Book of the Week

My pick for the week is definitely Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. It is the third book of the love story between Bella and Edward the vampire.

I know, I know - vampire? What can I say? I loved it!

You can get it here.

Can you spare a square?

Okay, so we're at the movies with our friends the Pomeroy's, and Becky and I decide to use the restroom before the show.

So we're right next to each other in the stalls just like in the video clip.

Becky starts the whole, "Can you spare a square?" thing. I start laughing and teasing her back saying, "I just can't spare a square... no square to spare".

I finish up and proceed to the sink to wash my hands. I am waiting and waiting but Becky hasn't come out of the stall yet. What the heck is she doing anyway?

When she finally emerges, she didn't have the nicest look on her face. Apparently, she wasn't kidding and really needed a square.

Being the airhead that I am, it never crossed my mind that she really needed some. I thought we were just being funny and showing off our knowledge of Seinfeld episodes.

Becky had to reach under the stall and get her own square because I wouldn't spare. She's forgiven me and I promised to always spare a square in the future.

Sorry Becky.

High School Musical Magic!

Allison is dressed as Sharpay, Mckenna is sporting the "Wildcat" colors, and Nathan is just happy to be here!

Yes, it's true! We had a High School Musical party tonight, complete with Pei Wei takeout, party favors, balloons and streamer!

We're cheese balls and we're okay with it! As you can see from the picture, the girls were thrilled. But Jeff and Wayne enjoyed it the most I think!

While walking around the track this morning with my two friends, the topic of food came up. This recipe is for you Becky!

Yogurt and Bran Biscuits

1 cup bran flake cereal
3 Tb. Milk
2 eggs beaten
½ cup flour
½ cup wheat flour
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tb. Grated orange peel
3 Tb. Butter

3 cups mixed berries

2 cups vanilla yogurt


In a medium bowl, stir bran flakes, milk, and egg. Set aside to soften. In another bowl mix flour, sugar orange peel, baking powder, and cinnamon. Blend in butter with fingers. Add bran mixture and stir only until moistened. Grease cookie sheet and pat dough to a round. Bake at 400* for 15 to 20 minutes.

While that’s cooking, mix the mixed berries and yogurt together. (I love the mixed berries from Costco, or you can use just strawberries – anything works)
When the bran biscuit is done, cut it like a pizza.
Place one wedge on a plate and top with yogurt/berry mixture, and serve.

This is my family’s favorite breakfast and they beg me to make it. It’s sure to be a winner!

Dinner in a snap!

I made this for dinner the other night. It was really good and my kids liked it too. You can cook it on the grill instead of the broiler. It took me 20 minutes, start to finish.

Give it a try!

Thai Chicken Satay

2 large limes

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup chunky peanut butter

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced

1 Tb fresh ginger, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 Tb soy sauce

3 Tb brown sugar firmly packed

1 Tb Asian sesame oil (I used plain sesame oil)

4 chicken breasts cut into thick strips

1 small head romaine lettuce

1 cucumber, peeled and sliced

1. Place 8 bamboo skewers in cold water to soak until ready to use. Grate 1 tsp zest from limes and squeeze 1/4 cup juice. In a glass bowl, whisk together the lime zest and juice, vinegar, and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in cilantro, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Reserve about 1/2 cup of mixture in a separate bowl for use as sauce. Add the chicken to the marinade and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
2. Preheat broiler. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Divide the strips among 8 skewers, threading the strips on lengthwise. Place the skewers on baking sheet and place under the broiler. Cook, turning once, until seared on the outside and opaque throughout, about 6 minutes total. Divide the lettuce, cucumber slices, and chicken skewers onto plates. Drizzle with some of the reserved sauce and serve, passing around additional sauce at the table.

Book of the Week

THE GREAT BRAIN

This is one of my favorite series of children's books by John D. Fitzgerald. There are 8 books in all. If you have kids, this is a must read! I just finished reading the first book with my kids and they can't wait to start the 2nd. You will love the stories about 2 Catholic brothers growing up in Mormon Utah. It is out of print but you can still get them here.

Did You Know?

Did you know that despite what they tell you at the cannery, you don't want to can white flour or sugar. I don't know why, but it makes it taste funny. I have tried to use it anyway and hide it in a recipe. I doesn't work. It just makes it taste gross.

Here's what you need to know.

Purchase some 5 gallon plastic food storage buckets. They sell them here, but you might be able to find them locally for cheaper.

Buy your sugar at Costco in the big bags and store it in the buckets. You don't even need to seal it, because bugs won't get into sugar.

Do the same thing with white flour. I have 4 buckets full of white flour, and I just keep them rotating. They are in a closet close to the kitchen. I keep a plastic container full of flour in the pantry. When it runs low, I head to the closet to fill it up again.

Trust me on this one. You will regret it if you can these two items. Buckets are the way to go!

Good Luck!