Check this pic out

This is what I brought home the other day from the store. I didn't even think it would fit in my car!



Tom Cruise has nothin' on my girl!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well the day is finally here! I made 5 pies last night (with help) and the rolls are rising (need to put them in the oven). Here are some pics of the pie making. My brother knows my Mom's secret so he was by my side. He also taught my kids how to slap flour around. Thanks, bro!

No Time!

I've been so busy sewing like there was no tomorrow. It's been fun! It makes me think I could sew anything. You won't believe what I brought home last night from Joanns. I'll show the pic later! Speaking of pics I just got our proofs back from our family pics. I love them! So check them out!

Well here I go, must make 4 pies and 3-4 dozen rolls!

I'm in Love...

I'm in love with that tall, dark hair, pale skin, nice bone structure guy.
He makes me hot! And he'll take me to the beach!


This is my Edward! Who'd you think it was? No, I'm not in love with a fictional character. (not as much as this one)

Loved It!

I want to go see it again, maybe I'll take hubby! Can't wait til the next one. If you haven't seen it yet, GO SEE IT!

Something New!

So I took some time to make some more bows last night. I've been promising my niece that I would make her a purple bow. I made two and told her she could pick. Which one would you pick?
Next I'm going to try a more difficult bow. Wish me luck.
FYI- my Grandma comes in tomorrow and we'll be sewing all weekend. Can't wait.

Side note:
Last night I was at a meeting for leaders of youth. It was good! We were given reminders of why we're doing what we're doing. These young people need models, guidance and support. That's what we are.
It was also good to hear that we need to take them back to basics. Teach them (young women) how to cook, sew, manage a family. It seems that as time goes on we are losing that. I was glad to hear that. Even though I use to be one of those girls not wanting to cook and sew. I now am paying for it. I'm learning, AGAIN, to cook and sew.
Well have a great weekend!

Twilight Friday!

Can Not Wait Til Tonight! Somebody make the time go faster!
Now Harry Potter just needs to come out!

I have mice!

Well about a week ago we heard some noise in the bathroom walls. I've been watching my every step.
A few days ago I found a hole in the pantry where they or he chewed to get through. I still have not found any droppings (true sign they're around).
Just yesterday my Dad asked if I had heard anymore noises. No noises lately, I said.
Then today I heard some pounding/knocking whatever but it wasn't me and it wasn't Christina. So who do you think it is?
Well I just started thinking, "What the heck are they doing?"
Sounds like they're building something! Then I remembered the show "The Littles". I thought wouldn't it be nice if they looked like this...

and not this...

Orange Island Chicken

I have tried 2 different recipes for orange/citrus chicken, they were not a hit with the fam. I gave it up for awhile and then decided to try this one. I found it at allrecipes.com. This one was a hit! Yeah!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon orange zest
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
FOR MARINADE: In a zipper style bag, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, onion powder and orange peel. Mix well.
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the marinade. (Do not discard the marinade). Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour remaining marinade over chicken. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 15 minutes more. I then made a gravy with the juice by adding cornstarch.
I also sauteed some carrots, onions and water chestnuts in orange juice and soy sauce. Serve over rice.

In a Stump!

I should have a lot to talk about but I just don't know where to begin.
Should I start with having to face that my Mom has been gone for 2 months.
I'm trying to keep myself as busy as possible so I don't have to think about anything. I'm so busy right now I can't keep things straight and I've got projects all over the house. I can't seem to stay organized or clean. It's driving me crazy! I just want to get through the holidays so fast and hope that the new year will bring calm, slow changes/new beginnings for me.

I'm tired of being tired. I want my energy back.
I feel like I want to push the "Start Over" button and things will be better.

On a better note. I'm at 172 post, 200 is just around the corner. So I want celebrate. Here is an early "watch out"- I'll be having a contest just around the corner.

School Project

Well Mateo had a project due today. I was not looking forward to this one at all. We had to make a volcano! I knew it would not be easy. Of course the instructions made it seem easy.
We used a dough recipe instead of the old paper mache. I thought it would be fun to have our hands in something. Boy, was I wrong. The recipe called for a CUP of salt. So while are hands were in the mixture they started to burn. Our skin, started to burn! It was not fun, because we had to finish building.
It seemed that this dough was not hardening. It kept slopping and we had to keep molding it.
I am so glad this project is done! Here are some pics!

check this out-FREEBIE

If you go to Oprah's site (use link) you can get a coupon for a free digital scrapbook.The offer expires tonight, sorry for such short notice. It will make a great Christmas gift!
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

Secret Project

I can't contain myself anymore! I'm working on a secret project for Christmas. I can only tell you that it involves this


You won't be able to see the finished project until late December. I know not fair,but you'll just have to tune in later.
I'm so excited to see the final product!
I have to also say I have tons of help to make it happen.
Thank you friends! (who have been able to help)

Yum!

Here's one of my new recipes that was a hit. I like it because it's quick and easy!

Chicken and Potatoes
1-2 lbs of chicken (thighs, my fav)
3-4 red potatoes
1each red and yellow bell pepper
1 onion
mushrooms (optional)

dice everything up and cook. season with salt and pepper. Voila! your done.
serve with rice or tortillas, yeah, carbs!

Hapy Veterans Day

Well some just see it as a holiday and some know that we are showing our respects to those that have and do serve. My Dad is retired Air Force, so I know first hand about the sacrifices our military make.
Every time I see a soldier in uniform it makes me teary-eyed.
Every time I hear taps or the National Anthem played I feel emotions just run through my body.
I'm proud to be an American!
I am so grateful for those that have and do serve our country!
Thank You!
Here are some photos from our Veterans Parade.
My son is playing trumpet on the float. They sounded great!
check out the car with pens all over it!

Gobble, Gobble

Well here they are. It was a little messy with the feathers and the glue takes a little bit to dry. It was just fun to be creative! I got the name cards from this site http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/thanksgiving.html

New Craft in the works!

This is one of the turkey crafts I will attempt to have the kiddies make tonight. I plan on using all foam, no wreath. I also want to make some placecards for Thanksgiving since we will have at least 18 people here for dinner. Wish me luck!

Forgotten Pics

I can't believe I forgot to put up the Halloween pics. Oops!
Mateo was an alien cyborg, Christina a princess and Kenny a name tag ( I think he said this was his last year to dress-up).
Little Francisco was spiderman. The kids had fun trick or treating in the on and off rain.

Oh My, Heck!

So My Mom and I were huge Gilmore Girls fans! We loved to watch re-runs and we missed most of the final season, some how. So a couple of months ago I rented the final season for us to watch. We never got around to it :(
I began watching it and hoping she was looking over my shoulder watching with me. I finally finished it 7 cds! I can not believe the ending. They ended it like that, what! Kinda like the way they ended Alias, huh!
You just always expect a huge, amazing ending. Man!
I still love the show and the actors! Not to mention the writers, it's only possible with great writers.
Did I mention I named my daugther after me because of that show!

What is Going On?

I am so upset with the criticism we (Mormons) are receiving. It's not at all shocking I must say. It's amazing to me that those that disagree feel they can attack us, call us names, claim to know us and what we stand for. They know nothing! I don't understand how the passing of Prop 8 is due to the LDS church. Just because we individually donated money to the cause, that we strongly believe in. Why didn't they come together and get organized and donate money to their cause. Was it not as important?
How can you say we took your rights away?
How can you call us bigots?
When we were just expressing our religious/American freedom to have an opinion and VOTE!
How come if you feel so strongly, you didn't win?
Did we protest in front of your homes/place of worship?
We did not!
We were very civil and respectful. That's not enough, though.
It's funny how I thought, what if we lose.
We would have moved on.
Said okay.
We wouldn't have made a huge commotion.
You wouldn't see us yelling in the streets.
Causing a riot.

Do you not get it. This is the second time we've (the state) voted on this issue and won.
Do you really think that we (Mormons) made this happen TWICE.
In fact (hope these #'s are right) we (Mormons) make up for 2% of California. Prop 8 won by 52%. We're 2%. Do you think that even all 2% of Mormons made it to the polls?
We're not the only ones that feel this way.
Every day people feel this way; Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Baptist, Anyone that has an opinion!
I just wish that they wouldn't attack one church in general (PERIOD).
We're all people with opinions and ideas!
We respected yours, now respect ours!

Stay Tuned...

Well there is a lot going on right now with the passing of Prop 8. I have a ton of errands going on right now but stay tuned, for I will be weighing in on it.

Four, Four, Four, Four...

Here is a fun and quick way to get to know a little about each other. Let's see how many of you respond...It's just six questions.



A) Four places that I go to over and over:
School, church, workout, bathroom


B) Four people who e-mail me regularly:
Mary, Ande, Stacey, Letty

C) Four of my favorite places to eat:
Dad's, Mother-in-law, Yo Sushi, Wasabi 201 (see a pattern)

D) Other places I would rather be right now:
shopping, movies, Hawaii (somewhere warm), at home w/ family

E) Four people I think (hope) will respond:
Burger House, Hopkins' House, stacey(somethings wrong with your site, stacey), Diamonds,Fur&Laundry


F) Four shows you watch over and over(only 4):
Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, One Tree Hill

Feel free to add to my comments or post on your site. Have fun!

Arrgh!!

You would not believe what happened to me today.
My van broke down on me! I was starting my errands and noticed a funny sound. I thought it might be the brakes. I put the car in reverse and the noise got worse. I just started thinking...Please, don't be the training! (I live with car-no-it-alls) I decided I should take the car home because I had a feeling it wouldn't last much longer.
Well on my way home it froze up! Luckily, I wasn't quite in the intersection, put the car in neutral and rolled back, hazard lights on and thought, "what now"!
I called my brother (bro-to-the-rescue) and he came and pushed the car to a safe zone. He lent me his car so I could take Christina home and he waited for the tow truck. Can we say, "what a good brother"! (hubby was on a job).
Brother and Hubby confirmed the training problem. So now I've got to find a shop and put my van in it.
I hate this! I need my car it's like my left arm, can't go or do anything without it. Luckily there's always an extra car sitting around. Not that I can fit my whole carpool in it! Still working on that. (not sure if I should rent a van, yet)
Oh, did I mention my husbands engine died about a month ago.
We are on borrowed car(s), literally.

Something to think about!

"The government is not the problem,
The government is not the solution.
We, the American people are the
solution"
Bill Clinton
At least he had one thing right, it's up to us!

Voting time!

Don't forget to make the time to vote tomorrow. It is so important to take part in our government. I had a conversation with someone recently about how they believe that their "one" vote doesn't make a difference. Well I explained to them that for every "one" person that says that it could be 100 people per city, times that by how many cities are in a state then times that by 50. That's a lot of people, who thought their vote doesn't make a difference!
Especially for women, we should be grateful that we even have the right to vote. There are so many women in the world who do not have the right to vote.
What about the many women that faught for our rights to vote. I believe 33 women marched the White House grounds to receive our rights in 1921. Those were strong, spirited women. I would have been proud to march with them!
I know that sometimes it is difficult to watch (dirty) politics, but all you have to do is read the basics of what they believe and stand for.
Can you tell me that you wouldn't put any effort into knowing who runs our schools, communities, youth programs. Then why can't we put that effort into who runs our government and what policies are passsed?
Take the time to vote, I will!

Monterey Trip

We had a busy weekend. At first we weren't even sure if we were going to be able to do anything because of the rain. We put our faith to test and went to Monterey, a 2-3hour drive. We had to get up at 6am to be at the gates at 10am. That was easy for everyone but Christina and me! We were so tired!
We drove through a lot of rain but when we got there it was just overcast. We did have some sprinkles but nothing to put a damper on our trip.
The aquarium was a blast. It's a great place for kids of any age. They even had 2 kid fun centers. Christina loved those!
After the aquarium we walked Canary Row with all the shops and then had lunch at Bubba Gumps! I love the shrimp there!

Hubbby is always picky with his food. He picked a dish that was oily and then his brother swatted a fly in his dish. Oh, boy! It is so hard to please that guy!
After lunch we hit the beach and let the kids just play in the sand. They didn't even dare get wet on this cold November day!
Well we spent the whole day in Monterey, made it home by 9pm and went to bed!
We had a wonderful day together, enjoy the photos!