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Mexico para mi mama y mi padre

I can't believe it - they went without me! My mother recently asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I responded, a cruise trip to Mexico. She responded she wanted me to ask for something more practical. I stated the request was practical seeing she and dad already planned and paid for the trip and it was happening right during my birthday. I said one of them was just going to have to stay home. My mother insisted this was not going to happen. I guess I would miss my sweet little family....after a few days! I settled for something FROM Mexico. Juan had better be good looking - oh no I mean, I look forward to the sun hat and jewelry from their trip. Tee Hee

29

Jesse turns 31 tomorrow! Happy Birthday shweetie.

My birthday is only 2 weeks away. Yesterday, in an adventerous car ride, Brandon thought he knew how old Mommy was.


Me: A woman is always 29 once she turns 29.

Brandon: But I know your reeeeeal age!

Me: That's easy, isn't it? 29!

Brandon: That is not how old you are turning though.

Me: Ok, then how old is Grandma?

Brandon: 29.

Me: That's right, now you are getting it! Now, how old am I turning?

Brandon: 31.

Me: No, remember - 29!

Brandon: But your reeeeeal age is 31.

Me: Ok, I am 29. Remember I am 29 and I will turn 29!

Brandon: Ok so you're 29.

Me: That's it!

(I am not upset about turning another year older - I just like to hear I am still in my 20s so I remember how youthful I truly am on the inside!)

Recipes our family loves:

CORN SAUSAGE CHOWDER

1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 c. coarsely chopped onion
4 c. potatoes in 1/2" cubes
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. marjoram
2 c. water
1 lg. can evaporated milk
1 can cream style corn
1 can whole grain corn

In a large, heavy pan, brown sausage and onion. Drain on paper towels and return to pan with potatoes, salt, water, marjoram, pepper. Simmer until potatoes are tender (about 15 minutes). Add corn and milk, heat through and serve. Serves 6.

My Own Pasta Bake

Prep: 30 minutes Bake: 20 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces dried penne
1 14-ounce can whole Italian-style tomatoes, undrained
1/2 of a 6-ounce can (1/3 cup) Italian-style tomato paste
1/4 cup tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed, or 2 teaspoons snipped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, sugar, dried oregano (if using), and pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until meat is brown. Drain off fat. Stir in tomato mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in pasta, fresh oregano (if using), and olives. 4. Divide the pasta mixture among six 10- to 12-ounce casseroles. Bake, covered, in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes. (Or, spoon all of the pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.) Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Makes 6 servings.

Tori's Turkey White Bean Chili

This is a very mild and chewy stew. You might like to add salt, I don't use much salt in my cooking.

1 Cup chopped onion
1 Tbls garlic
1 Tsp Olive Oil
6 cups chicken stock
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can diced mild green chiles
2 cans white beans
2 lbs diced cooked turkey breast
2 ears fresh yellow corn (remove kernels and set aside, toss cobbs)
1/2 cup hard red spring wheat berries (or barley, brown rice, oat groats, anything chewy!)
1 Tbls Oregano
1 Tsp Coriander
1/2 Tsp Cumin
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

Bake and Dice Turkey Breast Saute Onion, Garlic w/Olive Oil In Soup Pot combine all ingredients Bring to Boil, then let simmer until grains are cooked and flavors are blended.

We receive further guidance from a newly appointed prophet. President Monson is now the man who holds the keys of knowledge and understanding in how to lead we the people. I always delight in his funny talks and his attention grabbing ability. I look forward to his love and inspiration. If you would like to read more about him, go to lds.org Here he is..

Sweet Sorrow

Millions Paid Tribute to President Hinckley, ‘Giant Among Men’ February the 2nd. He passed away January the 27th, 2008 at the age of 97. He was such a sweet man with what I call sweet squishy lips. I loved listening to him speak, knowing he was the head of the church and inspired by God to do and teach the right in this world. How could you not just adore this marvelous, sweet man? He now is at peace with his wife of 67 years, Marjorie Pay Hinckley who passed away 4 years ago. I am sad to miss his awesome guidance, but grateful to know where he resides today. Such sweet sorrow.