do I do it? I hand it to my husband.

K: potatoes. I slice them up thin, and throw in some salt & pepper, butter and cheese. mmm

8. What’s your favorite wine for under $10? If you’re not a wine person, what brand of beer is your favorite?

D: I'm out on both accounts. I'll take a Mtn. Dew any day. If I drink caffeine free I feel ultra healthy.

K: Oh man, I'm such and expert on alcohol. Not. I do like Boulevard beer on tap, but its near impossible to find here. So I just drink Dew :)

9. Give us your most delicious cocktail recipe.
D: Cocktail recipe? Like cocktail weenies or what? 1. Defrost package of cocktail weenies 2. Add brown sugar and ketchup 3. Heat and eat. There, that wasn't so hard.
K: I'll refrain because in order to give a recipe, I'd have to look one up online and I wouldn't even know if it's delicious

10. How do you like your eggs?
D: I don't like them very well in any form. But if I have to, I'll eat them scrambled.
K: egg salad