Christmas!

We had such a great time! 
It all started with the girls coming home.  I love it when we are all together again.  K brought a boy with her, I like him...She seems to choose wisely, we will see what happens.  He joined in with our family as we celebrated for a few days before he went on to see his family.  We went caroling on a very cold night. This is a must for our Christmas traditions.  We also played games and opened stockings, and a few other gifts from grandparents. And then we left for our Christmas gift, a vacation to ambergris caye in Belize! 
We had so much fun.  It seemed to take forever to get there because we couldn't get all the travel in one day.  The weather was beautiful as was the scenery.  We didn't do anything too exciting, just relaxed.  Kayaking, snorkeling, laying in the sun, reading, playing games, and of course eating.  Travel is done by boat or golf cart, so that was somewhat of an adventure.  It was great to spend time together and enjoy each others company with few distractions.

Good things:
1.  family time
2.  sunshine and warmth in the winter
3.  a bit of color to our cheeks

 

I don't like to hurt!

In late October my back started hurting again...just like it did six months ago.  Nothing seemed to set it off in particular.  After more than a week of hardly any movement, (which I am really not fond of) I went to the dr.  He gave me some pain meds, a muscle relaxer, and an MRI appointment.  After the MRI, I found there was a reason for my discomfort. (sometimes I wonder if I am just crazy, so that was good.)  I have three bulging disks.  So off the physical therapy I went for 4 weeks.  Movement got much better and I have been able to function.  I still have to be careful and keep up on my exercises, but for the most part feel good. It is still frustrating to not be able to exercise like I would like, but hope I will get there in time.  Sitting for long periods are not so good, but if I stand up and move around I am good.

Good things:
1.  a strong back
2. feeling better
3.  movement

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving came and went, too fast! K and B were both able to come home for the holiday. K brought Gramma and Grampa C with her.  That was fun to have them and enjoy there company.  It was fun to host them on a holiday instead of the other way around.  We ate lots of good food.  On Saturday, we all got to go to the temple together, It was great being there as a family. I can't wait for the day we will all be in the celestial room instead of the baptistry...one day.  And then they all left again and our home was quiet again.

Good Things

1.  being together as a family
2.  having excess food
3.  mobility

Good Things:

1.  Being able to vote
2.  End of political ads and phone calls
3.  Living in freedom

Holy, Moly!

I had my girls get together last Friday night and I hosted.  I always like doing that, as it gives me a reason to make some delicious food.  The hit of the night was "Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta."  Holy Moly, it is so good.  So good, I had to make more the next day, and put in on a grilled pepper turkey sandwich.  Here is is from the Oprah magazine:

6 oz feta cheese crumbled
2 oz cream cheese at room temperature (I used fat free)
2/3 cup olive oil divided
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt
pepper
2 Tbsp pine nuts
2Tbsp shallots
2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 lbs tomatoes 1/2 inch diced
3 Tbsp fresh basil
1/2 " baguette slices toasted

Place feta and cream cheese in a bowl and mix, I just used my mixer.  Add 1/3 c olive oil,(I will use a little less next time, just because that is alot of oil) lemon juice and 1/2t salt 1/4 t pepper. Mix until smooth and refridgerate until ready to use.
Place pine nuts in a dry saute pan and cook over low heat until lightly browned. Set aside
For tomato topping, combine shallots, garlic and vinegar and let sit 5 minutes.  Whisk remaining olive oil, 1 t sal,t and 1/2 t pepper in.  Add tomatoes and stir. Add basil. 
To assemble spread baguette with cheese mixture and top with tomatoes. Sprinkle with pine nuts. 
OH, so good!

For the sandwich, I just used french bread, peppered turkey, and then the tomatoes and feta mixture.  Then grill.

Good things:
1. whipped feta
2. Girls night
3. lunch the next day

Girls Weekend

Last Friday I flew to visit my girls for the Relief Society General broadcast.  We had such a great time! Two of my sisters also joined us, with spectacular tickets. K wasn't able to join us until late friday, but we just carried on without her until she could join us.  We went to Bakers, I got some anise oil for deliscious caramels come Christmas time.  Had dinner, and went back to the hotel.  The next morning we found some great buys at the DI, checked out a farmers market, did some shopping, and then went to the broadcast.  Brooke was able to get us tickets from Elder Hales, her husband's uncle, and they were great! We were sitting right up at the front in what I will call "the apostles family section!"  We were as close as you could get to sit by Pres. Monson's wife and daughter, Sister Dibb, who were up on the stand.  As the prophet came in, he bent down and said to his wife and daughter, "How's my girls?"   So cool!  We shook the hand of Sister Dew, she was sitting on the same row, just down a few chairs.  We also recognized sisters Nelson, Eyring, Utchdorf, and Holland.  Some of the apostles escorted their wives to and from their seats.  And, the messages they gave were great as well.  For once, the time seemed to pass so quickly.  After the meeting, we had some dinner, and as a treat from Dad, the girls each bought a pair of boots that they really "needed."  Sunday we slept in, went to sacrament meeting in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, had some really good sushi, and dispersed until next year when the girls want to do it again.  Such a great weekend!

Good Things:
1.  A girls getaway
2.  Feeling the spirit of leaders
3.  Plans for next year