Sunday

I can't believe what an emotional mess I am! On Sunday I got released from my calling in Young Women's, I was the second counselor for two months. Yes, a very small amount of time. But I have never learned and loved so much in such a short time. I didn't know any of the young women when I came in and knew only a few of the leaders (except one Jenna, she has been my neighbor and very good friend for the last 3 years +). I feel I just got to know the girls and understand my calling when I have to give it back and say goodbye. I have never felt such a sadness when I was released from my calling (yes, already tears are falling!)- I know that it was called of God and I was supposed to be there, even if it was for two months. I wish I can take you all with me and grateful for all the wonderful memories.

I am so excited to go home and be with my family in Oregon, but I am going to miss this ward, specially the MOST WONDERFUL women in it. I can't say enough. I will always keep a part of you in the most dear place of my heart. Thank you so much!

Starving!

I was starving and had nothing to cook for dinner and it was late. Well as you know we are getting ready to move (October 8th) and I am trying to clean out my freezer and pantry. That is a chore - sense I am big into food storage! But here is a dinner that I made in 15 minutes and was very tasty!

Skillet Turkey Pot Pie without the Pie

Freezer - leftover rotisserie turkey (sliced from Smiths and yummy!) and smoked turkey from last Thanksgiving that I sliced and froze and forgot! About 2 cups total. (Any turkey would work - the smoked gives it a great favor.)
Cream of mushroom soup (can)
Frozen peas and carrots (2 cups)
Dried chopped onion (placed in water to rehydrate) 2T
1/2 cup pureed sweet potatoes (my kids won't get potatoes and this is the only way to get it in their little bodies - and fries don't count as a veggie. You can use cut up potato or babyfood.
2 T flour
1 T butter or oil
S & P to taste
Garlic powder to taste ~1 teaspoon

Heat skillet and add butter/oil then add flour, mix and cook for 1 minute. Add potato puree, soup mix, stir together. Add onion with water (gives good favor) Add salt and pepper, garlic powder. Add peas and carrots and turkey. Heat.

I made instant mashed potatoes to go along with the meal and homemade bread. It was a big hit and took me NO TIME to make!

Rainbow Cupcakes

Okay - I didn't take the picture but I did make these cupcakes!

For the Young Women's Baby sitter's Open House we had last week I made these cupcakes. Everyone thought they were really cool. (My frosting wasn't so fluffy - but I had decoration on them!)

Take one WHITE cake mix and follow directions. When finished mixing the batter, split up the batter into four bowls (cereal size works good). Add your four food coloring (paste coloring will give you the bright colors, food coloring will give you less brightness-but still nice!) Put 2 T of each color into cupcake cups - favorite colors on top. Bake as directed. And frost with your favorite frosting. Optional but sometimes important -sprinkles!

Our last BIG night in Vegas

John and I decided to go on a date Saturday (thank you Papa Jaggi) and to make it up right - sense this is our last date night in Vegas, we decided to do it VEGAS STYLE!

We had dinner at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba -the restaurant features Spanish tapas and paella. And that is what we had. BUT - yes, there is a BUT - the dessert (to small) but sooooooo yummy! Three-milk chocolate cake. I had to find it - I searched and found this recipe that I am going to try! Believe me it was so good that I REALLY wanted to lick the plate clean.

3-Milk Chocolate Cake!!!

INGREDIENTS

· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 6 large eggs
· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
· 5 liquid ounces vegetable oil
· 1/2 cup cocoa powder
· 1 1/3 cups cake flour
· 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until pale yellow and tripled in volume. With mixer running, gradually add vegetable oil. Sift together dry ingredients and fold into egg mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Milk Mixture

· 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
· 1 cup heavy cream
· 1/2 cup milk
· 1/2 cup cocoa powder
· 1/4 cup Crème de Cacao (we looked this up and Vons carries it)

DIRECTIONS
Combine sweetened condensed milk, cream, milk and cocoa powder in a sauce pan. Heat and stir till cocoa dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in liqueur. Poke holes with a tooth pick in the top of the cake. Pour milk mixture over the cake and refrigerate.

If you bake it before me - tell me if it is any good!!!

Then the night isn't over and we went to:

Le Reve at the Wynn- 5th row seats (there really is no bad seats in the house). It was AWESOME!! Loved every minute.





Thanks honey!!! You're the best!!!!!!

What I SHOULD be doing..

I should be packing and getting rid of stuff for our move, instead I have been cleaning, entertaining, cooking, taking and playing with my kids and READING! I just finished Summer of Monkeys, by Wilson Rawls and I really liked it. AHHH!!!!! I need to get to work......maybe tomorrow!

In house garage sale -part 1

We will be having a Garage Sale but for now I am pulling everything down and selling it to anyone who wants it early. I will take best offer too!

Cake holder -$5


Grass decor -$2 (GONE)



School bus - sings no people $1


Candle sticks with candles $3

Pitcher with matching mugs (4) -$5

Glass decor with leaves (both) -$3

Crib, rocking chair with ottoman, changing table (not pictured)

It is in great shape!$250 (SOLD)

Candle glass thing -$2

Items not pictured:

1. Books - Prelude to Glory (the whole set must sell together) $5 a book

2. Work and the Glory (the whole set must sell together) $5 a book

3. Lots of other books and some cooking! $3 for hard $2 for soft

4. toys -.50 to $2

5. table cloth $1

6. dishes .50 to $3

7. Candles $1 to $3

8. Infant Car seat Brittax holders, not car seat but the things you click into the car -I have two. $10 each

I still have:

The Fridge ($250) SOLD

Bike -very good condition and was over $850 ($350) SOLD.

CycleOps Fluid 2 Bike trainer + front tire riser for the trainer- $150.

Plants prices ranging from $10 to $20

#1 of 1000 things to do

Bougainvillea is hidden, sorry.


John is NOT included with the bike - sorry he is a keeper!

We are going to be selling somethings - I wanted my bestest of friends and ward members to have first pick before we put it on Craigslist. So I am putting this out here for you to start thinking if you need something or want something new.

I will have pictures and more items later too so keep checking back!

1. Fridge -white (never been used besides using it for storage)

2. Road bike - Excellent shape!

3. Crib, rocker, changing table (walnut colored)

4. toys

5. books

6. Kitchen misc.

7. Misc decor around house

8. plants - potted (cactus, tree, bougainvillea and dessert plant)

If you think of anything you would like to look at or want - let me know!