The Recharge Station

Is this not the coolest invention. Oh Happy Day blogged about this and I totally want one.

I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but my kitchen counter has cords and plugs all over the place!

Finally a solution! Yeah!!!

You can get it here.

The Vacation Run Down

Allison, McKenna, and Tanner couldn't wait to get soaked by Shamu at Seaworld!

We had fun torturing Sammi after we buried her in the sand.

Allison and Mckenna posing after a long day at the beach!

Alexis and I are listening to the guided tour aboard the USS Midway, retired aircraft carrier.

We had a lovely evening at the park with my brother Eldon's family and friends (and lot's of kids).

The adults enjoyed talking while the kids were playing! Mindy made a delicious salad and Eldon cooked up the burgers - it was yummy!

We had a great time! It's good to be home again and out of the sand!

Vacation

It is beach camping time again!

I will be gone camping at the beach until July 30th.

Hopefully I will have lot's to blog about when I get back!!

Have a great week!

Rocky

I am a big fan of the original Rocky movie, but I admit, they lost me with all the sequels.

So when this last Rocky movie came out in 2006, you couldn't pay me to see it.

My friend kept telling me that it was actually really good. So we finally got around to renting it, and I have to say... I did like it.

If you liked the first one, you will like the last one! Rent it!

The Envelope

I was recently helping a friend organize and plan for her food storage.

She kept asking me how much would it cost her to get her year supply. I asked her how much could she afford?

She wanted a number, a goal she could shoot for. She wanted to save up the money, then get her supply.

I advised her otherwise.
I told her to get and envelope. Every month, place as much cash in the envelope as you can spare, $20, $40, whatever.

Just keep doing this every month.
When you have a good amount saved up, call the cannery and schedule an appointment.

Jeff and I like to get a bunch of couples together, go canning, then go to a nice dinner afterwards. It's not a bad date night, and we did something worthwhile.

I don't know the exact amount it takes to get a year supply. I just know what I could afford each month, and I did this until I had everything on my list.

The Frittata

I love frittata's in the summer. They are so easy to make and are great for using up leftover vegetables or meats.

Here's an easy recipe that is great by itself or if you add some leftovers!

Now I don't cook the frittata in the traditional way on the stove. I am to lazy, so in the oven it goes!

Frittata

• 3 Tb olive oil
• 1 small red onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 6 oz. fresh spinach
• 1 or 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 8 eggs
• 1 Tb minced fresh oregano
• 1 Tb minced fresh mint
• 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
• 1 cup feta cheese crumbled

1. In a large frying pan heat olive oil on medium heat and add the onions. Saute until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts, 1-2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and remove from heat. Put vegetables in a greased 10" round baking dish.
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, oregano, mint, salt, and pepper. Pour over the vegetable mix. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes sprinkle feta cheese on top of frittata and replace in oven under the broiler until the top is set, cheese is melted, and the top is gold, about 3-5 minutes.

Last time I made it, I added some leftover Chicken, Apple, & Gouda Sausages from Costco. It was so good, and my kids gobbled it up!

blogging stress

I need this kit after blogging. Why am I the only blogger that can't figure out how to place my pictures and text so they look right! AAAAHHHHGGGGRRRR!!!!!

Parenting instuction manuals

My brother introduced me to these 2 books. I love them and love the results I have already seen in my home.
My kids actually like doing chores!!

I was telling my sister about them and she told me to post them on my blog!

So, here ya go Linnea!

You can get them here and here.

Wheat

As a former ward canning specialist... I have had several people ask me every question you can think of concerning food storage.

I decided that I would post tips periodically about the things I have learned in attaining my year supply. There are definitely some things I have learned the hard way, and I will try to spare you the same mistakes.

Today, we're talking about wheat!

If you're purchasing wheat from the cannery, and don't know the difference between White or Red wheat... always go White. Why you ask. Plain and simple, it just makes better bread.
The gluten (binding protein) is so much better and you will get a lighter, and less crumbly bread.

Now if you are like me, and purchased a good amount of wheat from the cannery before they offered white wheat, no worries. You can still make good bread. I just add white flour to the mix instead of using 100% whole wheat flour. It comes out wonderful.

For anyone interested that lives in Mesa, I am teaching a couple of friends how to make homemade wheat bread in August. You will need a wheat grinder, and a Bosch mixer to make the bread recipe I will be using. If you don't have these, you can still come and learn anyway!

Just let me know.

If something happens and we really have to eat this stuff, you be glad you know what the heck you are doing!

So Funny

Maybe you have to know him, to appreciate the humor. But my brother Eldon really cracks me up.

For a good laugh... read this.

Book of the Week

Ella Enchanted

What is it with me and young adult fiction lately...?

But I really love this book!

As always, it is sooooo much better than the movie and quite different too.

If you have a girl age 6 and up, this is a must read. My 11 year has read it twice!! (okay so have I)

You can get it here.

Happy reading!

Sunday Traditions

My cousin Alice blogged about her Martha Stewart German Pancake recipe a while back.

I of course tried it, and it has become a Sunday morning tradition at our house!

It's easy and very yummy! You can get the recipe here.

Beware... these are really good, I eat them until they are all gone!

My little secret

If you are like me, and love a good book, then you will like my Aunt Gayles blog.

She is an avid reader and devotes her blog to book reviews.

That's it. Just book review after book review. I just flip down to a title I think sounds good, and then read her review to make sure it is good, and then off I go!

I have purchased several books that she said were good and I have never been disappointed! It's where I find a lot of my good reads and hopefully you will too!

Movie

NORTH & SOUTH

Oh, I really like this chick flick!

If you like BBC, Pride and Prejudice type movies... this is a must see.

You can get it

here.

Cookbook

I picked this book up at Costco for $10.

I love this cookbook. So far there is only 1 recipe that I won't make - and that would be the seafood soup. I don't do fish in soup...nor should you for that matter.

Brownie

This made me giggle, and just reminded me to never judge others! Ha! ha!

'>Personality Test

I took the personality test my friend Laurel blogged about.
I was surprised by some things, but after some thought, I think it came pretty close.

Try it here!

Mystery Smell

When we came home from our weekend getaway, I noticed that my house smelled kinda funny.

As I was laying on the couch yesterday with a sick tummy, I think that my sense of smell was super sensitive and I could out sniff my hound dog.

When I woke up today, I knew that I had to find it. I was on a mission. I checked everywhere. What was making that subtle, but not so nice, smell?

I regret to tell you that I never did find out what was making the mystery smell.But my fridge is spotless, as is my pantry. And just to be safe I made homemade bread to really knock it out of the kitchen.

Thanks mystery smell!

Book of the Week

Jeannette Walls tells her true story of her childhood. It was very heartbreaking, touching, and just amazing.

After reading about her family, you find yourself thinking, "Wow, I had it pretty good. My family is pretty normal after all."

You can buy it here for cheap!

Happy reading!

OOPs

(I am still trying all the shortcuts of blogging and
accidentally posted before I was done.)

I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the store Anthropologie lately, so I stopped by the Scottsdale mall to check it out.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I love the clothes, the dishes, the home decor - love it all!

But I couldn't justify paying for a blouse that is the same price as a round trip ticket to New York.

Sorry Anthropologie, I will just have to catch you on the sale rack!

Anthropologie

The Bug

AAHHHH!

I had a lovely weekend hanging out with my hubby!

We stayed here in Scottsdale and did the "spa" thing.

I highly recommend it! I feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

That is until I caught a stomach bug and got really sick before we came home!

DANG!

The Weekend

I just shipped the kids off to San Diego for "cousin camp".

So Jeff and I decided to follow the example of my brother Eldon and take off for the weekend too.

We are headed to far away Scottsdale for a little rest and relaxation!

Be Back on Monday!!

Bit of Heaven

I was in charge of dessert at the 4th of July BBQ.

I whipped up my mom's brownie recipe - which are really good!

(And I don't even like brownies.)

I had 5 people ask me for the recipe so I promised I would blog it!

Here you go!

Bit of Heaven

(Taste best if made 24 hours ahead)

• 1 Pkg German chocolate cake mix



• 1/2 cup butter



• 1/3 cup canned milk (not sweetened condensed)



• 1 egg

Beat these ingredients together and spread half of the mixture in a greased 9x13 pan. It will be very thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

• 1 Pkg. Kraft carmels (35)



• 1/3 cup canned milk



• 1 cup chocolate chips



• 1 cup chopped nuts, pecans or walnuts (optional)

In a small pan, melt the carmel over med/low heat. Add 1/3 cup canned milk. Spread the carmel mixture over baked mix, then sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips & 1 cup chopped nuts over the carmel.

Dot the rest of the cake mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. (After 5 minutes, open oven & spread softened cake mix around to cover the top.)

Book of the Week

Actually, I have 2 books I recommend.

"Twilight" and the sequel,
"New Moon".

These are technically "young adult" books, but I couldn't help but really like them.

It is a dark romance that reminds you of high school boyfriends and butterflies in your stomach.

I laugh now that I have read them, that I was so caught up in the story, but the author did a good job of reeling you in!

These are good no-brainer reads that don't make you think to much!

You can get them here.

Happy reading!

The Hymn

This Sunday we sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" for the
opening song in church.

I haven't really listened to the words of that song in a long time.

It renewed my faith in the restoration of the gospel and my admiration for

the sacrifices made by a young boy of 14.

If you have a minute, it's worth listening to again.

It's not the whole song, but I liked it.

Orange Cream

This is my most favorite, yummiest lip gloss ever.

It's on sale right now at Bath & Body Works

because it's being discontinued.

Stock up quick!

Go Bananas!

What to do with rotten bananas?

This is the best banana bread recipe I have ever tasted!

Trust me!

Banana Bread

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees; Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. With an electric mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts and pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes (important) and then turn out onto rack to cool.

The sour cream is the secret. I actually cooked mine at 325 degrees. Came out perfect!

Back in the saddle

I don't have a new computer yet and I still haven't taken that photoshop class.

But the truth is, I miss blogging and don't want to wait forever.


The Good Apple.

Funny name but it is the name of my favorite little health food store in Apache Junction, Ariz

I always find something fun there.

Some new little treat or idea.

It's a funny little store where all the "snowbirds" grab an ice cream cone and sit outside and people watch.

Blogging reminds me of that funny little store.

Sharing some new little find, a new friend, a new recipe, a new idea.

There are those out there more clever than I, and much more creative and inspiring.

I am "Plain Jane".

I keep things simple and simple is what you will get.

So here's to blogging!

I am Back in the Saddle Again!