Since I've known Sam he has wanted a palm tree. When his parents came to visit the three of us went shopping for flowers while Sam was at work. This was the surprise he found when he got home, his own palm tree.. Just the right size for us until we buy a house.
While Sam was backpacking with the boys I spent a lot of my time on the road.. I got to Idaho and went to Pocatello to see my sister, Daisha and a good friend Brooks. Then headed to Arco to my parents house. Idaho Falls was the next stop. I went with my mom and dad to see my grandma Duke.
The next day we took the four wheelers out for a tour of the Mackay Mine Hill, I googled some pictures to show what the area looks like above. I lived close to Mackay for 18 years and never once did I take the full tour of the Mine Hill. Afterwards we stopped by to see my grandma Smith.
The next day we drove to Blackfoot then to Idaho Falls for errands.
Finally on Saturday I was able to stay out of the car. My brothers, sister,sister in-law, nieces, and nephew came over for a BBQ and we played games.
On Sunday I drove to Hailey to spend time with Sam, Nick, Amy, Addison, Ryan, and Audrey. The following day Sam and I drove to Arco and had lunch with my brothers, sister in-law, and my mom.
Then finally we headed to Boise to see Mike, Brandi, and their cute daughter Bailey. On Tuesday morning we headed to Texas..What a busy week!!
Sam had the camera for the past 13 days.. We met up a couple of times during our vacation, but for the most part we had separate vacations.. Above are a few of the pictures that Sam, Nick, and Ryan took on their backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Mountain Range.. I am so glad that he was able to have a guys vacation!
Leaving for Oregon tomorrow.. haven't started packing my things yet. I started rounding up some of the things Sam needs for the Hood to Coast race he is running in on Friday and Saturday. Need to go shopping tomorrow before we leave to get the last few items we don't have at home for the race. It will be great to see Sam's side of the family for a couple of days.
Then I'm off to Idaho to see my side.. Sam will be heading off to the Boise State vs. University of Oregon game and then backpacking with a couple of friends.. He is super excited for his planned activities. After he's done we're heading home, Texas. Crazy to think that we live in Texas, but we do.
Then I'm off to Idaho to see my side.. Sam will be heading off to the Boise State vs. University of Oregon game and then backpacking with a couple of friends.. He is super excited for his planned activities. After he's done we're heading home, Texas. Crazy to think that we live in Texas, but we do.
This is our TV stand! We haven't finished it yet as planned. It is a big project which we knew in the beginning it would be.
Here is one of the doors that will go on the front.
Here is the work that has started. We sanded the entire stand and put a first coat of paint on a couple of pieces and sanded them down for the next coat of paint. It will be awsome once we finish!
Since moving to Texas we have been trying lots of different recipes. I love to try new things and experiment until I find some good keepers for the recipe box. We've tried White Bean and Chicken Chili (for recipe click here), Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (for recipe click here), Taco Soup, Broccoli Chicken and Rice casserole, and Shredded Chicken Tacos. Some are good others need a little bit of love to make them great. Sam has added his request for repeats for White Bean and Chicken Chili, Broccoli Chicken and Rice, and Taco Soup. Hope your home gets to try some amazing new foods too.
by Austin Cookie Lounge.
I just heard about the place about 10 minutes ago. It is now on my must visit list.. They make and bake your cookies as you wait. They have the dough, 9 different types, made ahead of time and you just tell them what you want in it. They have brownies, cupcakes, milkshakes and other goodies also. Sounds like a fun place to try!
Last week Sam was asking for some Texas BBQ. He likes it quite a bit. I am not skilled in the art of making it so he convinced Chris and Natalie to go to a early dinner with us on Saturday. So for the first time we went to County Line. The homemade bread was quite good!! Sam is liking Rudy's gas station BBQ as the front runner for his craving for Texas BBQ. We will have to revisit Don's BBQ since it has been two years since we last ate there to see if it is a contender.
So we've been in Texas since July 7th. Just last night at about 5:30pm We finally received Internet, cable, and a land line. Can I just say it has been very quiet around here lately.
My dad was my resource on some days as to what the temperature was. Hot, was all I could say. It has finally cooled down a little bit which is a good change. I have been hiding out in our place with the AC and reading books. I also had the chance to unpack about 99% of the stuff. I got to Sam's camping gear and decided it was up to him to take care of it.
Sam and I purchased a TV stand that we are in the process of sanding and then we will paint it. That is one project that seems to take a lot of time. Chris and Natalie have been great on helping us out. We've had to borrow tools for some of our projects. They've shown us a couple of good places to eat out, and Natalie has let me tag along to the grocery store and Target. I haven't figured out all the crazy roads yet so it has been great to have the help and the company.
Sam's been training for the Hood to Coast. With it being hot he has to run late at night. Will be traveling back to Oregon at the end of August for the race and to visit family. I am really excited to have things come together over here and can't wait to see our friends and family in a little over a month.
My dad was my resource on some days as to what the temperature was. Hot, was all I could say. It has finally cooled down a little bit which is a good change. I have been hiding out in our place with the AC and reading books. I also had the chance to unpack about 99% of the stuff. I got to Sam's camping gear and decided it was up to him to take care of it.
Sam and I purchased a TV stand that we are in the process of sanding and then we will paint it. That is one project that seems to take a lot of time. Chris and Natalie have been great on helping us out. We've had to borrow tools for some of our projects. They've shown us a couple of good places to eat out, and Natalie has let me tag along to the grocery store and Target. I haven't figured out all the crazy roads yet so it has been great to have the help and the company.
Sam's been training for the Hood to Coast. With it being hot he has to run late at night. Will be traveling back to Oregon at the end of August for the race and to visit family. I am really excited to have things come together over here and can't wait to see our friends and family in a little over a month.
Sitting in the Phoenix airport is really exciting for those of you at home. We are waiting for our next flight, which will bring us that much closer to our new home.
Question? What would you think if your neighbors son and wife moved in with them and a couple of days after they moved in they had their car towed away?? Maybe that their son lost his job or house and had the repo guy reclaimed their vehicle?
Well just so you know that is not what happened to Sam and I. My car was towed on the 19Th of June to be shipped to Texas. The movers loaded our stuff on the 25Th of June. We moved in with Sam's parents and his car was towed on the 1st of July. Now it's the 6Th and we are finally going to see our new place. The movers will drop our stuff off on the 7Th and hopefully my car will be ready for us when we get there. Sam's will be there in a week of two.
Crazy, we are going to be Texans!! Sam already bought us Longhorn t-shirts now we have to get the drivers licenses and plates.
Question? What would you think if your neighbors son and wife moved in with them and a couple of days after they moved in they had their car towed away?? Maybe that their son lost his job or house and had the repo guy reclaimed their vehicle?
Well just so you know that is not what happened to Sam and I. My car was towed on the 19Th of June to be shipped to Texas. The movers loaded our stuff on the 25Th of June. We moved in with Sam's parents and his car was towed on the 1st of July. Now it's the 6Th and we are finally going to see our new place. The movers will drop our stuff off on the 7Th and hopefully my car will be ready for us when we get there. Sam's will be there in a week of two.
Crazy, we are going to be Texans!! Sam already bought us Longhorn t-shirts now we have to get the drivers licenses and plates.
Starting a new book. I would not say that I am a big reader, but I do like a good book. I hope that this will not leave me disappointed!
My mom gave me this book to read on my last visit to Idaho. It is a short story, which was great! I did enjoy this book. I thought it had a funny title, due to the fact that my mom is Mrs. Mike, not the character in the book, my dad's name is Mike! I wonder if that is why she bought the book. Just as I am writing this I realize that it has a little to due with that fact that having married Sam it has taken me physically further away from my side of the family, which is like this book. I know where ever Sam and I move the main thing is that we are together, our families will always be there supporting us no matter what..for that I say THANKS!!
So the family is getting together in Texas. Sam's side of the family tries to get together every two years and have a reunion. So Texas here we come. We'll be packing light, due to the warm weather. Not to say that it hasn't been warm here in Washington, 90 degrees is hot to me, especially when you don't have AC at home. But man it sure will be fun to see all of Sam's family in one place for the 2ND time. The first time was a utter chaos due to it being our wedding. Most of you know that Sam and I will be residents of Texas very soon. It'll be hard to leave the Northwest and our families but we look forward to a new adventure and our opportunity to grow.
This Years Request
This would be the first time that my mother gave me an idea for a present. She saw the super qute apron my mother in law made me and requested one for mother's day. I on one had can not sew, so I looked on the internet until I found one that might work. I found these one's that I really liked!
Trip To Idaho
This weekend we traveled to see my side of the family and some of our friends. It was wonderful to spend time with Nick, Amy, and Addison. It's seems like just yesterday when we last saw them but once we saw how much Addison had grown we realized how long it really had been.
We next visited the Duke side of the family. It was a great trip with great food and good times. Sam had the chance to play golf with my dad and older brother. I still haven't found out who golfed better. They all have different stories, each one saying the other did better.
Man alive our nieces and nephew have grown so much. They are as cute if not cuter than I remember. I love my family!! Unfortunately we were slackers and didn't take any pictures.. Sorry!!
Dessert Anyone?
The credit of this recipe goes to my friend Maresa.
Cherry Crumble
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 can cherries
**(if you want to die for cherry filling you've gotta make it! see below)**
In a medium bowl combine flour, brown sugar, quick oats, baking soda, and salt. Add butter in chunks and use fork to combine. In a greased 8 x 8 square pan put 1/2 of the mixture then add cherries for filling and top the with remaining dry mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
I owe this recipe to my wonderful mother.. it's the best!!Cherry Pie Filling
2 cans cherries - (Oregon Red Tart Cherries in Water)
1 1/4 cups sugar
dash of salt
2 Tlb cornstarch
2 Tlb tapioca
1 Tlb butter
1/2 tsp almond flavoring
In medium sauce pan cook cherries, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and tapioca until thickened. Add butter and almond flavoring. This makes filling for 1 pie.
Quick and Easy
Audrey asked me to post this recipe. It is fast, easy, and gooey! Oh I forgot, YUMMY!!!
Carmel Popcorn
1 pkg. microwave popcorn
1/2 c. butter
7 big marshmallows
1/2 c. brown sugar
Pop popcorn, pick out any kernels that did not pop, set aside in large bowl. Combine butter, brown sugar, & marshmallows in pan stir constantly until marshmallows and butter are melted. Spread over popcorn.
Mexican Corn Bread
1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
4 Eggs
1 (15oz) Can cream style corn
1 Can chopped green chilies-drained
1/2 Cup Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar cheese
1 Cup flour
1 Cup yellow cornmeal
4 Tsp Baking powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch pan. In a medium bowl blend butter & sugar, add 1 egg at a time and mix. Add corn, chilies & cheese mix. Add remaining ingredients stir until well blended. Pour in pan and bake 1 hour.
One Of Our Favorites
Pepper Steak
1 lb Steak cut in strips (Round Steak)
2 Tbl Oil
1/4 C Onion
1 Clove Garlic
1 tsp. Salt
Dash Pepper
2 Beef Bouillon cubes
1 lb Canned Tomatoes (Whole or Diced)
1 Lrg Green Pepper cut in slices
2 TLB Corn Starch
1/4 C Cold Water
2 Tbl Soy Sauce
Brown meat slowly in oil, add onions and garlic in last few minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Dissolve Bouillon cubes in hot water (1 cup) add to meat. Simmer covered 20-30 minutes, or until meat is tender to your preference. Add tomatoes and green pepper, cook for 10 minutes. Combine corn starch, cold water and soy sauce in small bowl or cup, add to meat mixture and cook for 5 minutes until sauce is slightly thickened. Serve over rice.
Newest Read
One of my close friends loves this book. I went over to her house to visit and came home with "Jane Eyre" to read. So far it is pretty good. I do love a good book.
Looking Good While Cooking
Wakeena Falls 2009
I'm such a slacker. I took a couple of pictures yesterday and downloaded them tonight. I found our trip to Wakeena Falls which were taken in February. It was a longer hike then both Sam or I remembered...
Freezing His Buns
A couple of weeks ago Sam was a great sport. He had the opportunity to help out the boy scouts. Can you believe Sam in a snow cave, yes it's true.. As most of you know Sam hates being cold. The boys dug out caves to sleep in effort to learn about winter survival. I enjoyed a nice warm, comfy, and full nights sleep.
Looking Back
Yummy! The Perfect Birthday Cake For A Small Group
Don't these look perfect. Sweet Treat Cupcakes from Cold Stone. Sometimes you don't want the whole cake sitting around after the party..Sam and I have been eating way to much cake lately.
Yummy
OATMEAL FUDGE NUT BARS
Crumb Mixture:
1 cup marg/butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
3 cups quick oats
Cream together butter & sugar. Add eggs & vanilla. Mix together flour, soda, salt, oatmeal and add. Mix till crumbly and set aside.
Fudge Nut Filling
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 14oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup walnuts partially chopped
Heat first 4 ingredients in microwave until smooth, add vanilla & nuts. In bottom of greased 9x13 pan spread 2/3 of the crumb mixture.Spread filling over crust, then drop spoonfuls of remaining mixture on top of the chocolate. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
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