Some of my favorite things..on my tree.

I would post a picture of my Christmas tree - but it is sooooo sad this year. Matthew likes to rearrange things on the tree and with a few things broken, our tree this year is just a sad one. But I wanted to post some of my favorite things on it.

This was given to me by John when we were engagement and it started a tradition. Every year we find an ornament to remind us of that year.


My Seminary teacher gave this to me. Her parents were on a Mission in Jerusalem and sent one to the whole class.



This is for Piper. He is a good dog most the time. At least I have no Cheerios on my floor!


My sister Jennifer made this in 1981 and my mom gave it to me when I got married. It has been my favorite since I was a kid.

Another Recipe

Another good winter treat for the end of the day. I halved this recipe and it worked well. It did need to cook for about 30-35 minutes. (another cousin's friend recipe)

Apple Puff
1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup white sugar
2 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups apples, peeled and cut into chunks (I used granny smiths)
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Peel and chop apples. Squeeze lemon juice over apples and stir to coat. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put butter in a 9x13 baking dish or similar (I use a large oval dish), and put in the oven to melt. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and white sugar in a bowl and stir with a whisk to mix well. Add in one cup of milk and stir until there are no lumps. Mix in the last cup of milk and vanilla and stir until just combined. Do not over stir, as it will make the cake very tough.

When butter has melted, pull the dish out of the oven and pour cake batter directly into the middle of the dish. Dump the apples evenly into the batter. With the back of a spoon, gently push the apples into the batter, just so none are floating on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar and the cinnamon.

Bake for about 40 minutes. You will know that it is done when you shake the dish and the cake appears to be set. Apples will have sunk to the bottom and the cake will be coated with a chewy caramel around the edges. Serve alone or with ice cream.

My new workout

Minutes:

0-1 Squats
1-2 Jumping squats
2-3 Jumping jacks
3-4 Front kicks
4-5 Side shuffles
5-6 Jumping rope
6-7 Walking lunges
7-8 Squat thrusts
8-9 Alternating knee lifts
9-10 Jog or sprint in place

Do this 3 days a week with a 10 to 20 minute power walk to light jog and you can lose up to 419 calories in one session!

I did this after my 30 minute elliptical workout and it kicked my butt! Plus I added my 30 push ups and 100 crunches.

Now I just have to stick with it!

Snow!

The day started out like this and boy were we happy..but


the day ended like this! Can't believe this weather - I do live in Vegas don't I?

On the news that night, the top story was SNOW and nothing else. Utahans would be so bored!


John and Matthew went and played in the snow and built a snowman. Matthew can't stop talking about it.

John's work party

Here is a recent family picture of us - not great but it is the best we can do sometimes! We are heading to John's work Holiday dinner and taking the kids to the sitters. Dropping the kids off was the best part of the night!

Jake and Ashley's Wedding

In the beginning of December we went to see John's brother Jake get married. They got married in the Logan, UT Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony. Whenever I attend a sealing, I always think about mine and want to go back and feel those wonderful moments again. Thank goodness for pictures and journal entries! Here are a few pictures of that day.


Isabel looking adorable.


Tyson and Jill (John's sister)-she had a baby eight days before me. Doesn't she look great!



Ashley and Jake - dancing.


Dancing still..very cute couple.

Me and Izzie

Dinner last night

I made this last night and it was yummy! It makes tons (at least 6 big servings). Next time I am halving it. I got it off my cousin's friend blog -so I can't take the credit.

Butternut Squash Risotto
1 large onion, diced
1 small butternut squash, remove skin and cut into various chunks
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. butter
2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves (if you use dry, reduce to 1/2 tsp.)
2 cups arborio or pearl rice
6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable)
1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (I will use a little less next time maybe 3/4 cup)
1/3 cup half-and-half
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In a very large non-stick pan, melt butter into olive oil over medium heat. Meanwhile, heat broth to simmer in a pot. Add onion and squash to butter and olive oil. Salt and pepper well, and cook until onions are soft. Add thyme and garlic and cook for one minute and then stir in rice. Cook an additional two minutes. Using a ladle, scoop in one cup of broth (or white wine) to rice/squash mixture. Stir until liquid is absorbed and add another cup of broth. Stir occasionally, adding additional broth as it is absorbed. After about 20 minutes start checking rice to see if it is al dente. As soon as it is, turn off heat and add half-and-half, cheese and one more ladleful of broth. Stir until combined and cheese is melted. Add more broth if rice looks too thick, and taste to see if rice needs additional salt or pepper. It should be very loose. Garnish with additional cheese.