Snowy Christmas

We may have a Christmas tradition after all! Oh Im sure we have more then that but recognizing them is the true task. It is D day and we fly out in just a few hours. Destination? SLC, UT! We will be with all of our family this year for Christmas just as we always have been. The difference is in getting there. We are so excited though! Josh and I celebrate Christmas with just the three of us before we leave though. This is the tradition I was talking about. We made a beautiful turkey dinner last night, opened gifts, played with our son and watched him play with his new gifts. (Videos to come) We watched a Christmas movie and enjoyed hot chocolate. It was truly a perfect night. My husband, as he usually does, spoiled me with a beautiful gift and help with dinner and Henry and a stocking full of my favorites! We got Henry just a toy or two, which he seems to really enjoy, and Jake, Kaley and Jordan all got him gifts. It is only 12/18 and Henry has already been able to open several gifts! He is a very loved little boy. Hooray for Christmas traditions!

Pumpkin crafty

Thank you Tristan for this fun fun activity!

Amazing Friends

I have such sweet friends. You know who you are. I love you guys! Thank you so much for all you have done for me! I will be forever grateful I have such good friends in my life.

Dear Universe

I just read an email from my most previous ward announcing the very unexpected death of Forrest Mooey. I didnt know him well, except that we were ward missionaries together, and he is a recently graduated attorney. His wife gave birth to their second little girl while I was in the ward, and they have a 3 year old. I am heartbroken for their loss. It seems as if death has been on my mind a lot lately. I seem more and more nervous about losing someone close to me. Maybe it has something to do with being a mother and feeling to need to protect my my son and family before anything else. I dont know how I would react to such a loss. I am so devastated for this family. I am certain many tears will be shed for this family and their loss. They will certainly be in our prayers as they grieve and as we grieve for their loss with them. If I have anything to tell the universe tonight it is that I am so grateful for every moment we have to be together as a family, and If anything ever happened to any one of them I would want to remember that each day I was given with them was a gift. An incredible gift.

Wishlist.

Arent these Le Creuset Pots incredible? I am lucky enough to have flat cherry red pan and a royal blue casserole dish in the brand but I LOVE these pots. I want one in each of these colors....the turquoise caribbean, the yellow, and lime green! I want some sauce pans, and casserole dishes. Lucky they run about 200.00 huh. Who needs em eh? But they sure are beautiful.

HALLOWEEN 2011

I have simply decided that if I dont plan NOW we will yet again do nothing (aside from the ward's celebration) for Halloween next year. This is my list for "MUSTS!"

Carmel Apples

Carve Pumpkins

Visit a farm (Apple picking, Pumpkin picking, Animals, Trees, A RED BARN (a must within a must))

Costumes....Thats a long stretch for Josh and I but I can dream eh? Maybe Salt'N'Peppa? Maybe Sonny and Cher? Maybe...Not...

Candy Corn - Okay, been there done that. Again, and again....

Tricker treating! Henry will be old enough dont ya think??

Kids Halloween Costume contest. Nuff said.

Wish me luck!

New watch hobby!

Hi!

I have picked up a rather fun new hobby. I LOVE making watches! I keep waiting for my thrill to die out a little, but I am having so much fun!! Check out my new blog! watchmesparkle2.blogspot.com

My crazy life

When Josh and I moved out here a little over a year ago I was a full time stay at home mommy. I still am, but I have picked up a lot of..."hobbies" along the way. Mostly to give me something to do, and a little money to help with 1/284374th of the bills. Here goes:

-Nanny: Jake and Kaley Monday - Thursday (Drop em off and pick em up from school. Monday is their short day so we hang out a little longer then)

-Crepes! Every other week I help out at a crepes stand at our local farmers market

-Jazzy: 3 days a week I babysit at a local workout studio for just an hour in exchange for free classes and a little moola

-Thursdays: I may be babysitting a little girl from 9-12

-With the help of a friend who took me very serious a year ago when I mentioned that I really wanted to be apart of the spouses association, she passed it along, and I am now currently the President for the J. Rueban Clark Law Society Spouses Association. Woot Woot!

-My own little business. Its a secret. Dont tell :)

I have really enjoyed all of these new activities in my life, but I do really miss hanging out with my friends. What happened to our weeklys girls??! Can we please do something?!

Until next time.... It may be awhile! Apparently I have gotten a little busy :)

New recipe -

I hope my friend doesnt mind that I am borrowing....Okay STEALING this amazing recipe off her family blog, which by the way, I am now a follower. (wink) I was very pleased with this recipe. It reminded me greatly of cafe rio, and it simply couldnt get any more...simple. Enjoy!

-

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

If you go to food blogs, you've probably seen this one. Everyone who tries it wants to post it, because it is so good( and their pictures look a lot better than mine!). I think it originated on The Sister's Cafe blog (see sidebar) , but I've seen it on a couple of others, too. It's just a great combination of flavors, and pretty easy to make.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Two whole (or four halves) boneless, skinless Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

Put breasts in sauce to marinate:

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 T. chili powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder (or can use fresh garlic- that's what I did)

Mix ingredients together and let the meat soak in the delicious sauce for at least 30 minutes.

Other ingredients:

2 cans green enchilada sauce (I used bottled)

Flour tortillas

Grated Cheese (Mexican mix, cheddar, Mozzarella- whatever you like)

One of the bloggers suggested adding 1 cup sour cream. I think I'll try it next time.

Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray and pour in enough green enchilada sauce to cover bottom.

Fill tortillas with cheese and chicken mix. Roll up enchiladas and nestle together in the pan. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, turning on broiler at the end to brown the top. It's yummy! Oh, and the recipe said you could use pork instead of the chicken.

Under construction

My blog is under construction. Until I find a back ground and header that I love you may have to suffer through my complete lack of decision making skills. Let me know what you think as you like, love or hate them! I will not change the name however. I find that I try to remind myself on a daily basis to

"Embrace the Journey"

My sweet husband will never have so many chunks of time off as he does while he is in school. Life moves along at a pleasurable pace, and I am embracing this time in my life. At least trying.

Worst....

Grilled cheese sandwich ever! I love a good grilled cheese sandwich. I think I ate at least...yes, at least, so possibly more,.... at least one grilled cheese sandwich every day that I was in the hospital with me kidney infection during month 4 of pregnancy AND every day that I was in the hospital after I had Henry. Grilled cheese and cantaloupe. Well, after a rather exhausting day of entertaining a 7 year old and a 10 year old I did not have it in me to cook. Anything. Josh chose 5 Guys for dinner which was fine with me and what sounded really good was a small bacon cheese burger with A1 sauce and what I chose was a grilled cheese sandwich. I chose this for two reasons.

1. Thats always safe. Anyone can pull of a great grilled cheese. FALSE

2. It was much less expensive.

Well, the magic of the 5 Guys grilled cheese is to turn a hamburger bun inside out and throw on 3...maybe 4 pieces of American chz, burn the bread and call it good. EW. The cheese wasnt even melted.

I was a little disappointed and my husband will probably roll his eyes at this blog as I am still stewing over it days later. Meh...whaddya do.

National Harbor

Hi! Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit the National Harbor because Josh's brother is in town and staying there. It is so beautiful! I can't believe we havent been before yesterday. We were a little limited in what we could do because it was the Sabbath, but I am sure we will be out there again. They have a PEEPS store. An entire store for Peeps! Also they were projecting a movie right above the water on a screen. They call it "sunday night's movie on the potomac" I think that is so cool. People just bring lawn chairs and hang out until its dark enough to see the movie! There is an incredible monument called "The Awakening" at National Harbor, and I would love to go back and get some pictures. Its in the sand and I put Henry down with bare feet to walk with me and he hated the sand. In due time I think.....

Anyway, something to remember when we have visitors....National Harbor.

Inspiration

I have been inspired to give my blog a makeover by two different sources. A friend changed hers just a few days ago to these adorable letter blocks! Also, I have had to tap into my creative side to create my sisters blog so she would get started on one. Enjoy the new look! I hope I do :)

August 5, 2010

My sweet little Henry turns one today. I dont know whether or not to be sad or happy. Of course I am both. I think no one truly knows how fast time flies until they have a child. I cannot believe the amount of growth that takes place in such a short amount of time! Today has however been just as long as today one year ago it seems! HAHA! We have done a lot of fun things today and stayed very busy. I have written already a little bit about the blessings Henry has brought into our lives on his blog, I just wanted to end the day by telling the Universe, and my Heavenly Father thank you for placing so much trust in me. Thank you for sending my family this incredible little spirit. Thank you.

New recipes I love

Hi,

So... you know those days when you cant think of anything to make for dinner...I mean nothing is crossing your mind? Well, I have those days often and thought I better start making note of my favorites lately. I have been trying hard this last week or so to have something edible for my sweet hubby when he gets home at night... so this is where we are:

Mdtrn pizza pitas - Betty Crocker Cook book

Italian Sausage Lasagna: Allrecipes.com

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Italian Sausage Lasagna

By: Becky Harrington

"'I received this recipe from a friend,' writes Becky Harrington of Grandin, North Dakota. 'It's the best lasagna I've had!'"

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Prep Time:
45 Min

Cook Time:
40 Min

Ready In:
1 Hr 25 Min

Servings (Help)

USMetricCalculate

Original Recipe Yield 3 servings

Ingredients

• 2 Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 4 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Crumble sausage into a small skillet. Add onion and garlic; cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes. Combine the egg, ricotta and parsley.
2. Spread 1/4 cup sauce in an 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Trim noodles to fit dish. Layer a third of the noodle pieces over sauce; top with a third of the remaining sauce, a third of the ricotta mixture and 3 tablespoons mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice.
3. Cover; bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes or until browned. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Eve's Yummy French bread: Ask her for it, cause you'll love how easy it is.

Chicken Enchiladas: add what you like :)

Potato Salad

Meat loaf

Baked French Toast: Okay, so more like a dessert, but so great!

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Skiers' French Toast

By: MAMMABELLE

"A baked French toast that makes it's own syrup. You prepare it the night before then bake it in the morning. Great for a crowd at breakfast like a sleepover party or before heading up to the slopes!"

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What to Drink?
	Harvey Wallbanger
	Coffee

Servings (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 (1 pound) loaf unsliced white bread, with crust trimmed
• 5 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Combine light corn syrup, butter and sugar in saucepan; simmer until syrup-like. Pour mixture over the bottom of a 9"x 13" pan.
2. Slice bread into 12-16 slices; place over the syrup. Layer as needed.
3. Beat together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Pour over bread. Cover with saran wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Bake in a preheated oven 350 degree F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.
5. Cut into squares. Invert and serve.

Banana Bread: Betty Crocker cook book

Teriyaki Chicken and rice - Allrecipes.com

Cajun Chicken Pasta - Heidi, Thank you!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cajun-Chicken-Pasta/Detail.aspx

Things I did differently:

Used regular spaghetti instead of linguine (the skinnier noodles means more flavor, less noodle)

Cut up the chicken (use less chicken, makes it cheaper)

Fried the chicken in olive oil (less fat)

Used about 2/3 a pepper of each of the pepper and 2 green onions (Jake and I like that balance of veggies better)

Didn't use lemon pepper (because I didn't have any)

Didn't use salt (because I forgot it)

Didn't measure the spices exactly, just kind of put in what looked good (because I'm lazy)

Sprinkled extra cajun season while mixing in the other spices (for extra flavor)

Didn't use parmesan cheese (because I forgot to get it out)

So there ya go. Good luck recreating that one! Ha! It's still pretty good if you make the recipe as is. I've tried that before too and found it delicious.

Heidi

Anyway...There are a few new recipes that are christen approved and christen "CAN DO"

Pass any other great recipes my way, I'm always looking!