Happy New Year!

Wow, what a year 2009 has been! My little girl turned 2 and my little boy started preschool! They are growing up too fast!

I decided to go back to school with much kicking and screaming and asking God if we could win the lottery so I would not have to and just be a stay at home mommy! I'm still waiting God....LOL!

Hubby still teaching with a stable job and he received a great evaluation this semester, kids have told him that they enjoy taking his class and a mother of a student sent him a nice note as well as sending it to the principle.

And of course, we finally got a NEW KITCHEN!!! I have enjoyed cooking in my new kitchen more than you know. I have had a chance to entertain a lot since summer.

As we roll in 2010 I think about how blessed we are with family and friends all around us, our health and a wonderful place that we call home. Happy 2010!

Oraganization at its finest!

Since our kitchen remodel I have not paid any attention to the basement (storage area). It was a disaster since they had shoved my stuff in corners to put in a new exhaust pipe and wood bits everywhere with nails etc... The basement is not big and not anything you can make into a room, just storage. So yesterday I got all of my Christmas containers out and took everything off the shelves and vacuumed the dusty, dusty shelves and the floor.

In the back here I have my Christmas decorations, in the middle my fall decorations and in front my Easter/spring decorations and as you can see I have a couple empty shelves.

As you walk down the stairs this is what you see to the right where I have the shelving.

Over to the left is my kid clothing section. I am slowly going through the boxes and selling them at the consigment store and in May at our big yard sale the rest will be gone!

I am happy that I can walk down there now and I know where everything is! I am now ahead 0n one of my New Years resolutions.

Jesus' Birthday Cake

This is how our Birthday cake for Jesus turned out. I used green frosting to write Happy Birthday Jesus and added some decoration to the cake (this replaced the evergreens that I never got). I used a sugar cookie for the star and an angel I had out for decoration. I think it turned out really cute and the kids enjoyed it. I had everyone read one part as I decorated the cake.

Yummy! Little missie thought we were singing Happy Birthday to her so she was acting shy in her cousins arms.

Little man was very excited to blow out the candles.

I think this is a tradition that we will keep. Next year I will make a German Chocolate cake and make a sugar cookie angel as well.

Whew.... Sugar Cookies!

**UPDATE**
All done!! And what did little man say to me as I told him that we needed to decorate the cookies? "I really don't like decorating cookies!" KIDS!

These sugar cookies were supposed to be done today, decorated and all, but I ran out of time and steam. Tomorrow the decorating will begin. I only made 2 dozen, but it takes so long....making them, chilling the dough, rolling them out, chill again etc...I made 3 Christmas trees for little man to decorate for Santa. Yes, the are free form trees...LOL! I have stars, presents, cupcakes and 2 ornaments to decorate(2 dozen in all).

This is why I did not get to the decorating....more cookies, candied walnuts and caramel popcorn.

Now, I need to get ready for Christmas lunch. I need to make the corn pudding and have it in the frig. I was going to make scalloped potatoes but realized that there will not be room in my oven for prime rib, green beans, corn and potatoes. Change of plans, garlic and chive mashed potatoes. I hope my prime rib turns out and I have enough food for everyone! I think I will have enough dessert..LOL! Oh ya, the birthday cake for Jesus too. I am thinking that maybe next year we need to have Christmas at my sisters!

Personalized Sugar Cookies

These are for little man's classmates tomorrow. I think they will like them!




Sugar Cookies:
Beat 2 sticks butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar until fluffy. Beat in 2 egg yolks, 1 tsp vanilla. Whisk in 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir into the butter mixture, then chill 30 minutes. Roll tablespoons into balls and flatten. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Powdered Sugar Icing:
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp softened butter
1 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
food color if desired

Combine and beat on low. Beat on medium speed once combined and add additional water until you get the right consistency. Add food color if desired.

Christmas Tree Hunt

We started off at a Christmas Tree Lot at Nees and Alluvial. We rode the train where little missie cried and we got off after one time around.

We let little man play one game because we were there, but it was $5 BUCKS! I was looking around at the trees and they were all over $70.00! I looked at my hubby and said COSTCO!

Here is Dad and little missie waiting in line to pay for our $41.99 noble fir tree. I know very exciting! This is where we got our tree last year. Not really like when we were kids and went to a real Christmas tree farm and ran around and dad cut the tree down and dragged it back to the car. Oh the memories we are giving to our children....LOL!

The kids freezing to death while mommy goes and looks at the trees and pick the one out she wants.

We finished the night off by stopping by the Fresno Donut House and letting the kids pick out a donut and going down Christmas Tree Lane. It was a pretty fun night after all!

Birthday Cake for Jesus

I got this Birthday Cake for Jesus from Cindy and I am going to make it this year. I am going out and getting all the things I need for it this week so it will happen! I think I am on top of things this year. Presents have all been bought, prime rib is hanging out in my freezer waiting to be cooked on Christmas, decorations up and cookies being baked! Hope everyone is having a good Christmas month so far. Here is the recipe if anyone wants to make it.

BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR JESUS

Jesus’ birthday cake should be round to represent the world. It should be chocolate to show the sins of the world.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23
The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all of the time. Gen. 6:5

The icing on Jesus’ birthday cake should be white to show Jesus’purity, which covers our sins.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I Jn. 1:7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

An angel can adorn the birthday cake to represent the bearer of the good news of Jesus’ birth.
But the angel said to (the shepherds), “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Lk. 2:10-11

A gold or yellow star on the birthday cake represents the star that led the Magi to Jesus.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . . Magi . . . asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” . . . They went on their way and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. And when they say the star, they were overjoyed. Matt. 2:1-2, 9-10

Twelve red candles on the cake remind us that Jesus’ blood covers us all of the time, twelve months of the year (or use red sprinkles or candies, if this color candle is difficult to find).
And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age. Matt. 28:20

Evergreens can be placed around the birthday cake to represent the everlasting life that Jesus promises to us if we trust in Him as our Savior.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is. 9:6
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. Jn. 3:36

Lighting the twelve candles on the cake reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Jn. 8:12

Sing “Happy Birthday to Jesus” and blow out the candles!


This cake can become a wonderful tradition for your family to remember that Jesus’ birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Use some or all of these symbols and change the presentation each year. Some enjoy reading the scriptures given, others read the Christmas story and explain the symbols. Younger children love making and decorating the cake, as well as getting out nativity figurines and reenacting the story complete with sound effects or carols.

Corn Pudding

My hubby got me the Food Network Magazine and I came across this recipe that looks easy, good and will feed a crowd.

Corn Pudding

4 ounces cream cheese
15 oz can of creamed corn
3/4 cup thawed frozen corn
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 chopped onion
2/3 cup milk
3 tbsp melted butter
1 beaten egg
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Beat softened cream cheese add creamed corn, thawed corn, cormeal and chopped onion and mix. Stir in milk, melted butter, egg, sugar and cheddar adding salt and pepper. Spread into a buttered 1 quart casserole dish and bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Family

My cousin posted this on her FB page and yay I got to save it from her! This is my mom's family. They were grape farmers back in the day. Let me tell you, that was hard work. My uncle took us out as kids and I think we lasted 30 minutes! My mom is the blonde in the front to the right.

These are my aunts and uncles names:

Grandma: Clara East
Grandpa: Shade White East
Uncles: Vester, Homer, Carl and Dennis
Aunts: Ole, Genevieve, Pearl Dean, Bessie, Freda Jean (my mom) and Veda.
I think I got them all.

Gingerbread House

I thought I would try a gingerbread house with little man this year. I have never made one myself and thought it would be fun. It was messy and of course did not look like the picture on the box, but it was an activity for the 2 of us to do. I think little man had fun and he did enjoy eating the candy!

We have to display it and out of reach of the dogs too!

Working on putting all the candies on the house. One for the house, one for me!

B-day Cake!

Little missie got a new baby for her b-day and loves her! She loves her Dora slippers too!

This was little missies b-day cake I made. It was supposed to look like an oreo cookie, but cakes and I like to fight, so this is how it turned out after much frustration!

Of course big brother had to help with all the presents.

Little missie was shy when everyone sang happy b-day to her. It was pretty cute!

Overall I think she enjoyed herself. Lots of food, fun and family. I am happy that Christmas is still a couple weeks away so I can get a little rest before more parties hit!

My 2 year old!

Happy Birthday to my precious little girl, you are 2 years old today!

You don't even look like the same person the day you were born. You had lots of black hair and were really red. You were in a hurry to get out and I was in a hurry to get you out! From start to finish...3 hours!

You are a spirited little girl. I have never had to guess what you want or if you are happy or sad. I know you will grow up to be passionate with a gentle heart.

You have a precious face and your dad and I love you very much!

You are ever changing and I thank God every day that he blessed us with you! Happy Birthday my 2 year old!

Give Thanks....

For being up in Shaver having fun with the family and seeing Santa Claus!

For watching my Pop cook breakfast and having lots of family over!

For my cousin Lake who danced with me!

My family and lots of good food to eat!

And crazy hats and a Mom and Dad who love me very much!

I have been truly blessed this year!

A Hug....

They are just so cute!


We went to our favorite spot, Avila Beach. We could only sneak away for a couple of days and did all of our usual fun! The kids love it since they know where they are and what to expect. The weather was perfect and not a lot of people around. Little missie was loving her brother on this trip!

Pip Squeaks

I went to Pip Squeaks consignment store today since little missie needed jackets. I had took some clothes there last month to sell and hoped I had sold some. I got this cute Tommy Hilfiger rain coat (yellow) and a pink snow jacket (it's a little big 2T but she can wear it all winter long). I also got a pair of jeans. My total came to about $26.00 and then I had a credit of $35.00, so I did not pay a dime! Two barely used jackets....I was very excited! I love that store. Whenever I need something for little missie they always have what I need.

We neede the pink jacket for Christmas Tree Lane. You can walk it on Sat. Dec. 5th!

Apple Streusel Muffins

Cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top and bits of apple through the muffin. This is my new favorite muffin!


Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I used light sour cream)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted (or use applesauce)
1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled tart apples
TOPPING:
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter or margarine
Directions
1.In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sour cream and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cusp two-thirds full.
2.For topping, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle a rounded teaspoonful over each muffin. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

They are really good! I ate 2 this morning, so now I am having a Slim Fast for lunch. Well worth the calories!

Spicy Chicken Rigatoni

If you like spicy food, this recipe is for you. I took a Spanish Chicken recipe and turned it into a pasta dish.

Recipe:

1 large dried ancho chile, stemmed and seeded
2 cups chicken stock
2 14.5oz cans diced & fire roasted tomatoes w/green chiles (from Trader Joes)
1 8-12oz can Hunts tomato sauce
1/4 cup canola oil or olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp cumin
2-4 chicken breasts depending on how much you want
1 box mezzi rigatoni
fresh basil to top pasta
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a small saucepan, bring the ancho chile and 1 cup of chicken stock to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until softened, 10 minutes.
2. In a large saucepan, add the oil and add onion, carrot, garlic, bay leaf and cumin and cook until softened about 5-7 minutes. Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and the broth from the ancho chile and the remaining chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes and take out bay leaf. In a food processor or blender, blend the tomato mixture and add back to the saucepan and keep at a simmer.
3. In a skillet, coat the bottom of the skillet with oil and heat. Take the chicken and pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Add to the pan and brown on both sides. Once the chicken is browned add the tomato sauce to the chicken and cover and let the chicken finish cooking under medium-low heat. Meanwhile, boil water for the pasta. Boil the mezzi rigatoni for 10 minutes and drain.
4.Place the pasta on your dish and top with chicken and tomato sauce. I cut up some fresh basil and topped the pasta and served it with broccoli.

Tip:
If you do not like it too spicy, only use 1 can of the fire roasted tomatoes w/green chiles and add another can of plain tomato sauce. Add a little more veggies to the mixture to give it a thick consistency or just use some canned tomatoes.

Halibut or Sea Bass would work nicely with this sauce too!

It's Official

I register for my classes at Fresno Pacific tomorrow. I will be taking 6 units a semester for the next 2 1/2 years. I will finish with my multiple subject credential and special ed mild/moderate credential. Here's to a busy 2 years a head of me!

I'm in love....

with this cake pan. My mom bought it for me today so I can make this cake for little missies b-day! I got the peppermint snow also. It is sooooo cute!
For little mans b-day I am going to make an ice cream cake with mint ice cream in the middle and for Valentine's day I am going to make a white cake with red filling. Endless possibilities!!

Need a Pie for Thanksgiving?

I am taking orders for Thanksgiving pies
$10 per pie

I can make:
coconut cream
apple
mexican chocolate
pear and cranberry tart
pumpkin
banana cream

Just drop me an email or leave a comment and I will get back to you!

Corn Chowder

Recipe:

1 stick butter
1 small onion, diced
1 small carrot finely chopped
1 small celery stalk finely chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 cups white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups half-and-half
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned and set aside and cool to room temperature.

In another saucepan combine the corn and stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the stock with the corn into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it does not lump. Return the skiller to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.

In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half, stir into the thick corn mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.

JOY

Jesus
Others
You

This is the sermon series that New Cov is doing right now. Yesterdays sermon was on generosity. We have to give and be generous if we are going to be like Christ.

This weekend I cleaned out my closet and I had a bin of maternity clothes up on a shelf I took out and it has been sitting in the middle of our bedroom. For some reason I thought I would list it on Craigslist for $40.00 this morning in between being at the gym around 7:15am. Not 5 minutes later I received a call from a lady. She said that she is in desperate need of maternity clothes, but she does not have a car and she is living at the Fresno Rescue Mission. She asked if I could drop them off and she would pay me $40.00 for them. I told her I could drop them off after I finished with the gym.

I asked the gym if the kids could stay there while I go down to the Fresno Rescue Mission because I did not want to take them. So one, she called at the right time so I would have someone to watch the kids. During my class I was thinking that I could not take money from her, that would just be wrong. I called to let her know that I was on my way and she asked if I had change. I told her that I would not take her money that she could have the clothes.

I saw Jesus in this entire process. When you look for Jesus, He is there. I have learned to slow down and look at the small things Jesus does in our lives, not just the big things. Since I have been doing this I have seen His work and it is amazing!

One more story and this one happened to my husband. Before we headed to church my hubby told me that he bought lunch for some homeless people on Wednesday at Taco Bell(he rarely ever goes to Taco Bell). After church we stopped off at In-n-Out and we were eating outside, (again which we never do, eat outside), and the same people that he bought lunch for on Wed. sat down next to us and asked if we could buy them something to eat. At first hubby said, "I actually bought you lunch on Wed. at Taco Bell." They said, "thank you and sorry for asking again." They were very polite and kept asking people if they had spare change so they could eat. All of a sudden hubby disappeared and ordered them hamburgers and gave them the ticket as we were leaving. He said that he did not think it was coincidence that they were at the same place at the same time again and after hearing Jan's message about generosity.

I pray that others will take the time and listen to God and to see the small things. We always hear about the "big" things or wait for the "big" answer, but I think we should be looking at the small things too. It makes you appreciate life much more when you see God working in our lives and others every day. And it is true, you feel good after you do something that you "should" do.

Halloween fun @ Grandma and Pop's

My proud alligator!

Grandma with her grandkids!

Little missie got a special cup.

Little man got spooky cars and spiders.

We had dinner at grandma and pop's. They made mac n'cheese and hot dogs!

Little man finished dinner with a couple of songs on the bench outside!