Cheers heard around the neighborhood

OK people, if you don't know by now, I am just an average cook. But one fateful day I discovered this recipe that has my family enraptured, thus the title "Cheers heard around the neighborhood. Even I love it to death so here goes:

(Read the instructions carefully before starting.)

Angel Shannon's Topsy Turvy Taco Bake

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 egg
1 T. instant onion
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg (8.5 oz. cornmeal muffin mix)
Dressings: Chopped tomatoes, green onions, cheese, lettuce, black olives and sour cream.
Combine beef, egg, onion, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Spread in even layer in bottom of 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Drain. Prepare cornmeal muffin mix according to package directions. Spread over top of beef. Continue baking at 400 degrees for 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let sit on counter for 10 minutes. Turn upside down on serving plate and top with dressings. Dollop sour cream on individual servings.

A White Christmas After All

We have had the most spectacular fall that I can remember. The colors on the trees down here in the valley were vivid and beautiful. Because of the warmth and beauty all around us, winter was a vague presence that we knew was coming and yet didn't want it to arrive. Yesterday and today changed all that. We got a nice snowstorm yesterday and when it had slowed down some Boyd shoveled the driveway so nice and clear. I asked him if he thought we were done with snow and he said the fateful word............."yes."
This morning we awoke to lake effect snow. It was falling so fast that when Brock and I scraped the driveway, by the time we reached the bottom, it was ready to shovel again at the top.
Now we are driving around on snowpacked roads and praying every minute that we or our family members arrive at their destinations safely.

You can look at the edge of the driveway and see how deep the snow really was.

Our front yard this morning.

Arizona in November

Those of you who haven't seen Arizona in November are really missing out. I was totally awestruck by all the orange trees with ripening oranges. It was absolutely beautiful. Here are a few pictures of the activities we did while there.

Some oranges on Kevin and Kalie's tree. They will be ripe around Christmas time.

All of the kids surrounding a cactus in Thunderbird park. Funny, I couldn't get any of them to hug that thing!!!

We hiked the trails at Thunderbird park. It was just the right amount of exertion. :)

Court and cousin, David played computer games together.

Alyssa and Kalie with cousin, Katherine. Katherine is applying acrylic nails to Alyssa. It was Katherine's first set she has ever done.

Kevin and Alyssa out in front of Kevin and Kalie's house next to their orange tree.

Veggie Bars

I promised Kalie this recipe and thought I'd post it so that anyone who wanted to try a little veggie delight could.

Veggie Bars
2 tubes crescent rolls - squish into bottom of jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 - 11 minutes. Let cool.

Mix together:
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
2 8 oz. bars cream cheese
1 envelope ranch dressing
Spread on top of cooled crust.

Chop fine:
3/4 cup carrots
3/4 cup cauliflower
3/4 cup broccoli
1/2 cup onions
Spread on top of filling.
Chill for 3/4 hours.

p.s. the finer you chop your veggies, the better it is. :)

ENJOY!! Thanks, Jenny.

Gratitude

Having just returned from Phoenix, Arizona where we traveled for Thanksgiving I just have a heart full of gratitude for family. We spent time with Kalie and Kevin and ate Thanksgiving dinner with Brad and Kim and their family. What a wonderful time for all of us.
Pics will follow later when our computer comes back from the doctor. :)

Tagalicious the sequel

Allright Kalie, this one's for you!!

1 minute ago - I was getting a present ready for a young man in our ward who was married yesterday.

1 hour ago - Our family was just finishing up a tasty meal of chilighetti, beans and pomegranates.

1 day ago - Gee, should I mention that the December issue of Boyd's publication was on the printing presses yesterday and I was there with Boyd to watch it print, OR should I mention the teensy weensy fact that the U SLAUGHTERED the Y? Boyd and I watched the game at our friend's house and I have to admit, I understood some of what was going on..........

1 week ago - Boyd and I spent the weekend in Eden at our friend's timeshare condo. We came home early Sunday morning. It was relaxing and fun!

1 year ago - Well, it was a momentous day a year ago because we had been in the middle of a kitchen and living room remodel for 2 months and I got my stove AND fridge back in the kitchen. Talk about gratitude at Thanksgiving time.

4 years ago - I couldn't resist. I changed this from 3 years to 4 years ago because 4 years ago the story is SO MUCH BETTER!!!! I was driving along Kaysville main street as happy as a clam, getting last minute gifts and preparations for Court's birthday. I looked away from the road for 1/2 second and when I looked back at the road there was a car in front of me and it was STOPPED. I, however, was going 40 miles an hour. Needless to say, she got a big hit from me. I totalled Boyd's car and the funniest part is this: we were meeting Kevin's parents and family for the very first time at a restaurant in Salt Lake City. I was not in my best form that night but it was good to meet the Chamberlain's.

6 years ago - Sorry, Kalie. I changed the years again. 6 years ago we were returning from our very first cruise to the Caribbean celebrating our 20th anniversary. You have NEVER seen beautiful water until you have seen Caribbean blue.
It was such a wonderful trip.

10 years ago - Well, unlike Amber Peck, I am not as good as journal keeping as I should be. Thinking back, Kalie was in 9th grade, a member of Rhapsody in Blue (a singing group at Fairfield Jr. High, and performing in Bye, Bye Birdy as the mom in the play. Brock was in 6th grade at Kaysville Elementary and really trying to get the hang of homework from Mr. Walters and finishing up all of his dental procedures from breaking 8 permanent teeth in a tubing accident. Court was in 1st grade with Mrs. Alder. He had the whitest blonde hair you can imagine and the cutest smile ever. And Miss Alyssa was involved in a neighborhood preschool and was quite precocious. She was extremely verbal and outgoing and was well-liked by the children her age. She still is............................
Wow, life certainly has changed in a short 10 years. The internet was only in a couple of homes in our ward and Kalie had to go to one of these homes to do a report on the Tsi-tsi fly. Cell phones were big, clunky and expensive and few people had them. Personal computers were around but you had to save a long time to get one. Now we all live on the information highway...............Yeehaw!!!

So there you have it, momentous moments in my life.

My Indulgences

It's time to post a list of a few of my latest indulgences:

1. Due to the experience of a good friend I decided to have my eyebrows waxed. It is the BEST thing because rather than 40 or 50 little ouches, it is 2 or 3. AND you don't have those stray white hairs lurking around just waiting to be seen when you HAVE NO TWEEZERS!!
Thanks Stacey.

2. Sushi at Happy Sumo. We tried the Dragon Roll, the Vegas Roll, the Caterpillar roll and the California roll. The BEST were the Dragon roll and the Vegas roll. My tummy is still singing praises.
Thanks Tom and Sarah.

3. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies made with a spice cake mix and a 15 oz. can of pumpkin. Just add chocolate chips, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and you have heaven in a cookie.
Thanks Kalie's friend Rachel.

4. Cover Girl Lip Slicks. A really nice lip treatment with great color. Just buy one and throw it in your purse.
Thanks Diana.

5. Lastly, the weekend away from kids. Boyd and I went to Eden and spent 2 days and nights with our good friends, Dave and Adele. We ate rib-eye steaks, the best baked potatoes ever, key lime pie, biscuits and gravy, pizza from Sam's and treats from the local associated foods store. We watched movies, played games, explored a bit and enjoyed each other's company.
Thanks Dave and Adele.

All of these indulgences have been introduced to me by friends. How blessed I am to have such wonderful associations. Thanks everyone.

Halloween and the joys of adult children

The most wonderful thing about being a mom of older children is the fact that when they want to dress up for Halloween they can prepare the costumes themselves. Court informed me that he wanted to be Wolverine from X-men this year. Those of you who know me well know that I am an X-men junkie. Therefore, the announcement of Wolverine was met with great anticipation!! He actually made his own costume, including cutting, painting and sewing balsa wood claws to a pair of gloves.
I love Brock's costume of a crazy scientist. He is such a funny person and had this wild gleam in his eyes............

Does this picture warm the cockles of your heart or what?

The final product, Wolverine!!

Brock posing as a crazy scientist with a maniacal gleam in his eye.

Ahhh, fall!!

This has been the most gorgeous fall that I can ever remember. We were walking around in shirt sleeves on the 1st of November. This is a picture of Court with all the leaves of our tree in front. It took 3 large black garbage bags to get rid of them all.
My favorite is when fall moved from the mountains to our valley. The trees in the neighborhoods were orange, red and yellow. It was spectacular. The neighbors behind us have a beautiful maple tree that turned a dark red this fall.
Last night a wind came up and blew every leaf off that tree except for a few around the bottom branches. It looks so bare because yesterday it was full of leaves. I guess winter is on its way.

My Life in Images

Kalie tagged me and I told her it might take me awhile to complete this. Now I am done.............I tag Mary, Bevany, Jen and Emily.

WHAT ARE MY CHILDREN DOING RIGHT NOW?

One of the best 6 letter words in the English language.....SCHOOL! At least they had BETTER be there. :)



SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN PROCRASTINATING........

Do you see those ugly black fillings? Those teeth are cracked and in need of an onlay (a partial crown). I have been putting it off and live in fear that one day the whole top of the tooth will crack right off.

FROM HERE TO THERE!

Hey, she ain't pretty but she's paid for and she gets me where I need to go. Besides that, I need her to haul 8th graders to school for my carpool duty.

SELF PORTRAIT!

I have never done this before and frankly it took me about 10 trys to get a decent photo.

MY YARD!

It looks tons better in the summer.

MY OBSESSION!

Reading................I need to have my nose in a book constantly or I am totally lost.

COLLECTION...

I know I am a total geek but I collect food, all kinds, shapes and flavors.

A FAN OF?

My straightener. Whoever invented these things should be given a medal of honor.

MY CLOSET!

In short, too many things in too small a space.

MY FAVORITE SHOES!

I love these shoes because they are comfy and I can do my exercising in them. The older I get the more comfy they become...

MY FAVORITE ROOM!

This is my Creation room. Basically it's a big playroom where all sorts of fun things are crafted.

SOMETHING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT!

Without mascara I look blind.........

DREAM VACATION!

I am dreaming of one day going on an Alaskan Cruise. I am dying to get some fresh salmon in my freezer!!

Like the warblings of birds on the Heather..............

Alyssa is in the Girl's Choir at Fairfield. She really enjoys the class. This is a post of her first choir concert. They did quite well considering the fact that Alyssa kept telling us they weren't ready. She also told us that we didn't have to come if we didn't want to. Are you kidding me? I was there and enjoyed the whole concert.

Alyssa, right in the middle of the alto section.

The 8th grade girls choir. There are over 70 girls in the choir. Alyssa is easy to pick out because she is wearing bright orange!

One year older and wiser? too!

Since it is a tradition in our family to take a picture on your birthday displaying your loot, I decided to post a picture of me with my presents!! I was properly spoiled by my wonderful husband and delightful children. I don't know how I feel about being older, but I'll definitely take the wiser!!!

She's DA Man!!

Every year in our Young Women group we play a game called "Where's Waldo". Some leaders or adults from our ward dress up and wander around a store and the youth walk around the store and try to find the people that are dressed up. This year I recruited Kalie since she was visiting from Arizona and my good friend, Adele to dress up with me. Kalie dressed up as a Goth, Adele was a gangster and I dressed up as a man. It was pretty entertaining to go and see if the youth could find us.
I wandered around the men's department and saw all that they had on sale and otherwise. After I walked through the hardware aisles, the car section and the sporting goods merchandise, I decided that I was a little tired of shopping for men's stuff. I looked at my watch and found that it was time to go, thank heavens. There were 3 groups of kids looking for us and one group never found me. Alyssa didn't even recognize me. She looked straight into my face and then let out a little scream when she realized who I was. It was a fun night.

Kalie and me just getting ready to go and spook Target.


Adele, me and Kalie at Target sporting our costumes.

The Arrows in my Quiver

Kalie came up from Arizona to visit us for a week. She is off work for Fall Break. She teaches high school English in Glendale, AZ.

Kalie and her dad.

This is me with Kalie.

Alyssa and Kalie, sisters forever.

All four of my children together. Aren't they beautiful?

An EVIL JOKE

Last week I was exulting in the beauty of the earth after a rainstorm and now......... My zucchini is drooping sadly, the tomatoes look good from the house but close up they are translucent and have lost their consistency, and we will not even talk about the cantaloupe. I guess it is back to the store for tasteless tomatoes.

Our dead garden......all those tomatoes are frozen. :(

Life after a rainstorm in K-town

We had a refreshing rainstorm over the weekend and I never cease to be amazed at the beauty around me when it rains. Everything looks so fresh. Rain is my favorite weather pattern as long as I'm not out in it. I HATE to get my hair wet.

Can you beat the beauty of that sky?

Our yard is so green and luscious looking.

17 years in our home

Court's birthday was on Friday. Because we all wanted to be together when we gave him his presents he wasn't able to open gifts until late Saturday night. It's hard to believe that he is 17 years old and has 2 years until his mission. We love our Court.

Court had a birthday party with all of his friends. EVERYONE gave him candy. This picture shows all of the candy he got that hasn't been eaten. All of it together probably weighs no less than 7 lbs. Hopefully our dentist bill won't increase dramatically!!

Court loves M. Night Shyamalam's movie, "Lady in the Water". He asked for the picture book that goes along with the movie.

Court got a digital camera that also takes videos. He loves to take pictures.

World Traveler and schmoozing with the rich and famous

Through the magic of a green screen in Court's multi-media class he was able to visit Paris AND have a chat with two of his movie director favorites.

Having lunch with George Lucas and JJ Abrams

Court hanging out in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Homecoming!!

Since that last post was slightly depressing I thought that I should counter that with a fun event. Last night was the Homecoming dance at Court's high school and he asked a cute girl named Amy to go with him. They went to dinner at the Olive Garden and then to the Homecoming game on Friday night.
Saturday evening they had a mexican dinner made by one of the guys dad. Court said it was so good!! I think that they had a great time.

This is Court with his snazzy monochromatic blue tie that Alyssa helped him pick out to match Amy's dress.

Court and Amy when he went to pick her up.

The 2nd Scariest Friday Ever!!

Friday morning had all the promises of a wonderful day. The weather was fantastic, Court had late start at school so we all got to sleep in a bit, basically, things were going well.
As Court was eating breakfast before leaving for school he said to me that he had bad news. "I think my granuloma is coming back." I looked at him and asked why he would say that. (Note: Court had a string of calcification in his neck when in 5th grade that needed surgery to be removed and was diagnosed as granuloma.)
He said that he had a lump under his chin. I walked over and felt under his chin and there was a marble sized lump. Needless to say, I freaked out. I went upstairs and told Boyd and he told me to call the doctor. NOW. I got an appointment and then went through every scenario in my mind: cat scans, MRI's, chemotherapy, etc. I had thought of everything but death and burial.
At the doctor's office we explained the symptoms to the doctor and he asked a few qualifying questions. Then he asked if Court had had a cold sore. Yes, he had. Hmmm. Then he told us that just yesterday a girl had come in with the exact same symptoms, a cold sore and an enlarged lymph node under her chin. He thought that it was most likely a secondary infection that Court has and put him on a strong dose of antibiotics to see if it will shrink in size.
We took Court to lunch at Red Robin as we were all in need of some sustenance after our trauma. To say the least, it took me all the rest of the day to recover.

Look closely under Court's chin and you will see his lymph node.

No, that is NOT an Adam's Apple. That is a grossly enlarged lymph node!

Molly Canning Queen

I understand that this is probably the most boring post ever to be put on anyone's blog in the USA but really, this is what I do in the fall. I do a little canning. I love my own pears, peaches and tomatoes. That is pretty much the extent of what I do. I buy most everything else.

These peaches are from Willard. My mom and I go up there every year and buy them from a fellow named Facer. He grows a variety called Angelus. I'm telling you, you might kill someone for one of these peaches. They are the BEST ever!


These tomatoes were in our garden this morning. What do you do with tons of tomatoes and peppers? I guess you pick them and put them in a bottle. I only had 2 bottles BREAK!! (That is very unusual, you might want to know.)