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!