My Lady Bird

This was R's first year playing soccer. She was able to be on the same team as two of her really good friends, and yes this is the best picture I have of the 3 of them playing together:(
Not only did she have great friends, but her coach was the High School soccer coach (no picture). We are so lucky he has a daughter the same age.

R was a great soccer player. She was not afraid to go after the ball. She really not that big, but seriously whenever she was running to get the ball other players went flying out of the way. Picture a bull in a china shop.

R has determination. She would run up and down that field. R didn't like it when it was her turn to sit out.

Here are the Ladybirds after their last game. They all look like they worked hard!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. I am so thankful we all live so close, except my oldest sister. I know it is rare to have your parents and most siblings within an hour's drive and I appreciate it.

My sister, Beth, hosted the dinner. Here is the beautiful bird she made. FYI, She used Alton Brown's recipe.


Here is Nana entertaining the kids on her computer. This is my sister's mother-in-law, but she has adopted all the kids and have them call her "Nana". In the picture are R.J.(cousin), H, and G.B.(cousin). Yes, it is one of the rare boys in the family.


Here are E, K.B.(a cousin), and R enjoying the day together.


I noticed all the pictures are date 2/10/2003. I don't know why, but 2/10/ any year is always a fantastic date. Coincident, I think not!

Book of Mormon Reading Challenge

Today is day 36 of reading. With reading 10 pages a day, you should be making quite a dent by now.

To be honest, I am quite behind. I have been under the weather and need to catch up. Hope you are doing your best and enjoying.

Chocolate Chess Pie

This is a recipe from my Mom. She found it in a cookbook when I was little, and my family has been having it ever since. The cookbook says that Chess pie is a Southern type pie. Somewhere else I saw Chess pies described as custard like pies. I will say this pie is not for everyone, BUT it is my family's favorite. Try it, you might like it.

1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 can (5.3 oz) evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) pie crust [see recipe below]

Mix sugar and cocoa. Add butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Here is a terrific pie crust recipe:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 egg
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1/4 Cup cold water

Using a pastry blender or fork(I often use my hands in the end) blend together the flour, shortening, and salt until the mixture resembles small peas. Slightly beat the egg and blend in vinegar and water. Combine the liquid with the flour mixture until thoroughly blended. Then, this is a trick my college roommate taught me, roll it out in between saran wrap. Way less mess, and no additional flour is added to your crust.

Bon Appetit! Enjoy your pie.

Please pass the rolls

Okay, I can admit this very publicly. I don't know how to make bread. I have tried. Failure! I have tried other rolls. Failure! But, this recipe is always successful. Thanks to my friend Carrie Hunt for sharing it with me. Hope you enjoy it too.

Mix:

2 Cups warm/hot water

2 Tablespoons yeast

a pinch of salt

Let sit until bubbly/ puffy

Add:

1/2 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup shortening

2 teaspoons salt

2 beaten eggs

Mix well and then add:

5 1/2 cups flour, a little at a time

Mix with dough hook for 5 minutes or hand kneed for several minutes until silky smooth texture. Lightly oil a bowl and place dough to rise. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free area. When doubled in size punch down, and roll out. Cut with a pizza cutter into long triangles. Grease cookie sheets, roll up into crescent shape and place on sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise until double. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Yummy Yams

Okay, Turkey Day is on the way. I am so excited! Here is a great yam recipe that is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving Dinner. I keep getting asked if I have a good one so I though I would share. Thank you to Vonnie for the picture and Aunt Lisa for the recipe.

5 yams, baked, skinned and mashed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 Cup of butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 Cup sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

Mix together and place in casserole dish.

Topping:

1/4 Cup softened butter

3 Tablespoon flour

3/4 Cup brown sugar

1/2 Cup chopped pecans

Mix together. Sprinkle on top of yam mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

(PS I have no idea why this won't show the spaces in my entry. I keep hitting the "enter" button but still no spaces. UGH!)

SYTYCD, Baby!

Last Night I was able to go to...

I was so excited to see it in real life. I couldn't believe the difference of seeing it live versus on TV. Those dancers are moving in high speed most of the time. Wow! I was also thrilled that so many of my favorite dances were included.

Starting off was Brandon and Jeanine dancing to "Battlefield"


Jason and Kaitlin going their high energy Bollywood number, "Jai Ho"


Then I love the creeping thieves, Brandon and Janette, in "Ruby Blue"

I never knew how powerful dance could touch my emotions until I started watching this show. When Mark ripped out Chelsie's heart in their "Bleeding Love"dance I could feel the pain. That was nothing compared to this Season 5 dances.

There is Kupono and Kayla's dance about addiction . To watch her struggle to be released from a power that had complete control of her made me feel hopeless and trapped too. I experience deep sorrow for those whose decisions had ever lead them to experience this. I prayed that they had the strength to fight the addiction and regain their agency and ability to control their life. Kupono truly captured "addiction"

Then Melissa and Ade's tribute to breast cancer fighters was beyond words for me. Tyce Diorio choreographed something amazing that human tongue fails to describe.

In the end, it was a great evening. Thanks to my friends who shared it with me.