My little turkeys................

Me on Ambien.......

I take Ambien for my sleeping troubles. I usually only take 1/2 of the lowest dose. It just hasn't done the trick as of late so last week I took a whole one. You really are supposed to go to bed right after you take them which I always do. Well one thing led to another and it had been about an hour. I needed to send one more email out to my friend April and then I was going to bed. This is the last paragraph I sent to her:

"I've actually been happy all day except when addressing those four things! I would love your thoughts and council on my behavior of the day...............well , maybe not. You are pretty honest.............So share if it's honestly on my side of this!

Hey in jan/feb I want to throw a dinner party for my quilter friends to talk about next years performances and committment..............man my ambien is kicking in. I can' really see the scee very well............eyelids going to close............I'll finish sthissthought.tomorow..............Feel.ing really weird...........thiank pual will haveto get em to bed. wow! I cn't thh]e nos...owow'nighgh.........z"

I'm thinking I had better go to bed straight away after taking my Ambien...........

Mouse-capades!

So it's colder than cold here today. I think we may have hit 15 degrees. So I'm thinking about my poor old horses and how cold they probably would get tonight. So I pulled out their blankets - three of them - to decide which two I wanted to use. I pulled one out into the pasture and tried it on Rio first and decided I didn't think that was the right one for her. So I dragged it back out of the corral and brought in another one. I put it up on her back and was getting it straightened out. I lifted up the back to re-adjust it and their was SO a mouse on her back wiggling around! I about passed out. Now how Rio didn't freak out I'll never know. I jumped away (I'm such a baby) and waited for it to drop out. Sure enough, it wiggled it's way out and jumped to the ground. What is that for a human - about 20 stories. Then it had the audacity to just sit their by Rio's hind feet and look at me - like "How dare you kick me out of my home" It finally skittered away and I got the nest it had been building in Rio's blanket out and got her strapped up. So the little mouse has no warm home anymore! Oh wait, it has the haystack, the underside of the ATV (I hear this can cause fires.....) the trailer, the shed, and a million other places. Rio and Moose are all snug in their blankies for the cold winter night. Have I mentioned I love mountain living?

Thanksgiving blessings.............

You're looking at them.................

Chocolate peppermint patty cookies!

I haven't tried these but found the recipe and more importantly, the picture of these beauties! I can't find a picture of them to post but trust me, they are beautiful. They look like chocolate whoopie pies with crushed candy cane sides. BE.A.UTIFUL!
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate such as Guittard, chopped
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate chopped
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chuncks
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Put chocolates and butter in a medium metal bowl and set over a pan filled with 1" simmering water. Cook, stirrring occasionally until melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. whicsk in eggs and sugar, mixing until combined. Whisk in flour, baking poder, and salt. Chill dough, covered, until firm, about 2 hours.
Let dough sit at room temperature 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1 Tbsp. portions of dough, rolling each into a ball, and put onto sheets 1 " apart. Press into 1/4" rounds.
Bake until they no longer look wet on top, about 8 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets.
Filling:
3 cups powedered sugar
4 TB. milk
3/4 tsp peppermint extract
Spread 1 heaping tsp. peppermint icing onto flat side of 1 cookie. Top with flat side of a scond cookie to form a sandwich. Press together to squeeze filling to the edge. Roll edge of cookie in crushed candy canes!

Makes about 20.

Now I'm thinking that you could probably find any chocolate cookie recipe and have this work. You could probably make regular frosting and just add in some candy cane and still roll the edges. You could probably use cool whip mixed with crushed candy canes as well and then just keep them refrigerated..........

Let me know if you try any of this!

Merry Christmas!

Onesie........

Summer, my daughter, has been adorning baby onesies. She puts lots of things on the fronts. She sent me a link to adorne the back/bottom of onesies. This is my first try at it. Super cute I think. I decided to put pockets on and thought that would be cutie patootie for a boy but alas, no boy material......... The girlie pockets are pretty cute. I just bonded them on and then sewed around them. Be watching for boy bottoms............

Now I just need a baby bottom to put in these! Any takers?

FIRE!

So I've been at Basin Choral Festival tonight and Paul was SUPPOSED to be having a quiet night at home. Uh, that didn't really go as planned.

Dad fired up the four wheeler to move some horse feed from the garage to the shed. He had to fill it up with gas. He did his chore and parked the four wheeler back by the shed. About 30 minutes later he heard/felt a big boom. He of course, thought I had come home early and ran over something. He said it was a different enough of a sound (it rattled the windows) that he got up and went to the front door. He could see the glow of fire on the front rock pile. He ran around to the side of the house and the ATV was on fire to the tune of about a 12 foot flame. He ran to the hose and then realized it had burned up under the ATV. Then he remembered that we were not getting much water thru that hose anyways and had scheduled that to be fixed a few days ago. It had not gotten fixed. UGH! So he ran to the front of the house and pulled on that hose. It was frozen. NO WATER! He grabbed some work gloves and ran back to the ATV and pulled it away from the shed. The thing is still shooting flames. Why he thought that was a good idea is beyond me. Then he ran into the garage and grabbed a small bucket and ran to the pool. He filled it and ran to the ATV and started to try to put out the fire. He's thinking the house is going to start on fire or the entire mountain. He ran back to the pool and the water that had spilled on the deck had frozen so he slipped and fell and just about went into the pool. The bucket flew into the pool but he was able to grab it back out. He must have made dozens of trips to the pool. He enhaled so much smoke - burning tires, plastic, etc - so he kept throwing up on top of all of that. He's still coughing really hard. This is what is left of our ATV, atv wheelbarrow, and the side of our shed melted too. Dad has a few minor burns on his arm and a boatload of junk in his lungs but he's fine. He came in and called All State. It's all covered thank goodness. More importantly, dad's okay and nothing else started on fire. How that was possible is amazing.

Note to self: Call the fire department when things start on fire. Paul did not.......silly man...............such a man thing to NOT do!

Enjoy the pics!

Crafting.......

This is my newest craft creation. It sure took more ribbon than I had anticipated. It took about 12 yards for each ball. I cut the strips into 4.5". The ribbon that worked the best is the wired, thicker ribbon. The red stuff was a nightmare. I painted the clay pots black and then covered them in modgepodge for better wear. Then I put black river rocks in the bottom of each of the pots. I wrapped the dowels with gold ribbon.

March Madness

Two new babies are to join the ranks of our grandkids. They are both due in March. March 18th and the 26th. This will be Sam and Nikki's first baby - a boy and Summer and Josh's second baby - a girl.

Baby boy Stewart - eta March 18 This one belongs to Sam and Nikki.



These next two girls belong to Summer and Joshua.
Baby girl Andrus - eta March 26th




Reece 13 months


These two boys belong to Ben and Sharon.
Calvin almost 2


Grayson 3 1/2


The final three belong to Dani and Jefferson.
Taytum 4 months


Andi 2 1/2


Carter 3 1/2


The baby domino has tipped in our family and we are loving it. So, any takers to tip the next one over? Alli, Sharon, Dani?

Halloween.............

Ugh - that's all I have to say about Halloween. However, I did bring out the old scone recipe and ditched the Rhodes Roll Dough scones. I forgot just how good a real scone is. Thought I would share the recipe. And for my family - you'll remember that it comes out of that cookbook that I put on the burner and then proceeded to turn the burner on. Half of it's missing now and it's all burned and crunchy around the edges. You know, the yellow one......a Family Raised On SunShine. I would love a new copy of this cookbook. This happened clear back when we lived on Eldorado. Anyways, here's the recipe:

German Scones

Dissolve 2 packages yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add 1 T. sugar.

Pour 1 cup boiling water over:
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 t. salt

Add:
3 beaten eggs
Yeast mixture
2 cups flour

Bear with mixer until smooth. Add 2 1/2 c. flour and stir in. Let rise for 1 hour. It will be pretty sticky so when you go to roll them out, make sure you have lots of flour available to you. Roll out and cut into squares. Fry in hot oil. ( After the dough has risen you can put it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.)

Instead of the traditional chilli soup this year, we had Lobster Bisque. It was soooooo delicious. Here is the recipe for that:

Lobster Bisque

Go to Costco.
Go to the back where they keep cheeses (in the open coolers) and look for the Kirtland brand Lobster Bisque. It's fresh - not canned.

Heat it up. Lots of lobster in in. Very inexpensive.

Enjoy

Craftiness.............

It must just be the time of year but everyone seems to have their 'craft' on! I am probably the least crafty person I know. I have no patience. I want to do it quickly and finish quickly! But somehow I managed to get these done and I think they turned out pretty okay. The pics are mostly for my girls who are always asking to see what I've done!
This is a recipe card holder. I just modgepodged the paper on - embellished it with paper flowers and made the magnets with irregularly shaped glass stones. You glue the paper onto the back of them and then stick a magnet on the back. Nothing special for sure.


These came in a set from the Wood Connection in SLC. We have nothing of the sort here in Southern Oregon. Anyone want to start a business? The set cost about 22 bucks which I thought was a really great price. They stand about 16 inches high or so. Modgepodged paper on them, painted them black and put some glittery sutff on those.

I actually came up with this one. Paul got us a new chop saw and belt sander. He 'chopped' up some 4X4 wood post and a base on it. I painted everything black and then cut christmas paper squares just with about 1/4" of black showing. Modge podge them. Then I cut out some trees, a star, etc. to put on one side of each of the three blocks. More modge podge. Then I stacked them and put a ribbon around them. I really like these.



This was a plate from Walmart. About 4 bucks. I created this tree pattern. Modgepodged it right onto the white plate. I cut out the circles from some scrapbook paper and modgepodged those on as well. It was fun to do and I like the finished project.


I think I've done something else but I can't see it out right now in the mess of all this crafting! Please share your ideas with me! Love to steal away those cute ideas!

Gourmet Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

This is what I had for dinner tonight. It was truly the most creamy, delicious, yummy thing that may have ever gone into my mouth. I topped it off with some fresh ground cornmeal (thanks to my grinder and a bag of unpopped popcorn!) and honey butter. Here is the recipe for the mac and cheese. I post this only because one of you will undoubtedly ask for it.

12 oz. macaroni
14 oz. lobster tails uncooked(Fred Meyer sells 4 oz. and 8 oz. frozen lobster tails so I actually used 12 oz.)
5 T. Butter
1 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 c. half and half or whole milk
1 T. flour
3 oz. sharp cheddar
3 oz. fontina cheese
3 oz. gruyere cheese

Melt 4 T. of the butter slowly in pan. Take cut up lobster pieces and sautee for apx. 5 minutes over med low heat. Set aside.
Melt 1 T. butter in pan.
Add 1 T. flour and stir and stir until it turns light brown and gets a bit of a nutty smell to it.
Stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a boil.
Stir in the half and half. Bring to a boil.
Turn down and simmer for 3 minutes.
Add shredded cheese one handful at a time and stir and stir. This is just yummy goodness even reading this isn't it?
Your pasta should be finished cooking about the same time the sauce is finished.
Fold in the sauce to the noodles.
Fold in lobster to the mixture. I actually added mine to the top of the mac and cheese instead of stirring it in. Did I mention yummy goodness? The cheese sauce just compliments the lobster. The gruyere and fontina cheese are very mild and creamy cheeses. They are just unbelievable. The sharp cheddar added just enough cheesy flavor.

This was a bit expensive to make but for a special night like tonight (it's Thursday right?) it was just perfect. It makes plenty - I would say enough for four people. You may want to add a bit more lobster or cut the pieces into smaller bites. It is just so rich. A one cup serving is just about right. I think we may have downed about 1 1/2 cups and we are paying the price. I can't even look at the kitchen to clean up.

The rest of the story...............

After the blessing weekend, we packed up the moving truck and got Dani and her familia moved to Boise. They have a great home and it looks like they will do very well there. Paul flew in on Wednesday night to Boise so he could get a lookie lou at their new digs and make sure those grandkiddies knew that we would be around at their new place. We drove to Logan and then onto SLC and Provo to visit the rest of our family and celebrated our son Sam's 24th birthday and our grandaughter, Reece, 1st birthday! It was so fun to see all of them. On Friday we took Reece and Summer to Hogle Zoo. Joshua had to work so he wasn't able to join us. She loved what she could see - any big animals! She's just such a happy toot and just kind of goes with the flow. It was fun to spend the day with my oldest daughter, Summer, as well!



We met up with Sam and Nikki on Friday night at Tucanos, a brazillian restaurant, to celebrate Sam's 24th birthday. And did we ever celebrate! At 6'9" tall, dancing with a tambourine is interesting to say the least! He really is a good dancer - but he cannot do the worm! I can attest to this! Great food, wonderful family, lots of meat! Delicious! Don't Nikki and Summer just glow with the preggers glow?


Saturday morning Paul and Sam played a links course in Provo and Nikki and I went out and started looking at material for the baby's nursery. No pics of Nikki and I! Sorry Nikki!

The rest of Saturday we spent getting ready for the big birthday party! Cupcakes were frosted (with a bit of a struggle as it was so hot it was melting the frosting!), banners hung, balloons hung, presents wrapped, food prepared, and then the fun began! Reece seemed to enjoy the festivities but not quite as much as the rest of us. She did sit and pose for us! She dug into the frosting of her cake. She opened presents thruout the day. She mostly loved hanging out with her cousins and little friends who joined us for the party. She is very social and independant! It was fun to watch her interact with everyone. She has a very loving family in Josh's family. His parents and sibs just love her. It always makes it easier to leave knowing they are there to love on her!





Then it was finally bath time!



After Reece went to bed we were sitting in the living room and Nikki was laying on the couch. She all of a sudden just sat up and said, "I just felt the baby move!" What a special event to witness. She was just glowing and I think Sam felt pretty jealous. The men just have to wait their turn to feel the baby!


We drove back to Oregon on Sunday. It was an uneventful drive tho we did see JDonks right by the road, wild horses, and antelope. Did I mention I love where I live?

I sure miss my kids and grandkiddies. I love them all so much. None of these fun times and leisure time would be possible without the head of our family. Thank you Paul, yet again, for all you do for all of us. We are all so appreciative!

Whew! I think that about takes care of my past week. Lots of details and pictures were left out but you get the idea! Now onto Institute starting back up, crafts to finish, jazz piano lessons starting, etc............ It is sure going to be fun week! It would be better if all of these people I've blogged about (including Al and Nic who never get blogged about because they live here!) were here with me! My basement is preferable!

Whew!

This past week has been crazy! It started out with Taytum's blessing day. Paul, Ben and Sharon and boys, Nic and Alli were all there. I was so pleased to see my men folk standing in the circle honoring their priesthood. Her blessing was beautiful and I know that she will feel the power of that blessing thru her life.



Paul finally caught a picture of 'the dimple'! Isn't she just so beautiful!







We hit up OMSI with the kiddies and topped it off with a lenghthy visit to Chuck E. Cheese. I bought 120 tokens and when Paul came up to the table after ordering the pizza, he had gotten 120 tokens as well. It was heaven for the kiddies (and grownups)!







Mother:


Mother In Training!:


I just love this little family of mine!