Cooking

I love cooking! I just got back from my favorite grocer, COSTCO with a car full of goodies. 25 lbs of flour was a better deal than the 50# so we went with that. Sometimes they vary so I have to pay attention. ;) This size is easier for me to man-handle though. After purchasing some staples and milk...I'm going to try something new and will post it tomorrow so stay tuned - it's a doosey!!!

We're have massive snow drifts and our drive is nearly drifted shut. I feel like I could be a pioneer woman except my 4-WD has gotten me through so far. tee hee. Snow Days here and a new permanent home member (Welcome Sky!!!) to what's always been your home, you're just actually living here now!!!

Here are some blogs I've been reading and enjoying:
Way out West by my dear friend Heather
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman (thanks to Heather)
VI Circle 2008 was stumbled upon completely by chance!
Behind the Boot (my cousin's blog who is a missionary far far away)
Reaching Alaska for Jesus was a google search and I love reading things from THE NORTE

That's all for now, folks. I have Ham & Beans in the oven and will make a batch of cornbread up to go with us. Don't forget - tomorrow something very different is happening, by my hands, for my family!!!

January Blues

Ugh, I hate the month of January. Isn't that sad? I should have a baby born in this month so there was some joy here. Well, that's a poor excuse to have a baby, I mean it's too bad one of my kiddos wasn't born during January so there was joy.

The wind blows now through March. The snow never stays long enough here. Inversion sets in and never leaves and if it does, it's back the next day.

I get crabby, cranky, tired, fat and unmotivated.

Now that I know all this, don't you think I might actually do something about it other than write here?!?!?! Well, maybe I will. But I probably won't. :(

Oh, and W-2's, 1099's and all 4th quarter reports are due by January 31st which the IRS can just about ruin any month they're involved; in my humble opinion that is.

Another Locks of Love Story

Following in her sister's footsteps, see Melynda's story here, Sky wanted to cut her lovely locks off and donate her pony to Locks of Love!

She didn't have quite as long of hair but met the minimum of 10" length so she was excited to participate and have me cut her hair. I'm so proud of my daughters!

New Year Tradition - Javanese

Javanese. What our family does with left over Christmas turkey (okay, we SAVE turkey just for this occasion) on New Years Dy. A very odd meal that is so very yummy. Here's how it works.

On a counter you set up the following ingredients in this exact order. When you are done, the combo is to die for - and you're left very full and satisfied.

Rice
Chinese Noodles
Meat (turkey or chicken)
Gravy
tomatoes
chopped celery
diced green onions
crushed pineapple
chopped/diced pears
shredded cheese
gravy (again)
shredded coconut
chopped peanuts and/or sliced almonds

This is a wonderful big group meal and you can have people bring different items to save you from the prep work. Even our kids love it and everyone who tries it for the first time thinks it's very odd but like it when they actually try it!

We had this for supper today at my parents home and it was wonderful; as always. I wanted a picture to show how marvelous the set up is but our stomachs were louder than my memory. Sorry.

Prospero ano y felizidad

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful night. With my parents coming over and the kids' friends, we had a great time. Cranium is a terribly fun game and I'd actually like to play it with more adults next time! Any takers??? Paco stayed the night with Granddad & Nana and Javi stayed up til 10:00 and the rest of us brought in 2008 with sparkling cider and reflections on 2007 and hopes for 2008.

Roy asked us, "What was the best thing that happened to you in 07?" I said, "By far, having Javier Don, a son. He beats us buying our first home and anything else that could have happened." Roy had to agree. :) The kids had a much harder time answering that question. I think it made them stop and think about their choices about making things good or just letting time pass.

We had delicious food, if I say so myself. Compliments of me, our Pampered Chef... look and drool, friends, it was delish!

Beef Meatballs in my homemade barbecue sauce

HOT Chili Cheese Dip

Bruschetta with sour dough bread

4 pounds of pistachios to munch away on!

Locks of Love!

Melynda has been growing her hair out for Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that makes and gives hair pieces to children (under 18) who have a medical condition that prevents hair growth. I was not surprised to read that the majority of the hair donors are children. Anyway, I donated my long hair when I was younger and wanted to again but my plans were spoiled when I needed my hair cut for my wedding to have the up-d0 I wanted. She has been interested in donating since hearing my laments and is already talking of "next time."

Here is Melynda!

1) Grow your hair out!

2) Measure and meet the minimum 10" requirement from tip to tip.
(Hair must be in a pony or braid.) As you can see, she came in at 11".

3) Mom "whacked" her hair off with her Pampered Chef shears!

4) Shock

5) Try not to cry - tears of joy that is...

6) Enjoy an awesome short hair cut for the first time in your life!!!

I'm so proud of her. She has a heart for others. God will truly continue to bless her life.