THROW BACK THURSDAY - Our Favourite Ice Cream Recipe and freezer

Yep!.  It is summer and almost the end of school.  (Can't always tell it by our Utah weather.)  Time for BBQs, homemade root beer and homemade ice cream.

We love this ice cream and have been making it since 1987.  It is easy and fast.  No cooking (and cooling).  No eggs...

GREAT ICE CREAM - My favourite

from Anne Sperry - 1987

Mix all ingredients well.

2 pints cream

2 cups milk (I always use 1%)

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 small box INSTANT vanilla pudding

1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar

3 - 4 tea. vanilla

Freeze in ice cream freezer! 

add in ideas

1 can drained crushed pineapple (and maybe coconut or replace some of milk w/ canned coconut milk)

fresh crushed peaches

crushed berries (maybe with smashed bananas)

broken oreos, toffee or other type cookie
chocolate syrup or chocolate chips

One kitchen piece that we really like is the DONVIER ICE CREAM FREEZER.  It is a small (non-electric) hand stir ice cream freezer. (There are other similar models.)

The DONVIER has a metal liner that you freeze.  Put it in the coldest part of your freezer for about 24 hours before using.  Fill about 2/3 full with your ice cream mix.  (My above recipe makes 3 batches.)  Put your machine together, and you are ready to start.  It takes about 30 mins. from this point, but it can be made and stays frozen (keep covered) on your sink for a few hours.  Now, ready to make it?  SO EASY.  About every 3 minutes stir 3 times for about 30 minutes!  Ta Done.  Watch tv, read a book or newspaper, pull some weeds, write a letter...  This is so easy.  The lid is see thru so you can see when it is finished.  Doug likes t evenings.o make this in the summer.

I have 3 of these.  (The metal liner MUST be re-frozen after EACH batch.)  I keep my liners in the garage freezer all the time.

Mine are from thrift stores and yard sales.  If you find one of these, make sure there are 6 pieces.  The outside base (for metal liner), the metal liner (make sure there is liquid in it (shake it) and no damage to it), a clear lid (with a hole in the centre), a coloured rubbery ring (this goes on the base after the metal ring and before the lid), a paddle (goes in the bottom of the lid before putting lid on), and the handle (fits in the paddle on the top of the lid).  Don't worry if the instructions are gone.  Use an ice cream recipe you like and now you have the instructions.  I have 3 because a regular ice cream recipe makes 3 batches.  (And because that is how many I have found:)  If I make this for Doug, I divide it into 3 containers and make each one a different flavour.  Then I just keep them in the fridge. 

note- Because there is not a lot of churning, remember to mash berries, cookies or whatever, before adding to the freezer.

This is a fun activity for children.  It is just a mix together recipe and so easy to make ice cream.  Helps teaches patience, cooking and really, it's just fun. 

 

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

16 May - 23 May, 2010
"The principle thing is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." Steve Young

I accidentally took a week off from blogging. I had a guest post, a "Bits & Pieces" craft, a "Throw Back Thursday" recipe, and a Follow Friday. So, what happened? A BOOK! I have been so busy since we started the addition (now basically done) 2 years ago, that I have not really read. Like stay up most the night to finish a book I love, and have the next 3 in a pile to savour. AHH! It was wonderful. (More on the book next week;)
As always, these are in no particular order.

#1 It made me happy to quickly finish a book I was reading so I could read the borrowed book I wanted to read more. (If you can not wait for details, e-mail me. johnson797@att.net - I LOVED IT, but that is for next week.) I finished an always enjoyable Agatha Christie mystery. This time I read, "Murder of Roger Ackroyd". I had it figured out quite early, but I am sure I read it in my Jr. High Agatha Christy stage. I loved that clue was always spelled, "clew".

Journal entry - When I was in 6 th grade (Fresno, CA) I met a wonderful widow from my church. Mary Anne Hessler was from England and lived there during WWII. I loved her. I would visit her often after school for several years. I loved England, and still love Great Britain. Sister Hessler was housebound and I sat at her feet for hours as she shared England and her life with me. She helped me get an A on my 6th grade country report.  And that is why I ALWAYS use the English spelling of words such as favourite, flavour...  She would tell me the words and spellings that were different, and I drank it all in.  I still love this dear woman.

#2 Doug had Monday off. No cavities, mom. (I love it when Doug takes days off.)

#3 I was watching a tape of things I had taped this week. I watched part 1 of a Masterpiece Theatre movie. I do not think I taped part 2, so I watched it at the PBS web sight. It was called, "Small Island". I loved it. I loved the time period (end of WWII in England and Jamaica). I loved the characters, the accents and the story. I really loved the music. So...

#4 I went on line and found it here  Small Island (Original Television Soundtrack) at Amazon for ONLY $6.99. Leslie bought it for me and put it on her computer. Then she burned it on a CD and will put it on my ZUNE. I so love this music. (Go listen to some of it.) I have listened to the CD AT LEAST 20 times. I love music.

#5 Leslie also ordered the book from the library for me:)

#6 I re-did my spice cupboard. Got rid of some, bought some new. Washed them all and re-organized. So happy.

#7 Journal Entry - When all "this" started, my cholesterol was 797. (Non-diet related) After years of trying different medicines (some that I quit because of side effects, some that did not work...) and feeling like I have a flu, I told my Dr. this week I was going to quit them all if my #'s were the same.
Total Chol. 6 months ago-444 This Week-229!!!!
HDL 6 months ago-47 This week-68
LDL 6 months ago-326 This Week-109
Triglycerides 6 months ago-347 This Week-258
WHOO HOO! (and darn. I can't quit;)

#8 We had Mark's birthday dinner on Sunday. One of the things Doug grilled was pineapple. (One of our favourites.) I have wanted to try the Pampered Chef Pineapple corer (before buying one. Leslie has been going to Pampered Chef parties lately.). So, we borrowed Kate's. My review. I really liked it. (Christy cut it for me.) It cuts faster and neater than my old (Rachel Ray) way. Lots less mess, too. I felt like we got more pineapple and I liked that my slices were uniform. (I know what I will order from Leslie's party.)

#9 Only 1 week until 2 of my sisters come to visit. :O)

#10 I took this week off from cooking. But I did make a good new recipe. I tried "Angel Biscuits" from Heloise (from the Deseret News). We did not think they were really biscuits, but a good, fast and convenient dinner roll.
Ready?

Angel Biscuits - makes about 12
from Heloise via Deseret News

Dissolve together and set aside
1 table. dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water

Mix
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tea. baking soda
1 tea. baking powder
1 tea. salt
1/8 cup sugar

Cut in (as for pie crust)
1/2 cup shortening

Stir in
1 cup buttermilk
yeast mixture

Mix everything together and (this is the good part) put in (sprayed) container in the fridge. For how long? Till you are ready to use it :) (Up to about 1 week.)

To use the dough, put the dough on a lightly floured cutting board (or counter, whatever) and knead lightly. Press to a bit over 1 inch thick and cut into biscuit shape (I used floured glass rim.) I placed them into an 8 x 8 baking dish (with 1/4 cup butter melted in the bottom;)

Her recipe says to let rise slightly before baking @ 400* for 12-15 mins.

I put mine right into a cold oven. Set the temp for 400* and baked 25 mins. They were fast and good dinner rolls. Doug did say they were not too good the next day.
I have pictures. But I was up until 3 a.m. last night. Reading. I will post pictures tomorrow.

10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY!

9 May - 16 May, 2010 (My Grandma AND Grandpa Walker's birthdays AND their wedding anniversary)

"Sometimes when I consider the tremendous consequences from little things.... a chance word... a tap on the shoulder or a wink of an eye, I am tempted to think there are no little things." Emily Dickinson

#1 My Mother-in-law gave me a stack of magazines that she had finished. Great way to de-stress.

#2 Breakfast buffets make me happy. Even eating breakfast out. No, I did not go out to breakfast. We usually go to a breakfast buffet about 2 times a year. But not this year. I am going to my favourite breakfast buffet in Mesquite this summer. (Maybe on the way TO Newport and on the way BACK from Newport.) But, I am still happily trying breakfast recipes. One new recipe was a 4 ingredient, very easy biscuit recipe. (The recipe is at the end of my post.)

#3 Planning trips makes me happy. (Could you tell?)

#4 Planning for company makes me happy. Two of my sisters are coming to visit for 2 days. How much can I fit in that both of them will enjoy? (More family welcome. Anytime.)

#5 Saturday was a good day. Hilary and I went yard saleing. Very nice. Thank-you, Hilary.

#6 With everything going on, I have not been sleeping. On Saturday I just laid down for a few minutes...and slept 3 hours. I SO needed that.

#7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET MARK. I am so happy he is home from Detroit (2 year church mission). In school. With a job. AND happily married. When the kidults are happy, the mom is happy. Which makes the dad happy.

#8 We went to Mom and Dad's for dinner on Sunday. We get together AT LEAST once a month. (More when the pool is open. Thank-you, Michael and Kate.) But it seemed like it had been awhile. It felt nice to be together. Family makes me happy.

#9 It makes me happy that Doug and David have the garden. It gives something to enjoy and work on together. Logan likes to help, too. He has his own "garben".

#10 I enjoyed hearing Doug and Leslie speak in another ward on Sunday. They did great. Mark and Ashley, and Charles came to here them, also. (Hilary, Emily and Lincoln went to a Special Needs Mutual Sacrament Meeting.)

I was excited to try these biscuits, and was not disappointed. They are very fast. Very Easy. And very good. That is not why I loved them. There are other good biscuits out there. These have something I never thought of, and tweaked. ummmm

7-UP BISCUITS-Made 8 Double recipe for 9x13 pan

from Frosted Bake Shop @ http://frostedbakeshop.blogspot.com/

Mix lightly with a fork

2 cups Bisquick (I did not use light, but I will next time)

1/2 cup sour cream (I used light)

Add and barely stir (just until almost mixed)

1/2 cup 7-Up, lemon lime...

Sprinkle cutting board with additional Bisquick and pat dough to about 1 inch thick. Cut into biscuits (I just used a cup dipped in flour.)

Now, this is the good part. As you start the dough, start pre-heating your oven. Melt in your (about) 9x9 pan,

1/4 cup of BUTTER (Only my opinion)

Here is my trick. Watch the butter carefully to avoid burning, but let it go a bit past melted. (Just a hint of tan.) Do you usually like the top of a biscuit best? If you love brown butter, for sure you will like this bottom best. I will do this for cooking all my biscuits from now on.

Bake at 450* about 11 mins. Until a light golden brown/tan. ummmm

Follow Friday- more pancakes

This week for Follow Friday I am posting a few more breakfast recipes, and where I got them. (as soon as I finish trying breakfast recipes, I will try some sticky chicken recipes-and pick my favourites:)

I almost have my pancake file complete. I liked these wheat pancakes from Our Best Bites.

Easy Wheat Pancakes
from Our Best Bites (address on the side of my blog)

Stir together
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (I use buttermilk. It comes in several sizes, stores well in the fridge (unopened, and there are lots of recipes that use it.)
1 tea. vanilla
1 table. oil
1 large egg
1 large egg white

In a separate bowl stir together
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup flour
3 table. sugar
1 1/2 tea. baking soda
1 1/2 tea. baking powder
1/2 tea. salt

Mix the wet and dry ingredients together, just until mixed.
Use butter and a hot pan to cook. I used a ladle (about 1/4) and got 15 pancakes. I will keep this recipe. It was good and easy. Doug really liked them, too. But, he liked these better.

Muffin Top Pancakes (Made with a MUFFIN TOP PAN-see note)
from http://lynnskitchenadventures.com/ (26April, 2010)

Do you have a "Muffin Top Pan"? I do, so I tried this idea.

I used a basting brush and lightly buttered the muffin top circles. I used about 1/4 cup of batter and the back of a spoon to spread it around.

Bake at 375* for 11 mins., flip over and cook for 1 more min.

Doug loved the puffyness of these. (My word.) I made 9 in the frying pan in the time it took these to cook. (I could have made more, but the batter was gone.) It does not seem time effective or cost effective to me (using oven), BUT I love making what Doug likes so I WILL make them again. They were appreciated :)
NOTE- A MUFFIN TOP PAN is NOT a muffin pan. It has a shallow dip (cookie depth) to just make the muffin top. No "stumps". I will post a picture tomorrow.
I think I will try this on a cookie sheet. But not this week. I have 4 breakfast recipes on my list to try this week-end.
I used this pan for my 5 week bran muffins. I cooked them at 325* for 20 mins. and they turned out great, but we preferred regular muffins.

Summer vacation is just around the corner. Some of the $ Theatres in the Salt Lake Valley have a "Summer Movie Special". There are 10 movies for $5.oo if you buy the card (or $1.oo per movie without the card).
We have done this several years. (The theatre did not do this last year:( The movies are on Tuesdays and begin at 10:oo. Here's the thing. Most of these are movies that if you liked, you may have already bought on dvd. But the kids love the theatre and movie day - and the theatre is nice and cool.
Some of the movies included are"Monsters vs Aliens", "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs". Veggie Tale:"The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"...
For more info. visit your local $ theatre or call 1-800-FANDANGO (code-1215#)

After the movie we took a picnic lunch and visited different parks in the area. A different one each week. (I will tell you about 2 that we enjoy next week.)

I am packing a bag for the beach. So far I have packed

4 fabric kites
5 Dollar Tree kites (Buy summer kites now while stores have them. They will be more expensive, or hard to find, at beack locations.)
2 finger kites
5 Styrofoam airplanes (Dollare Tree)
horse shoes game
bat and ball
12 sand molds (Nemo, Mickey Mouse, Cars...Dollar Tree)
buckets and shovels
beach towel w/ checkerboard, and the checkers
beach balls and water balls
and of course sun screen, blankets and towels.
No umbrellas, yet.

Any thing that I forgot?

THROW BACK THURSDAY - Doug's Hamburger Casserole

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWERS... PAULA and...SARAH WILLIAMS-THOMAS!! Glad to have you here.

This was Doug's request for a throw back recipe. I got this from my mother in law when I was newly married. Doug used to pick this for his birthday dinner before we were married. (He still picks it some years.) (I will post Doug's ice cream birthday dessert in June (Father's Day).)

Doug's Hamburger Casserole (feel free to re-name it:)

from Susanna Johnson

1 lb. cooked ground beef

chopped onion - cooked with beef (to taste)

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 bag of Chow Mein noodles - 1/2 in casserole and 1/2 for the last step

2 cups COOKED rice

1 cup warm water

1 table. soy sauce

1/4 tea. pepper

Mix everything together (Only 1/2 of Chow Mein noodle bag) and put in sprayed oven dish (with cover). Cover and bake at 350* for 30 mins.

Put the last 1/2 of Chow Mein noodles on top and bake uncovered for additional 30 mins. at 350* ( Same temp.) .

The noodles on top are nice and crunchy so I won't try this in the crock pot or microwave. Because I will be cooking this for an hour, I will also make some bread. Or you could make cookies.

(Spellcheck tried to make me spell "MEIN" as Mien. I was smarter:)

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY!

2 May - 9 May, 2010

"I'm behind you and I'm cheering you on." Music and the Spoken Word program #4201

Rough week, but way more than 10 things that made me happy :)

#1 This was Emily's last week off track (very sad:( I am so happy, and really appreciate, that Emily did my morning carpool-twice. Thank-you.

#2 I found a cool old dresser that I have plans for. (It was free.) I am looking forward to sanding and painting and using (oh my).

#3 Cinco de Mayo made me happy. Emily and Lincoln planned a fun taco tasting dinner. (Taco Bell won. You can see the results on the 5 May post.)

#4 Reading makes me happy. I have always loved reading. I had book club at my house this week. I really enjoy book club. I served lunch. (The book I just finished reading is "His Eye is on the Sparrow", an autobiography by Ethel Waters. She was a singer and actress in the early 1900's.)

#5 I knew Friday would make e happy. (And Monday-Thursday as I looked forward to Friday ;) WESLEY BELL RINGERS CHURCH SALE! My favourite.

#6 I have a friend with a short term health problem that I have wanted to help. She called with an errand for me. That made me happy.

#7 I had Paula and Wendy over for an impromptu lunch. It was fun. And we will do it again. Planning menus makes me happy.

#8 I had a fun week trying new recipes. (I tried 8 new ones. The failures were a carrot cake and a salad dressing.) I tried 2 cookie recipes that I really liked. (posted lower in this post)

#9 My kidults got me something I really wanted, for Mother's Day. I got 2 water filter water bottles. (From the Distribution Center) Preparedness is my hobby. Thank-you very much.

#10 Mother's Day. O.K., not the day, but the other part. Being a wife and mother was the life I wanted. Being a mother is full of challenges and trials. (And they start really quick.) We lose sleep. And order/structure.... The list goes on. We worry that we are not doing our best. We hope our children will not remember we were impatient or angry. We hope we are teaching all we want them to know, and be. (And sometimes feel like we lose a little of us.) The hope is that the we can find joy each time we meet a challenge. We seek for patience and strength thru our faith, family and friends.

As I look at where I am now, I have some paydays. I pretty much cause my own tiredness. (I am a night person.) I am rarely the referee. The laundry is under control. (Mine is. They do their own :) They pick up groceries that they pay for. and fix the meal-sometimes. They like me and they like each other and do things together. I like this "stage". But I remember the happy years of lots of little children. They were hard. But I don't remember specifics. I do remember lots and lots of happiness. I am so happy I am a mom. Happy Mother's Day.

The first new recipe that I tried, and we liked, is a cookie based on the "Magic Bar" recipe. This easy, fast and good. I found the recipe at Kara's Kitchen Creations. She calls them "Donna's Heavenly Cookies". I call them

Magic...Cookies- made 5 dozen

recipe from http://karaskitchencreations.blogspot.com/

MIX

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup flour

2 tea. baking powder

In another bowl, MIX

1/2 cup butter/margarine softened

1 can SWEETENED CONDENSED ILK (not evaporated)

Stir mix 1 (dry) and mix 2 (wet) together. Then stir in

1 1/3 cup coconut

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts - I used walnuts. With cookies I cook 1/2 of the batter with no nuts, and then add nuts to the 2 half.

Make sure everything is well mixed. Drop by spoonfuls on to a sprayed cookie sheet.

Bake @ 350* for 8-10 mins.

I could hardly wait to try this next cookie recipe when I saw it over at Frosted Bake Shop. I made them to go with the strawberry shortcake we had for Mother's Day dinner. (Of course, I changed the name, She calls them "Kookies")

KOOKIE BROWNIE COOKIES -made 5 1/2 dozen

recipes from http://frostedbakeshop.blogspot.com/

Mix well (I had Doug hand mix it)

1 (dry) dark chocolate cake mix

1 (dry) devil's food cake mix

1 cup flour

4 beaten eggs

1/3 cup water

1 cup oil

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup nuts (I made 1/2 of the cookies and then added the nuts for the 2nd 1/2)

Mix well. Roll into ball (I did about a golf ball size) and put on sprayed cookie sheet. Bake @ 350* for 8 mins. (I did that and they were perfect.)

I really liked these. They tasted like brownie cookies. My family liked them, too. But not as much as me. "They're good.", "They are o.k.", They taste like the homemade "oreos". They were really eating them. I think this is my favourite cookie right now.

THROW BACK THURSDAY - Lemon Key Lime Cake

This citrus cake is baked in a "Bundt" pan. My new favourite pan. Although I am calling this a throw back, it is not because I have bee making it awhile. I tried this recipe from a Duncan Hines cook booklet that I got in the spring of 1992.

I made it for book club this week, and it was a hit.

Lemon Key Lime Cake

Duncan Hines 1992

CAKE

1 package lemon cake mix

1 4 oz. instant lemon pudding/pie filling

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup key lime juice

GLAZE

2 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup key lime juice

2 table. water

2 table. butter/margarine-melted

GARISH

1/4 cup powdered sugar

lime slices

fresh strawberries

Cake- Combine all cake ingredients. Beat with mixer on low just until mixed, then on medium speed for about 2 mins. Pour into sprayed BUNDT pan. (I spray mine before I start mixing my cake and the again just before putting cake batter in.)

Bake in a pre-heated 350* oven for for 50-60 mins. (I start my cake at about 340*, and let it cook while it continues to 350*.) Check with a skewer/knife for doneness.

Let cool in pan (I put it on a cooling rack.) for about 25 mins. Then invert onto a plate (just to release it). Put back into the baking pan (The bottom of the cake is still up.). Poke holes all over the bottom of the cake using a skewer. I used the end of a fondue fork. Slowly pour glaze (see directions below) over the bottom of the warm cake. Let cake cool in pan (set on cookie cooling rack). When cool, invert on to desired plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and garish with fruit.

Glaze - Combine all glaze ingredients :)

Note- Key Lime juice is found on the shelf with lemon juice. Put in the fridge when you get it home.

You can substitute fresh or bottled lime juice if desired, BUT I am posting a very good key lime recipe in June :) (A favourite of mine, and I am usually not a lime fan.)

YEA! I heard from Lisa B. She lives in North Carolina. She choose the girl star album. You know what that means. The boy one is the first thing in my basket of favourites. I will mail your package next week, Lisa B.

TACO TASTE TEST RESULTS

We had a fun dinner. Emily and Lincoln picked traditional hard shell/crispy tacos up from 3 near by places. Taco Bell, Del Taco and Taco Time. (They also got a dessert from each place.)

Lincoln worked hard to set the test up. Each plate was labeled A, B or C, and each person had a hand written ballot. He also made a fun sign and wore a sombrero.

After we turned in our score cards, Lincoln totaled the scores (and then graphed them). Here are the results.

TACOS

TACO TIME-8.5 points-lowest score

DEL TACO-13.5 points

TACO BELL-17.5 points

These scores are based on a high score of 20 points. We were surprised that Taco Bell won.

Dessert Winners

#1 Del Taco Churros THE WINNER

#2 Taco Time Cinnamon Chips

#3 Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists (loser)

Thank-you for a very fun dinner, Emily and Lincoln :)

CINCO de MAYO

(Not Mexico's Independence Day)

Tacos are on sale today.
Taco Time has tacos for $.50.
Del Taco has them for $.39.
Try a taste test? (I could not find anything about Taco Bell. Will they "price match"? :)

Also, remember that this Saturday is the day that the mail people collect food for the food bank. (At least in the Salt Lake valley area.) Just leave food by your mail box before your mail delivery.

Do you know of something fun going on this week? Leave a comment and share it with us :)

Lisa B. won the contents of my favourites basket on Monday. Let me know how to get it to you, Lisa.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK!

25 April - 2 May, 2010

"As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey." Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I did not get my Friday post done last week. It was a very hairy week.
Today, Monday 3 may, is free admission day at the Museum of Natural History on The university of Utah campus. The address is 1390 President's Circle. Parking is free, but you must take the ticket in to be validated and then return it to your car. The Museum is open until 8:oo p.m. The first Monday of every month (year round) is free. The next free day is June 7th.

Also, this is my 75th post:)

#1 Hair bows and headbands and flowers, oh my!
Saturday was Hilary's and Lindsay's first boutique (Wheeler Farm). They were really pleased with the work they did and experience they had. They were so appreciative of friends and family that came to support them. Thank-you.And, they got all their expenses paid for-and a little money. PLUS, they still have lots left for their next boutique. (Yes, they are doing it again.) They are ready to start working again. I am happy when our children are happy.

#2 GUESS WHAT! (rhetorical) I have been putting pictures on BY MYSELF since last Monday. I had Lindsay start teaching me about 4 weeks ago. I wrote down the first 3 steps (click cancel, click start, click my computer). I did that part for about a week. The next week I learned the next 3 steps. Now I did the first 6 steps and Lindsay finished. Doug taught me the last 6 steps and helped me. NOW I CAN DO IT! (I have to use the piece of paper with the 12 steps on it.)

#3 Last week I went I took a new cookie recipe to the women that I visit teach. I took Layne with me. The policeman husband at one friend's house was home. Layne LOVES "Officers". The very kind man showed my grandson his police car. He turned on the lights and showed him the "gun" that records sped, his radio and computer. Layne was impressed and loved the experience. Thank-you.

#4 Sometimes Ann Cannon's column makes me really happy (DR. Pepper one, Family Reunion one) . Sometimes it makes me regular happy. Like Monday's (last week). (Ann Cannon has a column every Monday in THE DESERET NEWS.) In last Monday's column (26 April, 2010) she talked about how she still does things the way she did when all sons were teens living at home with game schedules, car pools... She said that although your life changes, you respond the way you did before. Thus, WAY TOO MUCH MADE FOR DINNER. Time after time after... It is a great column and was so me.
Note- I save magazine and newspaper articles. But I hate papers. Here is how I organize random paper... In a binder I put page protectors labeled with the month and year. (April, 2010) In it I put clippings from magazines/newspapers (no recipes or crafts). Some things might include health info. church news (talks), places to visit... AND ALL RECEIPTS FOR THE MONTH! (I hate going thru those and seeing where money went.) I also go thru the papers the next month and rarely need what I have saved. Gospel ideas are filed... I make a quick list of what is in the page protector and slide it in the front. This works for me and keeps papers out of the way and easy to find. I am sure I will read Ann's column again, when I make way too much dinner.

#5 I am so happy my lilacs are blooming! SO HAPPY. We tried to grow lilacs for over 12 years. About 2-3 years ago Doug moved it to the back yard, and added some other varieties. When Stevie died we bought a lilac tree to mark his grave. They are all healthy and blooming and some have a good amount of flowers. I love lilacs. (And lavender, but that that is another corner of the yard.)
(Journal entry) Stevie was our very sweet pure breed Sheltie dog. (We did not pick the name.) I got a flyer for Stevie at an estate sale. His owner had died. He was 15+ years old. Doug is not a dog person, and I think he said we could adopt this dog because Mark had just left on a 2 year mission with our church. We had Stevie for 2 years. He died about 2 weeks before Mark came home. (I think he tried to wait.) He lost his eye sight and hearing. He became incontinent, and I would have to guess when he had to go and carry him out and in. His last week he just got slower and slept. He would still go to the bathroom each time I took him out. I sat with him for about 3 days and then he just stopped breathing. Thru everything he was always a very sweet dog. I loved him, a lot. I am glad we had him for 2 years. Doug buried him in the back yard, and we planted the lilac tree right by him.

#6 I enjoy MUSIC and the SPOKEN WORD on Sunday morning. It was especially good this week. It was on overcoming hardships and feelings. One thought I really heard was "Refuse to become bitter. Instead become better." When this 2 May, 2010 message is on the website, I will print it and put it in my May file :) Visit http://www.musicandthespokenword.com/ , then click on messages. 11:oo church time makes me happy.

#7 This week I fun trying new breakfast recipes.


#1 The first one that I will make again is from the newest Pillsbury Bake-Off cook book. (I probably have over 150 Pillsbury cook books:( They are on my list to reduce this summer. I made the Blueberry Almond Creme Muffins. Doug would like me to make these again. Am I allowed to post recipes from this printed cook book? I used Razzle Berry jam instead of blueberry. Next time I will add finely chopped almonds (instead of almond extract) in the filling. And I will make them in custard cups instead of muffin cups.) These were good left-over the next day. Cold or warmed.

#2 http://coleensrecipe.blogspot.com/ had a recipe for a Breakfast Brulee'. My family like this. I liked that I got to use my ramekins/custard cups. (Yea, they are dated. But they were only $.50 each. These were easy and fast to make.

Breakfast Brulee'
recipe from http://coleensrecipes.blogspot.com/

1 16 0z. tube of Grands Flaky Biscuits (Pillsbury or similar brand)
2 6 oz. 99% fat-free vanilla yogurt
2 eggs
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/8 tea. grated nutmeg - optional
melted butter
sugar


Mix eggs, cream, yogurt and nutmeg. Set aside.
Spray 8 (6 oz.) ramekins and put on cookie sheet.

Open biscuits and half 4 of them. (8 1/2s) Brush both sides with melted butter and roll in sugar. Lay in the bottom of greased custard cup. Top with 1/4 cup of yogurt mix. Split remaining 4 biscuits and coat with butter and sugar. Place on top of custard filling.

Bake at 375* for 20-26 mins., until top is golden brown. Cool 15 mins.

Serve with jam on the side if desired. (She says these are 350 calories each.)
They were very popular, but not so great the next day. (They tasted dry and bready.) Thank-you, Coleen.

The last new breakfast recipe I made this week is from Clawson Live. She is posted on my side bar. It is for a make-ahead, baked oatmeal.

Baked Oatmeal
recipe from http://clawsonlive.blogspot.com/

1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup steel cut oatmeal - I got mine in bulk at Winco (if you do not want to get steel cut, you can replace with 1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal)
1 cup raisins or craisins
1/2 cup almonds or pecans
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup coconut
1 tea. cinnamon
pinch of salt
milk

Prepare oatmeals as directed. Add everything else to cooked oatmeal. Put into a sprayed 9x13 pan. Cover completely with milk. (I used 1%) Cover pan with foil. Bake at 375* for 30-45 mins. (Until all milk is absorbed.) Cool. Eat now with milk on it, or put in a container in the fridge and just remove what you want for breakfast.
We liked this. It is almost a granola oatmeal. It is very convenient, too. I will try this again with just the oatmeals, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins. (O.K. Maybe a bit of butter.) It really makes high fibre oatmeal for breakfast easy. Thank-you, Lisa.

We had a fun breakfast week. This week we are doing Mexican.

#8 My sisters, Debbie and Karyn are taking the train to visit ME over Memorial Day. YEA! They will only be here 3 days (and 1 is Sunday), but it will be great.

#9 One of my favourite church sales is next week-end. I love the Wesley Bell Ringer's sale. I have been happy since I found out it was coming.

#10 I HAVE 44 FOLLOWERS. Yea! Welcome new follower... REDD!!! I am so glad to have you.

Today I am drawing a winner for the contents of a "basket of my favourite things". In the basket is a star photo album I made and the embellishments. (Winner chooses boy or girl one. Guess what will be the first thing in my new basket?) Also, a set of scrabble tiles, a small container of small clock hands, travel sizes of Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea shower gel, body lotion and body spray, a red head band with a flower, a package of thank-you notes, a tube of E-6000 adhesive and a SCENTSY bar of Lilacs and Lavender. (If you are unsure what some of these random things are, just check back thru my blog. I am sorry it is not organized, yet. I have not learned that.)

AND THE WINNER (thru Random.org) is...........# 29. Lisa Baity! Thank-you for following, Lisa B. I hope you are a crafter. Get me your address and (your choice of the girl or boy book) I will get this to you. My e-mail is Johnson797@att.net .

I am ready to start my next basket of favourite things. Today. The first thing I will put in is the Star Photo Album that Lisa B. does not pick. I will do a random.org when I have 60 followers. I will add a couple more things to the basket this week :)

I was just getting ready to add pics when I discovered I only took 1. Weird. Sorry. It really was a very hairy week.