Preschool

I have been trying to take my camera with me 

more often so that I can document

LIFE.

This pictures was taken right after we got out of the car

as Bennett is walking up to preschool

at Ms. Amy's.

I love his hair.

I love his rain boots that he always wears.

I love when he sings in the car with me.

I love that he goes to preschool with my nieces daughter, Kennedy.

I love that he dances at preschool, too.

I love that Naomi looks just like him.

(Because he is a pretty boy!)

Who wouldn't love this preschool?

What fun!

Life with the kids!

Sesily had surgery to remove the bladder sling (which was placed in correctly).

While she was recovering, I stayed / played with the kids. 

Thank goodness for her friends who helped carpool the kids, her dinner group who brought in meals and others who just helped out.

It's tough being the 'mom' when it isn't part of your daily routine anymore! 

Jexton and Amara....

Amara and Ella love playing beauty parlor!

I love Amara's little personality - she is a little pistol!

She can go from this....

to this......

And this just makes me laugh, Jex looking at her trying to figure it out.

Don't bother, Jex. It all part of being a girl! Get use to it!

Ella's first time on the monkey bars!

 Valentines day was just a few days away.

We made necklaces and put together

valentine treats for their school.

Each of the grandkids got a little valentines

from Mamma and Papa.

(Thank goodness for the Dollar Store! 

They are still young enough to be happy with what we can purchase there.)

 Ella would love to be the mom! She does like telling them what they can and can't do.

She just took right over when Amara needed a diaper on.

Loved the help!

While we made Valentine's treats Sunday after church, Trent is taking a

Sunday rest! (Check out the Ensign on his lap.)

He didn't get much sleep at the hospital since they  

only had a small chair for him

to sleep in.

The familee got together for Valentine's dinner and a few games.

The theme: 'I'm awfully FONDue of you'.

We had cheese fondue with

apples

potatoes

broccoli

etc

And chocolate fondue with

strawberries

angel food cake

pound cake

bananas

I added beef and chicken skewers

Played a few games and called it a night!

Recently read

I wanted to keep track of the books I have finished reading this year

and thought I would record it here.

I am not much of a reader, but want to be better.

I am too antsy to sit still for very long.

Once I start, I want it finished, NOW.

Therefore, I let everything else slide.

I am working on pacing myself more.

In January, I finsihed...

Jacob T. Marley

Author: William Bennett

I absolutely LOVED this book.

I will read it again during the Christmas season.

LOVED it! It is a keeper!

Also, I read...

The Shaken Earth (I think that is the title)

Toni Sorenson

I didn't love it.

In fact, I didn't even keep it but sent it to DI.

It was dreary and sad.

However, I did really like her other book called

Master

It is a historical fiction about Christ's life growing up.

In February, I read....

Moloka'i

Author: Alan Brennert

This is a historical fiction about a girl with leprosy.

I was fascinated, intrigued, sad, interested while reading it.

I probably would recommend it to others.

I felt like I learned a great deal about leprosy and

and amazed by the life they had to lead. 

It had a good ending.

The one thing I don't like, is that if it is not a book I buy at Desert Book

or by a Mormon author, all this other 'stuff' is in the book that ruins it for me.

But daily, I read from the Book of Mormon.

The best!

Welcoming Naomi

  

It's always a nice time when the women in the familee gather 

together to welcome a new little baby.

Megan requested books since she has a plethora 

of clothes (lots a lovely hand-me-downs from Ella & Amara

and my nieces girls, as well as gifts).

Lunch was Tomato Soup & Broccoli Cheese Soup

with Pasta Spinach salad, fruit and

wonderful desserts made by Sesily.

I decorated the table to look like a bed

(as best as I could!)

 

We had a "Wish List" that each one filled out.

I loved this idea.

Grandma Lee makes all the new babies a tricot blanket.

And this cute picture hung from the light about the table. 

So fun!

Naomi with Megan and her two grandmothers,

Cindy White & Heidi

A delightful day!

Recipes:

No Bake Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake

YIELD: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE CRUST

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE FILLING

2/3 cup sugar
zest of 2 lemons
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup fresh raspberries, slightly mashed with a fork

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and 1 tablespoon of sugar and melted butter. Evenly divide the crumbs between your individual serving dishes and press into the bottoms of the dishes to form a crust layer.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until the sugar becomes moist and fragrant. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add lemon juice and vanilla mixing to combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped topping until well blended, then fold in the raspberries.
3. Evenly pipe or spoon the filling into individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh raspberries and a sprig of fresh mint.

NOTES:

- If you make this into one pie, simply use pour the cream cheese mixture into a 9-inch graham cracker crust and chill for 3 hours before serving.
- This recipe tastes really delicious with blueberries and strawberries as well. Play around with different fruit combinations to create a wide range of flavors.
- I have not tried this recipe using fresh whipped cream, so I cannot attest to the results.

Tomato Soup

Heidi gave me this recipe the other day and we ate it tonight before our trunk or treat. Even Bennett loved it. Next time I will make it with this crouton recipe. 

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, w/juice
1 c. finely diced celery
1 c. finely diced carrots
1 c. finely onions
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 bay leaf
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried basil or 1/4 c. fresh
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
1 c. parmesan cheese
2 c. 1/2 and 1/2, warmed
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions: In a crock pot, combine tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.

About an hour before serving add oregano and basil and prepare roux: melt butter over low heat in pan and add flour. Stir constantly for 5 to 7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup of hot soup from crock pot. Add another 3 cups of soup and stir until smooth.

Slowly add all back into the crock pot and stir in parmesan cheese, 1/2 and 1/2, and salt and pepper. Cover and cook another hour.


*I blended the soup with a hand blender before I added the roux to make it creamy, but if you like chunky then just leave it. Next time I think I would also saute the onions before I add them, even after cooking for 6 hours they were still a little crunchy.

Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup

Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup

1T. melted butter
1/2 med. onion, chopped
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. half & half
2 c. chicken stock
1/2 lbs. fresh broccoli
1 c. grated carrots
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 t. nutmeg
8 oz. grated sharp cheddar

Directions:
1. Saute onion in 1 T. butter. Set aside
2. Cook butter & flour over medium heat, using whisk, for 3-5 minutes. Stirring constantly slowly add half & half. Add broth whisking constantly. Simmer 20 min.
3. Add broccoli, carrots, & onion. Cook over low heat until veggies are soft (approximately 25 minutes).
4. Puree with a hand blender. Add cheese, salt and pepper, and nutmeg.

Serves 4

Bowtie Spinach Salad

1 pkg. bowtie pasta, cooked and drained

1 bunch spinach, washed and drained

4 hard boiled eggs, diced

Fresh parmesan cheese

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 red onion, sliced

Toss all ingredients then add dressing:

(Make dressing night before and refrigerate)

¾ poppy seed                                 1/3 C. white vinegar (I use rice vinegar)

¾ C. vegetable oil                            1/3 C. sugar

¾ t. salt                                           1/3 t. dry mustard

Mix all ingredients and add 3 to 4 sliced purple onion rings. Put in shaker cup and chill overnight.