Thanksgivings Day 10

I am thankful today for the people I work with. My manager Glenn is a an awesome person to work for. We have loads of fun and great times while we work hard to keep produce looking good. My fellow teammates Ellyn and Dee Dee keep me very well entertained and help make the day pass by faster! The other guys on the crew are so much fun also. I don't think I would enjoy work so much if I didn't work with such stellar people! Produce is definitely the best place to work! I'm very thankful for the best work environment out there! Kudos!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

8 ounces egg noodles, uncooked, medium size
1/3 cup flour
2 cups skim milk
1 1/2 cups Appenzellar cheese, shredded
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
2 tbsp brown mustard
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup cooked ham, diced
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. While the noodles cook, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine flour and 1/3 cup milk in a saucepan, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Place the pan over medium heat, whisk in the rest of the milk and mustard. Cook 6 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low. Add the cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in the chicken, peas, ham and black pepper and serve hot over the drained noodles. The Appenzellar cheese can be substituted with a Swiss or Jarlsberg cheese.

Thankgivings Day 9

Sunday. There are so many things I am thankful for on Sundays. I was thinking in church today about what I could write and it hit me, I'm thankful for my freedom of religion. I know I wrote earlier this week about my freedom to vote, but this freedom is much greater in my eyes. Our great country was founded by people who wished to get out from under the tyrannical thumb of the King of England so they could have the freedom to worship their beliefs that they choose, not the King. Without these peoples desire to be free, this county would not have been created and set up for the Restoration of the Gospel. I am very thankful that I could sit in church today and worship freely, pray openly, sing hymns, and enjoy the blessings of the sacrament. Yes, today I am very thankful for my freedom of religion.

Thankgivings Day 8

Today's the 8th of November, and I'm thankful college football season will be over soon! I really don't mind it that much, I'm just not a huge fan! I'd rather be watching a movie and snuggling with my husband than sitting here on the computer blogging and listening to college ball. I know way more than I ever wanted to know about football. Why do I need to know that Utah played their blackout game against the Horned Frogs I don't know!!! Or that BYU has only lost one game this season but yet they rank only 17th. Huh. I don't get it. I don't want to get it either. But in order to have a conversation with my husband while he's watching the games intently, I come up with these questions. I am glad that he's not much into the NFL this year and that college fb is almost over. The final games are coming and then I'll only have to deal with he bowl games. WhoooHoooo!

Thanksgivings Day 7

Today I am very thankful my husband is coming home! He's been gone to a Les Schwab Tire's brakes class that is required to promote up into a supervisor position. He left on Wednesday morning to drive to Prineville Oregon. The kids and I have missed him something fierce, but we are glad he's at his class. So he'll be home around 11:00pm tonight! It's funny how our home feels different when he's gone. the kids said they are going to try to stay awake to see their Dad, we'll see about that! Thank goodness tomorrow is Saturday and they don't have school! Thomas has the day off also, so they get to be with their Dad all day. Unfortunatly I do have to work, but I'll get all day Sunday with Thomas and the kids! I'm so excited he's coming home!!!

Thanksgivings Day 6

Today I'm thankful for colored paper, scissors and glue. These three simple things are heaven sent. My darling children where absolutely insane tonight while I was getting dinner ready and the house picked up. But give a child three simple items and silence fills the house as they create princess crowns and monsters. Dinner didn't get burned, the floor vacuumed and the house is at peace. The kids are happy, Mama's happy and all is well. Now I wonder if someone has invented something to remove the mysterious blob of paper and glue from my tabletop?

Thanksgivings Day 5

So today I'm very thankful for books. I love books, fiction, nonfiction and so on. I can't get enough! Without books, we'd only have the stories of others close to us to listen to. With books we can read about others' stories without having to leave our home! Last night, my daughter, Carol read her first book all by herself! It was just a really simple book, but she read it! I am so proud of her! She's loved reading with me, but now, she can start discovering a new world with every book she opens up and reads! I can't wait to share with her some of my childhood favorites! I am so lucky to live in a place where I can get as many books as I want from the local library and enjoy! So pick up a book tonight, and immerse yourself in a different world and enjoy!

November 4th Thanksgiving

Today I am very thankful for my choice to vote. Not only is it my choice, but my right and my freedom! I have the freedom to choose who I will vote for, and have a chance to voice my opinion on who runs the government, what laws passes and so on. Without this freedom, I would not have a say on what happens in this country I live in. I could be stuck living under the iron fist of a dictatorship and have no voice at all. Here in the United States, we all have a voice, all have an opinion and all have a choice. So make you choice and let your voice be heard instead of complaining about something you could change! Voting is a major thing to be thankful for, and I'm proud of my chance and choice to vote!

Thanksgivings

So, I've just read my sisters' blogs, Patty and Tiana, and I've been inspired to try to be more thankful this month, being Thanksgiving and all. I've had a pretty rough day today, but after reading their blogs, I feel uplifted and at peace, like this was what I was looking for today to help me get through everything. So, like Patty, I'm going to try to post something I'm thankful for every day this month. All three of my sisters have such beautiful testimonies and their words seemed to uplift today. Thank you for that! And since it's November 3rd today, I need to post three things I'm thankful for. So here goes . . . . .

#1 - I'm thankful for family. All of my family. Husband, kids, parents, brothers, sisters and so on. Without them, I'd be so lost. I love my family so very very much! I know we all annoy each other at times, but heck how boring would life be if we weren't all different? I enjoy spending time with all of them, and wish that I had spent more time with everyone before they all moved away! As for Thomas and the kids, wow, I can't love them enough! Thomas is such a solid rock for me and gives me such love and support! And the kiddos, they are the best!

#2 - I'm thankful for rain! For one, I just love rain. Secondly, rain brings so many wonderful things! Fresh smells & Life! I love being able to sit at home listening to the rain with my window cracked just a little bit to let in that wonderful smell! It's just so refreshing!

#3 - And finally, for today, I'm grateful for prayer. Without prayer, I don't know how I would have made it through today. Thomas was in a car wreck this morning and totaled his car. He's ok, he just has a gooseegg on his head and a scrape or two. I was so freaked out after he called, wondering how we'd make everything work out, towing bill, paying a ticket, paying for a new vehicle, how would Thomas get to work until finding a new car, what to do with the totaled car, and everything else. Stress upon stress, anxiety attack galore. Then I remembered one of those saying boards, "When life gets too hard to stand, Kneel." So I did. Afterwards I felt a little bit better, at least able to face the day. And throughout the day,as I went to work, then up to SLC to take care of the car, and so on, everything seems to be working out. My husband was ok, it could have been a lot worse. My boss worked with me, and I was able to go up to SLC to help Thomas with taking care of the car. Yes the car is totaled, but the towing company said that if we sign the title over to them, we wouldn't have to pay the towing bill or storage fee and they'd take care of the car. The damage on the other vehicle was minimal. Thank goodness for insurance. The driver of the other vehicle is ok, and very nice. Thomas's boss is letting him borrow a service truck until we find a different car. Thomas's parents have a small car that they'll let us buy. Thomas isn't badly hurt. As for the ticket, well, we'll just deal with it. But without prayer, I don't think my day would have gotten better, but worse. And after reading Patty's and Tiana's blogs, their words gave me a final bit of peace to where I can now see everything is really going to be ok and I have so much to be thankful for. Like it says in the scriptures:
"Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 37: 36-37)

Butternut Squash Bisque

This is a very yummy, warm your toes bisque! Great for fall weather and wintertime!

2 TBSP butter or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 medium sized butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
32 oz chicken of vegetable squash
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning or to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 cup Half and Half or Heavy whipping cream

In a large pot, melt butt or heat oil. Sautee veggies in oil for 5 minutes. Add seasonings. Cover veggies with broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes or until everything is very tender. Transfer all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to pot, bring to a simmer and add half and half to obtain desired consistency.

The Littlest Pumpkin

Thanks to my sis for this new pic. I just could not resist!!!!!! Isn't he sooooo cute!!! The Gram has dubbed him the candy corn baby. I can't wait to go see him again!

Carol's Birthday Party

Tonight, we celebrated Carol's 6th Birthday out at my parents house. What a fun time! Oupa and Granny, Aunt Debbie, RJ, Stacy and Kambree and my parents were all there out at my parent's home. For birthday dinner we had hot dogs and steak cooked on the campfire, cheetos, funeral potatoes, rolls, and green salad. Roll out the Pepto!!! Thomas was able to make it for dessert, which was a good thing. Carol was sooooo excited about her birthday cake. It was a cake built out of cupcakes to look like a cupcake! After trying to blow out the tricktsy candles, we opened presents!!! Carol was so excited! She got some Diamond Castle Barbies, clothes, a necklace kit, a stuffed puppy and all sorts of great stuff!!! It was such a good day!!!!

The Great Pumpkin

Miss Breezy and her Daddy














John Picking Jack's Pumpkin














Carol and her Pumpkin














Kambree and the Candies














So every year we go out to my folk's place and get our pumpkins for Halloween. It was freezing cold this year!!!! We had snow flakes this morning, and the wind was blowing and it was just down righ cold!!! For some magical reason, Papa and Gram get the biggest and best pumpkins overnight. It must be Gram's special miracle grow or something. John picked out Jackbug's first pumpkin, Carol picked out Tiana's pumpkin, John picked Uncle Lew's pumpkin and Carol picked out Patty's pumpkin and so on. Miss Breezy was there too, and had a jolly time getting into Gram's treat bowl and entertaining all of us during dinner. It's was such a fun time, even though we missed Lew & Patty and Tiana, Dan and Jackbug.

My Sister's Taco Soup

1 lb browned ground beef
1/2 onion
10 oz can Rotel tomatoes
15 oz can corn (do not drain)
15 oz can stewed tomatoes (do not drain)
15 oz can diced tomatos (do not drain)
15 oz can kidney beans (do not drain)
15 oz can pinto beans (do not drain)
5 oz can diced chiles
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix


Combine in a crock pot for on low for 6 hours. Delicious when served with shredded cheese, sour cream, and scoop tortilla chips.

He's Here!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I'm so excited! My nephew, Jack Charles Miller has arrived! He was Born October 1st, 2008 at 2:04 A.M. He is 5 pounds 15 ounces and 18 1/4 inches long and just too cute! I have not met this little guy in person yet, hopefully Sunday. But from the pictures I scalped from Dan, I'm in love with this little guy! Oh he's just adorable! He's got the cutest little pout! And what kissable cheeks! Sorry, I'm having an Aunty moment! Kinda excited here! My sister, Tiana is doing just fine, from what I hear she was very calm during labor and delivery! She's going to be such an awesome Mommy! I am also very proud to call Dan my brother in law. He didn't pass out or wuss out like my husband did during labor and delivery. Congrats to the new little family! Oooooooohhhhhhh he's just sooooooooo cute!!!!! :)

The Best Stuff Ever!!!

As most of you know, I work for Harmons here in Utah, back in the produce department as a Sous Chef. The other day we received in the most amazing product for the fall. I love a fresh apple dipped with some carmel this time of year. My favorite carmel brand, T. Marzetti, has added a new amazing twist on their carmel this year. (Or maybe I've just discovered it) They've added cinnamon in with their carmel and it's the most amazing stuff yet! So grab a new crop apple, like a Johnathan or a Gala and some T. Marzetti Cinnamon Carmel dip and enjoy!!!! Oh wow, this stuff is good!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is the ultimate fall time cookie, and so easy to make! Top with cream cheese frosting for an extra yummy treat!

1 package Spice Cake mix
1 can (14oz) 100% pure pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together, except chocolate chips, until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let stand on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing and placing on cooling racks.

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cookies

1 package chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 TBSP water
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. In a medium bowl mix together cake mix, eggs and oil until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Use a spoon to drop spoonfuls on the cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing.

Aunt Laura Tagged me . . .

7 things I plan to do before I die...
1. Watch my Kids grow and learn
2. Learn to love life for what it is
3. Travel the World
4. Obtain a Degree
5. Learn Hebrew and Russian
6. Race again
7. Conquer my Fears

7 things I can do...
1. Cook
2. Knit, Crochet, X-stitch, and kinda sew
3. Educate people about other foods besides meat and potatoes
4. I can pull a trailer too!!!! and drive a stick!!!
5. Ride Horse - roping racing and just for fun!
6. Drive tractors
7. Be A Mom

7 things I cannot do...
1. Smash spiders or deal with spiders
2. eat nuts or things smoked with hickory
3. Scrapbook
4. be the perfect domestic dive
5. Do it All!
6. skinny
7. weird looking bugs - can't stand them

7 Things that attract me to the opposite sex... ( Or in other words Thomas)
1. Eyes
2. Warped Sense of Humor
3. Smile
4. Ease to be around
5. Hands
6. Voice
7. Laugh

7 Things I say most often
1. Hi! Have you tried . . . .
2. What are you doing?
3. What is that SMELL!
4. You stink
5. What?
6. Ya Know
7. Have a nice day!

7 Celebrity Admirations
1. My Mom & Dad
2. My Gram
3. Charmayne James
4. JK Rowling
5. Gerard Butler
6. Rachel Ray
7. Paula Dean

7 Favorite foods...
1. My Mom's Turkey Dinner
2. My Mom's Seafood Dinner
3. NY Sub
4. Pearl Street Bagel
5. Ben & Jerry - 'nuff said
6. Pork Burritos with homemade Chille Verde
7. Patty's Alfredo

Seven People I think should do this: Tiana, Patty, Dan, Samantha, um I don't know anyone else on here who hasn't already done this!

Tomato, Corn & Avacado Salad

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Serves 4

1 ear of corn (husk and silk removed)

1 pint cherry, grape or pear tomatoes, halved or quartered if large

1 avacado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced

2 scallions, thinly sliced

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tbsp olive oil

sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taster

Stand ear in large bowl, and with a sharp knife, carefully slice downward to release kernels. Discard cob. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and toss gently to combine.

Creamed Corn

• 20 ounces corn kernels, blanched, and removed from the cob
  
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• white or cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Place corn kernels, whipping cream, milk, salt, sugar, and white or cayenne pepper in a large stockpot. Bring to a slow, low boil beginning on medium heat, stirring frequently. Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Melt butter in the microwave, or in a small saucepan on low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Stir into the corn until well blended. Enjoy!

School

So Yesterday, my two kids went to their first day of school. I knew Carol would be going without a doubt, but we didn't find out about John going to the school sponsored preschool until Friday afternoon. So, Monday morning I take them both to school. They both have their lunches packed away in their backpacks, new clothes and spiffy new shoes. As they lined up to go to their classes, my emotions overcame me. John says to me "Ok Mom, go home now." Carol just completely ignores me as she socializes and makes new friends in the 5 minutes before school starts. I stood there a little while longer, snapping a few pics and I thought,"Wow, Today is the day. I can't believe my kids are big enough to be lining up for their class and going to school." The both looked so beautiful to me (Don't tell John, he's handsome, Don't ya know!) and so ready to begin the next steps in their lives, without Mom there all the time. I knew they would be ready for this day, but my poor heart wasn't. I didn't shed any tears, my eyes just got a little misty and all. After they walked into their classrooms, I went home to 3 very quiet hours of house work and chocolate. I'm okay with this school thing now, but just for a minute, it was almost too hard to let them go.

Root Beer Float Cake

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Ready In: 2-1/2 hours

Serves: 12

1 golden vanilla cake mix

Root Beer (not extract or concentrate)

1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 recipe Celebration Icing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake according to package directions except use root beer in place of liquid called for and add vanilla and lemon zest. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions. Cool completely.

Celebration Icing:

In a medium mixing bowl, beat 1/3 cup unsalted softened butter until smooth. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 3 tablespoons root beer and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in 2 more cups of powdered sugar. If necessary, beat in a little more root beer to make spreading consistency,

Carol's first Horse show was just awesome! She took 5th in the Leadline showmanship and 2nd in Leadline equitation! Way to go my girlo!

Horse Show

Tomorrow, Carol-Anne is going to be in her first horse show! We are so excited! So today we tried on her show clothes and then had to take some silly pictures of her all dolled up with her T's crown and one of her Papa's trophy buckles! I think we have a future rodeo queen on our hands!

Thomas' Sauteed Mushrooms

1 package slice mushrooms
2 TBSP Poultry Seasoning
1 cube butter

Melt butter in a pan. Add in mushrooms and poultry seasoning. Sautte mushrooms until tender. Serve hot.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

4 ears of Utah corn, kernels removed
1 cucumber, diced
2 ripe Utah tomatoes, diced
1 can low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 c. red onion, diced
Zest and juice from 1/2 lime
1 small finely minced jalapeno pepper
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/3 c fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 TBSP olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Blanch the corn kernels for about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Remove to a large bowl and add all the other ingredients and toss together gently. Make 4 cups.

Which Disney Princess Am I?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Carol is disappointed in my Disney princess. She thinks I should be something more princess like instead.

Breaking Dawn Part 2

VICTORY! I have the book at last! At first my friend Carly and I went to the Barnes and Noble store to wait in line in Orem. What a joke! The line was clear down by the burlington coat factory store! So we had a bright idea and Carly and her boyfriend James walked over to the FYE store to see how long the line was. They discovered the line was really short there, so I left my place at B&N and went to FYE. 15 minutes later, I had the book in my hands. Joy! We had to walk past B&N to get to our cars and holy crap the line was still extremely huge out side! I swear we would have waited in line until 3 am just to buy this book! I'm so glad we went over to the other store! Well I'm going to go read now. I might not surface for a day or two!