CELEBRATE! And Blog Give Away Winner!

The Sundance Film Festival is going on in Park City, (Utah) and surrounding cities right now. The news and newspapers are full of sightings, stories updates.

I wanna play! Have your own movie festival. (Watch a movie ;^) I am planning on watching "Spanish Prisioner" this week-end. And here is an easy popcorn recipe to enjoy on our movie night.

This Kettle Corn recipe is from my new favourite food blog. http://clawsonlive.blogspot.com/ You can find her recipe on 8-8-2009.

To make this fun, fast, easy and very tasty popcorn, you need a hand-turn stove top popcorn popper. There are several brands available. I also have seen them at D.I.s (second hand/thrift stores). I got mine from my sister, Debbie, many many years ago for Christmas. Thank-you very much, Debbie :^) (I only used it once or twice then. Why do I still have it? I love cooking. All my not often used appliances/pans... are lined up on shelves downstairs. For "Just in case", or "Now I need it".) And now I need it. We have made this 4 times since last Friday. It is a hit. (I wash my popcorn popper in the dishwasher.)

CINNAMON CRUNCH KETTLE CORN

from clawsonlive.blogspot.com

1/4 cup unpopped popcorn

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup white sugar

in a separate dish mix

1 table. sugar

1 tea. cinnamon

The directions are easy. Put popcorn, oil and sugar in the popcorn popper. Turn constantly (and not too fast) until AFTER popping stops. (One kidult said this takes 20 mins. It takes 4-7 min.) Now, a cautionary tale. There are vents on the top of our popcorn popper. Christy and Leslie both got hit with oil. WATCH WHERE THEY POINT. (And then the kidults used a pot holder on the handle to block the vent. Ta Da.)

O.K. Back to the recipe.

As soon as popcorn stops popping, remove from heat and quicly stir in cinnamon sugar mix, and stir a bit more. Cool.

SERVE!

And now for the WINNER of the 6 Valentine's Day Clippies/ Penny Blossoms is

MARY!!!

I will get these cute clippies to you. I hope you will enjoy them. Thank-you for making them, Hilary.

To get a winner, I wrote all names (-kidults) on a strip of paper. Folded them and Hilary picked... MARY!! (oh, wait. I already told you. We were kinda hoping it would be Nelson. Father to 6 boys ;^)

I will show my next BLOG-GIVE-AWAY on Monday. It is so cute.

THIS JUST IN.

A man in our neighborhood is transfering to Calif. Today. He has a sweet, rescued, smaller, well-behaved, declawed cat that needs a home. Quickly. Can you help? Cat is located in Sandy, Utah. Post or email back if you would love this cat. It is a girl and is an indoor cat.

SWEET PORK IN SLOW COOKER RECIPE # 2

I really do use CROCK-POT brand.

Have you made the seet pork (with COKE) from last week? Let us know. You can use what you have left for this EASY enchilada recipe from Pam Jensen. (And probably still have some pork left to freeze.)

flour tortillas
cooked shredded pork
cooked rice w/ cilantro (did you have left-overs?)
black beans (or pinto)
2 cans green enchilada sauce (10 - 15 oz.)
monterey jack cheese-grated

assemble burritos in flour tortilla, using
rice
beans
about 2 table. green enchilada sauce
about 2 table. grated cheese

Put rolled burritos in sprayed cassarole dish
Top with remaining enchilada sauce and
lots of grated cheese

Bake at 450* for about 15 mins. or until nice and bubbly and very lightly tanned. ummm

If I am making this for a larger group (Sunday dinner) I use 1 large can (about 30 oz.) and 1 small (10 - 15 oz.) canes of enchilada sauce.
This recipe can be made earlier in the day. Just add 5 mins. to cooking time.

Mark has a friend whose Dad really loves this, so we send left-overs to their house.

Check back on Thursday to see who wins the Valentine's Day clippies/Penny Blossoms. You must be a Dear Follower to win.

A Good Recipe Week

17 January - 24 January, 2010

"Every house where love abides
and friendship is a guest,
is surely home, and home sweet home
for there the heart can rest."
Henry Van Dyke

#1 I have my van back. Mark bought his own first car. I am happy. And I am sure Lindsay is so happy. She has driven me me most of the time since about October.
I went to the DMV last week and got Mark's car registered. (Not part of this top 10 comment - In January a new law went to effect stating that driver's licenses must now be renewed IN PERSON at the DMV. They can no longer be renewed by mail or on line. Therefore, the lines for licenses were very long. It was a cold and windy day and the whole entry way was filled with people in a wrapped around line. Because it was a school day off, there were many children. If it is near time to renew your license, plan a day. I wish I could get a part-time job standing in line for people.)

#2 Martin Luther King, Junior said, "Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve."We had a great (part) family activity on Monday as part of a Martin Luther King, Jr. service day at Brigham Young University. Our motives were self-centered. This day of service was one of the approved "Give-A-Day-Get-A-Day" Disney promotion. We were impressed with BYU's day of service. We went down Sunday night and spent the night at a hotel. We got to the Y at about 8:30 for check-in. There were about 20 different places and ways to serve. There were several local stables that needed saddles washed, some groups went in vans to care centres and senior centres. There were animal shelters that wanted help drying dogs, Habitat for Humanity, schools... We had brought a friend in a wheel chair so we choose to to an on campus activity. We made tutus and other projects for Head Start Programs. Lincoln coloured and cut out file folder activities. Layne coloured lunch bags for lunches served at shelters. We had a great day and went to JDawgz after. We will go again next year. It was a great way to spend Martin Luther King Day, Jr., and a family friendly activity.

#3 "It's a little thing."
I found a really fun/easy bread recipe this week. I needed a cast iron pot to bake it. I don't have one, and Kate was in Hawaii. Then I remembered that I have a pink enameled iron dish w/ lid. Yea!
(Journal memory - (You can skip this part. There are recipes and give away info. lower.) This January is the 1 year anniversary of closing our booths at Treasures Antique Mall in Springville. Wendy Coltrin and I had up to 3 booths at the mall together. It was fun. For about 5 years we shopped estate sales, antique sales, yard and church (my favourite) sales and second hand stores. Wendy was MUCH better at it than me. I had to like (and think about) what I bought. At least twice a month we would head down to price and organize. We made some good friends and formed a lunch group. And , of course we would shop. It was a fun good experience, and I am so glad we got out. Thanks, Wendy.)
My pink pot was bought for $3.oo at the store. So happy I bought it.

#4 My 2010 theme, "More, Savior, Like Thee", is close to my heart. One of the things I read this week was the biography of Phillip Paul Bliss, the author and composer of "More Holiness Give Me". I was so touched by his story. Music moved his soul. He was a good man. He was a very prolific writer and composer. Who knows what he would have written had he lived longer. He died in 1876 at age 38. He was in a train when a bridge collapsed, dropping the train into the water (in Ohio). He made it out, but went back for his wife and they both perished. When his trunk was opened they found music/prose in various stages of completion. On the top was the last piece he had worked on. I think it is beautiful and humble.

"I know not what awaits me.
God kindly veils my eyes..." Phillip Paul Bliss

There are 2 other songs of his in "Hymns of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints". He wrote text and music for "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" (hymn 335). (I love this song. My kidults sang it in Sacrament meeting on the Sunday that Mark spoke before leaving on his mission to Detroit, MI.) He also composed the music for hymn #235, "Should You Feel Inclined To Censure". (It is very similar to "Brightly Beams...")

I am happy/thankful to have this as my theme this year.
One of the websites that I used to read about P.P. Bliss is www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biobliss.html

#5 Thank-you Leslie and Christy for including me in your temple trip this week.

#6 If you made the crock-pot pork this week, I will post another recipe that uses it on Tuesday. And we loved the pop corn recipe that I am posting on Thursday. ((Remember free Hogle Zoo day is Wednesday.)

I have really enjoyed trying new recipes this week. In the crock-pot, I made a chicken enchilada soup ( the one I have is better) and a blueberry crisp. That turned out as expected. Even cracking the lid a bit with a skewer, it did not make it crisp. It was o.k., but... I have 2 new recipes for next week. I hope they will be keepers.

I also made (for the 2nd time-I wanted to cut down on the fat and mess) Mongolian Beef. It is a hit. Mark's comments were the best. He said that If Panda Express had this on the menu, it would be his new favourite. I got the original recipe from http://www.mindikamoments.com/ on 9 December, 2009.

Mongolian Beef
from mindikasmoments with a very few adaptation by me

vegetable oil
1/2 tea. grated ginger
1 table. chopped garlic
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
1 lb. thinly sliced (flank) steak
cornstarch
1 cup course grated carrots
4-6 chopped green onions
(zucchini?, broccoli?)
cooked rice

In a medium saucepan, heat
2 tea. vegetable oil

add and stir briefly
1/2 tea. minced ginger
1 table. chopped garlic
Then quickly stir in
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 - 3/4 cups brown sugar
Raise heat to a boil and cook 2-3 mins. Set aside

Thin slice and cut into bite size pieces
about 1 lb. Flank steak
Saute in about 1 table. oil and 2 table. cornstarch
Stir fry about 2-3 mins. and remove any extra oil
Put sauce in with the meat and stir for about 2 mins. then add
1 cup course grated carrots
1 zucchini-chopped
Stir for about 1 min. (you could also add broccoli here)
then add 4-6 green onions (I cut mine in 1 " pieces so everyone that hates green onions can pick them out)
Cook for about 2 mins. and
Serve over hot rice or noodles
I have made this twice to rave reviews.

I made 2 other recipes this week that I will keep.

This next recipe is from Our Best Bites. (8 August, 2008) It is for a low fat Alfredo Sauce that does not taste it. Just like they said. It is also fast and easy. I started the sauce when I started the water boiling for the pasta.

Alfredo Sauce by Our Best Bites
2 cups 1% milk
3 oz. lower fat cream cheese (nuefchatel cheese)
2 table. flour
1 tea. salt
1 table. butter
3 garlic cloves
1cup parmesean cheese

In a blender, blend
2 cups 1% milk (not skim)
1/3 cup (3 oz.) lower fat cream cheese
2 table. flour
1 tea. salt

In a sauce pan, saute for about 30 sec.
1 table. butter
3 cloves of garlic
Then add milk mix to the pan.
Simmer and stir about 3-4 mins. or until thickened. Remove from the heat and quickly stir in
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Cover quickly and let stand for 10 mins. (While you finish the pasta.)

Everyone really liked this lower fat Alfredo. The only problem was that I went to bed after our movie night and forgot to put the left-overs container in the fridge.

#7 I have been reading a fun book this week when I have had little bits of extra time. I had recorded a STUDIO 5 (local t.v. show) episode about an easy bread recipe. I watched that part of the tape this week. Lisa's recipe was easy. Very easy. If you follow my blog you know that bread is my new thing...so I hopped over to Lisa's blog http://clawsonlive.blogspot.com/ , found the recipe and... could not quit reading. So far I have 11 more recipes of hers to try and I am only back to 5-27-09. The bad thing is that I can not find a sticker on her blog to link her up to mine. (Yes, my kidults have told me-a lot-that they are buttons, not stickers. But I am a scrapbooker and I think they look like stickers.) On to the bread. I (we, but mainly me) LOVE it. Now you know why I was happy to remember my pot. (Which only works o.k.) This is a wonderful dense and airy (?) peasant bread. (The loaf of bread, a jug of juice and thine, kind.) AND SO EASY.

The Best Loaf of Bread Ever-from Clawson Live

#1 Mix
3 cups of flour
1/2 tea. yeast
1 3/4 tea. salt
1 1/2 cups water

Stir together well. Cover with plastic wrap and leave on the counter (or table or stove) for 12-18 hours.

#2 Add a handful of flour to the bread in bowl and stir in. (You can use your hands.) You are not kneading the bread. Just kind of forming a ball. You can also add "things" in here. Some of the things that Lisa lists are craisins, raisins, lemon zest, cinnamon, garlic, cheese, herbs, spices... First I made asiago and rosemary bread. The kidults did not like picking out the rosemary. Next I made asiago with dried basil. It needed more basil, but it was so good. After mixing in your flavours, cover with plastic wrap again. Put your pot in the oven, set for 450* with the pot inside, and pre-heat for about 30 mins.

Slice an X in the top of your bread and (very carefully) set it in the very hot pan, and cover.

Cook bread for 30 mins., covered.

Remove hot cover and cook 20 mins. more, uncovered, still at 450*. Lisa says you do not need to grease the pan. My first one stuck. My next one I sprayed. It burned and I wiped it out. The bread did not stick, but the spray burned to the pot. I think it is just the 50s pot.

I want to make it every day, but I don't want to eat all that yummy bread (with melted cheese or cold butter).

#8 Because of the school holiday on Monday and Tuesday, no carpool :-)

#9 We had Hilary's birthday dinner today. She picked bbq and teriyaki chicken stips, grilled. (Thank-you Doug and Logan for grilling the meat. GREAT JOB.) Also cashew pilaf, green salad with vegis and homemade rolls. (Thank-you, Lindsay for making the rolls.) For dessert Hilary chose heavenly hash ice cream and rice krispie treats. (Thank-you, Emily for making the rice krispie treats. You make them the best and the fastest.)

#10 I taught Mark's Sunday school class for him today, so that he could attend temple preperation class with Ashley. (I will teach the next 2 weeks, too.) The group (14-15 year olds) were great. They listened, answered and were respectful. It was nice. I have a hard time sitting for 3 hours now that I am not in nursery.

As always, these are not in any particular order. If you have a question about a recipe, just ask. I have proof-read, but am not a good typist.

Thursday I will announce the winner of the 6 small Valentine's Day clippies (Thank-you, Hilary.). You can see them at the end of the 11 Jan. , 2010 post. You will be entered to win if you are signed up on my follower list by Thursday morning, 28 Jan., 2010. AND, next Monday I will have pictures of the next give-away. So cute. And handmade by Lindsay.

Thank-you, dear followers for humoring me as I seek the happy things in a less than positive time in the world, write my journal entries and record my cooking explorations. I am so thankful for the life I live. What an amazing time to be here.

WANT MILK?

It would be great to win FREE milk for a year. (Well, depending on how many gallons you use in a week;-) Enter to win 1 gallon of milk, per week for 1 year by entering at http://promotions.whymilk.com/ggg You will get free milk (with purchase) for signing up, and (the good part) you can enter once a day until 8 Feb., 2010. (Happy Birthday, TAMI.) The thing I like about this contest is that you find out instantly if you won for the day. (Well, I guess it would be nice to hope that I will hear later that I've won.)
Planning your calender for next week? Next Wednesday (27 Jan., 2010) is free zoo day at Hoagle Zoo in Salt Lake City, UT. (The weather is scheduled as a few showers and 34*.) This is the next to last free zoo day until next winter. See you there? We will be going for playdate.

MY Copy Cat Cafe Rio Salad Recipe

Usually when I get a recipe request I respond to the email. I figure I may as well post it here for you, Melissa.

First of all, this is the pork I use. (From Pam Jensen)
Put in a crockpot (I do it the day before)

3-4 pound pork loin roast or pork loin sirloin roast-bone in or not
Cover 1/2 way with water and cook on high for 6 hours
Cool. Drain. Shred.

Put pork back in the crock pot and add

1 cup brown sugar
1 bottle red taco suace-I use TACO BELL
1 can COKE-not diet
1 table. cumin
Cook on high 3 hours.

YUM! This shredded pork freezes well. Next week I will give you the enchilada recipe that I use with this pork. (Also from Pam.)

Rice that I use
In a sauce pan put

1 cup rice
2 cups chicken broth-canned or dry w/ water
Bring rice to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 20 mins.
Stir in about 2 able. finely chopped cilantro leaves to warm rice (Can squirt some lime juice in if desired. I don't.)
Can be made ahead and reheated.

Now, let's build the salad
1 Did you know you can find the round foil pans pretty cheap? I get mine at the $ store.

2 We buy fresh uncooked tortillas at Sam's Club, Costco or Super Walmarts... You just cook both sides in a dry or sprayed skillet. Put in or on your serving dish.

3 While hot we sprinkle with grated sharp cheddar cheese. (You can put the tortilla w/ cheese in the oven on broil for a minute or two.) I then use about 1/2 cup of cilantro rice and

4 Black beans or Pinto? (!/4 - 1/2 cup)

5 Now you can add your meat, or not.

6 Next layer torn or shredded romain lettuce high.

Done! AT THE SIDE SERVE
guacamole
fresh salsa/pico
parmesean cheese (shaker kind)
lime wedges
thin fried tortilla strips-homemade or pre-packaged
and
THE DRESSING! My recipe is the post just before this one.

Hope you like this. Let me know what you think. I will post the enchilada recipe next week. m.

MY Cafe Rio (Style) Salad Dessing

10 Januay - 17 January, 2010

"We are on the road that leads to immortality and eternal life and today is a part of it. Let us never foget it." President Gordon B. Hinckley

#1 This week we celebrated Layne's 5 th bithday. (We will do Hilary's more next week.) I am happy Layne is our grandson and nephew and cousin. We had a party for him with family and friends on Friday night. It was fun, and very wild as the kids played wii. Thank-you so much, Emily for getting the pizza.

#2 This was the first birthday with our new Grandma and Grandpa "coin grab" tradition. Layne got $5.03. WOW!

#3 I have had a very fun week trying some new recipes. My kidults really think I have the best copycat Cafe Rio Dressing. This is not a new recipe. Just finally right (for us.) Everyone was happy to have salad on Sunday with my homemade tortilla strips. (The colour is a bit off in the pic. It is a beautiful bright (matching) green.)

MY Copy Cat Cafe Rio Dressing
(I adapted this from the internet, Janet Eyring (on Studio 5), and Our Best Bites)

If I give 2 measurments, start with the smaller amount and add to taste.
Mix in blender until well blended (and green ;-)

1 package DRY Ranch dressing mix
1/3 pack DRY Fiesta Ranch dip mix (Hidden Valley) (Janet Eyring idea)
1 cup mayonaise - I used light
1/3 cup sour cream-I use light
1/2 - 3/4 cup milk (I use 1%)
juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 cup LA COSTENA green salsa (the 1st ingredient is tomatillos-this is from OURBESTBITES)
2 cloves chopped/minced garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
dash of hot sauce or chili sauce (I use chili sauce)
1/2 - 3/4 cup cilantro leave

This dressing can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for about a week. It may need to be thinned with milk before serving. YUM!! (I think I made over 20 batches of this with variations.) Let me know what you think.

The next recipe got great reviews - from those that like the hot artichoke dip
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
(mostly from http://mindikamoments.com/ with a few changes that I made
Go see her original, and then see what I did.)
Cook and drain about 14 oz. of pasta. Then set aside. (I used Ronzoni rotini(in the purple box).)
In a large pan, brown

2 tea. veg. or olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic

Add and cook until chicken is cooked thru

2 large chicken breasts - cubed
Stir in until melted

12 oz. package cream cheese - I used light
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Then add and stir gently, then simmer until melted and thickened

1 can of artichokes - chopped
1 package frozen spinach - defrost, drain and then squeeze out all moisture first
2 cans drained chopped green chilis
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk - I used 1%
1 1/2 cup grated pamesaun cheese
salt and pepper - to taste

Pour into sprayed 9x13 baking dish and top with about 1/2 cup additional grated parmesaun cheese. Bake @ 350* for 20 - 30 mins. or until top is lightly browned. Served lots at Sunday dinner.)

#4 I have been doing this new thing where I only use cash for food, fun (D.I. shopping),CDs, DVDs ... I just get the amount that I have decided to use on payday. On Saturday Doug and I went to the Distribution Centre before the grocery store. (Darn having to walk thru Deseret Books to get to the Distribution Centre.) As we went thru I saw (in the clearance area because of damage) a book on my list to get. (It really was there.) hmm. Should I use my cash? It is 30% off? Doug pulled enough cash out of his pocket for me. (From a special project he had done.) Thank-you so much, honey. I love it.
It is called, "Another Testament Reflections of Christ" by Mark Mabry. His 2nd photography book that illustrates scriptures. I think both of his books are a beautiful testimony. (I still have the newest CD and DVD on my list. I can buy anything on my list. If I have the money.)

#5 Ashley went with her mom and aunts to check out where she and Mark will be having their reception in March. They invited me to go with them to the Panoramic Room at the University of Utah. It was a nice morning. Thank-you so much for including me, Ashley and Angela.

#6 MARK IS GETTING A CAR NEXT WEEK! I AM SO HAPPY! That means I get my van back. (Mark has been using it to go to work each day.) YEA! (He will get it next week.)

#7 Monday is a holiday. (More about that next week - after the holiday.) So, #1-no carpool. #2-We are going after dinner on Sunday to spend the night in Provo for a Monday activity. We will have fun.

#8 Mark spoke in the Sandy Heights Ward Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. He spoke on happiness and pleasure. He did a very nice job. Ashley, Doug and I went. Soon he will be gone from our home, but he (they) are prepared.

#9 I moved the serving table from the kitch to our bedroom. (Well, actually Mark and Doug did.) I am SO happy with the size of my new bedroom. We moved it into our bedroom so I could work on a project this week without having to put things away each day. I love our bedroom.

#10 I am happy that Doug and I are trying to do a date a week This idea, "Project 52::Date Nights" is from http://www.simplymodernmom.com/ . Since both of us would (usually) rather stay home, our date this week was to watch "Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God", a new mini-series on BYU (channel).

Happy Birthday, Hilary!

Do you LOVE having those "FREE" birthday food coupons sent to you? (My kidults do. I rarely use mine.) Here is a new one for our family. Del Taco will give you a milkshake for your birthday, and if you sign up soon, 2 free tacos. (Free tacos must be used by 28 January, 2010) To sign up go to http://deltaco.com/ , then click on the "Raving Fan eClub " sticker on the left side of the page.
Some of the birthday coupons that my kidults get are: Fuddruckers, Red Robin, Mimi's Cafe, Tucanos, Ruby Tuesday, Rib City, McGrath's, Noodles & Co., Sweet Tomatoes, Cold Stone, Sonic, Baskin and Robbins... If you have a favourite restaurant, check-out their web site.
We love you, Hilary. You are a very sweet, obedient and generous daughter.

My 2010 Theme and MY 10 THINGS

3 January - 10 January, 2010

"Hang on the walls of your mind the memory of your successes. Take councils of your strengths, not your weaknesses. Think of the good jobs you have done. Think of the times you rose above your average level of performance and carried out, an idea or a dream or a desire for which you had deeply longed. Hang these pictures on the walls of your mind and look at them as you travel the roadway of life." James Whistler

#1 I am happy to have my theme for 2010. as I was studying last week I came across a note with a theme idea from summer. As I read it, I realized it was what I wanted .

My 2010 theme

More, Savior, Like Thee LDS Hymn # 131

My theme is the whole song. As I first chose this theme, I felt like perhaps it was selfish to ask for so much. I want to work to build or develop the attributes the song asks for. As I prepare to study and try to live for the peace and obedience this song asks for, I wanted to start by really learning (memorizing) it. I know it, more or less. I decided this was a theme I did NOT want to memorize. Reading it often will help me re-focus and re-discover. I am posting a picture of how I have chosen to display and remind me throughout the year. (This may be a 2 year theme. I am working to more fully internalize and appreciate the Savior, His atonement and the sacrament.#2 I am So happy to have all my Christmas up!! (Back in November.) I am SO SO happy when everything is put away-neatly- in January.

#2 1/2 Thanks to selling the 50s aluminum tree and going thru all my Christmas stuff, I ended up with fewer containers. YEA! (I will go thru it all again this summer when it is not freezing in the garage.)

#3 AFB? I am feeding it, but... I think I may stop it for awhile. I am really looking forward to trying the Kneadlessly Simple bread book.

I tried a crock pot caramel rice pudding recipe. I has GREAT hopes for it. The flavour was very good. Those that were home raved about it. And it was easy. But I wanted (and have hunted for YEARS) for a rich creamy recipe. This was not it. Plus, once it was chilled it was heavy and dry. (for reference-This crock pot rice pudding called for 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, brown sugar... don't make again.)

#4 In 7th grade I was in a 9th grade accelerated English class. I have strong memories of some of the stories we studied. I remember clearly the movie, and then the story, of a civil war hanging. In the newspaper lat week that movie/story was referenced. Turns out that it was an episode of Twilight Zone, AND on youtube. I have never been to youtube by myself, but I found it. It was just as I remembered. (It is called, "Occurrence at Oak Creek Bridge" from a story written in the late 1800s by Ambrose Bierce. It is shown in 3 parts by "FatherMcKenize.)

The ease with which I found it encouraged me to BLINGO "The Monkey's Pew". (Another story we studied.) I was able to read a basic synopsis on Wikopedia. Very fun. (I did not remember the plot of that one.)

#5 I am happy we had a really fun family game night last Sunday evening. Scattigories was quite loud with everyone playing. SO FUN! I love family game nights.

#6 I had fun making a recipe with Logan this week. We used Hilary's left-over white chocolate and an opened bag of pretzels. Logan "helped" me break the pretzels and "stir". We put it on a cookie sheet to cool. Then Logan broke it into pieces. We had fun making our pretzel bark. We liked eating it, too):D (Please try to ignore the red-eyes.)

7 After a June trip to California I fell in love with Jasmine (the flowering plant). They use it as ground cover there, and while in bloom the scent is intoxicating. Doug bought me one for the yard last summer. They do not like our harsh winters, so we moved her inside. After cleaning up dirt from around her on and off for about 2 months, we caught Lightning going to the bathroom in her. UGH! So, for 2 weeks we put her in our shower at night and on the front porch during the day. Of course then we have to make sure the bathroom doors are shut. Then, duh, I got the idea of putting her in the laundry room, on the dryer. It is working great!

#8 I found out that a woman in my ward is selling her house and moving. It has become hard for her to go down to the basement for laundry. I am so happy (thankful) for our addition. I am happy it is done (except for the mouldings and casings that Mark is going (?) to put up). I am happy we were able to do it when we did. How nice it is to know we will stay here.

#9 I am so happy (thankful) for Doug. Sunday I reached into my purse to get my reading glasses out to sing the opening song. I had forgotten them at home. So, Doug quickly drove home to get them for me i was so thankful he wanted to get them for me. (OOPS! Mark Texted him to tell him they were in the bottom of my purse. Doug just smiled at me when he got back.)

#10 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TASHINA! (10 January)

My next BLOG-GIVE-AWAY is for 6 small Valentine's Day themed Penny Blossoms made by Hilary. Sign up to be a follower and you will be in the drawing the end of January. Leave a comment and tell us what yu think of them :-)

Thank-you so much, Hilary.

MY BLOG OF THE WEEK!

Thank-you, Lindsay for up dating my blog for me.
I put on the "Our Best Bites" sticker. It is "MY BLOG OF THE WEEK!" I have enjoyed their recipes. This week I made the No Knead Multi-Grain Bread. She posted it from the Kneadlessly Simple book. (Which I have on hold at the library. I want to check it out before I buy.) It worked great and was really enjoyed.
Also from this blog, Doug And really like the pumpkin milkshakes. Also, their Pumpkin Crumble Dessert is my (favourite) Pumpkin Pie Cake Crunch. mmmmm To find these recipes, just click on their sticker on the right.

It's a New Year! And 10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

27 December, 2009 - 3 January, 2010

"How could I consider taking Monday off? Monday is the diving board poised over the rest of the week. You walk out on the board, review the situation, plan your stategy, bounce a few times to get the feel of things, and then make a clean dive. Without Monday, one simply bombs into the water, belly first, and hopes for the best." Jan Karon in "At Home In Mitford" (I love this thought. I keep it up in my laundry room. Isn't this a great way to start the year?)

#1 For the past 5 years I have picked a personal "theme" for the new year. It is a l o n g process. I start thinking about it in about October, and HOPE to have picked one by January. I search talks, scriptures, songs, magazines... It is a pretty big deal to me. This year I "found" my theme by November. Then, after several conversations in which I quoted another thought, I realized at church on Sunday that I had the wrong thought for the year. I am so happy with this new theme. It goes along with the goals that I had already set. Since I have changed my theme, I need a new way to display it, so I will write about it next week. (Later in the week I will put pictures of some of my past themes.)

I love new years. I love to assess where I am and where I want to be. Most practical New Year's Resolution? REMEMBER TO TAKE MY VERY STURDY HOME DEPOT BAGS INTO EVERY STORE I GO IN TO!!!!! (They do no good in the car.)

#2 Lindsay told me a fun idea that David's parents do. For Christmas each grandchild gets to reach into a bowl/jar of change and take a whole handful. (Logan got $.30 cents:) (That is not their gift.) Anyway, fun idea. We are starting that tradition this year-but for grandkids birthdays. Layne will be first in January.

#3 I am so happy I finally got to see "The Princes and The Frog". I am such a Disney fan. Grandma and Grandpa took about 25 of us on Saturday. I really, really enjoyed it. It had good characters with good work values. It is a positive movie with a good theme. And the music made me move in my seat (and annoy Leslie). Thank-you so much, Grandpa and Grandma.

Parent comment-This movie takes place in the 20s, 30s and 40s in the south. It has black magic, tarot cards, voodoo and helpers from "the other side". There are shadows that are evil. At one point they "come" for one that now belongs to them, and the scene feels much like a similar one in "Ghost". It does feel dark at times.

#4 This is the 4th year we have measured Doug's ear at the beginning of the new year. Why? We noticed a lot of older/old men with big (sorry) ears. So, we decided we would start measuring Doug's ear every year - so Grandchildren could use it for an experiment for a science fair project. And all the documentation would be done. Weird? Maybe. But fun. We started before we had grandchildren.

#5 I am happy I got to try new recipes this week. I started with a sweet potato enchilada recipe from "STUDIO 5" tv show. I used canned sweet potatoes and rotissserie chicken, so it went reallyfast. It was good, and better the next day, but I already have several good, and different enchilada recipes. So, not worth saving.
I made several new recipes for New Year's Eve, but only the cheese bread was really a hit. (One of them should have been good, so I will try it again.") Write and let us know if you tried a new sucessful recipe this holiday season.
This week in my crock pot I made a teriyaki pork loin roast. The flavour was good, but it was dry on it's own. It had reached the correct temp. over 2 hours early. So far I have not been pleased with roasts in the crockpot.

#6 I am happy, happy happy to have church start at 11:oo, instead of 9:oo. I can sleep in, AND watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (IF I can learn how to work our new Direct TV, and IF I am up by 9:30).

#7 I HATE putting away Christmas. I am sad it is all over. (I don't think I got enough music.) hmmm. What shall I plan for now. Oh yea! The Olympics are a month away. Rings in the window. Opening Ceremony party. Themed dinners. Olympic music and movies and biographies and inspirational stories...

Followed by-Valentine's Day. Just as I was missing Christmas projects I found the idea I will do for the Cousin Valentine Exchange at Grandpa and Grandma's house. (If you want to see my (secret) idea, go here. But don't tell the cousins.)http://www.howdoesshe.com/ Now go to the Oreo Cookie Sucker tutorial on 11 December, 2009. (SHHH)

And I already have a pretty good start on next Christmas :)

#8 I am happy we had my dog, Stevie for almost 2 years. He died 6 months ago. It was bittersweet to find his fur in our Christmas tree box. We have had our stray cat, Lightning, for 2 years now. We found (caught) her on New Year's Day. She sleeps on the end of my bed.:) We love her and Hilary's Annie Cat.

#9 I am so happy that I had Doug home for 2 weeks with me. We had a fine time together. Thank-you, honey. Too bad we have to go back to work.

#10 I heard a quote that said, "A friend is someone that when you hurt, they cry." This past year has brought hard (very hard) times for some of our family members. Illness, deaths and sorrows for siblings, children and parents, as well as friends. Many times I have cried as I have looked at the picture with my limited vision. I am so thankful for family. I am thankful for the plan of salvation. I am thankful that I may cast my cares to my Heavenly Father. I am thankful for fast Sunday. How fitting that we are able to begin this new year in humility and prayer. May this year be filled with peace and reassurance as we work to learn of and please the Lord. (Clue to my theme)


And for the blog Give-Away. The winner is #3. Zion and Missy. (Don't worry. No kidults were drawn first. Although I did put their #s in ;) Let me know if you want the Ice Candle Mold or Christmas Ornament Book. The next drawing will be the first week of February. Hilary is making 2 pairs of Valentine's Day themed Penny Blossoms. (see Big Bang Theory) I will post a picture when they are made. Be sure to sign up as a follower to be entered in the give aways. Congratulations Melissa.

Olive, Onion and Cheese Bread

Just a new and successful recipe I tried for the holidays.

Olive, Onion and Cheese Bread

Mix

1/2 cup softened butter (1 cube)

1/2 cup mayonaise (I used light)

Stir in-gently

8 green onions-sliced

1 can (8 oz.) mushrooms stems and pieces-chopped finer

1 can (4 1/2 oz.) chopped olives (I used sliced)

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

(Filling can be made ahead, but bring to room temp. before using.)

Split 1 loaf of unsliced french bread length wise. Now frost the bread halves with your cheese filling.

Bake @ 375* for 15-20 mins. Or until melted and lightly browned. Cool about 5 mins. and then cut into slices.

On New Year's Eve Doug and I went to Macey's Grocery Store to pick up our

6 FOOT SANDWICH! (An annual tradition unless New Year's Eve fall on a Sunday.) Anyway, they were demoing this recipe. It was not ready to be sampled, yet, but it sounded right. So, we picked up a few things.

It was easy and good. Problems? "I want a piece with no olives." "EWW. Mushrooms?" "I don't like onions." Everyone else liked it. To make this a bit more festive for Christmas, I will add some finely chopped red peppers. Enjoy. This one gets copied into my cookbook. (More about the rest of the new ones later.)

I will do my drawing on Monday when I blog. (Each picture will be assigned a number, and one of the kidults will pick a # out of a bowl.) Good Luck, Super Followers!