Okay - confession...I'm really only 35!

It was so funny - today Kami Millward (Osterhout) called me and reminded me that I am only 35 not 36! Oh boy, I thought I was getting so much wiser...oops! I actually do know how old I am...just made a typo. Paul is 36, not me! I just think I'm losing my head - I'm telling you that parenting does this to me. I hope you all had a good laugh at my expense!

Yummy Enchilada Soup

Mom shared this yummy recipe and I gave it a try. So far I have made it two times. It was a hit at our gingerbread decorating party. It is super easy and delicious. Here is the recipe as it was given to me. Read my tips below on how I simplified it.

CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

½ C Oil (could use ½ as much)
4 Chicken Breasts
3/4 C Diced Onion
1 Clove Garlic
1 Large Can Chicken Broth 49 ½ ounces
1 C Masa Harina
3 C Water
1 Small Can Enchilada Sauce
16 Oz. Cheddar Cheese
½ t Salt
1 t Chili Powder
½ t Savor Salt
½ t Cumin
½ t Cayenne Pepper
½ C Sour Cream
1 Small Can Diced Green Chilies
1 T Worcestershire Sauce
1 small Can Cream of Chicken Soup

Cook chicken breasts, dice and place in large pan with oil and brown. Set aside chicken and place in the large pan the onions and garlic and saute for 2 - 4 minutes. Add chicken broth, 1 cup water, enchilada sauce, salt, chili powder, savor salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, chilies, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Cook on low heat until light boil. Thoroughly mix masa harina with 2 cups water and add to broth while stirring. Add cheese and stir until mixed. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes on low heat and serve broken chips and grated cheese.


Okay - first of all I use just a couple Tablespoons of olive oil that I use to to saute the garlic (I crush mine). I cook this for a few minutes with the chicken...I use the canned chicken from Costco. When I double the batch I add 3 cans of chicken (they look like enlarged tuna fish cans). Okay - that just takes out the mess of working with raw chicken! As for the onion - I just use dehydrated onions. I just sprinkle them in the with the meat/oil/garlic. After they smell yummy and have cooked for a couple minutes...I take this out of the pot and then continue on with the recipe. As for the cream of chicken soup....yesterday I had one cream of chicken and one cream of mushroom...so I used that and it tasted great! It tastes good both ways. The masa harina that I bought was instant...so I didn't need it to cook for so long after mixing it in. I used green chili enchilada sauce and fat free sour cream. Okay- that's it! Enjoy. I doubled the recipe for company and had a lot left over...but it's so good the next day, too! (p.s. I didn't use cayenne pepper and only half of the chili powder...also I don't know what savor salt is - so I used regular table salt).

Who is reading this?

I am curious who reads our family blog...I know my sisters and sisters-in-law read this....but who else? I would love to know who you are. Please leave me a comment. If you don't have a blog account - just check the anonymous button and leave your name with the note! Does Paul's family read this? Are there others? I would REALLY love to know who you are! Thanks, Tiffani

I'm making Gingerbread Houses

Today I spent the afternoon baking gingerbread houses for Family Home Evening tomorrow night. We are having two other families join us...each person gets to make their own house. Here is the recipe - if you want to make your own. There are two pieces- an isosceles triangle and a rectangle (cut 2 of each shape for one house). The triangle measures 5 1/4" on the two long sides and 4" on the short side, the rectangle measures 5 1/4" x 3 1/2. I cut out a little door on one triangle per house...then I glue it so it is half way open and attached to the house. You can also glue the bottom of the house to a square of foiled covered cardboard - so it doesn't move when you decorate it.

I will post pictures of the finished houses.

Gingerbread House Recipe

2/3 c. molasses
1 egg
1/3 c. brown sugar
½ c. oil
3 c. white flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Mix together all ingredients. Roll out onto sprayed upside down cookie sheet and then cut out pieces using a pizza cutter and template (give a little space between each piece because they do expand a bit in the oven)... this way you don’t have to move the pieces – just remove the extra dough around the pieces. I use a template traced onto cardstock as I cut out the pieces. Bake at 300 for 15-20 minutes.

Glue houses together with caramelized white sugar. Just put a couple cups of white sugar in sauce pan on the stove and slowly heat it until it melts. It gets really hot...be careful this can seriously burn you. Carefully dip piece by piece as you glue it together...it glues nice and hard like a glue gun. Make sure you do this with no children around....it is dangerous and needs your complete attention.

Makes 3 houses.

My Birthday Outing

One my birthday we went out for lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory (yes, we finally have one in Boise!). Of course, Vivian likes to make funny faces in the photo....she is always crazy when the camera comes out! I enjoyed my favorite pasta dish: 1/2 with mizithra cheese, and 1/2 with clam sauce (if you haven't had it....you need to try it!) Thanks everyone for making my day special. I am now 36 years old...much wiser! I am feeling a little older in my knees...I sometimes have a hard time standing up, especially if I have been sitting in an uncomfortable position. It is the weirdest thing...other than that I am doing great!

Sneak Peek at Tisha!

I'm giving you a sneak peak at Tisha's beautiful wedding gown. I was able to attend her bridal photo session on the morning of my birthday! Jennifer Ashby, one of my friends, is the photographer...she does excellent work. Check out her website at http://www.jenniferashbyphotography.com/ . It was a freezing cold morning...I don't know how Tisha was able to smile - we were out side for almost two hours! This photograph (that I took) was near the end of her session...and I was glad because my hands were frozen. I can't wait to see her photos - I know they will be fabulous!

Going in for a Kiss

Vivian loves Belle. Here she has her eyes closed as she leans in for a kiss. Belle gets fed up with Vivian's constant teasing - so she just gives her a little nip. Oh, it is so fun to watch the kids love her up. They play with her outside, watch her through the window as she plays alone with the bushes and dried flowers, and hold her. She definitely gets enough love from all of us. Olivia just gave her a middle name...can you guess? It is Lynn. Of course she chose that because that is the middle name for me, Olivia and Vivian!

Unusual Thanksgiving Feast

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving - just with our little family. We had great plans on going to Golden Corral for a Thanksgiving buffet! (We sort of had our own informal Thanksgiving dinner at home on Monday night). Paul was really excited for all the yummy food, chocolate milk, no cooking and no cleanup! The kids were just as thrilled with this new idea. However, we drove to Golden Corral to find a VERY long line out the door! We would probably barely get in the door by the time they closed - let alone enjoy the feast with hundreds of others. So we drove around town to find some other choices. We decided to stop at the Grand Chinese Buffet! I think we were all too hungry to make a good judgement- looking back we all regret the decision. The boys all tried eating a baby octopus! YUCK! Above is a picture of Porter trying to chew it up - with one leg hanging out of his mouth. Paul said the next time he asks to go to a Chinese buffet he owes me $50! That was our last time at a Chinese buffet. It makes for a Thanksgiving dinner that we will never forget. I missed having pecan pie- my favorite pie (from Costco). We topped the night off with a little pumpkin pie at home.

After going to Costco the day after Thanksgiving, we decided next years Thanksgiving dinner will come from Costco...a yummy ham, appetizers, delicious pie, the works! Costco is a family favorite!

Two more walls done!

I hired someone to paint the family room wall - smart move! The living room wall I textured, glazed with two colors, and topped it off with a clear protective paint. This wall was a lot of work....it took me many hours. I am happy with the results. I think that I need a break from painting....more to come after the holidays!

One More Completed Project

This projected I completed about two weeks ago- I thought I would show you the before and after shots. I bought the piano on craigslist for $200(yes, the piano was green when I bought it) then spent an additional $35 on paint and primer, $70 (to have it transported) and $235 to have it tuned, pitch raised and some repair work done. So now I have a piano for $450.00 - it looks much better. However, it is an older piano...it is okay for now but my ears would prefer a newer one. Of course, I have my eye on a Yamaha piano - but the darn Yahama salesman drew my attention to a beautiful black baby grand! I'm not ready to fork over the money!!! This piano works for Corbin - he is taking lessons against his will. (The reason I had to buy a piano recently is that I had Tisha's piano for the past 7 years and she was able to take it back).

P.S. The picture of the framed temple is a print that I think would look great above the piano - it measures 42 x 24"! I have a picture of it pinned above the piano to remind Paul that it would make a great bday gift for me!

One More Wall plus Hood

Okay - painting is getting me excited! This morning I woke up at 5:00 am to get started on another wall! There wasn't much wall to paint- due to the cupboards and tile backsplash so it went pretty quick. Also take a look at my finished hood! I am in love right now. Paul is wondering what is going on...why the sudden ambition. I told him I think I'm just avoiding other things that need my attention like bills, the laundry room (with 6+ loads of clean laundry waiting for me to fold), etc.

I have one wall done!

Today was crazy busy - but I managed to complete one wall. It seemed to take a while to get the two coats of paint on because of all the taping and trimwork! I am pleased with the results. Paul was also pleased ...for all of you wondering. I am using that same color on tall living room wall (by fireplace) and then on my back kitchen wall above the cabinets. Take a look at this wall. Check out their website http://www.kellymoore.com/site/ColorCenter and search "saltillo"--this picture doesn't do it justice (no it's not pink). Okay so now I can work on window coverings....any suggestions with what type of window treatment would look fabulous?

I'm Painting!

I am just so excited to paint! Paul said that I couldn't paint any walls until I finished the hood above the stove. So yesterday I got that done and I love it. I had been stalling (now about for one year) because I had the idea in my mind but didn't know what products to use. Well after buying $20 worth of products - I found something in my craft closet (a gel stain) that worked perfectly over the top of the burnished venetian plaster. It looks so good (to me!) that I might use that same technique on the main wall in my small living room (the front room to the right of entry way).

Okay - so today at 8:30 am I ran to the paint store. I had to hurry because I had kids coming at 9:00am (babysitting) and Porter doesn't leave until 8:30 am - that just tells you HOW excited I am. I called the store ahead so they could mix up the color - I don't like to wait around! They had it ready for me. I have some of the color on the wall (to test)...I liked it so much that I am doing an accent wall with the same color in the dining area (the wall with the two windows and slider door). Paul will sure be surprised because I didn't even tell him my plans!

I will post pics soon - after I have more of it done! Right now it's taped, etc. Thanks Tonya for your suggestions. The color I chose is by Kelly Moore called "Saltillo" #212. It's kind of hard to explain - kind of a rusty brown color.

Things to do - need your suggestions!

I would like to paint the small bathroom downstairs - any suggestions of color? It is a clean slate. I wouldn't mind going darker in there or something unusual/unique.

I would also like to pain an accent wall in living room and family room.

I need to finish the hood above our cooktop- it's halfway done.

I am thinking about painting Olivia's room a nice pink (not bright) - one wall behind her bed or all four walls?

I would like to get Christmas tree up - it's really big (12 ft.) - so it takes me a day to decorate it with a huge ladder.

I want to start Christmas shopping. The girls are easy because their toys are fun. Any ideas for the boys? I would prefer things that they can do - useful items - we already have enough knick knacks.

Christmas cards need to be created soon! Yikes! I am determined to stamp them again - just need to get a family photo.

I need to go shopping for some warmer clothes - any suggestions. My hardest problem is my long arms and legs. Does anyone want to go shopping for me?

Olivia turns 6!

Olivia had a great birthday! Thank you everyone for the cards, gifts, and phone calls. She really liked all the money she found in the cards - it's always a hit. Even Braden wroter her a sweet letter and taped four quarters to it - she treasures it! It seems like her Birthday ended up taking the whole week. We had a fun birthday dinner at "The Flying Pie" (our favorite pizza parlor - http://www.flyingpie.com/ ). Then she a friend over Wed. all day! Then Thursday she opened presents in the morning - had another bday dinner! The Chad and the boys came over for cake and icecream - then we watched Ratatouille (spelled right?)and Boondocks was the final fun!

Boondocks

Friday afternoon we went to Boondocks for a little fun. Porter drove his little car on the slick track with one other racer. It is a lot of fun to watch him because he loves racing! Paul, Corbin, Olivia, and I took a drive on the fast track. This was Corbin's second time of driving on this track - he has finally reached the height requirement (that is with his tallest shoes and hair spiked up)! We had a great time racing each other around - I have to say that everyone was a great racer! Then we played a few arcade games to top off the fun - and of course, dinner at Wendy's (but I had their healthy chili and baked potato-just in case you are wondering!)

Kids and Grandma Clark

Today after Stake Conference - Luanne came over and visited with us (since she was in town for Tisha's bridal shower). The kids really enjoyed time with her - she spent individual time with each child. I had fun watching her and Corbin play a piano duet. I video taped a couple little songs - if I get really smart I will put them on here. I forgot to take a still shot of them - but I did catch a photo of all of them. I printed off a copy for her to take home to Dad. The don't get to see the Clark Grandparents very often - so this was a sweet treat.

Meet Regenauld

Some of you know the story of Reggie - others may not. It all started last year around Dec. 12th when I had just finished up with a huge RS event (a Christmas progressive Dinner). The next day I was driving when the van just completely died. It had signs of problems, but I never thought that it would be something that couldn't be fixed. Anyway, we found out that it would cost more to fix the van than it was worth. Gosh it was very untimely with only Christmas just a couple weeks away. I didn't have a car to do anything while Paul was a work! I wasn't ready to buy another vehicle- I just think they are too expensive. Anyway, after looking for a couple weeks we finally found a van that would be perfect for our family. We finally bought it on Dec. 31. I have never been more grateful for a car than I was that day! It was a dream come true - plus a headache that I could put behind me now. So I drove my newer-to-me van home, while Paul was to follow behind in his car (black Honda). However, during all this car shopping he had become interested in a Mini Cooper. I didn't realize that he was REALLY SERIOUS until later that same night when he traded in his car and came home with it! So the story is that we each got our Minis that night - me with a Mini van and him with a Mini Cooper! The car has been named Regenauld or "Reggie" for short. The kids love to go for rides in it - they call it Dad's race car!

Happy Halloween

I know it's a few days past Halloween - but I still wanted to post some photos of the kids in their costumes. We celebrated by going to a ward trunk-or-treat (they also served chili) and then we did a little more trick or treating in our neighborhood. Paul doesn't like walking around in the cold- so he went home to stay with Belle. He also surprised us with hot chocolate and hot soup by candlelight when we got home after our fun. I have to tell you that this year for goodies we gave away granola bars, and crackers and cheese Handi-Snacks. Today one mother at church said that the crackers were the first thing her son ate out of his bag of goodies. However, one little girl was a little angry that it wasn't candy!

Paul turns 36!

Saturday was Paul's 36th birthday! I keep asking him if he feels any wiser. The answer is still "no". We had a great day of celebrating. The kids took him out for breakfast, then we went out for a steak lunch (boy were we dragging after that - it reminded me of Thanksgiving Day). Much later we enjoyed a yummy dinner of tamales while watching "Transformers" (it wasn't my favorite movie - Paul and the kids picked it out). Then we topped it off with cheesecake. Wow - it sounds like all we did was EAT! It was a fun family day.

Of course, now Olivia is thinking about her birthday on Nov. 8th. She know that after Dad's birthday comes hers!

Belle is 7 weeks old today!

Having a new puppy brings all sorts of excitement and work to our family. After about a week of this, I wondered "what did we get ourselves into"? She definitely has changed our schedule. I can't leave home for more than a couple hours at a time because she needs to go "potty". Sometimes going potty can be difficult- she doesn't like the on-coming winter weather. It's a little chilly. Just imagine what it would feel like outside with your bare little buns - yikes! The good thing is that she is really cute and that the kids adore her.

Belle loves to chew on Paul's nice dress shoes! Vivian adores Belle - but sometimes Belle's bites don't feel so good! Belle loves to play with the small pumpkin - she carries it, rolls it around, and chews on the stem.

Hello from Paul

hello. work, work, work. a little frisbee golf now and then. now that I am a nursing father, I have more sympathy (and nearly empathy) for the nursing mothers. I get up with Belle twice each night. we are on a schedule for 11:30 p.m., 2:30 a.m., and then 5:00 a.m.. sleepy days. i suppose we will keep her.

to anyone who reads this, I love you all. all one of you named Tiffani. Keep in touch.

Paul

Baby News - It's a ...!

Oh, I hope you were all on the edge of your seats awaiting the news! We decided to add one more member to our family. Paul and I have talked about this off and on for a few months. When we broke the news to the kids, they were shocked! Corbin said we didn't need any more people in our family - he was a little upset. (Later he told me he didn't want another baby because he/she might be as much work as Vivian - poor little Vivs). But to their great surprise, the baby was a 5 week old Boston Terrier. She is adorable and so small. We named her Belle Winward! She is enjoying our family and the kids love her to pieces. Paul and I are now going without some sleep - she needs to go potty several times a night! We are adjusting our schedules to her - she is a lot of work! Whew...just when we thought things were getting easier! We hope you enjoy the news - Belle would like to meet any of you!

Here it Is!

Okay, I have finally jumped into this whole blog thing. I don't know any of the fancy functions yet - give me time (April, Marne, and Tami - please give me pointers!). But I thought it would be great to keep you updated on our little family. We would love to hear from any of you - I do check comments if you would like to leave us a note. I am going to open this up to all our family members - so stay tuned!