Merry Christmas!

Me and my sister. Can you see the top of Jen's red rubber boots. Love it! And I really love Jen's hair. And my goofy smile that my parents had to pay a fortune to fix. Mom - how old were we in this picture? 5 and 3?

Funny thing - I found this picture over on Inchmark's blog. Actually - there is a good reason for that - Jen and Brooke are friends but it was funny to see my little face hanging out there too.

Hope all is happy and well for each of you this Christmas. We love our Savior Jesus Christ and celebrate his birth and the gift of His life.

President Thomas S. Monson said,

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following His footsteps."

Santa's Elves are Amazing

 We don't know who you are? But seriously you are amazing. Leaving the most perfect and over the top gifts each night at our door. We would like to thank you. And I don't even know if you read my blog. But we are grateful and you are making each night so fun.

What Sunday Looks Like

This is what Sunday looks like - after a long day of being home since church gets out a noon. We have games spread out all over the floor, the hair do is ruined, and Quinn is busy hoarding all the toys and necklaces she can fine. She wants to be in control and the center of attention. Oh but we think she is so cute we could eat her up.

Jonah and the Whale - Great story telling

Gather your kids around for this one. I want her to tell my kids bible stories every night. And then I want them to learn how to tell their own.

Why in December?

Teague had to make a volcano for school. Cool project but why in the heck would you assign a project like this for December? We are plenty busy and it is cold outside. Save it for spring. Geesh.

Teague was quite proud of it, though. And thanks to Grandpa and Kenyon it came together. I didn't do a single thing. Wahoo!

The Knee Update

So ... we went to yet a 3rd orthopedic doctor this week.

One thing we know for sure - 2 doctors are convinced that the only way to help Kenyon - and they are confident it will help him - is to do total knee replacements. They both agree that while Dr. Rosenberg is a great doctor - he is totally wrong in believing that a calcium rich and healthy diet will heal Kenyon's knees.

So...we will be moving forward with total knee replacements in 2011. The question is now when, where, how, and who.

We need to pick a doctor. One recommends doing them separately 8 weeks apart. And would operate on the left leg January 5th. The other doctor recommends doing both at the same time but can't operate until April 22nd. Are you kidding me? He really can't fit us in sooner. Duh!

Kenyon would rather have it over and done with so doing 2 at a time seems better to him. But waiting that long - not good.

Both seem like very competent doctors and have dealt with this specific problem. What to do? We don't know yet.

But funny side note (and maybe a concern) - this 3rd doc we went to has the most outdated office we have EVER been in. The monster computer monitors with monochrome screens. The computer programs they are using must have been developed in the late 80s. And they are using dot matrix printers. It is backwards in there. And the furniture is worn out and dirty. Should we be concerned? Orthopedic Surgeons have to be making enough money to invest in their office a little bit. Right?

Holy Cow! Ginormous Apple

Look what arrived in the mail today! The largest apple we have ever seen. And it tasted amazing! Thank you!!

Check them out at Williams-Sonoma.

Pomegranate

I had no idea how easy it is to de-seed a pomegranate. We love them but I always thought it was so messy to pick all the seeds out. Oh I am so excited....

Stephmodo sent me to the Martha link that teaches you the very simple de-seeding method. Hooray.

Happy eating!

Food Drive - Monday!!

For the past 3 years, we have hosted a neighborhood food drive. I really look forward to it. We feel so blessed to have so much and we want to give back. This idea struck me one day (I know it isn't unique) and I ran with it.

Here are some interesting facts about hunger in Utah.

• 1 in 10 Utahns, and 1 in 8 Utah children, lives in poverty.
• An impoverished family of four makes about $22,000 a year to cover health care costs, shelter, food, and other household expenses.
• Utah has the fourth-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. About 350,000 Utahns risk missing one meal every day.   
• More than 134,000 Utahns receive food stamps, and 63,000 eat dinner at a soup kitchen.
• 1 in 7 Utah children is at risk of hunger, and nearly 40 percent receive free or reduced school lunch.

Check out the Utah Food Bank for more info or other ways to help out.

Last year we gave over 700 lbs to the food bank and I HOPE we can beat that.

So come join us and bring some non-perishable food or baby items. And I will be serving scones and hot chocolate. Tempted?

Gratitude #1

We are already 6 days into the month and I meant to be more grateful. I was going to copy the idea of blogging each day about the things I am grateful for.

I have been putting on that on the back burner. Life is crazy. Then yesterday was so not a good day that I realized how much I really need to focus on some gratitude.

We were recently reminded of this important principle and virtue in our General Conference meeting. Our living prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson, said,

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love...

We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”⁵

When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given."

The rest of his talk can be read here.

So for yesterday - so thankful for a night out (dinner and a movie) with friends that we don't get to see that often (which is silly, really).

And for friends who took care of Quinn for many LONG hours.

Supernova Granola

Check out the new blog my sister started - and soon to be business. She will be selling her yummy, healthy granola. You might even be able to get some now if you ask.

I LOVE granola. And she has been working the recipe to perfection.

Her blog also has great ideas and info on being healthy. She knows and she practices what she preaches. Me on the other hand - I know stuff but I am not so good at implementing it. Especially when there are left over cupcakes on the counter. Danger.

My biggest problem - overcoming sugar addiction. Check out a very interesting article here at Goop. I thought I could do it today - no treats. But it was a totally insane day. And the candy corn and M &Ms were so easy to grab. LAME O!

Queen Quinn Turns 2

How did this happen? Our little sweet baby grew up to be a 2. And in a flash she will be 16. I'm scared. She is hilarious and trouble all in one. She is a sweet girl. We are so happy she is a part of our family. We pretty much want to squish her to pieces most the day. Sometimes because she is so cute we can't stand it and sometimes - well cause she is making us crazy. But that smile easily melts us.

I went with the owl theme for birthday. So many fun ideas out there.
Party Favors: Owl Bean Bags
and chocolate owl suckers  with flavored colored chocolates from Orson Gygi
Owl Cupcakes
Owl Pinata We thought it would be easy to break open. It is made out of cereal boxes and tape. Seriously easy but it would not give in. That thing had the life beat out of it and it held strong. So funny.
A true sugar fest for the Queen of Sweets - check out her tray.
We invited just a couple of her cute friends (that she talks about all the time) to join us for a little celebration. Boy, did she love all the attention.

Halloween

So not into it this year. Sorry. My poor kids would love it if I really cared about costumes and the whole bit. It was pretty make shift. But luckily, they were still very happy and got WAY too much candy.

This was our first year with a kid at the neighborhood school so we have never done the school parties and parade deal. Wow. That is chaos. I watched hundreds of kids parade by and thought "what is our deal? we put our kids in goofy costumes and march them all over. Then we give them unheard of amounts of candy. Dumb."

Is that a bah humbug or what? Sorry.

I do love fall though and don't get me wrong - I do love a mini candy bar. And I really love those happy faces on my kids.

Not Yet

We have had a month of busy Monday nights. So Family Home Evening has been mostly in the car while driving somewhere.

Tonight on the way home from the piano recital (Teague chose to wear a shark costume), I said, "We need a gospel message. Anyone?" Nothing very gospel-ish came up so Kenyon suggested we talk about Stake Conference. But I missed the whole thing chasing Quinn in the halls (can you tell that I really need Love and Logic again?). He asked the kids to retell a story about the oxen. Apparently one of the speakers told the story of a pioneer woman who had lost her oxen and her prayers were answered clearly. She knew where to find her oxen.

Kenyon asked what the lesson was from this talk. We had quite a variety of answers before we got to the real one. But then Kenyon explained to the kids that the speakers in conference were trying to teach that our prayers are answered - sometimes with a yes and sometimes a no. But he pointed out that the speakers missed the most common answer - "Not Yet." I replied that that might be my least favorite answer.

I wish I could remember quite how it went from there but Teague and Elise both made comments referring to Kenyon's knee. It was so interesting to listen to these kids describing the MANY prayers for Kenyon's recovery have resulted in "not yet" answers. Elise said "there must be some reason." The kids are so consistent to remember Kenyon and his knees in every prayer. I am grateful they have the faith and commitment to his healing.

Halloween Mystery Dinner

This just might be the kids' most favorite tradition. Of any holiday. Seriously. I will NEVER get out of this so be careful what traditions you start. Several years ago, my sister-in-law's sister-in-law (is that confusing?) gave me the idea of a Halloween dinner with menu items and crazy food. Thanks to my sisters - it always turns out better than I could do on my own.

Egan's creation. Melted Witch. So clever.

Jane's creation. Bad Heads. Yum.

Read this is if you are having days like me lately...

http://71toes.blogspot.com/2010/10/myth-of-perfect-mother.html

I love her perspective on motherhood. I just wish it had a better solution.

Not one of my favorite days

Let me just say that I HATE markers. I threatened the kids tonight that I am throwing them all away. Of course, I won't. You should see the wall down the stairs. Equally great artwork. And the artist's belly. It is talent.

Good thing we love her to pieces.

Where was I? I ran to take a shower. Really? Teague, Elise and Gavin were all in the room with her. I thought I had left her in good hands.

Horse Crazy

I took Gavin and Quinn to Thanksgiving Point Farm. And we were surprised to find out it was the Barnyard Boo. We beat most the crowd. Gavin LOVED the games, crafts, prizes, etc. But all Quinn wanted - the horse ride. That is why we went anyway. She LOVES horses (she says, "sies"). She was even patient and waited 15 minutes in line just to have her turn. I don't think she has ever been quite so happy in her life.

While she can be kind of tiring, she is so much fun. I love her excitement about life. She has mastered some amazing facial expressions and the art of acting to get things she wants. She is learning more and more words each day and staring to put them together. It requires a little deciphering but eventually we understand.

New Easy Dinner Recipes

I love the Cook's Illustrated magazine.

Anyway, for Christmas one year, I got The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. A great one. But sometimes I am intimidated by the recipes because they seem so complex. But not these two...

They were easy and perfect for the crazy nights we have had. And EVERYONE loved th. A miracle. (Except Quinn but I am not counting her yet).


Easy Chicken Calzones

2 - 10oz pkg frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped

1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded (4 cups)

2 cups cooked chicken (1 lb), chopped

1/2 cup pesto

salt and pepper

2 lbs pizza dough - I used 2 pop-up canisters of pizza dough - the Pillsbury kind - I think you might need 3 because my filling was a lot.

Oven to 450.

Pat broccoli dry and the toss with other ingredients.

On a floured counter, unroll one pizza dough (roll to 1/4 inch thick). Mound half of the filling on to one side of the dough. Brush the edge of the dough with water and fold the other half of the dough over. Seal the edges.

Put calzones on greased baking sheet.

Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake until golden about 15 minutes.

Perfect for on the go nights.

Fiesta Casserole

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups instant brown rice

2 cups frozen corn

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups salsa

1 T Tabasco (i didn't use this)

3 cups shredded cooked chicken  (1 1/2 pounds)

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

6 oz crushed Frito's ( yummy without so if you are counting calories - just skip it).

Heat oven to 450.

Combine broth, rice corn, beans, salsa. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

Stir chicken into dish and sprinkle cheese over the top and then the Fritos. Bake 8-12 more minutes until edges are bubbly and crumbs are toasted. 

I want to win this...

Check out this giveaway....Wouldn't this be such an amazing trip? Photo - Stephmodo

The Knee Report

I wish I was better at describing all the details. It would probably be boring to most of you but I will give you the best recap that I can.

This is Dr. Rosenberg. Best knee surgeon in the country. He is the US Ski, Speed Skating, and Snowboarding Team Doc. And such a nice guy. It helps that long ago he was friends with my parents. He pretty much thinks they are perfect people (and they are). He thinks I look just like my mom so he decided that my nickname should be "deja vu."

He sat down in our room today before surgery and chatted our ear off about the whole "Elder Packer" talk and gay marriage. It was the most random pre-surgery conversation EVER. So funny. But that is all a side note.

Kenyon got his leg shaved and I wish I had pictures. Then they wheeled him off to surgery. An hour and a half later, Dr. Rosenberg came in to give me a report. He took lots of pictures that don't make a lot of sense to me but it showed all the scar tissue and inflammation. He cleaned out all the fluid and junk in there. The hope is that will help alleviate some pain and also give the bone a chance to grow back.

The bad news...(yes there is some). Part of the dead bone in his knee had already started to collapse. Which explains the INTENSE pain that he has been living with. Dr. Rosenberg said he couldn't believe he could get around with that collapse. So that means that what was supposed to be a fairly easy recovery is no longer. It is 4 weeks of NO weight bearing = crutches only. And it means he must be so careful to not do ANYTHING that would cause the bone to collapse any further.

It will get better but we are talking years till that day comes. We will gladly take the miracle route at this point but if not then less pain will be a welcome outcome.

Thanks for all the prayers and concern. Much appreciated.

A Watched Pot Never Boils

I am so impatient. And this whole knee thing taking 3 years is not my cup of tea. But, really if you have been around Kenyon lately, you can tell that it is not a good thing. He can't walk. The pain has increased and his ability to get around has decreased. So a couple of week ago, I called back up to the doctor and said "you need to do something." I really think he would be in a wheelchair by the end of the year if this isn't dealt with.
 picture source
Yesterday we finally got in.  And it is a potentially long story. If you want the short answer - he is having his knee scoped next Wednesday. It is an outpatient surgery but his leg will be immobilized for about a week and then he starts therapy. The right knee first and later the left. The goal is to clean out all the inflammation and scar tissue and try to help the knee heal. But ultimately we are still talking years to regrow new bone.

Longer story -he also has scoliosis in the lower part of his back because his right leg is an INCH shorter than the left. How did I not notice that? It really is so obvious. That problem has existed long before cancer but does not help the pain and condition of his knee. So we will be seeing another guy to get started on taking care of that - 1st step is to get a heel insert made.

The doc also wants a bone density scan of his knees so that we have a baseline to measure progress. I don't know why that wasn't done a long time ago. Seems kind of obvious. But here's the catch. Nobody seems to do that scan. They typically only scan hips for bone density. So we did that but the density is fine there. I am sure the doc will figure it out because he has had it prescribed before but we'll see.

So...we continue on or improve actually the diet. He really needs to have a great diet that promotes bone growth and is also anti-inflammatory. And try to get to a point where he is walking.

Carry on...

The Balancing Act

When I made my last post on the Insanity of the last week (and the next couple weeks to come), I wasn't trying to sound super (but hey thanks). It really feels like insanity and it wears on on all of us. It has me thinking constantly about the choices we all made to be involved in so many things and ultimately how to balance EVERYTHING. It feels crazy. 


This super mom (daughter of Richard and Linda Eyre - if you know them) just shared the same thoughts recently and I thought I would share. Precarious Balancing Act She talks about some upcoming events and says, "I think what it comes down to is BALANCE.  Balance is such a lovely concept, but such a hard thing to really find, don't you think?  Balance requires TIME for prioritizing and re-prioritizing and self-assessment.  It requires setting and sticking to boundaries.  And just when you think you've got things balanced quite decently, some new thing gets dropped in your lap and you're off-kilter again."


She suggests looking over the week in advance and considering the question - What are the Best things I can do this week? And then creating a list of other action items that need to be done but are not necessarily essential to be done this week.  


She also poses these questions:

• Does this really matter? To me? To others? To my overall goals?
• Do I WANT to do this?
• Does this really need to be done by ME? Am I really the best person to do it?
• Would this be the BEST thing for me to devote time and effort to NOW?
• What will I NOT do so that I can do this?
• Can I do this in a simpler way? Is it worth doing well or just barely worth doing? Thoreau said: “Our lives are frittered away by detail, simplify, simplify.”

I can tell you - that lately - there hasn't been much THOUGHT put into what I am doing. It is a list of times and places and I go. 

Here goes another week. Plenty can't change and I don't really want it to. I really think it is fun to be at each of the kids games. But there are some things I can do BETTER in the other hours of the day.

My Insanity

I know some of you are thinking of this Insanity. Some of you crazy people are even doing it. Good for you. I thought it would be fun to get my own version of Insanity added to my life. 

It goes something like this...

7-8 am - get 4 kids up, dressed, chores, pack lunches, cook breakfast, eat, read scriptures, family prayer, out the door.

8-3 pm - take care of a 2 year old - nuf said

3-8ishpm - drive carpool, homework, piano, and then...during this week it consists of 4 flag football games, 5 soccer games, practices, piano lessons, parent teacher conferences, and pine wood derby pack meeting. 

Insanity.

Not Yet!

Why does my baby girl have to be approaching 2 at rapid speed? This is ridiculous. I cycle through moments of thinking "she is the cutest little thing that ever existed" to "somebody save me OR her now please." She drives me up a wall. And at the risk of me looking like a total failure, I will share the proof. Just know that as long as she is awake - nothing is accomplished. NOTHING. And when she goes to sleep, I am so tired that I don't get much done then either. So ignore the mess. Just listen - I hear this ALL DAY LONG.

Favorite activity: pushing a chair to the sink, high-centering herself and getting a "dink." And everything around her soaking wet in the process.

Quinn was insistent that this skirt belongs to her and on her. It is actually Elise's uniform skirt.
Favorite word - MINE. A close 2nd - "Mo" that means no and yes. Totally confusing. And 3rd - "Don't Dad" or "Don't Mom".

Another Talented Relative

Kenyon's family is just chalk full of talent. And here is yet another cool one.

So he has a niece and niece in law who have a little custom invitation/announcement company. They do awesome stuff. Even Christmas cards (which I know some crazy person out there might already be thinking about that). They did the invites for THE wedding and it was also featured on Martha. BTW - have I ever told you that I LOVE letterpress. Really really love. Anyway....so that same niece-in-law just started another little company with really cute posters. Check it out!

I think this would make a great baby gift. 

Too bad I can't get some of this talent for myself. 

Martha Stewart Features THE wedding

Here it is people. Remember that wedding we went to that was so incredible? Martha Stewart featured it on her website. Check it out here.

This was almost me

I am so not even kidding. Except I didn't know where to find a piece of cardboard or a pen.

I don't even know if I should tell this story because it really confirms what a space cadet I am but you probably already knew that so here goes...

Saturday morning I left at 5:30 am to go help with a 5K fundraiser for Sarah Hayes (a friend of my sister Egan). By the way, it was very inspiring and so worth it to be there. After that I had two baby showers to go to - both at 10:30. One in SLC and one in South Jordan. I had about an hour to kill, so I thought I would go shop (kid less!!) at the Gateway. I didn't realize it wasn't open until 10. Duh. So I parked and got out of my car to take off my 5K shirt (and luckily I had another tshirt on underneath or this story could get really bad). As I pulled the shirt over my head, my door shut. Leaving my purse, wallet, keys, and phone LOCKED inside. I seriously panicked.

So I walk out into the Gateway thinking that surely the stores would be open and I could use a phone. It was completely dead except a few bums. NOBODY around. Nothing. And nobody knew I was there. I seriously considered the option of begging myself but there wasn't anyone to ask for money. So I finally found a pay phone and placed my first collect call home. It was declined. Turns out Kenyon just pushed the wrong button but all I heard was that my call was not accepted. So I tried again. After 3 more attempts, I finally reached Kenyon. Thankfully, he made the dumb trip all the way downtown to give me the spare keys.

It cracks me up now, but there were some moments where I didn't know what to do and wondered how long before I came up with a solution. Probably a little irrational but that happens when you are working on lack of sleep and you have NOTHING to your name.

*Needless to say - I missed the showers.

Hakuna Matata

Lion King is freakin' awesome. We totally loved it. And you wouldn't know it from the huge grin on Teague's face but he almost didn't come. Why? Because we had to wear "church clothes." That is pure torture to that kid. And he really didn't think it would be worth it to suffer so much. Luckily for Teague, our back up plan to bring one of Elise's friends didn't work so he suffered through the clothes to enjoy the show.

Guess what we did all summer long...

It kind of felt like only one thing. But it was fun (at least for some of us).

Elise has been playing competition soccer and that means major life changes. Two - three practices a week and a 5 tournaments. Have you ever seen such happy girls? This was after winning the Sparta Cup and it was hard fought. They were seriously pumped up.

I have loved watching her learn more about this game, improve, make new friends, and work really hard. Definitely worth it.

Happy Birthday to the best Grandpa!

Today is my Dad's birthday and I wish we could celebrate with him. A couple years ago we celebrated with a dinosaur pinata (cause he is almost that old j/k).

From the pictures you can tell that he Loves his grandkids and they LOVE him. They love playing chase, games, creating projects in the garage, performing, reading, or even vacuuming up money. They are just happy to be with him.

He is such a happy, calm guy. And always willing to take on the hard tasks - changing diapers, putting them to bed, feeding them rice cereal or holding a fussy baby.

We love you Dad!

Thanks Stephmodo

We had a yummy, healthy dinner last night (until we got to dessert). 

Try this...Hazelnut Encrusted Salmon and  summer squash and corn pasta and strawberry rhubarb crisp. Ohh and the most divine eclaires from the master baker - my neighbor - Danny. Thank you!

**For the salmon I tried the frozen salmon fillets at Costco and we were quite pleased.

Quinn Discovered

our raspberry bush. I may never get to make jam because this little thing can consume raspberries at an alarming rate.

Bountiful Baskets

Might be my favorite event of each week. No tennis is but then this. Getting two HUGE heavy bags full of good produce - veggies and fruit for only $15. It's amazing. Check it out here.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

First to address a couple of questions: Favorite cookbooks in no particular order: Ivory Family Favorites* (can be purchased at the Make A Wish Foundation in Fort Union area), Keeping Up (by some of the Ivory family and can be purchased online. Just click on the cookbook and you pay for it by pay pal) and my mom's family cookbook which is really a great compilation over the years of recipes from great cooks we know and some we wish we did - like the cooks at Cooks Illustrated, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart and Lion House (to name a few). We keep dreaming of making it a real cookbook but it hasn't happened yet.

Second, why no pictures? I know it is totally lame. Who wants to make food without pictures? It makes a total difference and I actually think it is the major flaw of all three of my favorite cookbooks. The answer - I STINK at taking pictures - especially at food pictures. I need a class on that. I try to arrange it well. I have good lighting - I think. It just doesn't look as appealing as I want it to. So there you have it. No pictures of these recipes.

It is kind of scary how much zucchini we have been consuming. Sad news - something is wrong with my zucchini plants and they are dying. And it doesn't appear to be squash bugs. What am I doing wrong?

Anyway - I have had some requests for recipes lately so that is why all the recipe posts. I took this one to a 24th of July BBQ and it was gobbled up. So I made it the next day for my family in town.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake - A super moist, delicious cake. And non one will ever know if you don't tell them.
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup oil (but I do half applesauce and half canola oil)
2 cups grated zucchini
3 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa

Grease jelly roll pan (big cookie sheet with sides). Preheat oven to 350. Beat sugar, eggs, and oil then add zucchini. Add milk and vanilla. Stir the dry ingredients together and add to batter. Pour in pan and bake 25 minutes.

Frosting (it is nearly identical to the frosting on the Hershey's cocoa container but the directions are slightly different).
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1/3 cup milk
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup nuts (optional)

Melt butter and milk. Stir in cocoa and bring to a boil. Then pour over powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Add vanilla and optional nuts. Pour over brownies.

* And yes the Ivory Family Favorites has a Jane Metcalf but it isn't my sister Jane although she is a good cook.

BFF Caramel Bars

From my 3rd most favorite cookbook - Keeping Up (it is the 2nd Ivory Family Favorites). You really should own both.

I have made these a couple of times and seriously people - they are so dangerously good.

Make these today and share them with someone!

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Mix butter, brown sugar, oats, soda and salt. Press 3/4 of mixture into bottom of 9x13 pan, greased. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

1 - 14 oz pkg kraft caramels, unwrapped

3 T cream or half and half

3 T butter

2 c milk chocolate chips

While crust is baking, melt caramels, cream and butter over low heat in double broiler (I don't have one so just be careful). Pour melted mixture over crust. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Crumble the rest of the oat mixture over top. Bake at 350 for 15 more minutes. Cool before slicing.

*sorry about the weird formatting. don't know.

Rosemary Chicken Burgers

You pretty much need to try these. I was a tad nervous but not really. Once you take a bite...pretty sure you will want to eat another one. Unless you are at a BBQ and there is so much good food that you eat too much of everything else (like homemade tortilla chips - did you know that you could make that - you can and they are SO GOOD).

Rosemary Chicken Burgers

Makes four 4-ounce patties

FOR THE BURGERS

1 pound ground organic/free-range chicken breast meat*

2 tablespoons minced sun-dried tomatoes (in oil or reconstituted in warm water)

2 sprigs rosemary (pull needles from woody stalk, chop)

1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil (or use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes)

4 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

Sea salt and fresh-cracked black pepper to taste

FOR THE AIOLI

1 clove garlic (minced or squeezed through a garlic press)

1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato, minced (in oil, or reconstituted in warm water)

1 cup mayonnaise

Sea salt and fresh-cracked black pepper to taste

1. To make the burgers. Combine the meat, sun-dried tomatoes, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, bread crumbs, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. To test the flavor make a peanut-sized patty and brown in a hot pan. Adjust seasonings if desired. Form into four equal patties and place on wax paper in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Cook burgers on a hot charbroiler, outdoor grill or pan until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Serve on a whole-wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and sun-dried tomato aioli.

2. To make the aioli. Whisk the garlic, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, mayonnaise, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste.

3. Serve on whole grain thin buns with lettuce, tomato, and aioli/mayo

Relay For Life - This Friday night!!

Be there or Be Square!

It is a great event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It is a relay event that goes all night long - showing cancer that we never stop fighting. And we will Beat It. And because of that we named our team - Team Beat It.

It is Friday, July 9th from 6pm to 8am the next morning. From 6 pm - 10pm there will be booths, activities for kids, entertainment, hot dogs, popcorn, treats, etc. It is a great evening for the whole family and promises to be even better than last year. We will be selling our popular foam swords. The kids love them.

Location: Monarch Meadows Park  in Herriman (13600 South and 4800 West).

We will have members of our team walking or running laps around the event all night long.

The track will be lit by luminaria bags. Those bags are for sale ($10 each). It is a great way to make a donation to the ACN and you can request that we put the name of someone you know that is fighting or surviving cancer. Let me know if you would like one.

We hope to see you there!

Best way to start the day

Play and then come home and watch. Perfect morning.

Although - my friends and I kneed a little help. We'll get there, though.