Nicole just informed me that my new background is a little too "CHEESY"!!
That made me laugh out loud...I said "it's only temporary...it's Valentines Day...I like it". She then said "that explains a lot"!!
Watch-it girl!!!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Never to Forget...
One advantage to living in Arizona in the winter (there are none in the summer) are the ORANGES!!!
Can I tell you how much I love the orange season... nice big juicy orange's straight from the tree...really there's nothing better!
I grew up with a backyard full of citrus trees, orange, grapefruit, and tangerine!! My two best friends (Jenni and Michelle Burnham) and I, spent hours in the back yard climbing trees and eating tangerine after tangerine! Vitamin C supplement...what's that...we had the real stuff - can't beat that!
Now it's my children who enjoy playing outside for hours on end during the winter months smelling of oranges at the end of the day...I LOVE IT!!
Of all my children, Courtney seems to enjoy them the most. Everyday when she gets off the bus she picks an orange, peels and eats it on her way home!! So Friday when she came home holding her orange I asked if I could take her picture.
She asked why and I told her..."because as mommies get old they forget things and I never want to forget that you loved oranges and how cute you are with orange finger nails from peeling it all by yourself!"
With that she kindly obliged....
She's so dang cute!!!
Can I tell you how much I love the orange season... nice big juicy orange's straight from the tree...really there's nothing better!
I grew up with a backyard full of citrus trees, orange, grapefruit, and tangerine!! My two best friends (Jenni and Michelle Burnham) and I, spent hours in the back yard climbing trees and eating tangerine after tangerine! Vitamin C supplement...what's that...we had the real stuff - can't beat that!
Now it's my children who enjoy playing outside for hours on end during the winter months smelling of oranges at the end of the day...I LOVE IT!!
Of all my children, Courtney seems to enjoy them the most. Everyday when she gets off the bus she picks an orange, peels and eats it on her way home!! So Friday when she came home holding her orange I asked if I could take her picture.
She asked why and I told her..."because as mommies get old they forget things and I never want to forget that you loved oranges and how cute you are with orange finger nails from peeling it all by yourself!"
With that she kindly obliged....
She's so dang cute!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Another recipe to try...
Here's another recipe you must try!!! This one is much simpler than the last one I posted and simply Divine!!!
Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
from Brittany at The Sisters' Cafe
6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime)
1 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I used 3 small chicken breasts)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 ounces green enchilada sauce
1 cup heavy cream (to lighten them up, I have substituted sour cream with good results)
Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour (I tossed mine together in a Ziploc bag in the morning and let it sit in the refrigerator all day). Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream and leftover marinade. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top.
Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
from Brittany at The Sisters' Cafe
6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime)
1 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I used 3 small chicken breasts)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 ounces green enchilada sauce
1 cup heavy cream (to lighten them up, I have substituted sour cream with good results)
Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour (I tossed mine together in a Ziploc bag in the morning and let it sit in the refrigerator all day). Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream and leftover marinade. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top.
Friday, January 23, 2009
"dinner rut"
I don't know about you...but I'm in a "dinner rut"!! So I decided to branch out and try some new recipes. This is one of them and it was a HUGE hit!! It came from Sisters Cafe blog...so far every recipe I've tried from it we've loved. I would do a couple things differnt though...here they are
1. I would use a whole box of linguine...they're enough sauce to do that
2. I would use a whole tablespoon of the chili oil...I only used a 1/2 and it needed more.
Other than that we loved it there was nothing left...NOTHING!! Hope you like it!
Sesame Chicken and Asparagus Pasta8 oz linguine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 Tbs brown sugar
6 Tbs chunky peanut butter (¼ c. plus 2 T.)
¼ cup soy sauce
scant ¼ cup sesame oil
½ - 1 Tbs hot chili oil (depending on how hot your chili oil is. I add the whole Tb.)
2 ½ boneless and skinless cooked chicken breast halves
5 Tbs sesame seeds, toasted
¾ lb to 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed
3 scallions, white bulb and 3 inches green, cut into 2-inch julienne
1 small cucumber, halved, seeded, and cut into 1/4 inch dice
Cook chicken. (Many options here – put frozen breasts in microwave at 50% power, or boil in water, or cook for a few hours in the crock pot with a cup of water…)
Trim asparagus; set aside. *see note below
Toast sesame seeds, set aside. (Two options: toast in the microwave, stirring every minute or so, or toast in a dry skillet on medium, stirring frequently. They are done when they turn brown. Takes 5-10 minutes.)
Cut scallions and cucumber as directed in ingredients. Set aside.
Prepare sauce: Place the garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and soy sauce in a food processor. Process for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly add the sesame and hot chili oils through the feed tube, and process until well blended.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the linguine, and cook at a rolling boil until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again, and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
Shred the chicken into 2-inch julienne, and toss with the linguine. Add the sauce and 4 Tbs of the sesame seeds, and toss to coat well.
Cut the asparagus on the diagonal into 1-inch lengths. Blanch in a saucepan of boiling water for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. They will be done when you can easily insert a thin-bladed knife or skewer into them. Drain, rinse under cold water, and pat dry. **see note below
Place the linguine and chicken in a large flat serving bowl, and arrange the asparagus on top. Sprinkle with the scallions, cucumber, and remaining 1 Tbs sesame seeds.
Number Of Servings:6
* Trimming the asparagus - This is a very important step. Snap the ends off by bending the bottoms until they snap. They will snap off above the white part, and some of the green will snap off too. This is the safest way to trim asparagus. It seems like you are wasting a lot of asparagus, but don’t be deceived! When I was new at cooking I tried cutting off just the white part, or just 1 inch off the bottoms, and would live to regret it! The bottom part of asparagus spears are very fibrous. If you don’t cut enough off the bottom, you will feel like you are trying to chew on a piece of bamboo. It’s horrible. My trusty cookbook by Mark Bittman says, “Snap off the bottom of each stalk; they will usually separate naturally right where the woody part ends.” Take it from the pro.
**Also, I combine the steps of blanching the asparagus and cooking the linguine. 4-5 minutes before linguine is done, I add the asparagus. Then I drain it all when the asparagus is done. I drain the noodles and asparagus once, then add the sauce, chicken, and some sesame seeds and toss. Then I add the scallions, cucumber and remaining sesame seeds on top and lightly toss a bit. I've learned to combine steps to make this a faster recipe.
1. I would use a whole box of linguine...they're enough sauce to do that
2. I would use a whole tablespoon of the chili oil...I only used a 1/2 and it needed more.
Other than that we loved it there was nothing left...NOTHING!! Hope you like it!
Sesame Chicken and Asparagus Pasta8 oz linguine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 Tbs brown sugar
6 Tbs chunky peanut butter (¼ c. plus 2 T.)
¼ cup soy sauce
scant ¼ cup sesame oil
½ - 1 Tbs hot chili oil (depending on how hot your chili oil is. I add the whole Tb.)
2 ½ boneless and skinless cooked chicken breast halves
5 Tbs sesame seeds, toasted
¾ lb to 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed
3 scallions, white bulb and 3 inches green, cut into 2-inch julienne
1 small cucumber, halved, seeded, and cut into 1/4 inch dice
Cook chicken. (Many options here – put frozen breasts in microwave at 50% power, or boil in water, or cook for a few hours in the crock pot with a cup of water…)
Trim asparagus; set aside. *see note below
Toast sesame seeds, set aside. (Two options: toast in the microwave, stirring every minute or so, or toast in a dry skillet on medium, stirring frequently. They are done when they turn brown. Takes 5-10 minutes.)
Cut scallions and cucumber as directed in ingredients. Set aside.
Prepare sauce: Place the garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and soy sauce in a food processor. Process for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly add the sesame and hot chili oils through the feed tube, and process until well blended.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the linguine, and cook at a rolling boil until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again, and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
Shred the chicken into 2-inch julienne, and toss with the linguine. Add the sauce and 4 Tbs of the sesame seeds, and toss to coat well.
Cut the asparagus on the diagonal into 1-inch lengths. Blanch in a saucepan of boiling water for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. They will be done when you can easily insert a thin-bladed knife or skewer into them. Drain, rinse under cold water, and pat dry. **see note below
Place the linguine and chicken in a large flat serving bowl, and arrange the asparagus on top. Sprinkle with the scallions, cucumber, and remaining 1 Tbs sesame seeds.
Number Of Servings:6
* Trimming the asparagus - This is a very important step. Snap the ends off by bending the bottoms until they snap. They will snap off above the white part, and some of the green will snap off too. This is the safest way to trim asparagus. It seems like you are wasting a lot of asparagus, but don’t be deceived! When I was new at cooking I tried cutting off just the white part, or just 1 inch off the bottoms, and would live to regret it! The bottom part of asparagus spears are very fibrous. If you don’t cut enough off the bottom, you will feel like you are trying to chew on a piece of bamboo. It’s horrible. My trusty cookbook by Mark Bittman says, “Snap off the bottom of each stalk; they will usually separate naturally right where the woody part ends.” Take it from the pro.
**Also, I combine the steps of blanching the asparagus and cooking the linguine. 4-5 minutes before linguine is done, I add the asparagus. Then I drain it all when the asparagus is done. I drain the noodles and asparagus once, then add the sauce, chicken, and some sesame seeds and toss. Then I add the scallions, cucumber and remaining sesame seeds on top and lightly toss a bit. I've learned to combine steps to make this a faster recipe.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas 2008
Christmas was wonderful this year, everyone got what they were hoping for from Santa which always makes for a happy morning. It started off with a wonderful Christmas Eve at my folks where we enjoyed our "Mexican Fiesta" (not very traditional I know...but sooooooooooo YUMMY) followed by the Christmas program staring the greatest cast you'll ever see....the grand kids!
Then it was time to head home so we could share "our family" tradition of opening our "Christmas Eve" gift...bet you can guess what that was...Yep, new PJ's!! A must for Christmas morning (some years they're Christmas jams but not this year) Now off to bed now so SANTA can come!!
Christmas morning greeted us with.... A new bed spread for Nicole
A cool new scooter for Gunner
A darling bike for Courtney
A "Gotta Go" doll for Bridget
And colorful play gym for Brody to lay and look at but- he preferred the "free" teddy bear we got from Aeropostale. Don't tell him- he didn't know it was free!!
Among all the wonderful gifts we receive each year, the greatest is the Light of Christ is our lives and the spirit that comes with knowing and understanding the sacrifice's he made in our behalf. How wonderful it is to celebrate his life and to reflect back on that sacred night when he was born. My hope is that I will take time to acknowledge my blessings and honor him everyday and not just during the Christmas season. How blessed my life is because of all he has given me.
It is time now for us to say goodbye to 2008 which brought many great blessings. We welcomed a healthy new baby, junior high, the school orchestra and new friends this year. And although it means I am growing older, I anxiously await what the new year holds for me and my family. I know we will face challenges in the year to come, but along side challenges come great blessings. Usually the greatest blessing of all is drawing closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior through adversity.
With that I say farewell 2008 and hello 2009!!!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Gingerbread Houses!!!
What would Christmas be without the sticky, gooey mess of making darling gingerbread houses!!! I mean really...who doesn't like white frosting and half eaten candies all over their table and floor...I love it! Not really but I do love the memories we made tonight laughing and spending quality time while each one of the kids showed their creative side through their AWESOME gingerbread houses!! Man I love these guys...and before I know it I'll be wishing I could have these days back, so until then I'll try to sit back and enjoy the way that white frosting felt between my toes as I stepped on the pile Bridget dropped at my feet!! Merry Christmas!
Stay tuned...I promise to post one of the cutest videos ever of Bridget and Blair in their school Christmas program...I need my niece Leah's help to do that so hopefully she'll read this and come to my rescue!!
Stay tuned...I promise to post one of the cutest videos ever of Bridget and Blair in their school Christmas program...I need my niece Leah's help to do that so hopefully she'll read this and come to my rescue!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Concert Time
Man I had a busy day yesterday...not a good way to jump back into life after 5 weeks of laying in bed...but a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do!! Gunner had his first orchestra concert yesterday and he did awesome! They played and arrangement of Christmas songs and I must say I really enjoyed it! 
And then it was Courtney's turn to perform in her "Winter Sing" program at Mountain View where her entire school gathered to watch each grade sing different Christmas songs. It was so packed there was nowhere to sit and kids were running everywhere. I could hardly even see her but she completely enjoyed herself so I guess that's all that matters. That's her in the back row right below the red writing...I tried to put a description in above her head but it was to small. Sorry but I don't want to go back and start over. There were so many kids (and people) there it was impossible to get a good picture. I zoomed in as close as I could...the stage was FULL of all the first and second graders- IN SANE
After that it was off to a Bridal Shower for my niece Amy who is getting married on December 30. Needless to say I'm a little worn out today...baby steps I keep telling myself...bad time of year for baby steps! But, since both my little ones are resting it's time to say farewell and join them. See that spot in the middle...It's reserved for ME!! Goodnight
And then it was Courtney's turn to perform in her "Winter Sing" program at Mountain View where her entire school gathered to watch each grade sing different Christmas songs. It was so packed there was nowhere to sit and kids were running everywhere. I could hardly even see her but she completely enjoyed herself so I guess that's all that matters. That's her in the back row right below the red writing...I tried to put a description in above her head but it was to small. Sorry but I don't want to go back and start over. There were so many kids (and people) there it was impossible to get a good picture. I zoomed in as close as I could...the stage was FULL of all the first and second graders- IN SANE
After that it was off to a Bridal Shower for my niece Amy who is getting married on December 30. Needless to say I'm a little worn out today...baby steps I keep telling myself...bad time of year for baby steps! But, since both my little ones are resting it's time to say farewell and join them. See that spot in the middle...It's reserved for ME!! Goodnight
FHE
Family Home Evening this week consisted of setting up the train set that Todd's parents gave us. We don't do it every year (depending on the age of the toddler) but this year the kids were in luck! It's a time consuming project for Todd but this year Nicole and Gunner were able to help screw each piece of tract together speeding up the process. Needless to say they have enjoyed taking turns being the conductor and watching it go around and around the tract letting out little puffs of smoke as it goes!
What is it about trains that fascinate children...they love them!
Even Brody was excited about it!!
What is it about trains that fascinate children...they love them!
Even Brody was excited about it!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Pictures, Pictures & more Pictures
I had my kids picture taken a couple weeks back and wanted to share them with you! There's a lot...sorry- and this isn't all of them! Hope you like them
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Thankful Heart
I know I'm behind in my blogging...but I had a "minor" surgery back on the 7th of November which turned out to be not so "minor"!! I'm still trying to recover, and hope to be better soon. But I felt the need to express gratitude even though Thanksgiving has come and gone. I have much to be thankful for- I have a great husband who has been incredible the past 4 weeks, 5 beautiful HEALTHY children, a great extended family who have picked up and taken over for me the past month-and continue to do so (in fact my meals on wheels is here now), in-laws who check on me continually and sent beautiful flowers, great friends who have brought dinner and gone to target for me, and I'm especially thankful for good health-and look forward to feeling better soon!!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving hosted by grandma and grandpa Perk...38 present 33 missing, a great little testimony meeting by 6 of the grandchildren, a tumbling performance by some of the granddaughters, and tons and tons of yummy foods! The only thing I regret is not having my camera that day- the only picture I have is this one of Bridget and Blair after their Thanksgiving feast at school. Look at those darling little pilgrim girls!!!!!
Oh did I mention how thankful I am for a happy baby...no seriously- he's an angel!! What a great baby to end on!! He has captured all of our hearts!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving hosted by grandma and grandpa Perk...38 present 33 missing, a great little testimony meeting by 6 of the grandchildren, a tumbling performance by some of the granddaughters, and tons and tons of yummy foods! The only thing I regret is not having my camera that day- the only picture I have is this one of Bridget and Blair after their Thanksgiving feast at school. Look at those darling little pilgrim girls!!!!!
Oh did I mention how thankful I am for a happy baby...no seriously- he's an angel!! What a great baby to end on!! He has captured all of our hearts!!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Honor Roll
This is a "Banner Day" for my sweet girl! Nicole is good at a lot of things...she's a great tumbler, a good dancer, a great friend and the world's best helper to me!
School however, doesn't come as easy- Although she did not want to, she left our neighborhood school in fourth grade and attended a private school with only 10 children in her class until the middle of 5th grade. She didn't necessarily enjoy it there but she worked hard to get up to speed so she could go back to Nathan Hale. She continued to work hard and it has FINALLY paid off!!
She received an award along with a bumper sticker acknowledging she had made the honor roll at Stapley Junior High. I always knew she could do it- she had to figured that out for herself. I am so proud of her and happy to see the feeling of accomplishment in her smiling face and eyes. I love her so much and appreciate all she does to help me!!
Congratulations Nicole...you deserve it!!
School however, doesn't come as easy- Although she did not want to, she left our neighborhood school in fourth grade and attended a private school with only 10 children in her class until the middle of 5th grade. She didn't necessarily enjoy it there but she worked hard to get up to speed so she could go back to Nathan Hale. She continued to work hard and it has FINALLY paid off!!
She received an award along with a bumper sticker acknowledging she had made the honor roll at Stapley Junior High. I always knew she could do it- she had to figured that out for herself. I am so proud of her and happy to see the feeling of accomplishment in her smiling face and eyes. I love her so much and appreciate all she does to help me!!
Congratulations Nicole...you deserve it!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Undefeated!!!
Gunner played on a fall baseball team that was quite good for a bunch of 10 year old boys! He came home Tuesday night from his last game smiling from ear to ear holding up "#1" and sporting a new shirt that probably displayed their 12 and 0 record! Gunner hasn't always been on the winning team- he informed me he likes it better! I can't say I blame him. Go Grinders!!!!
Blessing Day
We blessed baby Brody on Sunday and it was a great day! My sweet husband gave him a beautiful blessing surrounded by tons of family. I feel so blessed to have a worthy Priesthood member in my home who loves and cares for us. This sweet baby has graced our family with his tender personality and we love him so much. It's like having a little piece of heaven in our very own home. The kids all love him and are so willing to help with what ever he needs. Bridget is the official "binki" getter- seeing how she is in love with hers, she knows how important his must be to him. When he starts to fuss she's say "I get him a binki". The day could not have been more perfect!! 
Monday, November 3, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Halloween was Great!! Todd's family came on Friday morning and celebrated this silly holiday with the kids-they really came for Brody's blessing it just happened to be on Halloween weekend which was a bonus. Eric and his wife Jen were June Carter and Johny Cash, Nicole was a pumpkin, Alex a pirate, Courtney a cute little fairy, Gunner some creepy zombie punk and Bridget a lady bug who was to scared of Gunner to get in the picture.
Carving Pumpkins....
This is my good friend Shaunna Krieg...I met Shaunna about 11 years ago when I moved into my first house. We hadn't moved in yet because we were tearing down wall paper and painting- I was there working when the door bell rang and standing at my door was SHAUNNA!! She's been my dear friend ever since. Gunner was born When Nicole was just 2 and he cried A LOT. Todd was working crazy hours at that time in our life. Shaunna would call and Gunner would be crying and Nicole would be hanging on my leg to read books or lay with her...it would only be seconds before the line was dead and Shaunna was at my door to read bedtime stories to my baby girl and rock her to sleep. That explains why Nicole once wrote a paper about Shaunna when asked to write about her hero. She is dear to our hearts and comes to see us every Halloween- expect for last- but she made up for it this year!! You're the best Shabwan
Carving Pumpkins....
This is my good friend Shaunna Krieg...I met Shaunna about 11 years ago when I moved into my first house. We hadn't moved in yet because we were tearing down wall paper and painting- I was there working when the door bell rang and standing at my door was SHAUNNA!! She's been my dear friend ever since. Gunner was born When Nicole was just 2 and he cried A LOT. Todd was working crazy hours at that time in our life. Shaunna would call and Gunner would be crying and Nicole would be hanging on my leg to read books or lay with her...it would only be seconds before the line was dead and Shaunna was at my door to read bedtime stories to my baby girl and rock her to sleep. That explains why Nicole once wrote a paper about Shaunna when asked to write about her hero. She is dear to our hearts and comes to see us every Halloween- expect for last- but she made up for it this year!! You're the best Shabwan
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