10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER, HELENE :D

17 October - 24 October, 2010

"For your ship to come in, you must first build your dock."  Unknown (And I really tried.  All I found was game and boat/dock  info.)

#1  I have really enjoyed experimenting with using pured beans for oil/butter...  I made banana bread - 1/2 cup butter + 1/2 cup pured white beans.  Worked great.  And pumpkin chocolate chip cookies - 1/2 cup shortening + 1/2 cup pured white beans.  They were a bit more cakey, but for no shortening we will keep doing it.  I have found it takes a bit longer to cook my foods with beans, and they do not brown as much.

When I puree a can of beans (I have done black and white) I get 2 1/2 cups cups puree.  I use what I need and freeze the rest in silicone 1/2 containers.  When they are frozen, I peel them and put each one in it's own zip lock.  Then I put all the small bags in a large bag.  (Just like I do with my browned hamburger.)  They take about 2 hours to defrost in my bowl, and I used defrosted beans in my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  It worked great.

#2  Earlier in October Doug was working 7 days a week :(, so his boss gave him some days off :) 

I am happy Doug took Monday off.  We just stayed home.

#3  I love (LOVE) my down comforter and fleece sheets.  (Yep, it's winter-y.)  (I do not love/use them in the summer.)

#4  Are you following the daily deals, yet???  

We went to Wheeler Farm for play date using our discount coupons we bought at the end of September.  (It was $7.00  for 2 tickets to their kid activities and include a pumpkin.  For the 8 of us that went it was a SAVING of $28.00.  We paid $28.00 for all 8 of us.)  We had TONS of fun - and VERY wild children.  They were all so red from running and chasing thru the mazes.  (Even Layne took a nap during "quiet time" :)

#5  Are you following the daily deals, YET?

On Wednesday night we went to Provo for the fun Halloween Cruise on the Provo River.  Tickets are $7.00 each, with 2 and under free.  We got ours for $3.50 each about 1 month ago :-)

CLAS Ropes Course is located at 3606 W. Center Street in Provo.  Their web address is http://www.clasropes.com/ 

We really had fun.  It is very family friendly (read not scary).  Perhaps even cheesy.  But clean.  And a fun night time Halloween event.  BE AWARE THAT TRAFFIC IS HORRENDOUS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION!

(Although the Halloween cruise is almost over, they are also doing a Christmas one :)  And they have other stuff, too.)

(I had a funny conversation with one of my followers this week.  We were talking about restaurant coupons and I said I wanted to pay $10.00 for $20.00 for Famous Dave's.  They said, "Yea, right.  Who would do that?"  Do they READ my blog???  I will tell you the ones I love.  Trust me ;)

#6  SO happy BYU won.

#7  On Saturday we had our church women's group SUPER SATURDAY.  I know that the trend has been to not have craft activities.  Gotta say I love them.  I went with 2 daughters and we enjoyed our day.  (AND completed all projects.)  Many women were making hand crafted Christmas gifts.  And home/family organization helps.  It was a fun (and well planned) day.  So glad that I participated.

#8  I ate out twice this week. (O.K., Maybe not so happy.)

I ordered my first restaurant panini. (Lunch before the farm.  We used coupons.  Thank-you, Emily.)  It was dry and boring.  I am happy I can make my own.

On Saturday night I tried a new(er) hamburger place with Leslie, Hilary and Christy.  It was o.k.  TRAINING TABLE is still my favourite.

#9  I found these fun little hard boiled egg shapers.  They are from Japan and I bought them on eBay for about $13.00 for all 6 shapes.  I looked for awhile for the best deal.  If you are interested in who I used, let me know.  As always, mine can be borrowed.)  They are fun to eat, and the eggs are getting eaten.  (The picture will go in our lunch cookbook:)

To make them, you boil your eggs as usual.  As soon as they are done cooking I run warm water over the eggs as I crack/peel them. I peel them under warm water, and they are not too hot to handle.

Once they are peeled, stand it up in the case and put the lid on.  Just chill at least 1/2 hour.

I used extra large and think they are too big.  (I also thing large can be a bit too small, so I will keep egg shopping.)

#10  I finished one of my pumpkins.  It was cheaper than I thought it would be.  (I would not have spent more.)  The dot stickers were in a pack of 4 at Hobby Lobby - and I had a coupon.  They were $4.50 with tax.  The ribbon was 1/2 of at Hobby Lobby ($2.00).  The pumpkin was from last year after Halloween sale. ($2.00)  And the stand was $3.00 at the D.I.  (I will spray paint the cement part next week.)

(Because the dot patterns are each 1 sticker, I will wrap pantyhose around the pumpkin to store it.)   

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

26 September - 3 October, 2010

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to control my ship."  Louisa May Alcott

(In no particular order.)

#1  I had 3 projects for last week.  I am happy I got at least one of them done.  And I am SO happy I got this done.  It has been on my list for over 1 year. 
Step one was getting the pictures taken.  DONE!
Step two was getting them developed.  DONE!
Step three was finding the frame.  DONE:)  (The frame is from ROBERT'S CRAFTS.  It was $55.00 w/ a 40% off coupon.  It is harder to find a 7 opening frame.)

It has flaws. 
Hilary - Hilary took all the pictures except for hers (H).  Thus she is "Little Hilary" (Logan).  (We will re-order that one.)

Emily- wants to hold her "O" on the other side.

Charles and Elana-(N)  We need to re-do it with Layne.  He was at his dad's.

Leslie- "Can I get mine re-done with my hair cut?"  (S)

Lindsay and David and Logan- (O) Will need to add Baby Sister in Jan.
"We will."  "O.K." "Sure" "Yep"
(Other than Layne) I HAVE WHAT I WANT!  The beauty of this (other than my great picture of our family name) is that we can replace/redo/whatever any picture.  (Also, I am aware that my photos are not great.  And the matte is black.)  Still happy :)

(This idea is from from Shauna at http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/  You can see how she did it on her 5 Jan., 2010 post.  That is why I put her blog on my blog.  She shares.  And is happy.  THANK-YOU MY MIX OF SIX!

#2  October General Conference Week-end is one of my favourite week-ends.  (The other one is April General Conference week-end :)  (Twice a year our church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) leaders speak to us at a world wide conference.  We are able to watch the conference sessions on cable /local television.)  I feel re-inspired and motivated after hearing the counsel given.  I see and feel places that I can do and be better.  It is a week-end that brings our family together.

On Saturday night we have pizza (Thank-you for getting the pizzas, Emily.), and sundaes.  (I tried a new recipe for "MAGIC SHELL" from http://www.instuctables.com/   .It worked great, BUT was not any cheaper.  The recipe is one cup coconut oil + 1-2 cups chocolate chips (I used GIRADELLI).  We all know how high the cost of chocolate chips are now.  Does anyone have any recipes that use coconut oil? 

Everyone comes over for omelets after the Sunday morning meeting.  (I made a new cinnamon roll recipe that was just o.k.)  I made a really good new APPLE DUMPLINGS recipe from Ree at http://thepioneerwoman.com/ .  (see 28 February, 2008)   IT WAS SO GOOD!  And very easy, too.  I wish I could I had a picture to post, but things were moving very fast as I cooked omelets.  This is the first recipe of hers that I have made, and I will make more.

#3  I stayed home all day on Monday.  All by myself. :)  (I cleaned.)

#4  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINCOLN!  He turned 9 on Saturday, and spent the day with us.  We love you, Lincoln.

#5  Emily buys our laundry soap for us.  (I don't know why?  She brought home some laundry soap about 1 1/2 years ago, that was on sale.  And just kept getting it.)  She brought home 3 bottles this week.  THANK-YOU, EMILY :)

#6  An older neighbor invited me over to pick grapes and apples from her yard.  Some of my book club friends can wonderful grape juice, so I was excited to try making it.  When we got to her house, there were many, many squashed apples on the ground.  We took our plastic bags and started picking ALL of them up.  It was so fun to watch and work with my sweet grandsons.  They were great workers.  They picked up rotten apples for about 1 hour.  Layne thought it was a play date ;)

October is apple month.

#7  Which brings me to the grape juice.  WHY???  It took 1 hour to pick the grapes.  It took over 7 hours to make 6 qt. bottles of juice,  (The jars were $8.00) and 1/2 of them are Lindsay's.  I stained several dishcloths, 1 towel and a shirt.  (Can I count dying from the heat in the kitchen?)  It was so hot that my burners melted.  NOW I REMEMBER WHY I QUIT CANNING!
I was telling a visiting nephew about this and he asked if it was worth it because of the quality.  Nope!
Happy that I remember why I do not can.

#8  I am happy we watch "AMAZING RACE" together.  While I do think Team Glee boys are nice, everyone voted yes that I could change to the Father/Son team.  (Yea, I know it looks like they won't last, but I like them.)

#9  I love spring and summer foods.  Fruit and garden produce.  Salads galore.  I welcome spring and summer...  But I love fall and winter cooking.  Soups and crock pots.  For dinner on Friday I did a roast in one crock pot and baked potatoes in another. 

 I LOVE MAKING BAKED POTATOES IN A CROCK POT.  (Pick about 10 potatoes about the same size.  Wash and wrap in foil.  (You do not need to oil them because they do not get crisp in the crock pot.)  Put the potatoes in the crock pot.  Pour 3/4 -1 cup water into the bottom of the crock pot.  Cook on high for 4 hours for larger potatoes, or 3 hours for small.  I mix sweet potatoes, Yukon's and russet.  Squish with a pot holder to check for doneness.  Do not over cook.)

#10  Are you working collecting 30 meals that you can (easily) eat once a month?  I am trying.  I may be too picky.  Maybe I hate to commit.  I have about 7.  Until this week. 

For the week-end we were going to be gone, the kidults planned chili dogs for Sunday dinner.  We ended up with lots of extra hot dog buns that I was determined to finish.

Day 1- chili dogs

Day 2- french dip

Day 3- sloppy joes

Day 4- grilled cheese sandwiches for the boy's lunch

Result- Doug said to please add sloppy joes to my 30 Day Plan.  YEA!  I love it when Doug tells me what he wants for dinner. 

The kids LOVED grilled cheese sandwiches on the hot dog buns (turned inside out).  A new picture for our lunch cookbook. :) 

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK!

6 June - 13 June, 2010

"Thank God for the joys of family life.  I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home.  The sweetest influences and associations of life are there."    President Ezra Taft Benson

#1  Having said that ;), Doug and I were home practically alone for the week-end.  Hilary, Leslie and Christy went to Disneyland.  Emily was here, but she lives downstairs.  Happy, fun week-end.

#2  A neighbor gave me a wonderful antique rocking chair.  I wish I could say that I re-did it, but all that it needed was a mini make over.  It was a bright spring green.  I rubbed it with stain, wiped it off and sealed it.  I recovered the "box spring" with some fabric I bought at the estate sale.  I liked the fabric on the cushion, so I just unpicked it, washed and fluff dried it and sewed it back on.  I really like it.  A lot. (Can you see the cool carved wood and wicker?  The pillows were just some I had.) Thank-you, Elaine. 

#3  On Friday and Saturday I helped a friend do an Estate Sale.  (It was not a cheap project.)  I ended up buying new chairs for our living room.  (Odd word since we "live" in our family room, and "walk" thru the living room.)  I have not liked the living chairs for several years.  The new ones, while not just what I want (not sure what I want), are much better :0)  And I enjoyed the estate sale project.

#4  YEA!  I got my Blog packages mailed.  I am so happy that I got that done. (No points for me.  They should have been mailed several weeks ago.)

#5  I am happy we got a new stove.  (Not happy that I needed to get one.)

#6  I want to pay for the California/beach house trip.  (Gas, Disneyland, food, other stuff.)  I am happy I got a part-time babysitting job.  A three year old girl and 3 month old girl.  I work every day from 6:45-12:oo.  And 6 hours on Saturday. 

And I (finally) picked the yard sale date.  July 9-10 from 8:oo a.m. - 2:oo.

#7  Lightning makes me happy.  She is such a funny cat.  She sleeps on the end of my side of the bed.  (If she is not there when I go to bed, I go find her.)  She loves it when I crumple paper into balls, and throw them for her to chase.  I tossed her one the other day and it went under the t.v. table.  I pulled out 10 newspaper balls.  (I dust under there about once a month.)  Silly cat

#8  I am happy that I know Doug loves me and that he knows I love him.  It's the little things.  And the bigger things.

#9  On Saturday I enjoyed a Johnson family bridal shower in Grantsville.  I went with my mother in law and sister in law.  It makes me happy to be part of the extended family.  I am happy to be a Johnson.

#10  I am happy that I found 2 new keeper recipes this week.  (Also 3 throw away recipes:(  The Parmesan dressing was so bad it never made it to the table.)

The first recipe is an easy and fast chicken.  The second one is a side dish using orzo.

SIMPLY GREAT CHICKEN

from http://foodforahungrysoul.blogspot.com/

4 defrosted  boneless skinless chicken breasts - rinsed and dry

1 package DRY Italian dressing

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

THAT IS IT!

Spray your cooking pan.  (Can line with foil and spray.)

Mix the dressing and brown sugar.  Dip the chicken in, coating both sides.  Sprinkle extra sugar mix over the chicken.

Bake at 350* for 30 mins. to 1 hour (Depending on thickness of chicken.), turning over to coat chicken, occasionally.

This was supposed to end up a thick, sticky glaze.  Mine did not, so I broiled the chicken about 3 mins.  It really  good.  And simple.

PARMESAEN AND BASIL ORZO

from allrecipes (slightly adapted)

2 table. butter

1 cup orzo

2 cups water

2 heaping teaspoons chicken base

1/2 cup grated Parmesean cheese

1/8 - 1/4 cup chopped frsh basil OR about 2 table. dry basil

Melt butter in shillet and add orzo.  Stir until lightly browned.  Stir in water and chicken base.  Bring to a boil and cover.  Simmer about 20 mins. 

Stir in Parmesean cheese and basil.

I like orzo, and this was a new side dish.  I will try it in my rice cooker.

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

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.

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

18 April - 25 April, 2010

"The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour." unknown

Welcome new follower...AMY. (She is from Frosted Bake Shop:)

#1 A friend gave us a very large, boneless and cooked, very good ham. It was so good for Sunday dinner. I made "funeral potatoes" (what do people in other places call them? Frozen hash browns, cream of ____ soup, sour cream and grated cheese. More about the potatoes later this week.), too.

#2 Doug took Friday and Monday off. I love our quiet(er) times together. Our favourite dates are when we are home. Alone. I like that he will watch "Bones" with me. (It's the humour, not the cases.) This is the only one of MY shows he will watch with me. I could do without "Office, Community, 30 Rock", but they make me happy because he will rub my back while "we" watch them;) I would actually watch any shows with him for a back rub.

We also enjoy playing Mancala together. It relaxes me. No thinking involved. (Doug does think. Then he wins. I have more fun.)

#3 Someone left a comment about about SCRABBLE tiles. In their home they use "Remember who you are". My mom and (somewhat less often) my dad ALWAYS said that. I had/have something that I tell my family. It made me happy to remember my mom reminding me, and that my kids knew what I say. "BE SMART"

(Journal Entry-skip if you want to) One August we were having a family home evening about going back to school. We talked about choosing good friends and being a good friend. We talked about safety and being in good places. You know. Standard stuff. We also used a Reader's Digest article to talk about auto safety. Everything was reviewed. (On Monday.) On Friday there was a back to school stomp. Our newest (about to be) high school student was late home. (Our rule was "Be home or check in by about 12:oo.) It was only 12:15, but the (unidentified) child came in prepared. "I'm sorry I am late. We got pulled over by a policeman near the train tracks. (Me: WWHAT! WHY?) "We had too many people in the car. (11 in a 5 passenger.) But don't worry, mom. I remembered our family home evening lesson. I was on the bottom with a seat belt on". HUH?

#4 I enjoy Bees baseball games. Doug watches the game, and I read :) Baseball games relax me.

#5 Leslie's stake relief Society (woman's church group) is doing an activity that makes me happy. They are doing an activity based on a book from my childhood, "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes. They are collecting dresses that will be donated to women's charities to help women entering the work place. I love this service idea. And the book. (I still have my childhood Scholastic edition.)

#6 I found a recipe on Recipezaar that made me happy. #1-when I found it #2- when I showed it to Lindsay #3-when I showed it to Hilary... If you are looking for a family recipe, go to http://www.recipezaar.com/ and make recipe #420398.

#7 We had Stake Conference this week-end. The Saturday night meeting is usually (in my opinion) a better meeting than the Sunday one. Although both were good, I did learn more from the Saturday night one.

#8 Cupcakes make me happy. I love... reading the recipes. I love looking at the pictures. I enjoy getting the cookbooks. Turns out I am just not that into making cupcakes. After all the hunting for a recipe, making the cupcakes, cleaning up the stuff, waiting for them to cool...I still have to make the frosting. Doug thinks I would like a 101 MUFFIN cookbook. Good idea, dear. But I still bought a couple more cupcake idea books. (Doug was with me ;)

#9 I tried 4 new recipes last week. I am at the stage where that makes me happy. One recipe I tried was from a neighbor. She took this soup to the Potluck Soup Social.

Greek Lemon Soup (not sure what makes it Greek)

from Joyce Shell (I adapted it a tiny bit. I will tell you how.)

olive oil

1/2 onion-chopped (This time I used 2 leeks-white and light green part-thinly sliced. I used the leeks because I had them.)

1 cup coarsely grated carrots (Bought that way:)

1 clove minced/chopped garlic

1 1/2 cup cooked chopped chicken (can use canned)

5 cups water

2 heaping teas. chicken base (she used 3 cans chicken broth)

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)

zest of 2 lemons-grated

2/3 cup orzo (She used rice)

1/4 teas. pepper

Saute' onion (or leeks) and carrots in oil. Then add garlic for about 1 min. Add chicken, water, chicken base, Cream of Chicken soup, lemon juice and zest. Bring to a boil, then add orzo and pepper. Turn down heat and simmer about 20-30 mins. until pasta (or rice) is cooked.

This soup had a fresh lemon flavour that feels springy. (If you are unsure, just cut the recipe in 1/2.)

#10 I found a new (king size) Matelasse' coverlet and dust ruffle for our bed (made in Portugal). I love linens. (Bedding, tablecloths. towels...darn.) (They were from the thrift store and were $8.oo and $4.oo respectively :^)

Tuesday or Wednesday I will post a SCRABBLE tile project that I just finished, and something new for the basket.

My 10 Things 14 March - 21 March, 2010

14 March - 21 March, 2010

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven".

by either George Bernard Shaw or Robert Browning or John Bowring

Weird, I know. I love quotes and have collected them forever. I thought George Bernard Shaw said it. But, before I put a quote from my book on my blog, I usually check it. This one is quoted all over the Internet by 1 of the 3 men.

#1 Less than 1 week until Mark and Ashley will be married. I am so happy and excited for them. I love Ashley and know they will be happy.

#2 Since Mark is sort of moving into the apartment until the wedding, he took the couch out of the garage. Sadly, a car will not fit in the garage, yet.

#3 Doug is taking 2 DAYS off next week. YEA!

#4 On Thursday Doug and I (and Lindsay and David and Lisa and Nelson) went to "Celebrate the Arts", a fundraising event for the Symphony, Opera and Ballet West. Mom was in charge and she did a really nice job. Thank-you for the tickets, Mom and Dad. I enjoyed the evening. My favourite part was seeing Jamie Wyeth's "Seven Deadly Sins" exhibit. He portrays the sins with seagulls. It was on my list to see after reading about it several months ago. I was not disappointed. I am so glad I went. I am going to see the exhibit again.

#5 Leslie gave me a Cadbury egg on Monday and I still have it :^) uneaten.

#6 I am happy that I got an apron this week. Not THE apron, but an apron. Cute for a $10.oo apron (Target Easter area).

I did not try many new things this week. (Busy week.) But both the recipes I tried for Sunday dinner were great. I loved the corned beef I made in the crock pot. It was my first time ever making this. I adapted the recipe from several sources, and learned some stuff.

First I sprayed my large oval crock pot. I started my crock pot on high and filled the bottom with 3 large potatoes cut into medium cubes, unpeeled. I poured about 1 1/2 cups of sliced carrots over the potatoes. I looked for a piece of corned beef with as little visible fat as possible. When I opened the package there was a thick layer of fat on the bottom that I sawed off. II cut out the streak of fat that ran thru the centre, and cut off all fat that I saw. Then I just set the meat on top of the veggies. I sprinkled the seasoning package on top of the meat and rubbed it in with the back of a spoon, and poured 1/2 cup of water around the edges. I would not use frozen meat.

I cooked on high for almost 2 hours. Then I cooked on low for about 4 hours, and finished on high for 2 hours.

Recap-2 hours high, 4 hours low, 2 hours high = about 8 hours

To serve we put the potatoes and carrots in a glass (about 7x11 size) dish or platter. David cut the meat for me with the grain, on the diagonal. We just set that by the veggies, in the same dish.

Emily bought the corned beef and I am so happy she did. It was so tender and amazingly good. The vegetables, too.

Those that do not like corned beef, did not try it. Those that like corned beef, really enjoyed this. I would remember to make this again next March, but we will want it before then, so I am writing this idea down. (Sorry, no picture. People were ready to eat.)

notes-After cooking the meat will still be almost as red as when you started. Don't worry. This was so tender, we could tell it was cooked.

Also, I put cabbage chunks on top while it cooked. We did not like the flavour. I won't put it in again.

As I was online looking for corned beef recipes, I also read about Reuben sandwiches. Kind of funny because we talked about Reuben in Sunday School today. (I had pastrami to go with the corned beef.) I learned a Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef. If you make it with pastrami it is a Rachel sandwich. I found a recipe for Reuben (Rachel) Turnovers. We liked these, too.

Rachel Turnovers makes up to 8

recipe adapted from a Pillsbury recipe

1 tube large refrigerator biscuits (like "Grands") I used a store brand

sliced pastrami (I used turkey pastrami)

grated Swiss cheese

well drained sour kraut (Don't panic. You can leave this out.)

1 lightly beaten egg

sesame seeds for garnish

Use your hands to flatten the biscuits to about a 5 inch circle. Let each one rest as you make the rest, then go back and finish forming. Top each round with about 1 piece of pastrami, 1-2 table. grated Swiss cheese and sour kraut (or not). Fold in 1/2 and pinch to seal the edges. I put mine on parchment paper on my cookie sheet. Use a basting brush to brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake 25-30 mins. at 350* We dipped them in a spicy mustard/mayo mix. These were good.

I served the 2 meats (and veggies) with rolls, rye bread, Swiss cheese slices, sour kraut, mustards and 1ooo Island dressing, plus a salad bar. (I also made a pan of funeral potatoes for those that would not eat the potatoes by the corned beef.) Good Sunday dinner.

#7 Nelson made me happy. (Thank-you very much, Nelson.) When I have a lot to do and/or am stressed, I obsess. I needed a ,map for a project I am working on. Nelson works downtown for the Division of State History. I "needed " a map and thought maybe he knew where to get one. I left a message on the house phone. BY THAT NIGHT I HAD EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED, AND MORE. In my hands. Way to lower my stress level, Nelson. Thank-you.

#8 I finished making my magnet birthday board. I love it in my laundry room.

#9 I am happy that Elana and Lindsay both have working washing machines. (Neither had dryer problems.)

#10 Music makes me happy. Today at church we sang "The Day Dawn is Breaking" and "How firm a Foundation". I don't sing well, but I do sing out. I love to sing. I will very much miss singing by Mark at church, and the impromptu singing that happens around our home. He sings parts and rounds with me. I am sure he will sing in his new home.

Welcome new follower, Kayleen.

Two more followers and I will get a winner from random.org. for my give away basket. I have enjoyed finding my favourite things to put in the basket.

Today I am putting in the supplies for a fun project that I found several months ago, while blog visiting. I saw the idea over at http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/ . The idea is @ 21 December, 2009, and is a tiny photo album. These are made with miniature page protectors and scrapbook supplies. I'm kidding. They are name tag holders, and very cute. I made mine with a love theme. I made a kit for the blog follower give away basket that has 6 tiny page protectors, 1 book ring, 10 pre-cut papers (some are double-sided), a flower, a button (I put mine on the flower), brads, ribbon and a few other embellishments. (I love my mini scrapbook, but what should I put in it?)

My mom is coming next week for Mark's wedding, so I will be trying and hopefully posting new crock pot recipes (I have 4 that I am making-2 are new ones) and another breakfast cake. Rachel will guest blog her waffle recipe the next week. We really liked it. Does anyone else want to guest post a recipe between 28 March and 2 April?