A co-worker made this for our work yesterday and wow! Superfabulous!
Chili's Salsa
1 can (14.5 ounce) tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel brand)
1 can (14.5 ounce) whole canned tomatoes (plus the juice)
4 teaspoons jalapenos (canned, diced NOT pickled)
1/4 cup yellow onions (I'm lazy and use dehydrated onion flakes)
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt (Or I use combination of garlic powder and dehyrdrated minced garlic)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Combine in blender and blend/puree. Cover and chill. A couple of hours of chilling will help blend and enrich the flavor.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Kid Pics
Today my kids participated in sacrament meeting. Brandon played the piano, Ethan, Benjamin, Maddie and Dylan sang. The song: We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet. Brandon did a perfect job. The kids did OK with some occasional nervous laughter from Maddie. I do love that about our church...among other things:) I think it is such a great opportunity for kids to learn to present in public and get comfortable in that realm.
My neighbor took some video of it for me. Love her guts....so I will post it when I get it. I had my husband take some pictures for me since I was in some meetings. Here they are:
My neighbor took some video of it for me. Love her guts....so I will post it when I get it. I had my husband take some pictures for me since I was in some meetings. Here they are:
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Maddie's Outdoor Art Exhibit
To replicate you will just need Mom's special yellow juice that she loves (sneak it out when she is not looking; it's that Honest Ade stuff), some pretty ponies, your brother's vocabulary words, a basket, a remnant Valentine, and any other girlish things you can find. Pour out the drink first and then artistically place items in the snow. Oh, and don't forget the rock collection. That's a must.
My Valentines
These sweet ones make my world go round. Love my babies and my sweet husband. So grateful for all their love. I can't believe how old they are getting. Brandon is 10, Ethan is 8, Benj is 6, Maddie is 5, and Dylan is 4. Some of these pictures of Brandon and I are from our date night. It was so sweet to arrive at the table and have a rose waiting. My husband is so kind and romantic. I don't know what I would do without my wonderful husband. Now I must step away from blogging to get three school age children prepared for Valentines Day in their classes. For Valentines Day, Brandon took me to "The Roof". It is always fun on Valentines to go and do some people watching. We were hoping to see some engagements, but that didn't happen, darnit. But the people watching was fantabulous. I must say. And the guy sitting across from me was not too shabby either. Love my Brandon. He is my angel on this earth.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Clear Borders!
YAY! After five rounds of incisions on my thigh, I was told yesterday I have clear borders. Meaning, all that evolving melanoma, both colonies, are gone. Good riddance! So, now back to real life. Other anxieties can now have the front burner. What a relief. Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts, prayers, and love. I am grateful for the power of prayer, fasting, and blessings.
Valentine divinity
Pink Valentine Divinity
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 (3 oz.) pkg. pink Jell-o {cherry, strawberry, raspberry}
3/4 c. light corn syrup
2 egg whites
Directions
1. Line a counter top with some wax paper. Spray the inside of 2 pastry bags or 1 large zip lock bag with cooking spray.
2. Combine sugar, water and syrup in saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; continue cooking, stirring occasionally to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). After it reaches a boil, it will take about 20 minutes to get to 260 degrees. A candy thermometer is very helpful!
3. After the sugar mixture has boiled and you're waiting for it to hit 260 degrees, beat egg whites until fluffy using a stand mixer. Slowly add dry gelatin. Continue to beat until egg whites hold stiff peaks.
4. Once it reaches 260 degrees, slowly pour hot syrup in thin stream into egg whites, beating all the while. Beat until candy looses gloss, about 10 minutes. You can tell it's ready when it appears to be able to keep it's shape well.
5. At this point, you can either drop by spoonfuls onto the wax paper or be fancy and fill the pastry bag and pipe it into shapes. The pastry bag option really isn't hard, but I'd suggest filling the bags first, then piping the shapes. After the divinity is ready to be piped, you have about 10 minutes before it's too hard to do anything with. So fill both bags {or one zip lock bag, then cut the tip} and then pipe both bags, one right after the other. Work as quickly as possible!
Let the candy dry on the counter top for at least 12 hours. If it's raining or snowing, it will take longer to dry as the air is more humid.
Decorate with chocolate hearts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc. Enjoy!
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 (3 oz.) pkg. pink Jell-o {cherry, strawberry, raspberry}
3/4 c. light corn syrup
2 egg whites
Directions
1. Line a counter top with some wax paper. Spray the inside of 2 pastry bags or 1 large zip lock bag with cooking spray.
2. Combine sugar, water and syrup in saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; continue cooking, stirring occasionally to 260 degrees (hard ball stage). After it reaches a boil, it will take about 20 minutes to get to 260 degrees. A candy thermometer is very helpful!
3. After the sugar mixture has boiled and you're waiting for it to hit 260 degrees, beat egg whites until fluffy using a stand mixer. Slowly add dry gelatin. Continue to beat until egg whites hold stiff peaks.
4. Once it reaches 260 degrees, slowly pour hot syrup in thin stream into egg whites, beating all the while. Beat until candy looses gloss, about 10 minutes. You can tell it's ready when it appears to be able to keep it's shape well.
5. At this point, you can either drop by spoonfuls onto the wax paper or be fancy and fill the pastry bag and pipe it into shapes. The pastry bag option really isn't hard, but I'd suggest filling the bags first, then piping the shapes. After the divinity is ready to be piped, you have about 10 minutes before it's too hard to do anything with. So fill both bags {or one zip lock bag, then cut the tip} and then pipe both bags, one right after the other. Work as quickly as possible!
Let the candy dry on the counter top for at least 12 hours. If it's raining or snowing, it will take longer to dry as the air is more humid.
Decorate with chocolate hearts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Preschool Firehouse Fieldtrip
Of course I volunteered to help with the preschool firehouse fieldtrip. I forgot that all of my children were out of school that week, so we all got to go. I also didn't realize that this would be two days after they decided to take a big chunk out of my leg. But luckily, all was well, no pain, and the kids had a great time. What a cool new firehouse we have in our town. It looks like a lodge. Beautiful building and super nice firemen who were so kind to the children.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Not to be gross but......
Here's my scar. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I feel the need to drop my pants and show people the scar on my leg. There is a certain satisfaction in having a scar. Now I just need a good story to go with it. Any good ideas?
So, I had my appointment with Dr. Leachman on Tuesday. She said she would cut a cm on each side of my other scar. She then drew a football shape, and gosh darnit, it looked like a football with my previous scar right in the middle. She must've been gearing up for game day this Sunday.
Then she made a 10 cm incision going down my thigh. She went down to the muscle, cutting everything out within the football. My husband was absolutely fascinated. Blood makes me a little ill, but I learned that my husband missed his calling in life. He should've been a surgeon. He was chatting it up with the Dr., she was pointing out my muscle, and explaining everything. He loved every minute. It also didn't hurt that they are both from Texas, so there was lots of "Texas talk", which of course I didn't quite understand being a Northerner and all. I decided since she was doing surgery on me not to mention that we won the war....hee-hee.
It took 2 1/2 hours, as she went so deep, she had to make about 10 runs of stitches going from the bottom and stitching one row of fat at a time, or whatever is there under all that skin. In the end, on top, I ended up with 25 neat little stitches.
The good news: there is a good chance that my two colonies of melanoma-evolving cells are gone. (We will find out for sure next Tuesday). The bad news, as the Dr. told me, is I will have quite a big scar and a big permanent dent in my thigh. I guess my runway days are over. I will need lots of therapy for that. Actually, I could not care less. Especially if the melanoma is gone. If not, well, that's another story.
Anyway, I love Dr. Leachman, I love my sweet husband for being there with me through it all, and love modern technology and great doctors.
So, want a picture? Even if you don't, here goes. I have got to show off my wicked cool scar.
I am also grateful for super supportive parents who watched my five kids while I was gone in Park City. My Mom also gave me some spending money to have a little fun in Park City since I was there. How sweet. I love my folks and appreciate all their prayers and kindness. Also for all the prayers, fasting, and caring from everyone.
I have one word of advice. Oh, I guess two. Wear sunscreen. Although, to be fair ----ha-ha (get it? sorry, I am corny, can't help it much), my upper thigh has not seen a lot of sun in my life. Although I have a perfect body, I have always been quite modest about that and didn't want to make everyone else jealous.....so I always covered up real well. (Ha-Ha). They actually told me this is most likely very genetic. So, dear cousins and family members, remember that those cute little brown moles can give you a lot of grief. Go to a specialist. Make sure it is a derma-pathologist who looks at the results. Cause, this is round 5 of getting this mole and it's melanoma-evolving cells out. From the same spot. 2 years ago I went to my normal care dr. who sent the sample to a (normal)pathologist (not derma-pathologist). The results came out clear. Well, guess what. Dr. Leachman got those initial samples, and they really weren't clear. That's the difference between a dermapathologist and a regular pathologist. Go to a specialist, and not a botox-ish skin specialist (which is hard to find as all the money is in the botox!). I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Leachman. But since she is head of the Huntsman Cancer Melanoma stuff, etc. she can be hard to get into. You know what's so cool? My sister in law Diane went to med school and studied under Dr. Leachman. Thanks for that referral Diane!
Another funny sidenote: Dr. Leachman was talking about how her Mom tried to teach her to sew.....but she always cringed at the thought of that as she wanted to be a professional. And look where she is now....sewing skin. I told her that her Mom would be proud. We all had a good laugh.
And Diane, next time you are in town, Dr. Leachman would love to go to lunch. (If you still have an appetite:)
So, I had my appointment with Dr. Leachman on Tuesday. She said she would cut a cm on each side of my other scar. She then drew a football shape, and gosh darnit, it looked like a football with my previous scar right in the middle. She must've been gearing up for game day this Sunday.
Then she made a 10 cm incision going down my thigh. She went down to the muscle, cutting everything out within the football. My husband was absolutely fascinated. Blood makes me a little ill, but I learned that my husband missed his calling in life. He should've been a surgeon. He was chatting it up with the Dr., she was pointing out my muscle, and explaining everything. He loved every minute. It also didn't hurt that they are both from Texas, so there was lots of "Texas talk", which of course I didn't quite understand being a Northerner and all. I decided since she was doing surgery on me not to mention that we won the war....hee-hee.
It took 2 1/2 hours, as she went so deep, she had to make about 10 runs of stitches going from the bottom and stitching one row of fat at a time, or whatever is there under all that skin. In the end, on top, I ended up with 25 neat little stitches.
The good news: there is a good chance that my two colonies of melanoma-evolving cells are gone. (We will find out for sure next Tuesday). The bad news, as the Dr. told me, is I will have quite a big scar and a big permanent dent in my thigh. I guess my runway days are over. I will need lots of therapy for that. Actually, I could not care less. Especially if the melanoma is gone. If not, well, that's another story.
Anyway, I love Dr. Leachman, I love my sweet husband for being there with me through it all, and love modern technology and great doctors.
So, want a picture? Even if you don't, here goes. I have got to show off my wicked cool scar.
I am also grateful for super supportive parents who watched my five kids while I was gone in Park City. My Mom also gave me some spending money to have a little fun in Park City since I was there. How sweet. I love my folks and appreciate all their prayers and kindness. Also for all the prayers, fasting, and caring from everyone.
I have one word of advice. Oh, I guess two. Wear sunscreen. Although, to be fair ----ha-ha (get it? sorry, I am corny, can't help it much), my upper thigh has not seen a lot of sun in my life. Although I have a perfect body, I have always been quite modest about that and didn't want to make everyone else jealous.....so I always covered up real well. (Ha-Ha). They actually told me this is most likely very genetic. So, dear cousins and family members, remember that those cute little brown moles can give you a lot of grief. Go to a specialist. Make sure it is a derma-pathologist who looks at the results. Cause, this is round 5 of getting this mole and it's melanoma-evolving cells out. From the same spot. 2 years ago I went to my normal care dr. who sent the sample to a (normal)pathologist (not derma-pathologist). The results came out clear. Well, guess what. Dr. Leachman got those initial samples, and they really weren't clear. That's the difference between a dermapathologist and a regular pathologist. Go to a specialist, and not a botox-ish skin specialist (which is hard to find as all the money is in the botox!). I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Leachman. But since she is head of the Huntsman Cancer Melanoma stuff, etc. she can be hard to get into. You know what's so cool? My sister in law Diane went to med school and studied under Dr. Leachman. Thanks for that referral Diane!
Another funny sidenote: Dr. Leachman was talking about how her Mom tried to teach her to sew.....but she always cringed at the thought of that as she wanted to be a professional. And look where she is now....sewing skin. I told her that her Mom would be proud. We all had a good laugh.
And Diane, next time you are in town, Dr. Leachman would love to go to lunch. (If you still have an appetite:)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Playing "Fashion"
I used to call it dress-ups, but for Maddie and her friends, they love to play "fashion". Benjamin stole the show. For a little kid, he is hilarious. He has a lot of spunk and knows how to make us all laugh. That little charmer.
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