Had friends over last night as it was my turn to host "Intervention." As always, I had a wonderful time. Thought maybe I'd share links to some of the recipes I used for last night's treats.
Brazilian Lemonade does not use lemons, but limes. It needs to be used immediately as I am told it gets bitter if it sits too long.
Mock Chili Rellenos for the crock pot was also on the menu. Next time I would add more chilis as it seemed to be the weakest flavor of all...or perhaps I shouldn't have thrown out the seeds.
Then there's Jennifer's favorites: Frosting Truffles
Aunt Trina's Pumpkin Bread/Muffin Recipe This recipe came from 100daystoChristmas, a website countdown that gets you prepared for the holidays. The muffins are very moist. By the way, when the recipe calls for 1 can of pumpkin, they mean 1 small (15 oz) can.
I also served toffee using a recipe I've had for years...and I can't find it online, so I'll have to type it here.
TOFFEE
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter 1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped 1 cup chocolate chips
Bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Pour over 1 cup of chopped pecans that have been sprinkled into the bottom of a buttered 9 x 9 glass pan. Then sprinkle the top with 1 cup chocolate chips (I prefer milk chocolate to semi-sweet) and let melt for a few minutes. Spread melted chocolate evenly over the top and place in the fridge until the chocolate loses its glossy appearance. Let come to room temperature and break into irregular shaped pieces.
I also served a layered dip, but I can't find the recipe online. Since it's from a cookbook and I don't want to break any copywrite laws (can anyone fill me in on that???), I will just give the general instructions.
LAYERED ARTICHOKE DIP has alternating layers of a cream cheese and ranch dip packet mix and an artichoke and roasted red pepper mix. Serve with crackers.
I also served the old stand-by of fruit and dip.
FRUIT DIP
Mix 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese with 1 cup of packed brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Serve with fruit (apples, bananas, grapes...) .
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
my washer died this morning
We've had our washer for 19 1/2 years, so I can't say I was totally surprised that it died. I put in an extra-large load. It filled with water, and then nothing happened. Luckily it was a cold water load, so no hot water was wasted. The last time that happened (which was a couple of years ago, I believe) the repairman said that if it died again that we should just buy a new one.
I was surprised the washer went before the fridge (also 19 1/2 years old), because the fridge has been acting up. The temperature controls are very touchy...trying to find the happy medium between frozen milk or warm milk. We also had it fixed a few years ago and that repairman also said that the next time it died, to get a new fridge. So, I'm planning on getting it replaced before it totally dies so as not to cause a major inconvenience. Maybe by the end of the week, even. Since I am having Intervention at my house on Friday, it would be really nice to have it by then, but we'll see.
Of course, the appliance that I have been waiting for years to die still seems to be going strong: our oven (which is only 17 1/2).
I "splurged" and bought the front loading washer and dryer. I just hope they are as wonderful as everyone says. I think my favorite feature just might be that it tells you how many minutes are left until the load is finished. Oh, and the dryer has a drying rack for shoes and things that need to lie flat when they are dried. I have already used this feature today.
On the one hand, I hate dipping into our savings. On the other hand, I am so glad we don't have to go into debt to buy new appliances.
I was surprised the washer went before the fridge (also 19 1/2 years old), because the fridge has been acting up. The temperature controls are very touchy...trying to find the happy medium between frozen milk or warm milk. We also had it fixed a few years ago and that repairman also said that the next time it died, to get a new fridge. So, I'm planning on getting it replaced before it totally dies so as not to cause a major inconvenience. Maybe by the end of the week, even. Since I am having Intervention at my house on Friday, it would be really nice to have it by then, but we'll see.
Of course, the appliance that I have been waiting for years to die still seems to be going strong: our oven (which is only 17 1/2).
I "splurged" and bought the front loading washer and dryer. I just hope they are as wonderful as everyone says. I think my favorite feature just might be that it tells you how many minutes are left until the load is finished. Oh, and the dryer has a drying rack for shoes and things that need to lie flat when they are dried. I have already used this feature today.
On the one hand, I hate dipping into our savings. On the other hand, I am so glad we don't have to go into debt to buy new appliances.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
blessings
Well, my dad turned 77 last Wednesday while he and mom were traveling. They got home on Friday night and by Saturday night he was in great pain and had my mom take him to the hospital. Turns out he had an obstructed bowel.
Monday night the update from Mom was that Dad was only a little bit better and they were still on a "wait and see" pattern to find out if he needed surgery. By Tuesday night he was home!
He still has to see his regular doctor so they can figure out why he had that problem. It's been 8 1/2 years since he had colon cancer surgery, so maybe it's just adhesions.
A few thoughts keep running through my mind: what a difference a day makes, what a miracle modern medicine can be, and how blessed we are that he is still with us and is home from the hospital and not in pain.
Dad, I'm glad you had such a great trip and that you'll be the one to show me your pictures and tell me about it. Love you Dad!
Monday night the update from Mom was that Dad was only a little bit better and they were still on a "wait and see" pattern to find out if he needed surgery. By Tuesday night he was home!
He still has to see his regular doctor so they can figure out why he had that problem. It's been 8 1/2 years since he had colon cancer surgery, so maybe it's just adhesions.
A few thoughts keep running through my mind: what a difference a day makes, what a miracle modern medicine can be, and how blessed we are that he is still with us and is home from the hospital and not in pain.
Dad, I'm glad you had such a great trip and that you'll be the one to show me your pictures and tell me about it. Love you Dad!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Birthday Dad!
My Dad is 77 today. I decided that to honor him, I would post pictures of him enjoying his hobby of photography. The 2 pictures I've posted are when Deni, Dad, and I went to Crescent City California while Deni and I were visiting our parents this past July.
He has taken some really great pictures. Check out his link to the right to see some of his photos. He and Mom are off in Lewis and Clark territory right now (Columbia River area) and I hope he brings back some great photos to share.
Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
guess who'll be driving!
Yesterday Ryan turned 15 1/2. He also got his learner's permit. I would think I'd be more apprehensive than I am...maybe the first time he drives with the family in the car it will hit me.
Andrew did not get his permit right away. Didn't get his license till he was 18. Eric still doesn't have his permit. Doesn't want one. Ryan has been counting the days for his 1/2 birthday.
Letting Andrew drive was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I'm not looking forward going through that again. Yet, I'm excited that Ryan is excited...
Andrew did not get his permit right away. Didn't get his license till he was 18. Eric still doesn't have his permit. Doesn't want one. Ryan has been counting the days for his 1/2 birthday.
Letting Andrew drive was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I'm not looking forward going through that again. Yet, I'm excited that Ryan is excited...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
We went to General Conference
Glen and I had our 20th anniversary over 8 months ago...but since General Conference is not in January but in April and October, and since Glen is too busy in April to go anywhere and it's less likely to snow in October than in April, we chose October Conference as our way to celebrate 20 years together.
Glen took Friday off from school and we drove to Salt Lake City, spent a few hours in the Family History Library (very disappointing...we didn't find anything), and then drove to Farmington to spend the night at Glen's sister Teresa's...only she wasn't there as she became a grandma again on the 30th (congratulations Jessica and Nathan!) and she was in Logan.
Our brother-in-law, Matt, took great care of us. On Friday night, we got to watch most of the BYU-Utah State game (way to go Cougars! 35-17 in case you didn't know). On Saturday morning, Matt even cooked us breakfast (blueberry pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs). We then drove back to Salt Lake because we had tickets for the 10 am session of General Conference.
We arrived at our seats (balcony section) an hour early, happy that we didn't have to contend with any anti-Mormon protesters outside. We got to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice. Very cool.
I was amazed at how quiet 20,000 people could be. It was really wonderful to be there...I've been a member of the church for over 34 years now and this was my first time attending Conference live...it was only Glen's second time (his first time was when he "stood me up" for our first date back in April 1988--we had arranged to go out for the first time and he had to call and cancel because he was going up to Conference with our singles ward...I had to work that weekend and couldn't go to General Conference).
My 2 favorite talks were from Elder David A. Bednar (becoming more diligent and concerned within our homes) and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (love is the hallmark of a disciple of Christ), but the other talks were fabulous as well.
We did not have to contend with any protesters leaving, either; however, there was a man preaching on the corner (I didn't listen so I don't know what he was saying) with a sign that said something about the church of the devil.
We hit the Family History Library for Glen to make a few photocopies while we were waiting for traffic to clear out, and then headed home. We were able to catch the afternoon session of conference on the radio. I think I loved it even more than the morning session. Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk on how eternal laws are not superseded by God's love was phenomenal. Can't wait to read it again when it's available.
I also loved how Elder Tad R. Callister compared Peter to Joseph Smith...and how we can focus on a few weaknesses or see the real picture.
After listening to Conference, we caught the UNR-UNLV game. Way to go Wolfpack! (63-28 in case you missed that game)
We made it home in time for Glen to catch the last 15 minutes of Priesthood.
For Sunday's sessions, I think Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's will be the talk most discussed. What a powerful testimony! Once again, I can't wait to read it again...and again.
All of the talks were so edifying...it really is such a blessing to have living prophets who guide us. How grateful I am to have found the gospel...and how grateful I am for modern technology that allows us such quick access to the words of our church leaders.
Great weekend.
Glen took Friday off from school and we drove to Salt Lake City, spent a few hours in the Family History Library (very disappointing...we didn't find anything), and then drove to Farmington to spend the night at Glen's sister Teresa's...only she wasn't there as she became a grandma again on the 30th (congratulations Jessica and Nathan!) and she was in Logan.
Our brother-in-law, Matt, took great care of us. On Friday night, we got to watch most of the BYU-Utah State game (way to go Cougars! 35-17 in case you didn't know). On Saturday morning, Matt even cooked us breakfast (blueberry pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs). We then drove back to Salt Lake because we had tickets for the 10 am session of General Conference.
We arrived at our seats (balcony section) an hour early, happy that we didn't have to contend with any anti-Mormon protesters outside. We got to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice. Very cool.
I was amazed at how quiet 20,000 people could be. It was really wonderful to be there...I've been a member of the church for over 34 years now and this was my first time attending Conference live...it was only Glen's second time (his first time was when he "stood me up" for our first date back in April 1988--we had arranged to go out for the first time and he had to call and cancel because he was going up to Conference with our singles ward...I had to work that weekend and couldn't go to General Conference).
My 2 favorite talks were from Elder David A. Bednar (becoming more diligent and concerned within our homes) and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (love is the hallmark of a disciple of Christ), but the other talks were fabulous as well.
We did not have to contend with any protesters leaving, either; however, there was a man preaching on the corner (I didn't listen so I don't know what he was saying) with a sign that said something about the church of the devil.
We hit the Family History Library for Glen to make a few photocopies while we were waiting for traffic to clear out, and then headed home. We were able to catch the afternoon session of conference on the radio. I think I loved it even more than the morning session. Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk on how eternal laws are not superseded by God's love was phenomenal. Can't wait to read it again when it's available.
I also loved how Elder Tad R. Callister compared Peter to Joseph Smith...and how we can focus on a few weaknesses or see the real picture.
After listening to Conference, we caught the UNR-UNLV game. Way to go Wolfpack! (63-28 in case you missed that game)
We made it home in time for Glen to catch the last 15 minutes of Priesthood.
For Sunday's sessions, I think Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's will be the talk most discussed. What a powerful testimony! Once again, I can't wait to read it again...and again.
All of the talks were so edifying...it really is such a blessing to have living prophets who guide us. How grateful I am to have found the gospel...and how grateful I am for modern technology that allows us such quick access to the words of our church leaders.
Great weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)