The Johnson version of The Christmas Story

This story starts on a cold December morning, the day after Parker turns 8. I guess the subject of discussion on the bus lately has been about the scene pictured above from the all-time favorite movie The Christmas Story. As I am about to get ready for the day, I hear a pounding at the door. When I get to the front door, Madi is yelling "Momma, you have to help Mrs. Igo, Parker's tongue is stuck to the pole!"
(I must add that I was still in my pjs while all of this is happening. I was mortified!) So, without thinking I run outside. I ran out to the front yard and looked down the street to the bus stop. Mrs. Igo yells, help me, I need something to thaw out this pole so he can get his tongue off!!" At first I am thinking, Is this really happening to me. I can't believe this. I run back into the house and grab a cup and fill it full of hot water. I head back out the door to the frigid temperatures. Yes, still in my pjs and run down to the corner to where Parker is most definitely stuck to the Stop sign. I can laugh now but when I got there his poor little tongue was bleeding where he had tried to pull it off to get on the bus. I still can't believe this all took place. As soon as I got there I started pouring the water down the pole. It never crossed my mind, what if this doesn't work?, I guess I just thought that it would, and thank goodness it did. As soon as the water fell over his tongue where it was frozen to the pole it came off.
I can laugh now, knowing that he is ok and he is not scarred from this. Well at least no physical scars. I am sure that all the kids on the bus watching this hysterical site will never let him forget. After all of this took place, I felt that he should go back to the house with me so I could make sure he would be ok. I drove him to school and on the way he was very inquisitive. He wanted to know that if he stuck his tongue to wood if it would stick? He then asked about several other things, car metal, plastic....etc. I just gave him a firm verbal warning to keep his tongue in his mouth. That is where God intended it to stay. So far no more incidents...Although I am sure I am in for more along the way.

Rum Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe : Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Rum Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe : Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

This is the most delicious bread pudding recipe out there. I have tried several and this one was the easiest and everyone loved it. It was so gooey and moist and I added a rum sauce and a scoop of ice cream. I would recommend this recipe.

Sooner Soccerfest

Parker's soccer team Storm played recently in a tournament in Norman.  Storm was undeafeted going into this tourn.   They di come out with only one win out of three.  We may have lost but the boys really did play well.  They have lots of talent but had some tough competition.  The team they played from Mustang actualy plays U10 during regular soccer season.  But played down in U8 for the tournament.

The Cat

The cat has moved in and has made her self right at home.  She has found her way into all of our hearts and Madi is so relieved that she is getting to sick around.   Ally has even made room for her in the house. 

Coconut Cream Pie

The next day at work the apple pie was quickly gobbled up and Mike made the comment that he had some extra coconut and pecans at the house that he was wanting to give away.  I think he was trying the same trick that R.B. had use with the apples.  So after work the next evening, I made my very first Coconut Cream Pie.  This was a little more difficult that the apple pie.  Making the crust is always simple.  I use a family recipe passed down from my Nanny.  It just uses Crisco, Flour, and a little water.  The trick is to mix it without over mixing it.  The filling for the cream pie is also made from a recipe given to me by my Nanny. 

Pie Crust

Single 8-9" crust

• 1 1/3c. sifted flour
• 1/2c. Crisco
• 1/2tsp. salt
• 3T. water

Coconut Cream Pie Filling

• 2c. milk
• 3 egg yolks beaten
• 2/3c. sugar
• 2T. flour
• 1tsp. vanilla

Cook until thick and then add 1/2c. coconut.

The meringue is the part I can't give instructions on.  I had to look on the Internet to find out how to do this.  This part want' in my recipe.  I had to double the filling  because I have a deep dish pie pan.  So I had 6 egg whites.  I whisked them in the mixer until I thought they were stiff peaks before adding 1/4c. sugar.  I think that I should have waited longer before adding the sugar because they didn't seem to turn out right.  Edible, definitely but pretty, I didn't think so.  I do think this filling could use some more flour or cornstarch in order to be a little thicker.  It was a little runny for me but I think that it must have tasted pretty good because the pie was gone before noon.  Chris and Mike said that it was delicious.  I myself tried to stay out of it.

When given apples, Make a pie!

Our really good friend, R.B. came by the pharmacy one day and said, "Look at these nice apples that someone gave me!"  So we all look at the apples and sure enough they were a really nice basket of granny smith apples.  He then says, "Hey Cat, I'd give 'em to you if you'd make me an apple pie!"  So that night after work I tackle the task of an apple pie. 

It turned out pretty good.  I am never happy with the way the filling turns out.  The apples were really crisp and tart.  Perfect flavor but the filling never thickens.  I think it was more like a cinnamon roll flavor and it was kind of goopy.  I'm not sure that is the right description but it did taste very good. 

Field Trip with Madison

Roll One Room Schoolhouse 

 

This was the first field trip that required true participation.  We all had to dress up, eat our lunch from a can and to actually eat food prepared as if it were 1910.  We went to the Cheyenne park where the one room schoolhouse was moved to from its original location in Roll, Oklahoma.  The one room school is very authentic.  The day we went it was foggy, rain drizzle, and cold.  We had no heat and all of needed blankets to stay warm.   The stove in the center is a coal burning stove but can't be used until after November 1.  This field trip was also interactive.  The students were treated as if they were students at the school in 1910.  They had to use quill pens and ink to write and chalk and chalkboards for arithmetic problems dictated from the teacher. In the picture below, Madi was showing me that she had the right answer!

  We learned some about the history of teachers and one room school houses.  I have so many pictures it is so hard to choose just a few.  The one thing that really made an impression on me was the reading of the daily bible verse.  It is amazing how much things have changed in that area.  The verse is recited by a student and discussed with the whole class.  I had a wonderful time and I am really glad to have had the opportunity. 

Here in the last picture the kids are washing up for lunch in the back of the room while the rest of the class is going over spelling words for the day.   Water is brought in daily by buckets from the well pump.