HAPPY NEW YEAR

What a fun New Year's Eve we had.  All my sisters and their families got together.  Dad and Mom were going to come, but dad had a biopsy of a cyst in his mouth a few days before and was not feeling so great.  We missed them!  The missionaries in our area joined the party for a couple hours.  It was fun to have them here.  They added a lot to the party with an electric ukulele and some great singing.  We set up our ping pong table in the garage.  With space heaters it wasn't too cold out there.  The kids and uncles and missionaries had a tournament. 

We had Indian food and Chinese food with fresh vegis and fruit.  (Saag, Lentil curry, Orange Chicken, Tiny Spicy Chicken, Spring Rolls, Naan, Rice, Ham fried rice,) It was my neice's birthday.  Karen and I made cupcakes and put them on a cupcake tower for her.  How fun to be born on New Year's Eve.  She was the last baby born in 1999, at her hospital.

 Here are some 2010 Memories the group wrote down:
1.  New Places I Visited
Flaming Gorge
Islands in the Caribbean
Bryce Canyon
Seattle
Denver Firefighter Museum
100 feet down at Grand Turk
Alajela, Costa Rica
Under water at Flaming Gorge

2.  Places that are Old and Dear
Disneyland
Bear Lake
Sunshine Terrace  (ha ha, retirement home)
St. George
Grandma and Grandpa's house
Aunt and uncle's house

3.  The Most Entertaining Book I Read
The Help
Pride and Prejudice
Potato Peel Pie Society
Percy Jackson
The First Tycoon
I Am Not a Serial Killer
The Sisters Grimm

4.  The Most Informative Book I Read
The Book of Mormon
The New Testament
Wealth of Nations
Herodotus Histories

5.  Best Food I Ate
Double Double with grilled onions and extra spread
Christmas Eve Snack
Sweet and sour chicken at aunt Kristen's house
Tiny spicy chicken
$60 steak at El Gouchos
Lobster
Gallo Pinto

6.  Worst Food I Ate
Everything I ate at Chiles
Grasshoppers
Turkey heart

7.  Something New I Tried
Grasshoppers
Scuba
1/2 marathon
Hosting exchange student from Japan
Being Relief Society President
Skinny Dipping (We don't believe him)
Bosch mixer
Volleyball
B ball
Turkey hearts

8.  Most Painful Event
Neck Surgery
Turned 40 !
Falling off my bike and cutting my knee
Burning my hands with hot peppers
Fallin on the ice in church parking lot
Phil not calling on my birthday
Sebaceous cyst removal
Falling and hitting my knee on the cement

9.  Happy Event
Being Here
My Birthday
Cruise
Disneyland trip
Being at Bear Lake
Riding California Screamin
My (fictitious) Wedding

10.  Great Accomplishments
18th year being married to Chad
Trying and loving volleyball
Making it through this year
Not declaring bankruptcy
Paying off the FJ (No more car payment)
1/2 marathon

Holiday Fun

It has been a full week and a half.  Last Friday ( a week before Christmas Eve) we went to see the lights at Temple Square.  It was a beautiful night.  It was fun to see the excitement on Juliana's face.  This was her first time there. 

The next day Phil and I went to LasikPlus to see if I was a good candidate for LASIK.  I was pleased to find out that they could actually do surgery that same afternoon.  We ran a few errands, went to the pharmacy for some eyedrops for post surgery, and by 5:30 that evening I was the happy owner of new eyes.  It is amazing to me how quickly that can be done.  My eyes are still very red, but should be cleared in a couple weeks.  I still have some times where it is not so easy to focus, and it is hard to see, but it is supposed to get better with time.  I am excited to be without contacts or glasses after 25 years. 

We spent the rest of the week in preparation for Christmas.  We had our Christmas Eve Feast at Karen and Doug's house this year.  Mom and Dad were there for Christmas.  What was on the menu this year?

Prime Rib
Ham
Deli Turkey
Shrimp
Stuffing
Bacon wrapped, cream cheese jalapenos
Stuffed mushrooms.
Rainbow Jello
Rolls
Raspberry honey butter
Fresh fruit and dip
vegetable tray
twiced baked potatoes
Smoked oysters
Deviled eggs
Bon Bons
Chocolate mint stick
Carrot pudding
Egg nog
Soda pop

Crock Pot Stuffing

1 cup butter

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups chopped celery

1/4 cup parsley sprigs

2- 8 oz. cans of mushrooms

12-13 cups dried bread crumbs or cubes

2 eggs beatgen well

1-1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 tsp. sage

1 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/2 tsp. marjoram

3-1/2 to 4-1/2 cups chicken broth

Melt butter in skillet, Saute onion, celery, parsley, and mushrooms.  Pour over bread crumbs in large mixing bowl.  Add seasonings.  Mix well.  Pour in enough broth to moisten.  Add eggs.  Mix together well.  Pack lighlty into crockpot.  Cover and set on high for 45 minutes, then to low for 4-8 hours. 

I love this stuffing.  It is awesome for Thanksgiving or anytime really.  I like it on a turkey sandwich with a few cranberries. 

Bon Bons

I made these for the first time this year.  I think our neighbors used to make something like this when I was a kid.  They were so delicious.  My kids love these rich things.  (Okay, I admit I love them too)

BON BONS
1 Can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup butter
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Almond extract
Dipping Chocolate or chocolate chips
finely chopped almonds or pecans

Soften the butter but don't melt it.  Mix with the milk and powdered sugar.  Add about 4 drops of almond extract.  Put in the freezer for 3-4 hours.  Remove and roll into small balls, about a teaspoon size.  Place on wax paper and freeze for one more hour.  Melt your chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.  Dip frozen bon bons in chocolate then roll in nuts. I put them in mini cupcake baking papers.  Store them in the freezer for a yummy cold treat. 

I start my healthy eating plan tomorrow!!  It was very delicious though.

We had a fun Christmas program which included a little bit of everything, even some impressive untalents. Chlesea can catch a pen in her mouth as it rolls down her nose.  We played some fun games and sang "The Twelve Days of Christmas."  Mom and Dad had us draw numbers to see what part we had in the song.  We had to sing our number and do the actions.  We could do it alone or have others help us.  It was very fun to watch everyone do their part.  Karen read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." 

  We ended the program with reading Luke 1 and Luke 2 then some in Matthew.  Family prayer was special that evening as we knelt together and were grateful for each other and for this Christmas season we have to remember and give thanks for the Savior.  I feel very blessed and thankful for the life I have had and for those who have taken care of me, taught me, and loved me.  Where would I be without good family?

 

Happy Holidays!

Josh's Birthday and Christmas Prep

Josh had his 17th birthday!!  Look at him prepare for those candles.  Chocolate marshmallow frosting is delicious in between layers of triple chocolate cake.  Spread the creamy smooth stuff on top and sides and sprinkle toffee bits over the top.  Delish!

CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW FROSTING
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
6 ounces melted bittersweet chocolate
2 cups marshmallow cream
1 tsp. vanilla
6 or 7 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Using a mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the butter and melted slightly cooled chocolate together until fluffy.  Reduce speed to medium and beat in 2 cups marshmallow cream.  Add vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar and increase speed to medium-high and beat, scraping down the side of the bowl occasionally, until smooth and fluffy.  You may want to chill it for 20 minutes before using. 

We are almost done with our christmas decorating.  We just need to put ornaments on the tree and we will be done.  Here is a picture of Christmas blocks we made for Relief Society Super Saturday.  Have fun everyone!!

        

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a cold one!!  I don't remember ever having so much snow and below 0 temperatures in November.  Today it is 35 degrees, and it seems nice to me.  I guess having it so cold has made me more grateful for 30-degree weather.  I truly dread winter. 

We had Thanksving Dinner at our house with Phil's side of the family.  We had 29 people in our kitchen/family room.  We moved out the couches and put 5 tables in the room.  The meal was so yummy!
Everyone helped out with the cooking.  We had pie night the night before at grandma and grandpa's house.  So many yummy pies to choose from.  This year Phil had his GrandDad teach him how to make Minced Meat Pie.  They loved it.  We have many bottles of the stuff left in the fridge.  If you want some let me know.  I would really like to say that I like minced meat, but it is too rich, or spicy, or heavy, or too something for my liking.  They were happy though.  I made Key Lime Pie. 

Jenicca and I went shopping at 5:00 a.m. the nexty morning.  We found some fun deals, and she was excited to get the boots she wanted.  We played kickball at the church with some of the cousins and aunts and uncles.  It was fun.  The Adults went out to dinner at Gia's Italian Restaurant that night.  It was so good and a nice, quiet atmosphere.  We will go there again for sure!

                                               This is supposed to be a covered, protected deck!

                                                                 Lining up for the Feast

Kid's table.  They are so cute!  Juliana decided to wear her princess dress to dine.

Ivan ate a turkey drumstick!

SQUASH SOUP

Patrea told me about a recipe on allrecipes.com that was good. I think this must be it. It is my new favorite squash soup. I know I shared a recipe last year for soup, but this one is superior in my opinion. I like that it is more savory than sweet. It calls for 3 cups of cooked mashed acorn squash. I only had one acorn squash, but I have a bunch of butternut squash, so I cut up one butternut and one acorn squash in big chunks. I boiled them until soft, scooped out the squash from the skins and mashed it up. I had about 2 cups left over to put in the freezer. I was also out of chicken broth, so I made 2 cups of broth with chicken bouillon granules and hot water.

ACORN/BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Ingredients

½ onion chopped

¼ cup sliced celery
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
¼ teaspoon curry powder
Dash of cayenne pepper

2 cups chicken broth

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

3 cups mashed cooked acorn or butternut squash

Salt and pepper to taste

5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1. In a large saucepan, saute the onion and celery in butter. Stir in flour, bouillon, dill, curry and cayenne until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the squash, salt and pepper; heat through.
2. In a blender, process the soup in batches until smooth. Pour into bowls; garnish with bacon.

Fowl Confusion

I put a turkey figurine on the mantle.  Juliana looked up at it and asked, "Hey what is that duck doing up there?"  We explained that it is Thanksgiving time and that the figure is a Turkey.

 A few days later our neighbors across the street placed a large inflatable turkey on their front lawn.  She looked across the street and excitedly shouted "Look at that rooster!"  Do you think we should get some good picture books for her?

Halloween

After the stitches were removed.  The super glue is still holding on. 

Scary dracula teeth!

Happy Halloween!  Lots of things happening this past week.  I spent a week in Casper Wyoming with my sister Patrea and her family.  She had surgery on her neck 2-1/2 weeks ago.  Her stitches were removed on Tuesday, but she still has some restrictions of no repetitive lifting overhead and not lifting over 10 pounds.  It was fun to visit with them.  I miss them already and wished they lived closer.  Juliana and Ty had fun playing together and getting into mischief while I was cleaning or cooking. (They gave a talking doll a bath on the carpet with my water bottle, then on the bed.  Juliana got into my purse to find gum.  They ate the whole pack minus one stick in one sitting.) Good thing they are so cute and funny. 

I came home on Wednesday.  Thursday was a day for a preschool Halloween party and a Halloween carnival for the primary children at night. 

Saturday we went to South Jordan for cousin Ivan's baptism.  It was nice to visit with family.  I saw Lisa, one of my college roommates, there.  Her nephew was getting baptized the same day from the same ward as Ivan.  It was so fun to see her again and chat. 

I tried something new with baking this week.  I am a happy owner of a new Bosch mixer, so now I want to bake more.  I think I may understand the glee my grandmothers must have felt when they finally had electric washers and dryers.  I appreciate the quickness, ease, and comfort this gadget brings.   I made some banana cake and perfect chocolate frosting.  Then I made some fondant.  I rolled it out and cut little ghost and pumpkin shapes to place on the cake.  It was fun. 

Karen, Doug, Nick, and Ethan came over for Halloween soup, then the kids went trick-or-treating.  I loved their costumes, very funny!

They are only 9 and 11!