It's PIE time!!!

So a couple of weeks ago, I was talking with my Grandma Willie. To say the least, she sounded tired. I thought I'd offer to help her make the pies for Thanksgiving. Plus, I need to know her secret recipes in baking so I can keep them going! ;)

"The Secret Recipe"

So I forgot to take a picture of mixing the dough, but I think that was my favorite part...Grandma says to me, "Roll up your sleeves, its time to get your hands dirty!" Into the bowl I went...mixing lard and flour! After I mixed, she took one look and said, that looks right, and onto the rolling board it went!

Rolling out the dough

PS if making TONS of pies...NEED marble rolling pin!

Next, Grandma pressed the dough in the pans

Shells ready for the filling! Cherry is preferred!

Then we poured the filling. We did 3 cherry (one of which was JUST MINE!!), 2 apple and a peach. We also made about 5 shells for the pumpkin, pecan and cream pies.

Me and my pie

The finished product...Heavenly!!

I must say, I was waiting for the taste test to make sure that I lived up to her pies, and you know what...I think I did! The crust was flaky and the pie was DELICIOUS!!!! Even Robert, who doesn't like cherry pie said it was YUMMY!!

Next visit...fillings and Christmas candy!!

Yummy Turkey Soup!

After coming home from work a little later than normal today, I was in a hurry to make something for dinner for the family. I cooked a turkey yesterday and am going to be finding fun recipes for it for the next week or so until it is gone; so need less to say, I have a fridge full of turkey. With a storm coming in, I decided to throw some soup on the stove. It kinda started a little hap hazardously, throwing items in the pot and hoping for the best. Surprisingly enough, it was delicious! So here's the recipe!

Turkey Left-over Soup

made 4 servings

3 c chicken broth

1/2 c half & half

1/2 can carrots

1/2 can green beans

1 small tomato diced

1 handful mushrooms (or a can, I just had fresh ones)

about 2 c turkey

1/2 c cheese

garlic salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a soup pot, except cheese and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and add the cheese. Let simmer for about 10 mins. and enjoy!

I would have posted a picture, but the soup didn't last long!

It's Halloween Time!!!

This year Robert's mom decided to have a Halloween party. It was such a good idea, and the kids LOVED it!! We all decided to have the kiddos dress up ...which ended up being a GREAT idea. Since Jim & Myrna live in the middle of no where (hehe) they don't get trick or treaters so I think they had a blast having the kids in costume!

Kierstin the Cowgirl!

Teniah the Tipsy Gypsy

All the Kiddos!

The 20's brought to life!

The kids had a blast coloring Halloween pictures, decorating and eating sugar cookies and playing Halloween Bingo! The girls sure loved every moment!

Halloween day, the girls were able to go to my mom's Halloween party at school. They had a blast making cookies and playing games and participating in the Halloween Parade. Kyle and I dressed up for work too. We had a blast!! We told everyone that I preformed brain surgery on him! hehe

The doctor's in!

After I got off work that night, I changed costumes, and we went out trick or treating. The girls had a BLAST!! We went out for about an hour and a half. But Kiki was done within the hour! I couldn't believe how much candy they got!! We got home and dumped it on the table.

Look at my LOOT!!

While we were looking at it...Robert came in and said, we still have time to trick or treat, what are you doing home? I told him that Kiki was tired but Teniah would go. So off they went again. They hit a few more houses and were back within a half hour. Teniah was thrilled!!!

This year was probley my favorite so far! The girls were awesome!

My toothless Girl!

For the last couple of months, Teniah's TWO front teeth have been wiggly! She has been wiggling them little by little each day. Last night during her wiggling, I heard the root pop (kinda gross if I do say so myself). She was a little freaked out. Needless to say, it was bleeding pretty bad, so I told her it should come out tonight. She pushed, she pulled, she tried to twist...nothing. She handed me the tissue, "Your turn mom." I pushed, I pulled, I gave a tiny twist...nothing! Probley because I didn't go as hard as it needed...Teniah was whinny. After a few tries, we gave up. Teniah was getting ready for bed, and went in the bathroom. Next thing I know, I hear a clink on the floor. Her tooth popped out! She is now my little toothless girl! She was SOOOOO excited!

Remembering Good Times

About a week ago, Teniah came across my scrapbook and was looking through the pages. I came across a newspaper article, and I wondered, "what's that?" As I looked closer, I knew, it was my grandmothers obituary. It has been almost 5 years since she passed away. It is amazing to me how the time has passed.

In the time since, there are days when I miss her, then I pull out her necklace; I place it around my neck, and think of all the happy memories of her all day. By the end of the day, it's almost as if I have spent some time with her. Today, I heard the song, "Que Sera". Thoughts of my grandma came rushing back. I remember her singing that song to me many times as a child. So as I had this rush of thoughts, I couldn't help but to give her a place on my blog.

Grandma Barbara was an amazing woman. She was kind and thoughtful and giving. She was strong and funny. I know that I will always carry a piece of her in my heart, and she will always be missed by me. Love you Grandma!

Craftiness!

So, I have a new addiction to "Pinterest"...and have been looking a lot at Halloween decorations and etc. I came across something like this....

and was SOOO excited...I made one myself! I thought it turned out REALLY cute and it was so easy...my kind of crafts! haha Oh, the one pictured is the one that I made!

Anyways...I am pondering the idea of selling them...so if anyone wants one...they are $7!

Halloween?

So, I have these two little girls at home, who thinks it NEEDS to be Halloween TOMORROW! I don't know what has spurred this LOVE for Halloween, but I find it becoming one of my favorite holidays! Although I did break down and start decorating last night (the chic-a-dees wanted to decorate three weeks ago!) , I will wait for the more "Halloween themed" decorations to come out on October 1st!

Now, this little girl has been asking me for the last THREE WEEKS when Halloween is. We've been talking costumes since then as well. I finally broke down and pulled out the costumes. She tried this on, and then had to wear it for two days! I don't know if this is what she will end up being this year, but she makes one cute little skeleton!

(FYI, this costume was one my brother wore when he was probley 6 or 7! But it sure looks cute as a little dress for our little KiKi!)

Our Little Family!

While at the Petersen Family Reunion, SIL Toni took a couple quick shots of our family. She is AMAZING and I appreciate her!I love these!! Toni captured the beauty of the surroundings as well as the cuteness of our family!

Summer Time FUN!

This summer has been sailing away from us this year. I don't know if it is due to the fact that it doesn't really "feel" like summer weather-wise. It has only been warm weather since June, and it is usually quite a bit hotter than it has been. Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a complaint! I have loved the weather being a little cooler! It's nice to be able to go play outside in the middle of the day and not be too hot!

The girls have loved having their Grammie off work for the summer! They have been having weekly "parties"! From the Turtle party, full of painting and hula dancing, to the Kung Fu Panda party, going to the movie and Panda Express. There was the "Picnic in the Park" party, which surprisingly was perfectly named! :) This last one, I think may have been their favorite so far, the "Fancy Hands" party; manicures and fancy hair, done at the salon (well, Evans, it's close right? haha) dancing with Papa and a tea party! They wait weekly for their invitations from Grammie! :)

We were able to break away for the Petersen Family Reunion. What a Blast!! We went to Little Creek Cabin, up Paragonah Canyon. We rode four wheelers, Grandpa's horse, shot clay pigeons, painted faces, eat YUMMY food, and had sooo sooo much fun! I love going to the cabin so much. It is huge, just right for our family! Everyone had a place of their own; and the kiddos LOVED sleeping in the loft!

Just this last weekend, we were able to take our little family and go camping. We went to our coveted spot up by Yankee Meadow. We love it up there. It is cool, beautiful and isn't that far. We took the four wheeler on an Amazing ride. It was bumpy for me, as I was on the back, but it was well worth the bruise. We were able to see down on Yankee Lake, and then drove down the other side to Panguitch lake. Both lakes were full and beautiful! We picniced by the stream and LOVED every peaceful minute. We were sad to come back home to reality, but we sure love our little escapes!

Snack Time

Whenever I feel a little snacky...what do I grab? SLUGS! I can just see and hear you going...ewwwwww gross!! But I sure love them! Robert teases me...but I promise ladies...not a pregnant craving! :0) What are your favorite snacks???

So Neglected!

So I have been thinking about how I have neglected my blog! It is soooooo horrible that I haven't posted in what...like 6 months!! I have just wanted to catch up and catch up, but I can't seem to find time or I didn't have pictures etc. So my thinking is this...I will give you the fast version of the last 6 months and then make sure that I continue POSTING!!!

Robert came home (WONDERFUL!) We went trick 'r treating in the FREEZING cold wind with two of the cutest little witches you have ever seen! We had a quiet little Christmas at home and then an AMAZING FUNTASTICAL trip to Disneyland the day after! My little Kiki turned 3!!!!! I am on my last leg of my twenties (which I am getting okay with!!)

So there you have it! Bring on the new posts! :0) haha