Thanksgiving 2010

If you count the girls in the picture above, there are a few extra sitting around making candy houses while the turkey cooks. The "extras" belong to my friend Rachel. Rachel and I have been friends since our days together back at the BYU. We were roommates and what a wonderful roommate she was! I tell you she hasn't changed either! She is so much fun and just an outstanding person. She and her husband and four daughters joined us for Turkey Day this year. I am thankful for good friends and especially Rachel and her family!

Looks like I was on the wrong end of the photo here. Nice hair everyone has don't you think? =)

I had to snap this photo...two reasons.. 1) the giant drumstick on Addie's plate 2) It is now official that she is allergic to Amoxacilin. If you look closely you will see the "freckles" she has all over her face and hands. Luckily her reaction wasn't beyond the hives. Sweet Adeline, I'm so glad and thankful that you will be fine.

So I tried a new recipe this year that was just too good not to share. Here it is if you are curious. YUM! You won't be sorry!

Also made the famous Dixie Salad and it was a favorite (apples, oranges, grapes, pomegranite, marshmellows and whipped cream all mixed up together). I tried a few Pioneer Woman recipes. I liked the cranberry sauce a lot but was so-so on the green bean casserole. I figure I'll try this one next year. If I'm the only one that is going to eat them, I may as well make them a little healthier. This looks awesome too...next year. I also think I need to work on the old turkey. He turned out good...just a tad on the dry side in my opinion. A great meal though and great to be with family and friends.

I "only" weigh three pounds more than I did a week ago. =)

We've had a wonderful weekend counting our blessings. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Deception....Shhh....

So a few months ago I bought Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook Deceptively Delicious after my sister in law, Shannon recommended it.

I was skeptical but desperate. My strong willed and picky eater Avrie does NOT eat fruit or veggies, period. Adeline eats all fruits, some veggies. Annaliese will eat some fruits, and a vegetable or two on occasion. It's pretty pathetic. What's a mom to do.

This book seemed to be a start in the right direction. So far we've tried both pancake recipes and love them both. I now sneak cauliflower into boxed mac n cheese. I've made the chickpea cookies...they were okay. I've tried the brownies...gross. I also tried the turkey burgers...not a huge hit. Banana Bread, I liked it but the kids wouldn't try it.

Today Annaliese asked for brownies, so I'm trying something new....The Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie mix, with 1/4 cup spinach puree (in Jessica's recipe you add a 1/2 cup, too much for our liking) and then 1/2 cup carrot puree. We'll see if this tastes any better. The batter was runny, so I added flour. This might be a disaster. How do you know unless you try. I'll know in a couple of hours.

BROWNIE RESULTS: So the brownies are now done. Not bad at all. Annaliese had about four. Unfortunately, Avrie and Addie wouldn't touch 'em. That left me with about 16+ to eat by myself (until Kermit gets home). The good thing is that they aren't so yummy that I devour the entire pan alone. I just ate 2 and was done.
It seems my twins only like the hidden veggies in their breakfast foods. Maybe I'll have to try finding my Grandma Bev's Zucchini Pancakes recipe! Jessica wasn't the first to come up with the idea of veggies in the pancakes!

Have any of you out there tried some of these recipes? Which ones do your kids like?

Schools out! Summer FUN ahead!

Today Annaliese finished her first year of preschool. She was so cute when I picked her up from school. Her class was up front singing a song for all the parents. Right in the middle of the song when she saw me come in she ran from the group to give me a hug. Melt me! Then she went back to finish singing with her class. After the songs were done she was a bit emotional. I couldn't figure out what was bothering her. I think it was just that she loves school so much and isn't quite sure what to think about not being able to go back for awhile. She didn't cry the first day of school. I didn't expect it on the last! She's just too sweet.

As a gift to her teachers, Annaliese was so excited to give them a gift card to Jamba Juice, her new favorite. It was 90 degrees or so today and humid, it seemed an appropriate gift. I told Annaliese we would go get some of our own Jamba Juice soon but couldn't today. Instead we made our own fruit smoothies here at home. I think she was very pleased...she asked for thirds. Here is the recipe. YUM! We'll be making these often I'm sure. Let the Summer fun begin!

Fruit Smoothies
6 oz Frozen Strawberries
6 oz Frozen Mixed Berries
1 ripe banana
6 oz strawberry or peach yogurt (I used lemon)
8 oz orange juice
6 oz milk

Combine in a blender. Makes 4 eight oz drinks.

Oh, I almost forgot....A great highlight... today Annaliese learned to whistle! Now I get to listen to her practice. =) She's adorable!