Holiday Hustle

I know Christmas will be here every December 25th. It never changes, same day every year!

But I cannot for the life of me be prepared!

This year we got our tree up the week after Thanksgiving.

Rick decorated outside.

We listened to Christmas music all day.

Then time stood still!

We did not shop, bake or mail cards.

It was even 70 degrees outside, how could it be Christmas?

We now have less than a week till Christmas.

Will I be ready?

Usually every year we are out shopping Christmas Eve, we grab a guick bite to eat at the mall and hang out with all the crowds.

We are just never ready before then.

This year I wanted to be ready, to have it all done by now.

I wanted to have a wonderful dinner on Christmas Eve.

Something nice, with pretty dishes and maybe candles.

The kids are old enough now.

My dear friend Lisa does. One year we enjoyed the festivities with their family.

I want that.

We will see.

Oh the weather outside is FRIGHTFUL!

Yes it is cold!

Yes they are outside!

Yes they are having fun!

Cutest snowman and snowgirls EVER!

But inside it's so delightful

YES I am INSIDE where it is warm!!

Thanks Tay for being an awesome almost 13 year old!

David's Surgery

Last Tuesday David called and told me he wasn't feeling good. I assured him it was the stomach bug we had just gotten over! Bad call mom, it wasn't! We found ourselves at the hospital all night, and I feeling so guilty couldnt sleep. Come to find out he had had an appendix attack! Early the next morning he was taken in for surgery and spent the night again in the hospital. Funny thing is they put this 6'5" 21 year old in the pediactric wing. Whats up with that?

He is doing well, but is sore and not moving as quickly as he used to!
It was quite the adventure! Thank Heavens he is well!

Our family loves hard boiled eggs! We love them deviled, in egg salad and just plain with salt and pepper. Any way you peel it, eggs are so yummy! (I couldn't resist the pun!)

One too many times in the past 22 years of marriage I have either under cooked or burned eggs I have been trying to hard boil. The smell of a burned 'boiled' egg is nasty and takes forever to get out of your house!

Fortunatly for me I found a really easy way to make the eggs so I don't have to babysit them while they are cooking.

• Fill the bottom of your pot with eggs, only put one layer otherwise they will crack.
• Cover with cold water.
• Put on high heat and bring to a rapid boil. Some recipes call for salt in the water, I have done it both ways and it doesn't seem to matter.
• Once water boils cover pot and remove from heat.
• In ten to twelve minutes you will have the perfect hard boiled eggs and they will not have that greenish gray ring around the yolk!

Little Arli

Arli 8 years old at her baptism, Feb 1997

Arli has had many milestones in her life. First, her birth, then her baptism, entrance into Young Womens, becoming a teenager, her first date, her first boyfriend, turning 18, leaving for college, becoming engaged, and voting for president.

Little Arli had another first last night.

She had her first wedding shower .

There are others planned, but last night was her first. It makes it special, and I am glad she enjoyed it so much!

She has had many other firsts and some seconds and thirds. Some were happy, some sad. She will have many more firsts in her life, I wish I could be there to share in all of them!

I am happy she had a wonderful time!

Thanks to all of Jake's family for being there feeding her and showing her a good time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot to be thankful for!
I always have a lot to be grateful for, but during these especially stressful times I forget.
Today I am writing them down so I will have a place to remind me during my whinny times!

1. My FAMILY! husband, kids, brothers, sisters, parents, in-laws, (or out laws...::snicker::) nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. How can you not be thankful for that? I am thankful for FOREVER FAMILIES!
   
2. My Home! It isn't new or fancy and not always in order, but it is mine.
3. My college degree! It was a dream of mine as a small child. I am proud of myself for accomplishing this great task!
4. Technology. The GPS (although I still trust myself more), Atari (oops I mean WII), cell phones, and of course computers. I love, maybe too much, the Internet. Catching up on friends and family. Typing papers on programs that can catch a spelling error is amazing. Remember typewriters...UGGGH! Googling is a fun past time...agreed?
5. Reality T.V., need I say more? (hey, this is my list!)
6. Friends. They have been my family while I live a country away!
7. The Church. How thankful I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know my Father in Heaven loves me and takes care of me and my family.
   
8. Food. You cannot forget to add this one to the list on Thanksgiving! It is not just a source of nourishment to my body but nourishment to my memories, through smells, sounds and sights. A beautiful turkey, creamy potatoes, brilliant red cranberry sauce all add to the day.
   
9. Books! I love to read. I am in love with a great mystery. A fun children's book interests me as much as a love story. As always a great cookbook!!! I read them like regular books, if you have never tried it you should. You learn all kinds of interesting things.
10. Service. Given to me and sometimes by me. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers, family and friends. I am grateful to see kindness given to others. A simple gesture goes a long way. 'Blessed are those who give without remembering and receive without forgetting.'

Thank you Father for all I have been given and all I will be given. I know all things come from you, through others for me and my loved ones.

THANK YOU to all those who bless our lives! In case you didn't know I am Grateful!

Yummy 7 Layer Bean Dip!!

We love this dip! I received a recipe book

"The Mormon Family Cookbook"

22 1/2 years ago for our wedding. Funny how something can be a family favorite for so long. I am often asked to bring this to parties, family dinners etc.

It is very simple and easy to double, which I do as a rule! You can never have too much!

This is the doubled recipe.

• 2-cans (16 oz) refried beans (add 1/2 tsp Adobo or garlic powder)
• 1-16 oz tub sour cream
• 1-package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
• 3-large ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and mashed
• 1-tsp lemon juice
• 1-tsp Crystal hot sauce (Tabasco works also)
• -pepper and salt to taste
• 2-cups shredded Cheddar or Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
• 1-can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained (1/2 cup)
• 1-medium tomato, diced (3/4 cup)
• 4-green onions sliced
• Tortilla chips

1. Mix refried beans and adobo (or garlic powder). Spread on platter.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream and taco seasoning. Carefully spread over bean mixture, stopping 1" from edges.
3. Add lemon juice, Crystal hot sauce and salt and pepper to avocados, mix.
4. Carefully spread over sour cream mixture, leaving 1" from sides.
5. Layer cheese, tomatoes, olives and green onions.
6. Serve with tortilla chips