Monday - left overs (I made Tami's Italian chicken yesterday - very good!)
Tuesday - soup and grilled sandwiches
Wednesday- chicken pillows (I made extra last time - so I just need to pull them out of the freezer and warm them in oven) with gravy, veggies, salad
Thursday- something with pasta, garlic bread, ?
Friday- pizza, veggie tray
Monday, March 31, 2008
Belle's Manicure
Belle finally got her finger and toenails trimmed. I've wanted to take her in to get them done, but it's one of the lowest things on my priority list. So finally I just tackled the job myself. I clipped and filed her nails, gave her a bath, and then I painted her nails hot pink! Oh, the girls thought it was so cute - but the boys just rolled their eyes!
Spring Break in Boise
For spring break we stayed in town and made time for family fun. One night we went to Cafe Ole for dinner - one of the kids favorites. They all love the chips and salsa...Vivian loves the bean dip. We always need refills on the beans or else Vivian tries to lick the bowl clean. Tuesday we crammed in a lot of fun. We went to the Discovery Center, fed the ducks/geese, took pizza to the park, visited some old neighbors and new baby, shopped at Powell's Sweet Shoppe, and then surprised them by pulling up to a hotel to stay the night. They were so excited! They love hotels! They wanted to stay there the rest of the week. We had a nice big family suite room- 1 king, 2 queens, and sofa bed. We had fun swimming a couple times - it's just good to get away from home sometimes! Of course every night we stayed up late and slept in the next morning. By the end of the week, we were all off schedule! Yikes, I'm not ready for summer. I need more order here.
p.s. Corbin lifted weights at the hotel - he is working on his muscles!
Easter Celebration
We really enjoyed Easter with our family. We had a special Easter breakfast
and later had a special Easter dinner with a spiral glazed ham! Yum! The kids enjoyed the egg hunt. Vivian found the golden egg - which she turned in for $1.00! We watched a church DVD; I think it is called "To this End I Was Born" (not sure). It was a special day with our family.
St Patrick's Day
I haven't kept up with my blogging so I'm going back in time....to St. Patrick's Day. We always enjoy corned beef with potatoes and cabbage - one of Paul's favorites. Vivian set the table and she gave everyone a delicious strawberry and cucumber for the first course!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Easter is sneaking up on me!
I almost forgot that it is Easter this coming Sunday! Yikes. I was planning to have some easy crock pot recipe for dinner - now I have to think about an Easter dinner. I feel so behind in our usual Easter activities (decorated eggs, baskets, etc). I was thinking about making the Easter Story cookies (it is a recipe that you make while you read different Easter scripture passages - then you leave the cookies in the oven overnight and then the next day, Easter morning, you open the oven and give everyone a cookie. The cookies are hollow - just like Jesus' followers found the tomb - Empty. What are some of your Easter traditions? I want to focus more on Christ's Resurrection - so the kids really get the real meaning of the holiday. Do you have any ideas to share?
Easter Story Cookies
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
Bible
zipper baggie
tape
Preheat oven to 300 F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19 1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 9:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 24:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27: 57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!
Easter Story Cookies
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
Bible
zipper baggie
tape
Preheat oven to 300 F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19 1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 9:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 24:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27: 57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!
Monday, March 17, 2008
From Blue Sky Bagel
Paul went out to lunch with a friend. They went to one of our favorites, Blue Sky Bagel. The following is a note that they handed out to their customers. I thought it might be interesting for you to read. We have been talking a lot about food storage - keep up the good work!
"To our customers: 3/13/08
We unfortunately find ourselves entering a very difficult time with the extreme escalation of wheat and flour prices. In talking to customers some appear aware of the situation and others do not. Last fall our flour prices increased by 50%. We were able to make a large purchase of flour at the time to help insulate us from the price uncertainty and now we are nearing the end of that supply. Our flour price is now over 3.5 times higher than it was this time last year and shows no sign of letting up in the near future. This translates into nearly $1,500 a week in increased costs for flour alone. It is unnerving to have the cost of our main ingredient go up so drastically.
We are in this for the long haul and understand that the real value of this business is the relationships we have developed with you, our customers. We cannot afford to absorb all of this increase but we will try to do as much as we can. We will have to increase some prices by a dime or so in the coming days but we will only increase those items which have bagels. Fluctuations have been so quick and severe that we have no idea how high prices will go or how long they will stay there. We will begin to post the weekly market reports we get from General Mills to help all of us keep track of what the wheat market is doing. We have no desire to profit from these conditions, only to mitigate our losses while working to preserve the long-term relationships we have with our customers. When flour returns to some sort of normalcy we will be eager to return to our current pricing.
For the enterprising individuals, now is the time to prepare for your financial future by planting wheat in your backyard--You'll be rich I tell you, RICH!!!
Thank you very much,
Mark and Julie Hansen"
Wow - I thought that might be of interest to you. Our future is looking shaky. I urge you to read the paper, watch the news, listen to Glenn Beck (he's entertaining and informative), FOLLOW the prophet and church leaders as they encourage us to get out of debt and prepare for the future.
"To our customers: 3/13/08
We unfortunately find ourselves entering a very difficult time with the extreme escalation of wheat and flour prices. In talking to customers some appear aware of the situation and others do not. Last fall our flour prices increased by 50%. We were able to make a large purchase of flour at the time to help insulate us from the price uncertainty and now we are nearing the end of that supply. Our flour price is now over 3.5 times higher than it was this time last year and shows no sign of letting up in the near future. This translates into nearly $1,500 a week in increased costs for flour alone. It is unnerving to have the cost of our main ingredient go up so drastically.
We are in this for the long haul and understand that the real value of this business is the relationships we have developed with you, our customers. We cannot afford to absorb all of this increase but we will try to do as much as we can. We will have to increase some prices by a dime or so in the coming days but we will only increase those items which have bagels. Fluctuations have been so quick and severe that we have no idea how high prices will go or how long they will stay there. We will begin to post the weekly market reports we get from General Mills to help all of us keep track of what the wheat market is doing. We have no desire to profit from these conditions, only to mitigate our losses while working to preserve the long-term relationships we have with our customers. When flour returns to some sort of normalcy we will be eager to return to our current pricing.
For the enterprising individuals, now is the time to prepare for your financial future by planting wheat in your backyard--You'll be rich I tell you, RICH!!!
Thank you very much,
Mark and Julie Hansen"
Wow - I thought that might be of interest to you. Our future is looking shaky. I urge you to read the paper, watch the news, listen to Glenn Beck (he's entertaining and informative), FOLLOW the prophet and church leaders as they encourage us to get out of debt and prepare for the future.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Menu Monday
Wow - a whole week went by and I didn't post anything exciting! We have been working hard on getting our house organized. It all started with the cases of food storage - we had to do some shuffling to make everything fit. All the food is officially in the house now (those poor mice won't know what to do!). We moved most of the Christmas to the garage, etc. Tisha and David came over yesterday - they came through the garage instead of the front door. Tisha said they stood there a minute to admire our cleaner garage. It's improving - not done yet but much closer. Oh, it feels good! I've also re-organized many other closets, and the pantry.
Speaking about menus - we had a full menu last week. I should have planned one more leftover day in there because our fridge was stuffed. I guess I'm in the cooking mood lately. We even cooked in our Beehive class at church. The lesson was about fun family activities so I thought why not actually do an activity instead of talking about it. The girls had a great time learning how to make ebelskievers and play hens and chicks.
Monday- Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes - St. Patrick's Day Dinner
Tuesday - wraps, clam chowder (I changed my mind - this will be easier!)
Wednesday - left overs (mutual night for me - so easy night)
Thursday- Fish Tacos, spanish rice, chips and refried beans
Friday - dinner & movie night with Merrills
Saturday- waffles, scrambled eggs, and orange julius (for dinner)
Sunday- Tami's Italian chicken recipe (look in the comments) salad, rolls ....I need an easy idea. Do you have a favorite crockpot recipe to share with me? I want to come home from church and have something ready to go! Thanks for sharing Tami! If anyone else has a recipe they want to share let me know and I will post it for everyone! Thanks!
Speaking about menus - we had a full menu last week. I should have planned one more leftover day in there because our fridge was stuffed. I guess I'm in the cooking mood lately. We even cooked in our Beehive class at church. The lesson was about fun family activities so I thought why not actually do an activity instead of talking about it. The girls had a great time learning how to make ebelskievers and play hens and chicks.
Monday- Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes - St. Patrick's Day Dinner
Tuesday - wraps, clam chowder (I changed my mind - this will be easier!)
Wednesday - left overs (mutual night for me - so easy night)
Thursday- Fish Tacos, spanish rice, chips and refried beans
Friday - dinner & movie night with Merrills
Saturday- waffles, scrambled eggs, and orange julius (for dinner)
Sunday- Tami's Italian chicken recipe (look in the comments) salad, rolls ....I need an easy idea. Do you have a favorite crockpot recipe to share with me? I want to come home from church and have something ready to go! Thanks for sharing Tami! If anyone else has a recipe they want to share let me know and I will post it for everyone! Thanks!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Menu Monday
Monday- Costa Vida Sweet Pork Salad (homemade)
Tuesday - Grilled Tuna sandwiches and soup
Wednesday - Chicken Fettuccine, veggie
Thursday - Left overs!
Friday - Homemade pizza (I'm loving this more than store bought....takes time though)
Saturday - Chicken pillows, rice, salad
Sunday - maybe Breakfast Brunch with friends: Eggs Tomavo, hash browns, blueberry pancakes and orange julius. I just got a new pan from Williams Sonoma for poaching eggs. I made a delicious breakfast Sunday called Egg Tomavo from allrecipes.com. it is : a toasted whole wheat English muffin with a little butter, topped with guacamole (from Costco), then 2 slices of tomato with S&P, then a poached egg with drizzled hollandaise sauce (that I made from scratch). Very delicious!!!
Tuesday - Grilled Tuna sandwiches and soup
Wednesday - Chicken Fettuccine, veggie
Thursday - Left overs!
Friday - Homemade pizza (I'm loving this more than store bought....takes time though)
Saturday - Chicken pillows, rice, salad
Sunday - maybe Breakfast Brunch with friends: Eggs Tomavo, hash browns, blueberry pancakes and orange julius. I just got a new pan from Williams Sonoma for poaching eggs. I made a delicious breakfast Sunday called Egg Tomavo from allrecipes.com. it is : a toasted whole wheat English muffin with a little butter, topped with guacamole (from Costco), then 2 slices of tomato with S&P, then a poached egg with drizzled hollandaise sauce (that I made from scratch). Very delicious!!!
Monday, March 3, 2008
My HIdden Food Storage
This morning I decided to pull out the last of the food storage out of the garage. I have accumulated some more over the winter that need to come inside soon. So what the heck - today was the day! I was outside in my pj's and coat hauling the stuff to my front door. I couldn't believe the pile. I tried to find my camera but couldn't locate it -it was a sight to see! I had to show Paul because I was so proud of my work. I thought he would be appreciative for unloading some stuff out of the garage - however he was very concerned about my love for food storage. He asked me when I was going to stop, how many years was I storing, etc. He wanted to know how much was enough! I said reminded him that we have a year - plus about an extra year of wheat for everyone. I don't want to run out of wheat, right? I was a little bothered because I had been huffing and puffing to get this done. Then I found spots for all the cases (17 cases of dry pack and 2 cases of pear sauce). To my surprise, all but one case melted into my office. I can't believe it - I used some dead space and tucked in case after case. And most people won't even notice it's there because I really tucked it away. That is my good news for the day! if you buy it, it will melt it's way into your home - guaranteed!
p.s. by the time I was done, I was hot and sweaty! It's a great workout hauling those heavy cases of wheat.
p.s. by the time I was done, I was hot and sweaty! It's a great workout hauling those heavy cases of wheat.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Corbin's Piano Recital
Corbin has a piano recital Saturday, March 15th at 4:00 pm. It will be held at the church (our building on Cherry Lane - near Meridian Rd intersection). There are only 3 students so the recital will be short and sweet, topped with dessert. You are all invited to come (not expecting any out-of towners to come for this - just letting you know)! He started playing piano in the fall - he has come a long way in a short time - way to go Corbin!
Monday Menu
Okay - I need to get back to a menu. Having a menu (for me) creates more order in the home and peace in my mind.
Monday - outdoor cooking (Porter needs to plan for scouts)
Tuesday - chicken salad, cheese bread, jello
Wednesday- Luguine with clam sauce (in Moscow cookbook), veggies
Thursday- tacos
Friday - cheese sandwiches and soup (Corbin wants grilled tuna sandwiches).
Saturday- pizza (homemade is the best), plus something healthy like carrots and fruit smoothie
Sunday - breakfast brunch for dinner: creme brule frenchtoast, muffins, fruit smoothie, hashbrowns and bacon
Monday - outdoor cooking (Porter needs to plan for scouts)
Tuesday - chicken salad, cheese bread, jello
Wednesday- Luguine with clam sauce (in Moscow cookbook), veggies
Thursday- tacos
Friday - cheese sandwiches and soup (Corbin wants grilled tuna sandwiches).
Saturday- pizza (homemade is the best), plus something healthy like carrots and fruit smoothie
Sunday - breakfast brunch for dinner: creme brule frenchtoast, muffins, fruit smoothie, hashbrowns and bacon
Saturday, March 1, 2008
I was tagged!
Tami tagged me - so here is my response. I was also tagged by Marne (about food) but that will come later. So now it is my turn play tag - I tag Tisha and someone who is lurking on my blog (let us know who you are).
Info about me:
10 years ago: Paul and I were living in Moscow, Idaho while he was attending law school. Later in that year, I was pregnant with Porter (#2 out of our 4). Oh, those were the days living in a very small apartment and having not much to clean!
5 things on my to-do list today (not today - but next little bit):
1- Get our finances on quick books (Tami keeps reminding me of this)
2- Finish decorating and painting our home
3- Scrapbook (I have years to do – since I only do the two family pages per year)
4- Tidy house – daily
5- Keep up with laundry - daily
5 snacks I enjoy:
1- Fruit (love watermelon and strawberries)- can you tell I'm waiting for summer!
2- Bagels with strawberry cream cheese
3- Chips and salsa
4- Chocolate!
5- Fruit smoothie
What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
I would put money away for retirement/kids, etc., move to a home with bigger yard and downstairs, hire a decorator for my home, travel around the world, serve a mission with Paul, and have all my friends/family over for a huge party with delectable food. Do you wanna come?
5 places I have lived: (they are the same as Tami’s – plus Casper, Wyoming)
1- Burley, Idaho
2- Wasilla, Alaska
3- East Wenatchee, Washington - I try and put this out of my memory - not good
4- Rexburg, Idaho plus Provo, Utah - both for school
5- Boise, Idaho
5 jobs I have had: (hummm)
1- Job at A.C. Drive In (in Burley) – hamburger drive in
2- Cleaned at the Boise Temple
3- Worked at Kmart (jewelry) – this is not a good memory
4- Apt. manager in Boise
5- Independent demonstrator for Stampin’ Up (and Pampered Chef –at one time)
p.s. currently I work with Paul on the side – (legal stuff and property/house stuff)
5 things you don't know about me: (this is hard because you all know me)
1- I love to garage sale with a passion.
2- I love to just look at paint decks(the books of paint color choices) and choose colors that I like.
3- I have a very hard time finding clothes that fit and that I like because usually the shirts are too short (sleeves and body) and the pants fit wrong. This is very frustrating and why my closet of clothes is slim pickings.
4- I go through bursts where I enjoy cooking and baking. The past two weeks I haven’t enjoyed it because life has been too busy.
5- I enjoy watching people (especially ones I know). What I mean is that I like to watch their body language, listen to their speech, etc. I like to try and understand what makes people think and act the way they do. People are just really curious to me!
Info about me:
10 years ago: Paul and I were living in Moscow, Idaho while he was attending law school. Later in that year, I was pregnant with Porter (#2 out of our 4). Oh, those were the days living in a very small apartment and having not much to clean!
5 things on my to-do list today (not today - but next little bit):
1- Get our finances on quick books (Tami keeps reminding me of this)
2- Finish decorating and painting our home
3- Scrapbook (I have years to do – since I only do the two family pages per year)
4- Tidy house – daily
5- Keep up with laundry - daily
5 snacks I enjoy:
1- Fruit (love watermelon and strawberries)- can you tell I'm waiting for summer!
2- Bagels with strawberry cream cheese
3- Chips and salsa
4- Chocolate!
5- Fruit smoothie
What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
I would put money away for retirement/kids, etc., move to a home with bigger yard and downstairs, hire a decorator for my home, travel around the world, serve a mission with Paul, and have all my friends/family over for a huge party with delectable food. Do you wanna come?
5 places I have lived: (they are the same as Tami’s – plus Casper, Wyoming)
1- Burley, Idaho
2- Wasilla, Alaska
3- East Wenatchee, Washington - I try and put this out of my memory - not good
4- Rexburg, Idaho plus Provo, Utah - both for school
5- Boise, Idaho
5 jobs I have had: (hummm)
1- Job at A.C. Drive In (in Burley) – hamburger drive in
2- Cleaned at the Boise Temple
3- Worked at Kmart (jewelry) – this is not a good memory
4- Apt. manager in Boise
5- Independent demonstrator for Stampin’ Up (and Pampered Chef –at one time)
p.s. currently I work with Paul on the side – (legal stuff and property/house stuff)
5 things you don't know about me: (this is hard because you all know me)
1- I love to garage sale with a passion.
2- I love to just look at paint decks(the books of paint color choices) and choose colors that I like.
3- I have a very hard time finding clothes that fit and that I like because usually the shirts are too short (sleeves and body) and the pants fit wrong. This is very frustrating and why my closet of clothes is slim pickings.
4- I go through bursts where I enjoy cooking and baking. The past two weeks I haven’t enjoyed it because life has been too busy.
5- I enjoy watching people (especially ones I know). What I mean is that I like to watch their body language, listen to their speech, etc. I like to try and understand what makes people think and act the way they do. People are just really curious to me!
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