About Me

My photo
I would say that I am curious, vivacious, gregarious, sometimes funny, intelligent, easy going, very passionate about the things I love, caring, thoughtful, and kind. Maybe that is a little over the top, but I think you can count on me to be very honest. LOL

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Winter How I Misunderstand You

I've been told that to really understand Winter I must learn to take advantage of the opportunities it brings to me. 

~ So this evening I will snuggle up,  with a throw over me, make a cup of hot cocoa, and list the many things that I actually love about this precious season.

1. On a sunless day, the grays merge to form a somber and peaceful landscape.  Although I love the beautiful trees of summer the silhouette of a leafless tree
still leaves their beauty intact.  Something waiting beneath to spring forth. 


2. For me, winter often serves up a wellspring of precious childhood memories packed with hours of fox and geese in my backyard and big mugs of marshmallow- and whipped-cream-topped hot chocolate 



3. It is a time of idle hours to reflect on sentimental journeys from days gone by...hours in front of the fire place ~ golden moments.

4. Of Course ~ Christmas is one of the delightful memories of winter. 
5. I now believe that all the snowflakes are kisses from my Daddy in Heaven!

6.  Winter is a time of reflection - a time to think about the changes that need to be made - a time of solitude when the colors are soft and the pace is gentle.

7. Remembering my Dad reading Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening ~  by Robert Frost night after night until I had it memorized at a very young age.


8.  Those bitter cold mornings when I wake to see magnificent lines of frost stretching across my window panes.  They seemed to rise with the sunshine and the bitter cold outside.  They looked like little miracles that had been formed in the dark of the night.  I watched them in sheer amazement and marveled that such beautiful forms could be born during such a winter-cold night.

9. Traditions....the hill created by the huge piles of snow bring hours of fun in those chic winter clothes!

10.   So what do I do in the wintertime when there is no baseball.   I stare out the window, watch the snowflakes fall in the street light and wait for spring. 

Because.........






  

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Perfect Pressure Cooker Pot Roast



Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon crushed garlic
  • Worcestershire Sauce 
  • 1 (1 ounce) package dry Italian salad dressing mix
  • 1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
  • 1 (1.2 ounce) package brown gravy mix
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth

Directions


  1. Heat oil in the pressure cooker over medium-high heat with the lid open. Brown the roast on all sides in the hot oil. Worcestershire Sauce is poured over the top of the roast while browning. 
  2. In a small cup or bowl, mix together the Italian salad dressing mix, Ranch dressing mix, and gravy mix. Sprinkle them evenly over the roast. Pour in the beef broth, add the chopped onion, and crushed garlic.
  3. Seal and lock pressure cooker, and cook over high heat to build pressure until the indicator sounds (mine whistles). Turn heat down to medium, and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Run under cold water to help release the pressure before unsealing the lid. You can use the juices as an au jus, or thicken with flour or cornstarch to make a delicious gravy.
  4. I serve this with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots…family loves it!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

A Door-able

These portals open
step through them for adventure
you don’t have to knock
functional ……..
Chicken door
mysterious……
door 1
(in love with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)
wardrobe 2
well used………
door 2
rustic…………
door
welcoming home……….
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adventurous …………
Hayhurst Snow Door
filled with love………..
Mommy and Kendry red door kiss
May the doors that you chance upon …open wide –
overflowing with endless possibilities.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Don't take it personal

Step-endous!

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

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climb the stairs to yet another journey…

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Halfway down the stairs Is a stair Where I sit.
There isn't any Other stair Quite like It.

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There is no elevator to success….you have to take the stairs!

Wooden

How many stairs did you climb today?

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Strength

 

On The Porch Swing

It is love alone that gives worth to all things

TERESA AVILA

Summer ~ Drifting Away

Another year another season and ….Just like that, the summer has once again slipped through my fingers-fast, way too soon, as it always does...leaving me wanting more!  Like the ice cubes in my Arnold Palmers, it has melted almost invisible, leaving me so thirsty for more just one more day!   No, I am not ready to see summer shut down yet, despite my love for fall.  My heart is bursting with memories, summer memories-something special and deeply cherished...

cheering loudly for those boys of summer and watching children being entertained

Mountains Majestic

Ballpark phones

Knowing my grandchildren are growing up and enjoying life

Halie Brevin San Diego

William

visiting the place where my father rests peacefully

Cemetary Marker

finding time to spend with loved ones

Jan

Moving forward to another season…shades of green and blue now fade to beautiful orange, yellow and red…

Do What You Love

grateful for the simple things, after all, that give us the most pleasure and help us appreciate all that we are blessed with.          

The Hills Call

Grandpa - loves having a companion for his adventures!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Orange

 

“I feel a little dizzy," said Orion. "But also wonderfully elated. I feel that I am on the verge of finding a rhyme for the word orange."

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Orange is the color of
So many things we see.
Would you like to sing a little
Orange song with me?

Orange Day

Orange juice and orange cheese,
Orange Carrots, if you please.
Orange pumpkins, orange leaves,
Let's sing a song of Orange.

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I can find things

Like butterfly wings

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Pumpkins and Oranges

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Carrots and Tigers

 

Orange Day 2

Clementine Pumpkin Tray

Clementine Pumpkins

Clementine Pumpkins Single

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Memorial Honoring Fallen Miners

Grandpa Stefano Buffo Memorial Price Utah 2015

Guest Post – Jason F. Thompson

On Labor Day, in Price, Utah, the Carbon County Coal Miners' Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to coal miners that have died in mine accidents in Utah.

Last night, a friend of mine sent me a photo showing my Great Grandfather's name, Stefano Vittorio Buffo, on the memorial.

I am so grateful for the sacrifices he made, moving his family to a strange land where they had no jobs, where they did not speak the language, and ultimately where he gave his life, so that his family and their lineage could enjoy a better life.

I think Stefano would be extremely proud that the sacrifices he made were not in vain, that today he has given us the opportunity to achieve as much success as we desire.

Memorial

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Time for Soup

    Per 1/8 Recipe: 271 Calories; 22g Fat; 13g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs
  • 1lb ground turkey or 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder 
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 10 ounce cans of Rotel
  • 2 cans of beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

First, you’ll want to brown one pound of ground beef, or ground turkey if you prefer. You can cook the meat in a separate skillet or the large pot you will need for the soup.  Once the meat is brown, drain it and add in two minced garlic cloves and half a cup of onions. Stir those in and then add in your spices–one tablespoon of cumin and one teaspoon of chili powder. Let the spices soak in while you dice up an eight ounce block of cream cheese. Add in the cream cheese and use the back of a wooden spoon to mash it into the meat. You can use a metal or plastic spoon, but the cream cheese will not stick to the wooden spoon as much.
When the cream cheese completely coats the meat, add in two cans of Rotel, two cans of beef broth and half a cup of heavy cream. Stir well and bring ingredients to a boil. Salt can be added to taste, but as much as I love salt, I thought this was perfect as it is. Other great taco ingredients can also be served with it–cheese or a dollop of sour cream.